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Good Deal Alert: New York JFK - Milan MXP $438 Roundtrip on Emirates and Alitalia in March - April
Brian Kelly
Founder + "The Points Guy"
Since launching TPG in 2010, founder Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a distinguished editorial staff and an extensive network of freelancer contacts from around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 11 million unique monthly visitors and more than 3 million followers across social media platforms and has offices in New York City, Charlotte and the U.K.
March 10, 2014
•
3 min read
Good Deal Alert: New York JFK - Milan MXP $438 Roundtrip on Emirates and Alitalia in March - April
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Economy tickets from the US to Europe tend to hover around the $800-$1,100 mark, but right now, there's a decent airfare deal to Europe this spring where you can score tickets on either Emirates or Alitalia on their competing New York JFK - Milan MXP route for as low as $438 per person including all taxes and fees. The catch is, you have to be traveling in a pair because single tickets are pricing out at about $620.
I checked out the route on dates during the last week of March and the first week of April using the ITA Matrix's calendar search for trips between 3-8 nights, and it looks like there are several dates where these fares are available:
ITA showed that these fares were available on both Emirates and Alitalia, so I went to each airline's site to try actually booking them (since you can't book directly on the ITA Matrix). Here's what came up on Emirates:
As you can see, quite a few dates in there work for trips between 4-11 nights if you're looking to make a big trip out of it. The tickets book as a Saver Fare class, which only earns 50% mileage, so it's not really a mileage run deal on Emirates.
On Alitalia, there were also plenty of dates available, though looks like the lowest-priced tickets might already be drying up for that first week in April, but I was able to price it out on several days including the ones below:
So a total of $875.40 for two people - or $437.70 per person. Again you've got to book for two passengers since the price is closer to $630 for just one person. These tickets book into L class on Alitalia:
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Which earns 100% miles and MQM's on Delta per Delta's partner airline earning chart:
Roundtrip, that's 7,990 miles for $438 per person, coming down to 5.48 cents per mile. The one major downside is that it doesn't look like these fares are pricing out on Delta.com, and when I tried calling the airline to see if I could book them over the phone, the agents couldn't find those fares either. The airfare isn't pricing out as a Delta fare on OTA's like Orbitz either, so it doesn't look like you'll be able to earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars on these fares, unfortunately.
So while this isn't an mind-blowing fare sale for mileage-earning or elite-qualifying purposes, if you’re looking for a quick, easy spring getaway to Europe at a low price, this is a pretty good deal, and Emirates has a great economy class on the 777-300ER from everything I've seen, so it should be a pretty pleasant experience.
I visited Milan last May and had a fantastic time staying at the Park Hyatt and eating in wonderful restaurants, so I'd highly recommend it. Let us know if you are able to book any of the fares in the comments below.
Be sure to check out this post for the best sites and credit cards for maximizing points on airfare purchases.
Hat tip: Flight Deal Alert
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.