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New Zealand deal: $1,800 premium economy round trips from most of US

Sept. 04, 2022
6 min read
cathedral cove new zealand
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Tourism in New Zealand continues a major rebound after the country shut its doors to international visitors for years during the pandemic, and now we're seeing a resurgence of nonstop flights from the U.S. to Auckland. Last month, travelers had the chance to jump on some great economy fares to the bucket list destination.

There are again some fairly decent economy fares to New Zealand right now — below $900 round trip from what appears to be most U.S. markets with American Airlines service.

But what you really might want to consider is the premium economy option. If you live in a city with American Airlines service, there’s a good chance you can find a fare to Auckland for between $1,800 and $1,900 round trip for late October, November or early December.

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Considering that premium seats on American Airlines’ Boeing 787 Dreamliners often go for well over $3,000 round trip, and considering a flight to Auckland will take some 15 hours each day (not including your positioning flight for the long-haul portion of the trip), it might be a good idea to invest in a bit more comfort.

Scott’s Cheap Flights was the first to point out the great premium economy offerings. For premium memberships starting at $49 annually, the site will flag great economy deals. For $199 annually you get alerts on premium economy and business class deals.

After years where visits to New Zealand were not possible, travelers again have the opportunity to embark on what is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many. A deal like this could be a way to make it both feasible and comfortable along the way.

Mount Cook in New Zealand. ED FREEMAN/STONE COLLECTION VIA GETTY IMAGES

Deal Basics

Airlines: American

Routes: New York, Washington, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and many other U.S. markets to Auckland

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Travel dates: Late October through early December, with some Thanksgiving availability

How to book: Directly with the airline

Like the economy deals to New Zealand TPG wrote about in August, you’d be traveling during the latter part of fall. There isn’t a ton of availability at this price point in late October, although you may find some if you look closely enough. November seems to have wide-open availability, and the deals extend into the first week or so of December.

What’s so remarkable about this deal is not just the premium economy round trip price — potentially thousands in savings compared to what you’d often pay — but how widespread and consistent the availability and fares are. From large American Airlines hubs to other airlines’ major hubs and the smallest of U.S. airports I checked, I found round trips in premium economy priced at $1,840.

The other thing that’s very consistent is the itinerary which will bring you through Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where you’ll board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the 15-hour flight from DFW to Auckland. It’s a shorter, 13-hour, 45-minute flight on the return trip to the U.S.

Here’s one example of what you can find, out of the New York area. Departing on a Tuesday evening in early November from Newark/Liberty International Airport (EWR) aboard an American Boeing 737, you’ll arrive just before 9:30 p.m. central time at DFW. After a brief 77-minute layover, you’ll take off at 10:44 p.m. central time on the Dreamliner, and arrive after the 15-hour haul to Auckland at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday.

Departing on the return trip, you’ll leave mid-afternoon from Auckland and fly overnight back to DFW, arriving in Texas mid-morning. For this itinerary, it’s a layover of just under two hours before your much shorter, three-plus-hour flight back to Newark.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS

Los Angeles travelers can catch a mid-afternoon flight to DFW and have two hours or so on the ground to prepare for the long flight to New Zealand, before getting just over an hour and a half at DFW in the morning hours after arriving back in the U.S.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS

Meanwhile, here’s an itinerary out of O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago with similar timing options, but take note that this is an example of a trip that spans the Thanksgiving holiday, giving you a chance to maximize days off from work.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS

Related: Should you visit New Zealand now?

Maximize your purchase

When you pay with The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Meanwhile, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. If you’re loyal to American Airlines, you might want to go with the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. You earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, along with a host of other benefits you’ll be able to enjoy when flying with American.

LINGXIAO XIE/GETTY IMAGES

Bottom line

It’s not every day that good deals become available to New Zealand, particularly those that allow you to fly in something other than coach. It’s even less likely for those deals to be available to flyers across such a wide swath of the U.S.

If you can find a window on the calendar to travel late this fall, it could be a great time to travel to this epic destination in some comfort at a fraction of what you might otherwise pay.

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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TPG featured card

Best luxury travel rewards card
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

5X points
5XEarn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
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Intro offer

Earn 80,000 Points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual Fee

$695

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
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.

Why We Chose It

Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.

Pros

  • The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
  • This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
  • The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.

Cons

  • The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
  • Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
  • The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
  • American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
  • $189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best luxury travel rewards card
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

5XEarn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5XEarn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

    Earn 80,000 Points
  • Annual Fee

    $695
  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.

Pros

  • The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
  • This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
  • The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.

Cons

  • The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
  • Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
  • The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
  • American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
  • $189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees