Sweet Spot Sunday: Fly from the US to Europe for under 20,000 miles one-way

Whereas the SkyTeam alliance might not have probably the most highly effective loyalty applications, Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue is commonly thought-about the most effective. It costs award tickets dynamically however regularly presents glorious offers on transatlantic flights. One award that regularly presents an incredible deal is flights from the U.S. to Europe.

Higher but, you possibly can switch factors to Flying Blue from all the most important transferable points programs, together with:

Let’s take a better take a look at these redemptions on this week’s version of Candy Spot Sunday.

Why it’s particular

Flying Blue presents glorious pricing on one-way flights from the U.S. to Europe. Most SkyTeam applications — for instance, Delta SkyMiles — cost 40,000-plus miles one-way for these awards. In the meantime, Flying Blue regularly presents these awards for underneath 20,000 Flying Blue miles one-way plus average taxes and charges — even while you exclude limited-time Promo Rewards.

Right here’s an instance flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Zagreb, Croatia. This flight prices simply 16,500 miles with $82.10 in taxes and charges.

You may e-book flights from the West Coast for roughly 20,000 miles on many dates. In my check searches, I discovered that flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Frankfurt begin at 20,000 miles one-way on some dates, however costs spike on others. You’ll wish to be versatile to search out the very best offers.

It’s price mentioning that you simply gained’t at all times get an incredible cope with Flying Blue. Award tickets are priced dynamically, so that you’ll see completely different costs relying in your route, date and working airline. Regardless, if you could find flights within the 15,000-25,000-mile vary, you’ll stroll away with a strong deal when in comparison with reserving with Delta SkyMiles or different SkyTeam companions.

Associated: Sweet Spot Sunday: How to fly round-trip to Europe in business class for 88,000 miles

Enterprise class could be a nice deal too

This text focuses on economy-class awards, nevertheless it’s price noting which you can get nice worth on business-class tickets. One-way flights from the U.S. to Europe begin at 55,000 miles on most routes.

Hold this in thoughts when looking for a Flying Blue award ticket to Europe. It might be price paying extra miles for enterprise class if you need extra consolation in your flight throughout the pond — particularly if the value is correct.

Associated: Crossing the Atlantic on Air France’s 777-300ER in business class, New York to Paris

What’s the cope with taxes and charges?

One draw back to reserving with Flying Blue is that you simply’re answerable for paying greater taxes and charges than you’d with another applications. That is largely as a result of Flying Blue passes on moderate fuel surcharges on some award tickets. You’re additionally topic to paying ordinary charges like Transportation Safety Administration tax, departure charges and relevant native taxes.

It’s at all times greatest to match the price of a Flying Blue award ticket to a paid ticket. Typically it gained’t make sense to e-book an award ticket if money costs are low. Right here at TPG, we value Flying Blue miles at 1.2 cents apiece, so attempt to get at the very least that a lot worth if you happen to agree with our valuations.

Associated: Complete guide to Flying Blue monthly Promo Rewards

Easy methods to e-book

Reserving Flying Blue award tickets is easy. You may e-book these awards on both Air France’s or KLM’s web site. Each web sites show the identical costs and award house. I’ve grown to choose the KLM web site and can use it for the pattern reserving under.

Step 1: Log in to your Flying Blue account

You’ll want a Flying Blue account earlier than you possibly can seek for an award ticket. If you happen to’re on the KLM web site, click on the “Enroll” button on the higher right-hand nook of the display screen. You may then create your account by filling out the shape on the sign-up web page.

Step 2: Enter your journey info

To e-book, log in to your Flying Blue account and click on the “Guide with Miles” button on the heart of the display screen. Then, enter your required itinerary and click on the orange “Search flights” button.

Step 3: Decide your flights

All flight choices and their respective costs will seem on the heart of the display screen. You need to use the filtering choices on the high of the display screen to slender down your search and use the calendar search operate to view flight choices on different dates. The most affordable award is highlighted in inexperienced.

Step 4: Verify and pay

When you discover a flight you want, click on on its worth to start out the reserving course of. You’ll first be requested to substantiate your class of service after which delivered to an outline of your reserving. This reveals the ultimate factors and money worth. If all appears to be like good, click on the “Proceed” button on the backside right-hand nook of the display screen to finalize your reserving.

Don’t neglect to pay the taxes and charges with a credit card that earns bonus points on flights, like The Platinum Card® from American Express or Chase Sapphire Reserve. You additionally might wish to contemplate paying with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card in case your award has excessive taxes and charges. You’ll earn solely 2 miles per greenback spent, however you possibly can redeem miles to offset your out-of-pocket cost.

Associated: The best websites for searching SkyTeam award availability

Easy methods to earn miles for this award

The best approach to earn Flying Blue miles is by transferring factors from numerous bank card factors applications. As mentioned within the introduction, you possibly can switch factors from the next applications to Flying Blue:

I like to recommend beginning with Chase Final Rewards if you happen to’re new to the factors and miles world. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a hefty sign-up bonus and earns bonus factors on journey and eating. Plus, it’s in your greatest curiosity to open Chase playing cards earlier than you open playing cards with different banks as a consequence of Chase’s strict 5/24 application rule.

Right here’s a take a look at the best Chase credit card offers:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card – Earn 100,000 bonus factors after you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve – Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Take a look at my full guide to earning and redeeming with Flying Blue for extra incomes strategies.

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