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Deal Alert: LAX to London from $691 Round-Trip on Air New Zealand

Jan. 02, 2016
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3 min read
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Deal Alert: LAX to London from $691 Round-Trip on Air New Zealand
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend that you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency such as Orbitz, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to travel. Additionally, keep in mind that discounted partner fares may not earn miles with US-based carriers.

Air New Zealand offers one of the most interesting fifth-freedom routes for US travelers, flying nonstop from Los Angeles to London every day. While typically not the most affordable option between those two cities, Air New Zealand's flight is arguably one of the most comfortable. And through January 7, it's on sale — promo code NYS200 will take $200 off economy fares, NYS400 will take $400 off premium economy and NYS600 will take $600 off lie-flat business class, on all of the airline's ex-US flights through the end of November. With this deal, economy to London starts at $691 round-trip, while business class starts at $3,655, which is still quite competitive.

There are also some great fares available to the Cook Islands (a 10-hour trip from LA), but those flights only operate once a week and on one of the airline's 767s, so you won't have as comfortable of a ride. On that route, round-trip business-class fares start at just $1,697 — note that you'll be traveling in a recliner seat rather than a lie-flat bed. Also, while all of these business-class fares earn 100% EQMs and 125% redeemable miles with United, none of the economy fares do.

Airlines: Air New Zealand

Routes: LAX to LHR, LAX to RAR

Cost: $691+ round-trip in economy, $1,697+ round-trip in business

Dates: January 2016 through November 2016

Elite Mileage Earning: At least 9,360 elite-qualifying miles

Fare Class: K or G (economy), J (business)

Booking Link: Air New Zealand

Pay With: American Express Premier Rewards Gold, Citi Prestige or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Here are some examples of what you can book:

Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) for $691 in economy on Air New Zealand:

Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) for $691 in economy on Air New Zealand.

Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) for $3,655 in business class on Air New Zealand (earns 10,880 EQMs):

Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) for $3,655 in business class on Air New Zealand.

Los Angeles (LAX) to Cook Islands (RAR) for $1,697 in business class on Air New Zealand (earns 9,360 EQMs):

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Los Angeles (LAX) to Cook Islands (RAR) for $1,697 in business class on Air New Zealand.

Maximize Your Purchase

Remember, you can bank extra credit card points by using a card that offers a bonus on airfare purchases, like 3x on airfare with the American Express Premier Rewards Gold and Citi Prestige, or 2x on travel purchases with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.

Be sure to act fast if you're interested!

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  • 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
Go to review

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.
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2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • 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.