TPG Readers' Best Tips for Visiting Europe on Points and Miles
We recently asked the esteemed members of our TPG Lounge to share their best tips for visiting Europe on points and miles. Here's a look at some of our favorite answers. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
Have a Strategy
Whether it's scoping out epic flight deals or combining award flights with cheap cash tickets, most TPG Lounge readers have a trusted system to help them make the most of their points and miles while traveling.
"Combine award tickets with British Airways Avios on Aer Lingus with low-cost carrier flights on Norwegian or Ryanair. I typically fly Aer Lingus from the US to Dublin due to low taxes, then Ryanair throughout Europe. Then, I'll fly to a city like Paris or London to fly Norwegian back to the US. It's the best of both worlds and it means l use less miles for my trip." — Matthew T.
"One-way cash flights from Europe are often much cheaper than to Europe. We use our miles to get there and then pay to come home." — Matt D.
"Go in the off season and be persistent. I can never seem to find a round-trip that fits what I want to do so I book my 'to Europe' leg first, decide on a rough itinerary — I like to travel around on trains — and book the return trip separately." — Dianne W.
"If Icelandair flies from your airport, that can be an inexpensive way to Europe, and you can have up to a seven-day stopover in Iceland in either direction!" — Deb C.
"Do not fly American or British Airways through London using miles, as it will cost you just as much as paying for a ticket. Book anywhere else in Europe and take EasyJet or a local discount carrier to your final destination." — Barbi V.
"Flights within Europe are extremely cheap, like $15 cheap if you are traveling very lightly. All you need to do is get across the Atlantic on the cheapest lowest redemption route you can find, then go wherever you want from there. Leave your larger checked bags at a hotel in the city you landed in (locked with concierge) and come back for them later." — Eric G.
"Use non-airline-specific miles and points like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards points. You won't get as much value as using airline-specific programs, but you don't have to deal with the frustration of them seldom having availability when you want to go." — Michael I.
"With flash sales, snag 'em when you see 'em and do not hesitate. I always search by five-week window with flexible dates in basic economy, switch view to miles when results pop up and try all significant airports within a few hundred miles of my intended destination. Find the lowest miles for basic economy and chances are good they'll also be lower for higher classes. I also utilize Scott's Cheap Flights. Often those cheap flight alerts are a good indication that miles will be low as well. This worked well for me for flights to Kauai, which showed as $385 in cash from LAX and turned out to be 32,000 miles round-trip from Boise in Economy+." — Kristen J.
"This (the Singapore Airlines fifth-freedom route from IAH to MAN or JFK to FRA) is my go-to route for Europe. I usually transfer miles from American Express or Chase Ultimate Rewards after finding a business-class award seat. Then, it's a pretty cheap flight to any other major city in Europe." — Shereen W.
Fly With Partner Airlines and Budget Carriers
As our intrepid TPG Lounge members reminded us, sticking to your usual airline is great in terms of building loyalty and finding deals, but flying with low-cost carriers now and again can help you save big time on a trip to Europe.
"Singapore Airlines premium economy is 47,000 miles from IAH to MAN or JFK to FRA (business class was 67,000 but they just bumped it to 72,000). And in business from IAH, you get to use the Polaris Lounge." — Christopher B.
"I've been paying cash for economy lately on Norwegian [since it's about] $350 from Boston to many locations. This upcoming trip, I paid $120 from Boston to London (LGW), then used 20,000 miles to fly from Rome to Boston nonstop on the way back through the Chase portal." — Josh S.
"We paid for our recent trip to Norway on Norwegian. The fare was terrific. We booked their premium and it was very comfortable." — Catherine O.
"110,000 Flying Blue points from Salt Lake City to Rome. I know Air France and KLM don't have the greatest experience, but it's still reasonable for lie-flat business-class." — John M.
"American Airlines' off season tickets to Europe are only 22,500 miles [each way] instead of 30,000." — Esther H.
"Book Aer Lingus to [get to from the] East Coast to Dublin for only 16,250 one-way. I transferred to British Airways and had them book it for $200 less in fees than transferring to Aer Lingus and booking." — Esther H.
Success Stories
We love it when TPG Lounge readers write in sharing stories of successful trips made for free (or almost free) thanks to their mad points and miles skills.
"Currently enjoying Europe, flying from Atlanta (ATL) to Vienna (VIE), then Athens (ATH) to Atlanta (ATL) in business class for 125,000 Flying Blue points thanks to Chase Ultimate Rewards." — Jennifer A.
"Virgin Atlantic miles for flights on Delta. I just booked Delta One from New York-JFK to London-Heathrow (LHR) for 47,500 miles one-way, which would have cost 320,000 SkyMiles for the same flight." — Cole H.
"Last year, we flew Lufthansa from Seattle (SEA) to London-Gatwick (LGW) to Bergen (BGO) in business class on the upper deck of the 747. It was divine and I'm spoiled now." — Catherine O.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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 | New! 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. |
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.
- New! 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Updated! $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.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy 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.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- 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.