Deal Alert: Business class to Europe for less than $1000

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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through the Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.

If you are willing to be a little brave about Europe reopening to vaccinated Americans, there are some screaming deals to be had on business class seats for less than $1000. As we’ve been reporting, the European Union is expected to relax rules for American tourists who are fully vaccinated to enter the EU. We’re assuming those eased requirements will come just in time for summer travel.

Related: Want to travel to Europe this summer? Here’s what to know

The deals were first reported by Gary Leff over at View From the Wing. While I didn’t find fares quite as good, I was able to find several business class options to Europe on TAP Air Portugal for as low as $965, including from New York (EWR) or Chicago (ORD) to Lisbon (LIS) or Porto, Portugal (OPO), Barcelona (BCN) or Madrid, Spain (MAD), Paris (CDG), or even London (LHR). There’s even business class flights roundtrip San Francisco (SFO) to Lisbon (LIS) from $1,142.

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The deal

Airlines: TAP Air Portugal

Routes: EWR/ORD/MIA/SFO to LIS/BCN/MAD/CDG/LHR and beyond

Cost: $965+ roundtrip

Dates: June 2021 through summer

Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline; on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel) for travel protections on the award flight.

Sample itineraries

You could fly Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Paris Orly International Airport (ORY) roundtrip in business class for $965.

Related: Some of TPGs favorite European cities

Flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Lisbon International Airport (LIS) for $975.42.

I found flights from Newark to Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) for $964.

I found flights from Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) to Madrid for $965 in late June.

Or how about Miami International Airport (MIA) to London Heathrow (LHR) for less than $1,000?

Even if you can’t find sub-$1,000 fares, there’s lots of deals to be had like this intinerary for under $1,200 in business class.

Related: A review of TAP Air Portugal Porto to Newark

If you’d rather stick to Oneworld carriers, I easily found flights in business class roundtrip for less than $2,000 for summer travel.

Maximize your purchase

Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare. It makes the most sense to use cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Citi Prestige® Card (5x on airfare), Citi Premier® Card (3x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on airfare), American Express® Gold Card (3x on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel).

The information for the Citi Prestige card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You can read more with this post on how to maximize airfare purchases.

Friendly reminder

Booking travel to Europe right now is a gamble. While we believe most countries will be open to U.S. citizens who are vaccinated soon, there are no guarantees, especially in the age of coronavirus. Keep an eye on CDC and U.S. government warnings and advisories, and be sure to check on individual countries with our complete country-by-country guide to reopenings or our guide to Europe reopenings.

Featured image of Lisbon, Portugal by Sean Pavone/Getty Images.

SPONSORED: With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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