Deal alert: Widespread business-class availability to Europe on Air France or KLM for just 60,000 miles
We are calling it the "summer of savings," as there have been some absolutely incredible deals this year — even at the last minute.
The TPG team is finding a ton of last-minute award availability to and from Europe in KLM or Air France business class for as few as 60,000 miles one-way right now.
You can visit European cities including Amsterdam, Paris and Bordeaux, France, from various U.S. gateways on Air France or KLM using as few as 60,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles each way.
We are finding saver-level availability from nearly all of Air France and KLM's U.S. cities, including Houston, Miami, New York, Chicago and more. The best availability appears to be in the peak summer season during July and August.
Related: Paris Pocket Guide: What to see, do and eat in the City of Light
Award pricing for Air France business-class flights — which include priority boarding, lounge access, lie-flat seats, meals and amenity kits, among other perks — can often cost upwards of 200,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles. But by taking advantage of this deal immediately, you can snag a seat for as few as 60,000 Flying Blue miles per person for a one-way, nonstop flight.
If you're having trouble finding dates that work, use this work-around for navigating the Flying Blue calendar search tool.
Deal basics
Airlines: Air France and KLM
Routes: From Miami, New York City, Houston, Chicago and other U.S. cities to Paris and other European cities
How to book: Browse Air France-KLM Flying Blue for available dates and pricing
Travel dates: Availability varies based on route, but dates generally range from July through August
Book by: As soon as possible
Sample flights
A nonstop business-class flight from New York City to Paris can sometimes require as many as 260,000 miles (or more). However, thanks to this deal, award pricing is as low as 60,000 Flying Blue miles.
For example, this flight between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD) with a stop at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) only costs 60,000 Flying Blue miles, plus $260 in taxes and fees, each way.
I found flights from JFK to CDG for the same 60,000 Flying Blue miles (plus $241 in taxes and fees).
You can also fly from Ljubljana Airport (LJU) in Slovenia to JFK for just 60,000 Flying Blue miles.
Or how about O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) on Aug. 12 for just 60,000 Flying Blue miles and $242?
There is widespread availability here, but I don't expect it to last — so jump on it while you can. I had better luck with one-way searches than with round-trips, and with last-minute flights over far out searches, but it doesn't hurt to keep hunting.
Should you need to top off your Flying Blue miles, you can transfer points and miles from several other programs:
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Bilt Rewards
- Capital One
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Citi ThankYou Rewards
Maximize your purchase
Don't forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases to cover your taxes and fees, such as:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): 2 points per dollar spent on travel
- American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel®
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): 8 points per dollar spent on flights booked through Chase Travel℠ and 4 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline
- Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on air travel
Bottom line
Right now, there is some great discounted business-class availability from various U.S. cities to Amsterdam, Paris and beyond. If you have flexible travel dates and want to use points or miles for your booking, now is a great time to find discounted rates.
Related reading:
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Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless carries a $95 annual fee but offers plenty of ways to get more value from it year after year. You’ll get automatic Silver elite status, which awards 10% bonus points on stays, and enjoy a pathway to Gold status (with 15 elite night credits each year) to lock in some even better benefits. Cardholders also receive an annual free night certificate (worth up to 35,000 points) each cardmember anniversary. Those who can maximize this certificate can lock in a room with a rate far exceeding the $95 annual fee.Pros
- Annual free night certificate (up to 35,000 points) each cardmember anniversary
- Automatic Silver elite status with a pathway to Gold
Cons
- There are better Marriott cards if you want higher tier status or no annual fee
- Earn 125,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after qualifying purchases.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
- Member FDIC