The US just gained a ton of new flights to this popular European destination
Feeling the itch to visit Portugal? Flight options abound.
Just in the last few weeks, airlines launched a host of new routes to the coastal European nation from the U.S. It started in May, with new flights to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, and also smaller cities like Porto and Faro.
When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight
Even more recently, United Airlines launched service to Madeira, and TAP Air Portugal began nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Terceira Lajes Airport (TER) in the Azores.
It’s the latest in a decade-long travel growth spurt to the southern European country, which saw a record number of American visitors last year — and no signs of slowing.
Huge flight growth between the US and Portugal
During the first half of 2025, airlines were set to operate 88% more flights than they did just six years prior in 2019, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium — and an eye-popping 352% more than a decade ago.
Sure, airlines grew transatlantic flying capacity to a wide range of European countries during that period, from the United Kingdom to France — and especially Italy and Spain. But it’s nothing compared to the rate at which airlines have grown in Portugal, including to airports well beyond Lisbon Airport (LIS), the country's largest hub.
“I think it’s the combination of weather, foods, and the hospitality of the Portuguese. And you see that not only for leisure, but you see that for business and [students],” Sofia Lufinha, chief customer officer at TAP Air Portugal, told TPG in a recent interview.
TAP, the country’s flag carrier, has certainly played a big role in opening up new avenues between U.S. cities and its home country.
During the first half of this year, TAP's seats between the U.S. and its home base were up a whopping 70% over 2019, per Cirium.
Twenty percent of TAP’s revenue in 2024 came from American travelers, Lufinha noted — double the mark set five years ago.
An enduring trend
Portugal experienced a tourism boom in the 2010s as travelers flocked to experience its warmer climate and relatively affordable prices — not to mention a shorter flight time compared to some other destinations in Europe.
“We saw individuals traveling there like [20]14, ‘15, ’16, it was really ramping up,” Rose Gray, Wisconsin-based travel adviser at travel agency Fox World Travel, recalled.
Keeping Portugal at the forefront today: a lengthening of Europe’s peak travel season, with travelers flocking across the Atlantic even during the colder “offseason” months.
That’s particularly true in southern Europe, as TPG highlighted in our Travel Trends Report a year ago.
Travelers Gray speaks to — who might have once visited the country briefly en route to a river cruise — are returning, she said, for longer and more leisurely stays.
“Where it used to be cramming stuff in, in a post-COVID era of revenge travel, now they’re coming back and taking it slower ... getting to interact with the locals. Eating like the locals,” she said. “I don’t think this is a flash in the pan.”
TAP doubles down
That’s what TAP was counting on when it opened its first U.S. airport lounge this spring at Miami International Airport (MIA), as part of a collaboration with Avianca, its Colombia-based Star Alliance partner.
Though TAP isn’t planning any other U.S. outposts at this point, Lufinha said, the carrier plans to continue tapping into partner clubs (such as United's).
But the carrier sees that Miami facility, combined with this year’s three new U.S. routes — not to mention investments to its app and digital channels — as an opportunity to lure travelers still hungry to visit (or revisit) the destination.
“It shows that we are here to stay and to grow and that we want to be part of this huge market that is discovering Portugal and Europe, still,” Lufinha said. “There’s a lot of growth and we want to be part of that growth.”
Booking a trip to Portugal
For travelers hoping to redeem points on a flight to Portugal, United’s MileagePlus program is undoubtedly a good place to start. The Chicago-based airline has the most expansive route map of any U.S. airline.
Keep in mind, United operates smaller narrow-body aircraft on some of these routes, as opposed to the large twin-aisle jets seen on many transatlantic flights. So even if you’re booking a premium-cabin seat, there’s a chance it’ll be a standard domestic first-class recliner — not a lie-flat bed.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio. You can also book United seats through its Star Alliance partners, such as Air Canada’s Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer and Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles.
As for TAP: It’s a transfer partner of both Capital One and Bilt Rewards. On top of sharing the same Star Alliance partners as United, it also has a loyalty partnership with JetBlue.
Related reading:
- Best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.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.