Deal alert: Big discounts on business-class fares to Europe
How does a deal on business-class flights on Icelandair to Europe sound right about now?
You know you've come across a good deal when it's advertised on two of our favorite sites, Scott's Cheap Flights Elite membership and Thrifty Traveler Premium, both of which alert subscribers to business- and first-class deals like this one via email.
Just keep in mind this is not for traditional lie-flat business-class seats. It's more like premium economy, but still a good deal.
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Deal basics
Airline: Icelandair.
Routes: BOS/ORD/DEN/JFK/EWR/MCO/SEA/IAD to AMS/DUB/GLA/HEL/MAN/CDG/KEF/CPH/ARN/BER and others.
Cost: Less than $1,000 round-trip.
How to book: Search flights via Google Flights and then book directly at Icelandair.com.
Dates: January-May 2022.
Sample flights
This wide-reaching deal includes round-trip flights from several major U.S. cities, such as Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR) and Washington, D.C. (IAD), to various cities throughout Europe, including:
- London (LGW), starting at $986.
- Amsterdam (AMS) and Stockholm (ARN), starting at $993.
- Frankfurt (FRA), Germany; Paris (CDG); Helsinki (HEL); and Zurich (ZRH), starting at $994.
- Manchester, England (MAN), and Munich (MUN), starting at $995.
- Dublin (DUB), starting at $996.
- Berlin (BER); Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH); Glasgow, Scotland (GLA); and Oslo, Norway (OSL), starting at $997.
- Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF), starting at $998, nonstop.
Icelandair's business class is called "Saga Premium," so be sure to look for that fare type while booking, as illustrated below. For example, you could take the below flight in mid-January from Chicago to Dublin for $996 round-trip.
Related: UK and Israel impose restrictions over new COVID-19 strain from Africa
Related: Masks now required outdoors in Paris
As I mentioned above, Saga Premium is the carrier's business class, which means one free carry-on and two checked bags, priority check-in, lounge access, meals and alcoholic beverages.
Also, Icelandair is offering free changes on all international flights until further notice due to COVID-19, so rest assured you can book this deal and change your flight at a later date if need be. Just know a fare difference may apply.
That same week, you could take a similarly priced flight departing from New York's JFK to Copenhagen for $997 round-trip.
Most of the flights in this deal include a layover on both legs.
Maximize your purchase
Don’t forget to use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on purchases per calendar year), Citi Prestige® Card (5x on airfare), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on airfare), American Express® Gold Card (3x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
It's not every day that we see a deal for business-class fares, which are more than 30% their normal price of around $1,500. Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 are rapidly changing, so be sure to check the latest guidelines for any country you anticipate visiting. Consult our Europe reopening guide here.
Related: Reopening Europe: Where can you go? What are the rules? A country-by-country guide
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees