News

Primera Air Launches 3 New Transatlantic Flights From the US Starting at $149

JT Genter
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.

August 23, 2018 • 3 min read

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It looks like Primera isn't ready to quit the US. After launching a number of new routes and then cutting back on a few of them — with more cuts coming soon — the low-cost carrier announced three new transatlantic flights between the US and Europe, but not before next year:

Newark (EWR) to Brussels (BRU): Daily starting May 9, 2019
Washington Dulles (IAD) to Brussels (BRU): 3x weekly starting June 2, 2019
Boston (BOS) to Brussels (BRU): 4x weekly starting June 4, 2019

Flights are already on sale via Primera Air's website, with prices starting at $149 one-way or $342 round-trip:

Following Primera Air has been quite the roller-coaster over the past year. In July 2017, the airline announced its first transatlantic routes from Birmingham (BHX), London Stansted (STN) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Newark (EWR) and Boston (BOS) using its new Airbus A321neos. Before its inaugural flight, Boston-Birmingham would quietly be canceled.

Then, Primera Air also wouldn't get its new aircraft in time for the inaugural, so I flew the inaugural Primera Air flight on a wet-leased National Airlines 757.

A week into that service, back-to-back-to-back Primera Air flights were canceled when the leased aircraft developed engine issues. Multiple flights after that faced overnight delays.

Since then, Primera Air has received new A321neos, but sales haven't taken off. In May, Primera eliminated its Boston to Birmingham route and reduce frequencies on its route from Newark to Birmingham. Then in early August, Primera completely shut down its operations in Birmingham — canceling all transatlantic and intra-Europe flights — effective October 2018.

With the new additions, Primera Air's current US operations consists of:

Currently Operating but Ending Soon:

Boston (BOS) to London Stansted (STN) — 4x weekly until October 26, 2018
Boston (BOS) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) — 3x weekly until October 27, 2018
Newark (EWR) to London Stansted (STN) — daily until March 30, 2019
Newark (EWR) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) — daily until March 31, 2019

Announced But Not Operating Yet:

Washington Dulles (IAD) to London Stansted (STN) — 4x weekly starting August 23, 2018
Newark (EWR) to Brussels (BRU) — daily starting May 9, 2019
Washington Dulles (IAD) to Brussels (BRU) — 3x weekly starting June 2, 2019
Boston (BOS) to Brussels (BRU) — 4x weekly starting June 2, 2019

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Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
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Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Newark (EWR) to Brussels (BRU): Daily starting May 9, 2019
Washington Dulles (IAD) to Brussels (BRU): 3x weekly starting June 2, 2019
Boston (BOS) to Brussels (BRU): 4x weekly starting June 4, 2019

Flights are already on sale via Primera Air's website, with prices starting at $149 one-way or $342 round-trip:

Then, Primera Air also wouldn't get its new aircraft in time for the inaugural, so I flew the inaugural Primera Air flight on a wet-leased National Airlines 757.

A week into that service, back-to-back-to-back Primera Air flights were canceled when the leased aircraft developed engine issues. Multiple flights after that faced overnight delays.

With the new additions, Primera Air's current US operations consists of:

Currently Operating but Ending Soon:

Boston (BOS) to London Stansted (STN) — 4x weekly until October 26, 2018
Boston (BOS) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) — 3x weekly until October 27, 2018
Newark (EWR) to London Stansted (STN) — daily until March 30, 2019
Newark (EWR) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) — daily until March 31, 2019

Announced But Not Operating Yet:

Washington Dulles (IAD) to London Stansted (STN) — 4x weekly starting August 23, 2018
Newark (EWR) to Brussels (BRU) — daily starting May 9, 2019
Washington Dulles (IAD) to Brussels (BRU) — 3x weekly starting June 2, 2019
Boston (BOS) to Brussels (BRU) — 4x weekly starting June 2, 2019

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Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
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1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

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