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$99 flights to Europe? Budget airline Play is landing in Washington, DC

Aug. 23, 2022
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3 min read
PLAY Iceland STN – KEF Ben Smithson
$99 flights to Europe? Budget airline Play is landing in Washington, DC
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Travelers heading to or from the nation's capital will have a new low-cost option to cross the pond.

New Icelandic budget carrier Play Airlines announced it'll commence operations at the Dulles International Airport (IAD) on April 26, 2023.

The Reykjavík-based carrier will deploy a mix of the Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft on the new daily route.

Flights will connect IAD with the airline's hub at the Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Reykjavik, Iceland. From there, travelers can connect to many popular European destinations, including Paris, Madrid, Dublin and many more. Travelers can book flights directly on the airline's website.

If you've never heard of Play Airlines, you're likely not alone. The new budget carrier started operations in 2021, with service to London’s Stansted Airport (STN). The carrier quickly expanded with more routes to Europe and new service to the U.S. that began earlier this summer. Play is deploying a similar model to the now-defunct Wow Air.

Play operates an ultra-low-cost model, with flyers paying for more ancillary services, including checked baggage, seat assignments and meals.

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(Photo by Ben Smithson/The Points Guy)

That said, one of the biggest reasons to choose a Play flight is the fare. The airline's unbundled fares on the new Dulles route begin at just $99 each way. Note that the promotional introductory offer is available for booking through Aug. 26, and you'll need to buy a round-trip ticket to take advantage of the lowest fares.

While the onboard experience may not be the most comfortable, it'll certainly offer an affordable way to get to Europe.

The new Dulles flight will complement Play's existing service to the nearby Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

Perhaps the biggest news is that Play is poised to become the first low-cost option for flights to Europe from Dulles. The airport is a key hub for United Airlines, and together with the carrier's Star Alliance partners, there are plenty of nonstop flights to destinations across Europe.

However, flyers headed to or from Dulles have historically needed to pay up for the convenience of nonstop flights.

With Play's new service, perhaps United and its partners will feel the pressure to compete on price. In that case, everyone will be a winner — both Play's new passengers, as well as those opting for nonstop flights operated by more established airlines.

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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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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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.