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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.
With some great bonus categories, the American Express Gold Card has a lot going for it. The card offers 4x points at US restaurants, at US supermarkets (up to $25,000; then 1x), and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com. It is currently offering a welcome bonus of 35,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months.
- Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 3 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. restaurants. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with The Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack, and Ruth's Chris Steak House. This is an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Airline Fee Credit: up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees at one selected qualifying airline.
- Choose to carry a balance with interest on eligible charges of $100 or more.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms apply.
- See Rates & Fees
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.
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