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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through the Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.
Flights to Africa rarely go on sale, and deals for flights across the entire US to Africa are even more unusual. But today SkyTeam carriers Air France, Delta, KLM and Kenya Airways have a massive sale for flights to five different African destinations.
You can fly from New York (JFK/LGA), Newark (EWR), Washington DC (IAD/DCA), Baltimore (BWI), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Burbank (BUR), Ontario (ONT), Santa Ana (SAN), San Francisco (SFO) and San Jose (SJC) to Abuja, Nigeria (ABV), Cape Town, South Africa (CPT), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (DAR), Entebbe, Uganda (EBB) and Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) from just $577 round-trip.
Additionally, this could be a great opportunity for a Delta Mileage run, earning more than 15,000 MQMs on many routes.
If you’re looking to book a safari or other activity while in Africa, check out Get Your Guide’s list of best activities in Cape Town to maximize your time while on vacation.
To search, head to Google Flights and enter your origin and destination cities. Scroll through the calendar function to find dates and prices that work for you. Finally, click through to book directly with the airline or through an OTA like Priceline or Expedia.
Airlines: Air France, Delta, KLM, Air Kenya
Routes: JFK/EWR/LGA/IAD/DCA/BWI/BOS/IAH/ORD/BUR/ONT/SNA/SFO/SJC to ABV/NBO/CPT/DAR/EBB
Cost: $577+ round-trip in economy
Travel Dates: November 2018 – May 2019
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi ThankYou Premier Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Booking Link: Priceline, Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Washington DC (IAD) to Nairobi (NBO) for $577 round-trip on Air France/KLM/Kenya Airways:
Houston (IAH) to Nairobi (NBO) for $600 round-trip on KLM:
New York (JFK) to Cape Town (CPT) for $612 round-trip on Air France/KLM:
Washington DC (IAD) to Dar es Salaam (DAR) for $612 round-trip on KLM via Delta.com:
Chicago (ORD) to Nairobi (NBO) for $630 round-trip on KLM:
Washington DC (IAD) to Entebbe (EBB) for $656 round-trip on KLM via Delta.com:
Boston (BOS) to Cape Town (CPT) for $661 round-trip on Air France/KLM:
New York (JFK) to Abuja (ABV) for $669 round-trip on Air France:
San Francisco (SFO) to Nairobi (NBO) for $670 round-trip on Air France/KLM/Kenya Airways:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express® Gold Card, Citi ThankYou Premier, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
Featured image by SL_Photography / Getty Images.
The American Express Platinum card has some of the best perks out there: cardholders enjoy the best domestic lounge access (Delta SkyClubs, Centurion Lounges, and Priority Pass), a $200 annual airline fee credit as well as up to $200 in Uber credits, and mid-tier elite status at SPG, Marriott, and Hilton. Combined with the 60,000 point welcome offer -- worth $1,140 based on TPG's valuations -- this card is a no-brainer for frequent travelers. Here are 5 reasons you should consider this card, as well as how you can figure out if the $550 annual fee makes sense for you.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
- Enjoy Uber VIP status and free rides in the U.S. up to $15 each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
- 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
- Enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
- Receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts. Learn More.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
- $550 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
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