Deal Alert: Fly to Eastern Europe under $450 round-trip from major US cities
Quick summary
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you have ever wanted to explore the history and culture of Eastern Europe, this deal could be for you. LOT Polish Airlines, a partner of United, is offering round-trip flights from major U.S. cities to Hungary and Poland for under $450 round-trip.
The deal was reported by Thrifty Traveler Premium, which for $7.99 monthly or $49.99 annually will send news of cheap flights, award flight sales and business-class deals to your email.
Deal basics
Airlines: LOT Polish Airlines.
Routes: EWR/JFK/ORD/MIA to WAW/KRK/BUD.
How to book: Directly with the airline or through Google Flights.
Travel dates: February-May and September-November.
Related: The 7 best ways to redeem points and miles for flights to Europe
Sample Flights
The deals below on LOT Polish Airlines include a meal, standard seat and carry-on up to 17 pounds in weight. A seat selection and checked bag will cost extra.
One of the least expensive deals was a nonstop flight from Miami (MIA) to Warsaw (WAW) at $427 round-trip.
Nonstop flights from Chicago (ORD) to Warsaw (WAW) were also $427 round-trip throughout February and March.
Chicagoans who want to travel to one of the oldest cities in Poland have flight options to explore Krakow (KRK) at $449 round-trip with a stop in Warsaw (WAW).
For the same price, those on the East Coast could book a trip from New York (JFK) at $427 round-trip and Newark (EWR) to Warsaw (WAW) at $428 round-trip.
If New Yorkers want to head to Hungary for views of the Chain Bridge and historical architecture they can do so on a budget. A flight from New York (JFK) to Budapest (BUD) will cost $478 round-trip throughout February and March, with a stop in Warsaw.
Related: 10 Things No One Tells You About… Budapest
Maximize your purchase
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees)or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar on air travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel — which you could redeem for as little as 13,000 points.
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
Fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. are currently allowed to Poland and those traveling by air to Hungary are required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours. As the travel landscape adapts to changing health policies, these affordable deals to Poland and Hungary are worth exploring if your schedule is flexible.