Need inexpensive OW Europe to East Coast US
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 17
Need inexpensive OW Europe to East Coast US
Please share some tips or info on how to get a lower price on a one-way ticket from Europe to EastCoast US or nearby May 6, 2024 or later.
We are looking at trans-atlantic cruise ending in Barcelona. Seem like price and points (DL) for OW are about the same as RT. If I have to pay RT, I'll figure another cruise to really use the flight I'll have to pay for! (But OW would be sweet.). Cruise line wants to charge $1500ish per person.
I know inter-European flights are cheap, so don't mind flying to any other city to depart Europe. And I can easily handle any Florida airports or NYC as first choices... but will take any East Coast or close city.
To be picky, if I do coach, I do like planes with a 2 seat side, not a complete killer deal, but while I'm telling you desires! ha!
Will pay "reasonable" for comfort upgrade. Would be hugely wonderful to afford business class.
Thanks for any of your thoughts! and for helping a not so savvy traveler.
We are looking at trans-atlantic cruise ending in Barcelona. Seem like price and points (DL) for OW are about the same as RT. If I have to pay RT, I'll figure another cruise to really use the flight I'll have to pay for! (But OW would be sweet.). Cruise line wants to charge $1500ish per person.
I know inter-European flights are cheap, so don't mind flying to any other city to depart Europe. And I can easily handle any Florida airports or NYC as first choices... but will take any East Coast or close city.
To be picky, if I do coach, I do like planes with a 2 seat side, not a complete killer deal, but while I'm telling you desires! ha!
Will pay "reasonable" for comfort upgrade. Would be hugely wonderful to afford business class.
Thanks for any of your thoughts! and for helping a not so savvy traveler.
#2
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
A couple of thoughts:
It is probably too early to purchase now, as prices tend to go lower before they go back up. Almost a year out, you will likely not see lowest prices.
Most, if not all, legacy US carriers tend to charge more for one way than round trip, as the lower fare buckets are only available for r/t fares. So you may need to find a European and/or low cost carrier.
As for more comfort, that tends to cost more. Keep an eye out on Mileage Run Forum, cheap and/or mistake fares pop up - if the price is good, jump on it, as mistake fares tend to disappear VERY quickly.
It is probably too early to purchase now, as prices tend to go lower before they go back up. Almost a year out, you will likely not see lowest prices.
Most, if not all, legacy US carriers tend to charge more for one way than round trip, as the lower fare buckets are only available for r/t fares. So you may need to find a European and/or low cost carrier.
As for more comfort, that tends to cost more. Keep an eye out on Mileage Run Forum, cheap and/or mistake fares pop up - if the price is good, jump on it, as mistake fares tend to disappear VERY quickly.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Southwest A-List, Alaska MVP
Posts: 1,231
We are doing a trans Atlantic the opposite way. Leaving Barcelona. What we found was best for us was French Bee (premium) to Paris and then the train to Barcelona. Came out cheaper than traditional carriers wanted for economy especially if I booked it from my home airport.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,601
Please share some tips or info on how to get a lower price on a one-way ticket from Europe to EastCoast US or nearby May 6, 2024 or later.
We are looking at trans-atlantic cruise ending in Barcelona. Seem like price and points (DL) for OW are about the same as RT. If I have to pay RT, I'll figure another cruise to really use the flight I'll have to pay for! (But OW would be sweet.). Cruise line wants to charge $1500ish per person.
I know inter-European flights are cheap, so don't mind flying to any other city to depart Europe. And I can easily handle any Florida airports or NYC as first choices... but will take any East Coast or close city.
To be picky, if I do coach, I do like planes with a 2 seat side, not a complete killer deal, but while I'm telling you desires! ha!
Will pay "reasonable" for comfort upgrade. Would be hugely wonderful to afford business class.
Thanks for any of your thoughts! and for helping a not so savvy traveler.
We are looking at trans-atlantic cruise ending in Barcelona. Seem like price and points (DL) for OW are about the same as RT. If I have to pay RT, I'll figure another cruise to really use the flight I'll have to pay for! (But OW would be sweet.). Cruise line wants to charge $1500ish per person.
