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Thanksgiving Discounted Business Fares to Europe: From Less than $1,500 Total Roundtrip!

Aug. 08, 2012
•
3 min read
Thanksgiving Discounted Business Fares to Europe: From Less than $1,500 Total Roundtrip!
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For the past several years, most major US airlines have heavily discounted business class airfares to Europe over the Thanksgiving holiday. Luckily, this year many have already loaded these discounted fares- with certain roundtrip business class fares from the East coast to Europe as low as $1,439 roundtrip. This is a great opportunity to plan your last elite status run, especially if you get Thanksgiving and the day after off- it's nice to plan a mini-mileage run vacation- in style. I'd also recommend checking to see if you have any vouchers that are going to expire. I recently checked my Delta account and found a couple hundred dollar voucher from a last minute flight I cancelled 6 months ago. (To check to see if you have any Delta vouchers go Delta.com -> SkyMiles -> Manage My Account -> Manage Profile -> Certificates & E-credits.)

Fares are generally cheapest from NYC, though I'm sure there are exceptions out there. I found discounted fares over Thanksgiving on American, Delta, United and US Airways, though I didn't check other carriers. I was curious if British Airways was running the sale, because I would have considered stacking it with the 10% off discount you get as a British Airways Visa cardholder, alas it seems all British Airways flights are regular price. Here are some of the good deals I've found- feel free to share your finds.



Delta from JFK to Dublin for $1,439 total roundtrip. S class, 9,540 Medallion Qualifying Miles earned.

American Airlines JFK- London Heathrow for $1,546 total roundtrip in business (fare class I). This is a great route to use a systemwide upgrade because the 777s have the Flagship first class lie flat bed. Less than $1,600 for roundtrip first class airfare to London is an absolute steal! Unfortunately American doesn't give bonus elite qualifying miles for business class- only elite qualifying points, so you don't enjoy the class of service elite bonus that most airlines offer on premium fares.



United from Washington Dulles to Amsterdam via New York for $1,846 total roundtrip- 11,610 Elite Qualifying Miles.



United New York to London via Washington Dulles for $1,560 for 11,715 Elite Qualifying Miles.

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US Airways Philadelphia to Madrid for $1,789- 11,043 Preferred Qualifying miles.



Delta from Miami to London (with out of the way routing via Detroit, Amsterdam and Paris to maximize mileage) for $2,014 roundtrip- 16,012 Medallion Qualifying Miles!



American from Chicago to Madrid for $2,040 roundtrip.

Delta Minneapolis to London roundtrip for $2,066- 12,045 Medallion Qualifying Miles.



Delta from Atlanta to Paris via Miami roundtrip for $2,138- 15,550 Medallion Qualifying Miles.



United San Diego to London via Houston for $2,488- 18,411 Elite Qualifying Miles.

Air France Los Angeles to Paris for $2,544 (these flights can also be booked on Delta.com). Routing via Atlanta nets 19,020 Medallion Qualifying Miles for $2,558.

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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.