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Icelandair Adding Flights From Chicago O'Hare
May 13, 2015
•
3 min read
Icelandair Adding Flights From Chicago O'Hare
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This week, Icelandair announced that it will add four weekly nonstop flights between Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Keflavik International Airport (KEF) starting in March 2016. Available year-round with service on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, these flights will connect to more than 20 destinations in Europe.
For travelers from the Midwest, the ORD-KEF flights will open up more opportunity to visit what's fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and for Icelanders and other Europeans, the flights will offer easier access to Chicago and its environs. Coming on the heels of the airline's added service to Seattle, Newark and Minneapolis-St. Paul, the news of these Chicago flights also positions Icelandair to grab a larger piece of the US-to-Europe market.
Iceland's position between North America and mainland Europe — as well as its opportunities to see the Northern Lights, visit glaciers and geysers and ride small, furry horses — makes it an ideal stopover point. You can also take advantage of up to a 7-day stopover at no additional charge.
Icelandair's current ORD-KEF flights currently require a connection at Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) with a domestic flight from O'Hare on JetBlue, and show economy-class prices ranging from $960 to $1,600 over the next four months. (If you have the extra cash, you might want to consider booking in business class for its snazzy amenity kit.) Hopefully, nonstop flights will bring lower prices along with the shorter travel times.
Redeeming for a Flight
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Though Icelandair's Saga program has limited transfer partners, such as Hilton HHonors, you'll likely receive a better value (and better availability/much less hassle) by booking using a credit card that allows you to redeem points to cover everyday travel purchases. A $1,111 Icelandair flight will cost approximately 100,000 Barclaycard Arrival miles after factoring in the 10% mileage rebate on redemptions, but considering you earn two miles for every $1 spent on the Barclaycard Arrival Plus card (which currently offers a 40,000-mile bonus after you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days), an Icelandair flight could be a good redemption.
If you do travel through Iceland and stay long enough to explore, be sure to visit the WOW Air $99-Fare Guide to Iceland and Layover Lowdown: Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport — and enjoy!
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$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
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 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.