Icelandic airline Play offers summer and fall fare deals to Europe starting at $300
About an hour north of Manhattan, the leafy suburbs hold a surprise for local travelers hoping to find deals on airfare to Europe this summer. Play, a low-cost Icelandic airline, is expanding its service to New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) starting June 9; it will be the first international airline to serve SWF since 2019.
Related: 7 reasons flying Iceland's newest airline was a great experience
Along with the convenience of transatlantic flights to Europe from a less-densely populated area of the perpetually packed New York region, Play will offer low and discounted fares to Reykjavik, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin and Paris.
Currently, we're seeing fares for round-trip nonstop flights to Iceland at less than $400 on peak summer travel dates in July. Round-trip fares come down as low as $300 in the fall. Prices for round-trip flights to other European cities are higher; some are in the $600 (or more) range and have short layovers in Iceland. However, they still may be good alternatives to skyrocketing fares on the major carriers from overcrowded city airports.
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If you've always wanted to see the spectacular glaciers, ice caves, geysers, geothermal hot springs, enormous waterfalls, dramatic black-sand beaches and ancient volcanos of Iceland, this might be the perfect summer deal.
The best deals we found are direct to Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport (KEF), and round-trip flights during peak summer weeks cost less than $400. If you're located outside of the Big Apple, driving to Orange County may be both easier and faster than driving to the city's major airports including LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). For a July direct fare, this is one to grab:
If you don't mind chillier temperatures (and possibly light snowfall), consider traveling during the fall shoulder season. We found round-trip base fares for less than $300.
Related: 3 reasons Iceland is a great destination for LGBTQ+ travelers
Play will also offer flights to Paris, Berlin and Copenhagen. For the best deals, consider mid-fall journeys, when prices for round-trip flights (with short layovers in Iceland) are available for about $400. This is a great time of year to find hotel deals in Paris along with fewer crowds, so you can stroll the Champs-Elysees.
Note: This low-budget carrier charges extra for almost everything on your flight. You can bring one personal item for free, but a larger carry-on bag will cost you. All advance seat assignments carry an additional fee, including the back row (although that will only set you back $6). Food and drink cost extra as well, so consider packing your own dinner to bring on board.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal, be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as 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 try the Citi Prestige® Card (5 points per dollar on airfare), the Citi Premier® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve (both of which offer 3 points per dollar on airfare). The American Express® Gold Card also awards 3 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel. Lastly, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel). Check out this post for more on maximizing 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
Play's newest expansion brings deals and discounts to the New York City suburbs. A slew of add-on costs means fares aren't always as low as they initially seem. However, despite the extra costs, these low fares to prime European destinations may be worth checking out.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
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
- 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
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