Several days ago we saw Europe roundtrips in the $400s. Some of these fares were leftover from Memorial Weekend, but in general in any case had to be booked that day — and didn’t necessarily make it the full day.

There’s been great coverage of these sales from Loyalty Traveler such as here and here highlighting that these fares are back — American Airlines selling Europe from several cities for from the low $400s to mid-$500s.

Some samples include:

• Denver – Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Brussels, Vienna
  
• Houston – Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Brussels, Vienna
  
• Cleveland – Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Brussels, Vienna
  
• Washington Dulles – Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Brussels, Vienna
  
• Chicago – Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Brussels, Vienna

In other words these are United hubs in the midwest and on the East Coast to some Star Alliance hubs in Europe. It’s an American Airlines attack on United.

This week has seen the very best Europe fares I’ve come across in awhile. There are even similar Delta and United fares albeit around $100 more expensive. Perhaps United and Delta will drop their prices to match American today. Or perhaps the merry go-round will simply stop.

The cheapest fare is literally $50 each way plus taxes and a $200 fuel surcharge.

Taking American Airlines fare OKN9S1E1 Washington DC – Zurich,

• Outbound travel must be between August 23 and October 29, or December 16 – 23, or April 7 through May 12.
  
• 90 day advance purchase required so the earliest travel dates won’t be bookable.
  
• Saturday night stay required
  
• $300 change fee

Here’s that fare with the breakdown.

Interestingly depending on the airports involved (drop the UK!) taxes can fall lower and drive even greater savings.

American’s Executive Platinum members of course can confirm upgrades using their VIP systemwide upgrades. Most other members would find themselves using miles and a cost-prohibitive cash co-pay if space is available (and if it’s not available to confirm at booking, would waitlist and be above elites of a higher tier).

So anyone other than an American Executive Platinum should plan to fly these fares in coach.

Similarly United mileage upgrades will come with a prohibitive cash co-pay, and United’s 1K systemwide upgrades have minimum fare requirements that won’t be met by this sale.

For the easiest possible way to book these American fares, Loyalty Traveler has created links to searches with Google Flights that will then pull up itineraries at AA.com.