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Amazing Deal Alert: NYC to Nairobi, Kenya, for $242 Round-Trip Nonstop

Oct. 28, 2018
4 min read
Zebras in the savannah, Amboseli, Kenya
Amazing Deal Alert: NYC to Nairobi, Kenya, for $242 Round-Trip Nonstop
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you're using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you'll need to book directly with the airline or through the Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia's courtesy cancellation if you're unable to get the time away from work or family.

In just a couple of days, Kenya Airways will launch its inaugural flight between Nairobi and New York's Kennedy (JFK). And if you want to check out the brand new airline or snag an insanely cheap flight to Africa, you're in luck. There are some incredible fares currently available when you book the flights through Kenya Airways' partner Delta.

Per The Flight Deal, in order to search for this deal, you have to manually search dates by using the following URL and swapping in the dates you want to search:

https://www.delta.com/flight-search/search?itinSegment[0]=0:G:JFK:NBO:KQ:3:JAN:16:2019:0&itinSegment[1]=1:G:NBO:JFK:KQ:2:
JAN:22:2019:0&tripType=multiCity&currencyCd=USD&paxCount=1&fareBasis=
GLPRUS:GLPRUS&numOfSegments=2&exitCountry=us&cabin=MAIN&vendorID=
Google&vendorRedirectFlag=true

For advanced users, the fare basis code is GLPRUS and the fare construction is:

NYC KQ NBO 61.50GLPRUS KQ NYC 61.50GLPRUS NUC 123.00 END ROE 1.00 XT 5.77YC 7.00XY 3.96XA 36.60US 5.60AY 50.00TU 6.00YQ 4.50XF JFK4.50

While you're booking with Delta, you won't want to credit these flights to Delta. Kenya Airways G fares don't earn any SkyMiles, Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) or Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQD). There aren't many useful options for US travelers to credit these flights, but here are your options.

Update: I booked a flight just after posting this deal and received an email with my e-ticket three minutes after booking.

Airlines: Kenya Airways
Routes: JFK to NBO
Cost: $242+ round-trip in economy
Travel Dates: November 2018 - September 2019 -- excluding holidays
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)

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Here are a few examples of what you can book:

New York Kennedy (JFK) to Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) for $242 round-trip nonstop in February:

New York Kennedy (JFK) to Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) for $242 round-trip nonstop in March:

New York Kennedy (JFK) to Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) for $242 round-trip nonstop in April:

New York Kennedy (JFK) to Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) for $242 round-trip nonstop in May:

Maximize Your Purchase

Don't forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Premier, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.

H/T: Secret Flying

Featured image by Getty Images

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Miles
Annual fee
$650
Regular APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

  • Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
  • Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
  • Ability to earn MQDs through spending
  • Various statement credits for eligible purchases

Cons

  • Steep annual fee of $650
  • Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
  • Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
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  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees