Ryanair boss says $12 flights are no more. Here’s how to book a British Airways flight within Europe for 60 cents
Ryanair’s famously low fares across Europe could soon be a thing of the past — at least for the foreseeable future.
The Irish carrier is known for offering astonishingly cheap flights for less than the cost of a train ticket to the airport. Intra-Europe flights to the likes of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal for just $6 were a regular pre-pandemic sight here at TPG. However, soaring inflation and fuel prices have combined to now make single-digit Ryanair fares as rare as a speedy security line at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
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Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s outspoken CEO, expects his passengers' average fares to rise by 10 euros (about $10) to around 40 euros (about $41) over the next five years. As fares rise across the aviation industry amid a cost-of-living crisis, O’Leary believes more passengers will move away from full-service airlines, instead paying less for a no-frills experience with Ryanair.
Related: How to make a Ryanair flight first class
Will bargain-basement fares ever return? As long as the Russian invasion of Ukraine — which shows no signs of easing — continues to put pressure on global fuel prices, it is unlikely we’ll see tickets quite as cheap as they once were for some time.
However, it’s not all bad news. You can still book flights to dozens of European destinations for just 60 cents each way by using points and miles.
British Airways' Reward Flight Saver option offers short-haul flights from just 4,750 Avios, plus 17.50 pounds (about $21) in fees, taxes and surcharges. However, the deal also gives you the option to use more Avios and less cash — as little as 1 pound (about $1) for a round trip. And if you don't have Avios in your account, you can transfer points to British Airways from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Related: These are the best ways to redeem 100,000 British Airways Avios
These flights include a full-size checked bag, so overall, the journey will cost less cash than a cup of coffee. You also won’t be stung by extra fees at every opportunity like you might with an ultra-low-cost carrier. Check out our guide to British Airways’ Reward Flight Saver redemptions.
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Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
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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
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
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- 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.
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Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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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
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