Act fast: Flights to Europe from DC starting at $128 for today only
In case you missed the news earlier this week, Icelandic budget airline, Play, is expanding its domestic presence with operations out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) in April 2023.
To celebrate the launch, Play is offering round-trip flights from IAD to Iceland, Berlin, Dublin, Paris, London and Copenhagen, Denmark, starting at $129 one-way. Flights are only on sale through today, Aug. 26.
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Deal basics
Airlines: Play Airlines.
Routes: Washington, D.C., to Berlin, Dublin, Paris, Iceland, London and Copenhagen.
How to book: Directly through the airline.
Travel dates: April 29-June 17, 2023, for flights to Dublin, April 30-June 11, 2023, for the other routes.
Book by: Midnight EST on Aug. 26.
Sample routes
Play's expansion will include flights to six European routes to and from IAD, including to:
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Dublin Airport (DUB) and London Stansted Airport (STN), starting at $128 one-way, with very limited availability to BER.
- Keflavik Airport (KEF), starting at $162, one-way.
Although this sale is advertised as being available for travel through mid-June, flights are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll have to sift through the carrier's calendar online to see what is still available within the booking window.
For example, a one-way search from IAD to CDG shows flights still available starting at $138 one-way, but only a handful are available in May and June, as shown below.
When I clicked on the May 1 flight, it was actually $10 cheaper than advertised in the calendar, for a base fare of $128.37.
Read more: $99 flights to Europe? Budget airline Play is landing in Washington, DC
Although each Play fare allows passengers one personal item that can fit under the seat in front of them, note that the base fare does not include any baggage. Be sure to factor in an additional $51 for a full-sized carry-on or $78 to check a bag.
Secondly, you'll have the option to pay to select your seat ahead of time, with seats in the very back of the plane starting at $5 and going up to $41 to sit toward the front.
This flight, like all of the ones in this deal, excluding those whose final destination is KEF, will include one stop in Iceland, which means you'll have to pay for a seat on each leg of the trip.
There are a limited number of complimentary seats available in the exit row on the flight from IAD-KEF, though I suspect those will be among the first to go.
To book a flight at the lowest price available, I would suggest playing around with your travel dates, if flexible. Also note that although this sale advertises discounted prices for one-way routes, you may be able to stack two one-way flights to make a round trip, depending on route availability.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal, don’t forget to use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases. There are many options, including The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel), on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year or the Citi Prestige® Card, also 5 points per dollar on airfare. Or try the Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve (both for 3 points per dollar on airfare) or the American Express® Gold Card (which also gives you 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel). Otherwise, consider using the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel). Read this for more ways to maximize your airfare purchases.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Although this is a great opportunity to save on one-way flights to Europe from D.C., flights are not as low as they seem at first glance since Play charges extra for most seats and full-size carry-on bags.
Even so, flights for mainstream carriers for these routes are currently priced at $500 to $600 one-way, making this deal one worth booking.
Related: Low-cost Icelandic carrier Play adds Orlando to growing list of US destinations
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
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Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual 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
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees