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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 American Express Platinum Card, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through 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.
The flight deals over the Atlantic continue to amaze! While it's not uncommon to find deals to Europe on full service airlines (such as American, British Airways, Delta and United) in the $400s round-trip, transatlantic low-cost carriers are lowering their prices even more to compete. This is leading to some jaw-dropping fares, such as $285 round-trip from NYC to Paris, France (CDG), and $312 round-trip from Oakland (OAK) to Barcelona, Spain (BCN). So today, we're rounding up all of the nonstop low-cost carrier deals across the Atlantic currently available for under $360 round-trip.
Tickets are generally available from March through May and then again from September through December, though exact availability will depend on the route. All of these deals can be found by searching with Google Flights, although some of these tickets do require separate ticketing in each direction for the cheapest price. Once you've found your dates, book on Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline itself. Remember also that you can sometimes find even lower prices by booking using the foreign version of an airline's website.
Keep in mind that when flying on low-cost carriers, you'll potentially be subject to extra fees for items that are often included on full service carriers, such as charges for carry-ons and seat assignments. Don't be surprised — know the rules and you can avoid or minimize many of those fees.
Airline: Primera Air, LEVEL, Norwegian
Routes: EWR/BOS/OAK/LAX to CDG/BCN/FCO/STN/ORY
Cost: $285+ round-trip in economy
Dates: March-May and September-December with some summer availability
Booking Link: Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline
Pay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Newark (EWR) to Paris (CDG) for $285 round-trip nonstop on Primera Air:
Boston (BOS) to Barcelona (BCN) for $289 ($148 + $141) nonstop on LEVEL:
Oakland (OAK) to Barcelona (BCN) for $312 ($159 + $153) nonstop on LEVEL:
Newark (EWR) to Rome (FCO) for $320 nonstop on Norwegian:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Barcelona (BCN) for $339 ($171 + $168) nonstop on LEVEL:
Newark (EWR) to London Stansted (STN) for $349 round-trip nonstop on Primera Air:
Newark (EWR) to Paris (ORY) for $360 round-trip nonstop on Norwegian:
Boston (BOS) to Paris (CDG) for $360 round-trip nonstop on Norwegian:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Platinum Card (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, or 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: God Save the Points
