With flights selling out it’s tough to get awards, especially in business class and especially for more than a passenger or two. That’s why it’s such a great time to book any winter Europe travel. It may be off-season but it’s also when destinations aren’t overrun with European tourists.
Star Alliance award space for four or more passengers is widely available between New York and several cities in Europe for January through March. Straight to the Points sent out a deal alert about award space for four passengers on the SWISS New York JFK – Geneva and Montreal – Zurich routes. But there’s more space out there than this, too!
Here’s a search for award space between New York JFK and Geneva in business class at United.com.
New York JFK – Geneva on SWISS prices out with MileagePlus at 73,000 miles one-way in business class. That’s useful to know to get a quick sense of which days this flight is available, but there are cheaper ways to book the space.
Other flights that come up frequently are
- New York JFK – Vienna (Austrian, 77,000 points one-way with United)
- New York JFK – Istanbul (Turkish, 75,000 points one-way)
- New York JFK – Warsaw (LOT Polish, 77,000 points one-way)
Turkish Airlines is a transfer partner of Citi, Capital One and Bilt and charges less for Turkish Airlines flights than other carriers and I find much better availability, too – Turkish flights open most of the time when using their miles. Plus if you use Turkish miles and have a long connection they’ll give you a free city tour or hotel room.
ANA, an American Express Membership Rewards transfer partner, can get you roundtrip Star Alliance business class awards to Europe at just 88,000 miles apiece – however they add fuel surcharges. Those are modest on LOT Polish and even somewhat modest on Turkish but exorbitant on SWISS.
Aeroplan and LifeMiles are other good options for booking these flights without fuel surcharges.
Just FYI I have also seen return flights GVA – EWR on UA metal at award prices this summer, FWIW.
No one can afford to go on vacation now that the Brandon Regime has destroyed the economy.
@Alan: then why read the post if it doesn’t apply due to your financial situation. You also might note this is about using miles and points, not cash. You must have Biden on your mind constantly. Sorry, maybe you need a vacation. But not to Europe, your thinking is the minority here.
Don’t let @Alan bring you down to his level. Some people aren’t happy until you’re unhappy. You know… Misery loves company. Anywho, thanks for the intel. Need to get to East Africa this winter. Already have the return on Qatar from the availability bonanza a couple of weeks ago. Let the search begin!
My prediction is that travel will increase, since the Russia-Ukraine war will possibyl continue for years to come.
Any transatlantic award flights found on United metal will be the best deal booked through Turkish miles and smiles program where it’s the only airline not passing on huge fuel surcharges. Recently flew EWR to LHR on United polaris business class for 45k Turkish miles and $5.60 in taxes each transferred from Citi. By far the best miles deal for Europe compared to Lifemiles, Aeroplan, etc
Award mile redemption costs on One World had gone through the roof.
145,000 AA miles CLT-LIS on premium economy
400,000 AA miles CLT-LIS on
business