Book a last-minute trip to Europe with LOT Polish Airlines business-class award space
Although we're halfway through July, it's not too late for a summer trip to Europe.
Many of us have already requalified for our airline statuses, so it's the perfect time to break away from the "hamster wheel" and finally redeem some of those hard-earned miles.
LOT Polish Airlines has widespread business-class awards available, even during peak times this summer. As LOT is a Star Alliance member, you can book these seats using a number of points currencies, including United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles. For the lowest award rates, I suggest checking out our guide on Star Alliance award tickets.
Because LOT flies to more than 100 destinations, know that you can transit on to a number of destinations throughout Europe, including France, Italy and Greece, after flying into Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport (KRK) or Budapest Airport (BUD).
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Deal basics
Airline: LOT Polish Airlines.
Routes: New York City, Newark and Chicago to Warsaw and Krakow, Poland, and Budapest, Hungary, plus other destinations in Europe via connections.
How to book: With your preferred Star Alliance currency.
Travel dates: July through November 2022.
Sample flights
- New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Budapest Airport for 63,000 LifeMiles, 70,000 Aeroplan miles or 80,500 MileagePlus miles.
- Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport for 63,000 LifeMiles, 70,000 Aeroplan miles or 77,000 MileagePlus miles.
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Warsaw Chopin Airport for 63,000 LifeMiles, 70,000 Aeroplan miles or 80,500 MileagePlus miles.
On all of these itineraries, the taxes and fees fall below $50 per person one-way.
Between Aeroplan, LifeMiles and MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles offers the lowest award rates. You can transfer credit card points to LifeMiles from every major transferable points program, with the exception of Chase Ultimate Rewards. In other words, you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards.
Another option would be to buy Avianca miles, which can currently be done with a 145% bonus.
This promotion effectively allows you to purchase 127,400 LifeMiles for $1,716, which is enough for a round-trip business-class award.
The same seat would cost $4,237 using cash.
Related: Flying a month-old Dreamliner: LOT Polish’s business class on the 787-9
Bottom line
With LOT's widespread business-class space during peak travel dates, updated fleet and expansive network throughout Europe, now is the time to lock in an award flight.
While LOT doesn't operate the most modern transatlantic business-class hard product out there, TPG points and miles editor Andrew Kunesh has had positive experiences traveling with the carrier. Kunesh has often found the service and catering on board to be excellent, especially in business class.
Even if you don't have enough miles, now's a great time to get to Europe by taking advantage of the current Avianca LifeMiles sale.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees