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Fly to Europe From 12,250 Miles + Taxes With Flying Blue Promo Awards

July 02, 2018
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3 min read
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Fly to Europe From 12,250 Miles + Taxes With Flying Blue Promo Awards
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Last month some (negative) changes were made to the Air France/KLM frequent flyer program, Flying Blue. In fact, my favorite coverage of the new program was an article by Richard Kerr in which he basically just tries to explain the program in screenshots as there was no apparent rhyme or reason to when or why things price the way they do. However, don't write the program off just because it is wonky. Flying Blue is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and the Citi ThankYou program, so it is very relevant for pretty much all of us with rewards credit cards.

Additionally. Flying Blue offers monthly promo awards where select cities and cabins are available at up to 50% off the regular award price.

This month's promo award caught my eye because Houston is on the list at 50% off the regular Flying Blue award price in economy, as is Washington Dulles. These discounts are valid for travel from August 31 - October 30, 2018, as long as you book before July 30, 2018. Based on my searches, this drops the award price down to 14,500 miles + $68 in taxes/fees one-way Houston to Paris on Air France and 12,250 miles + $68 in taxes/ fees from Houston to Amsterdam on KLM. From Washington Dulles, I found the same prices to Amsterdam on KLM and slightly lower prices on Air France to Paris at 13,750 miles + $68 in taxes.

Being able to fly from Houston to Europe nonstop for 12,250 miles + about $68 in taxes thanks to the promo award is very good all by itself, but something else caught my eye when I was doing test searches from Houston to Paris on Air France.

While economy awards are only 14,500 miles plus taxes, I was perhaps even more impressed that business class awards from Houston to Paris are only 66,500 + $218 in taxes/fees. This price isn't earth shattering, but it is quite fair and I haven't heard anyone mention these decently priced business class awards still being available after the recent changes made by Flying Blue. The good news is that they are still out there! I found the same prices and availability on the return, so you could go round trip from Houston to Paris for 133,000 miles that you can transfer in from Chase, Citi, and Amex, plus the taxes and fees.

If economy suits your needs from Houston or Dulles, then hop on this 50% off award sale before it ends on July 30, 2018.

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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.