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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.
Your dream vacation to Turkey could easily become a reality thanks to a recent round of low fares on select Star Alliance carriers. Turkey is one of the most culturally diverse places on the Earth, offering a variety of activities from touring museums to culinary experiences. Unfortunately, getting to Turkey is somewhat difficult and pricey. However, these low Star Alliance fares make it much easier to get there.
Multiple Star Alliance carriers are offering one or two-stop itineraries at less than $500 round-trip from various cities in the United States to Istanbul. Fares are available now until late March, but also again in the fall during October and November. All fares below are in economy. Most do not include flights that require an overnight layover, but the ones that do come with Air Canada’s stopover offer, which means you have access to free or reduced rates at hotels during your overnight layover.
Make sure you don’t miss out on what the country has to offer by checking out Get Your Guide’s list of best activities in Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey!
To search, head to Google Flights and enter your origin and destination cities. Scroll through the calendar function to find dates and prices that work for you. Finally, click through to book directly with the airline or through an OTA like Priceline or Expedia.
Airlines: Star Alliance (United, Turkish, Lufthansa, Air Canada)
Routes: ATL/DFW/DTW/FLL/IND/MIA/MSP/NYC/PHL/PHX/SLC/SEA/IAD to Istanbul (IST)
Cost: $460+ round-trip
Travel Dates: January – March 2019 and October – November 2019
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi Premier Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Prestige Card (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Detriot (DTW) to Istanbul (IST) for $475 round-trip via United:
Philadelphia (PHL) to Istanbul (IST) for $472 round-trip via Air Canada:
Philadelphia (ZFV/Rail) to Istanbul (IST) for $469 round-trip via United:
Miami (MIA) to Istanbul (IST) for $486 round-trip via Priceline:
Seattle (SEA) to Istanbul (IST) for $506 round-trip via Priceline:
Indianapolis (IND) to Istanbul (IST) for $495 round-trip via Orbitz:
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 Card, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Premier Card, Citi Prestige Card (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
Know before you go.
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NEW INCREASED OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
