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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available – Citi Prestige Card
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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 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.
Delta’s flash sales for award flights often feature fantastic deals such as flights to Asia for 50,000 SkyMiles round-trip, Mexico for 12,000 SkyMiles round-trip or South America from 36,000 SkyMiles round-trip. This time around, Europe is the latest destination featured, starting at just 32,000 SkyMiles round-trip from the East Coast to popular destinations such as Zurich, Madrid, London, Brussels and Lisbon.
Since Delta doesn’t publish an award chart, its award rates are notoriously dynamic and fluctuate based on the carrier’s whims. That being said, the redemption rate really pays off in favor of travelers every so often, and this is one of those times. Note that international taxes and fees will still cost you upward of $50, especially when flying in and out of London.
Route: JFK/BOS to MAD/ZRH/LHR/LIS/BRU
Cost: 32,000+ SkyMiles and $58+ round-trip in economy
Dates: January – March 2019
Pay Taxes/Fees With: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel) or The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare)
New York (JFK) to Zurich (ZRH) in January/February for 32,000 SkyMiles and $58 round-trip:
New York (JFK) to London (LHR) in February for 36,000 SkyMiles and $188 round-trip:
New York (JFK) to Madrid (MAD) in February for 40,000 SkyMiles and $53 round-trip:
New York (JFK) to Lisbon (LIS) in January/March for 48,000 SkyMiles and $56 round-trip:
New York (JFK) to Brussels (BRU) in January for 46,000 SkyMiles and $57 round-trip:
Boston (BOS) to London (LHR) in March for 32,000 SkyMiles + $188 round-trip:
If you don’t have enough SkyMiles in your account, consider signing up for one of the Delta SkyMiles credit cards from American Express to ensure you’re able to take advantage of an offer like this next time one pops up. For example, the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express currently comes with a bonus of 30,000 SkyMiles after you spend $1,000 in the first three months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your card within the first three months. Also, this is a great card for defeating basic economy.
H/T: Doctor of Credit
Featured image courtesy of Visit Brussels.
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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