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Fly premium economy to Europe from just $483

Jan. 04, 2023
5 min read
Arc de Triomphe in Paris with a big French flag under it
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An extensive, peak summer deal to fly to Europe in premium economy for the price of coach? Sounds like a mid-winter daydream, but we're happy to say you're wide awake — this deal is real.

SAS has a wide range of premium economy seats at economy class prices. Even better, many routes have availability in June and August 2023, peak summer season.

There's even more good news: SAS has its own branded lounges in New York, Chicago and many European airports, and premium economy passengers are allowed entrance to them. In addition, SAS usually provides free basic Wi-Fi to premium economy passengers.

One thing to note -- SAS is currently operating under bankruptcy protection, though it doesn't appear to be impacting operations too significantly after disruptions this summer after pilots went on strike.

Related: 9 things to know about flying premium economy

Deal basics

Airline: SAS.
Routes: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and other U.S. cities have discounted flights to various European destinations.
How to book: Search through Google Flights to find your best available dates and then book directly with SAS.
Travel dates: March through August. Dates vary by route.
Book by: Within the next two days.

Hat tip to Scott’s Cheap Flights for spotlighting this deal. For $49 a year, the site’s Premium membership provides discounts of up to 90% and includes a 14-day free trial. The Elite membership also highlights premium, business-class and first-class deals.

Sample flights

Many major U.S. cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles have a great deal of availability to many Europe hot spots. Destinations include Copenhagen, Denmark; London; Oslo, Norway; Paris; and Milan. We're seeing the best availability often coming out of New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) airport, with the best pricing often available in May.

Related: Small and satisfying: Flying premium economy on Scandinavian Airlines' new A321LR from Washington to Copenhagen

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Here are some standout flights:

  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), starting at $672 (includes a layover in Copenhagen) — a record low for this route.
  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Dublin Airport (DUB), starting at $483 (includes a layover in Stockholm).
  • Miami International Airport (MIA) to Vilnius International Airport (VNO), starting at $628 (includes a layover in Copenhagen).
  • JFK to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), starting at $668 (includes a layover in Copenhagen) — a record low for this route.
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) nonstop to Copenhagen Airport (CPH), starting at $739.

We recommend finding your ideal dates through Google Flights and then booking your flights directly on the airline’s website since airlines are more reliable in the event your flight faces a delay, cancellation or booking change.

GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTS

Here's one of our favorite offers for Paris: See the City of Light in May with a round-trip flight for just $640.

GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTS

A nonstop, round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Copenhagen for $739 in premium economy also caught our eye.

Premium economy on SAS comes with several benefits, including lounge access, priority boarding, more spacious seats and multi-course meals. As you can see below, this sale provides this premium experience for about $4 more than the basic economy fares.

FLYSAS.COM

Maximize your purchase

Use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, like 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), Citi Prestige® Card (5 points per dollar on airfare), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on airfare), American Express® Gold Card (3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel). See 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

All things considered, these are some incredible deals for flights to Europe. You can fly in comfort at a discounted price to many of the continent's most popular tourist destinations.

What makes this deal even better is that the travel dates for some of these cities fall during the summer — Europe’s peak tourist season. That means you can visit during the most popular time of the year without paying exorbitant fares.

This deal won't last long, and prices will likely change frequently. We recommend seizing this opportunity and booking your tickets as soon as possible.

Featured image by LEO PATRIZ/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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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