Deal Alert: LAX to London from $691 Round-Trip on Air New Zealand
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 $3,655 in business class on Air New Zealand (earns 10,880 EQMs):
Los Angeles (LAX) to Cook Islands (RAR) for $1,697 in business class on Air New Zealand (earns 9,360 EQMs):
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!
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.