I know inter-European flights are cheap, so don't mind flying to any other city to depart Europe. And I can easily handle any Florida airports or NYC as first choices... but will take any East Coast or close city.
To be picky, if I do coach, I do like planes with a 2 seat side, not a complete killer deal, but while I'm telling you desires! ha!
Will pay "reasonable" for comfort upgrade. Would be hugely wonderful to afford business class.
Thanks for any of your thoughts! and for helping a not so savvy traveler.
Main Cabin Extra (extra-leg-room) seats are an extra-cost option, bookable with either cash or AA miles.
AA's BCN-PHL nonstop is available on the same date at the same price.
If you are credit worthy, here's an easy way to get 50,000 AA miles at little cost to you:
https://www.applyaviator.com/
If you want Premium Economy on May 7, it is available for $624 on Level's BCN-JFK nonstop, operated by Iberia. That fare includes one free checked bag.
Last edited by guv1976; Jul 21, 2023 at 9:40 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,601
It's pretty astonishing that AA's award price for the BCN-JFK nonstop comes in at one-fourth of the miles that DL wants for its nonstop. And DL tacks on a Europe-originating cash surcharge on its award to boot!
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 17
A couple of thoughts:
It is probably too early to purchase now, as prices tend to go lower before they go back up. Almost a year out, you will likely not see lowest prices.
Most, if not all, legacy US carriers tend to charge more for one way than round trip, as the lower fare buckets are only available for r/t fares. So you may need to find a European and/or low cost carrier.
As for more comfort, that tends to cost more. Keep an eye out on Mileage Run Forum, cheap and/or mistake fares pop up - if the price is good, jump on it, as mistake fares tend to disappear VERY quickly.
It is probably too early to purchase now, as prices tend to go lower before they go back up. Almost a year out, you will likely not see lowest prices.
Most, if not all, legacy US carriers tend to charge more for one way than round trip, as the lower fare buckets are only available for r/t fares. So you may need to find a European and/or low cost carrier.
As for more comfort, that tends to cost more. Keep an eye out on Mileage Run Forum, cheap and/or mistake fares pop up - if the price is good, jump on it, as mistake fares tend to disappear VERY quickly.
We are doing a trans Atlantic the opposite way. Leaving Barcelona. What we found was best for us was French Bee (premium) to Paris and then the train to Barcelona. Came out cheaper than traditional carriers wanted for economy especially if I booked it from my home airport.
On May 7, you can get the AA nonstop BCN-JFK for 25,000 AA miles plus $40.15:
Main Cabin Extra (extra-leg-room) seats are an extra-cost option, bookable with either cash or AA miles.
AA's BCN-PHL nonstop is available on the same date at the same price.
If you are credit worthy, here's an easy way to get 50,000 AA miles at little cost to you:
https://www.applyaviator.com/
If you want Premium Economy on May 7, it is available for $624 on Level's BCN-JFK nonstop, operated by Iberia. That fare includes one free checked bag.
Main Cabin Extra (extra-leg-room) seats are an extra-cost option, bookable with either cash or AA miles.
AA's BCN-PHL nonstop is available on the same date at the same price.
If you are credit worthy, here's an easy way to get 50,000 AA miles at little cost to you:
https://www.applyaviator.com/
If you want Premium Economy on May 7, it is available for $624 on Level's BCN-JFK nonstop, operated by Iberia. That fare includes one free checked bag.
Thanks again to all of you!
#7
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
IIRC Level is owned by one of the major European carriers. And I would not worry about them on cutting costs for maintenance, but I suppose it's always possible that they may go out of business. But with travel booming and pandemic over I would say the risk is not very big.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,642
Using Google flights, looks like there are one way coach tickets to NYC and WAS for under $300 one way with connections. Not terrible pricing for one way if you can find a routing that's not too painful. IB nonstop BCN-JFK is $384. If you had Amex or Chase points you could transfer points to Avios and use around 22K Avios one way. You didn't mention the prices you were seeing so not sure what you think a bargain is. Also agree it might be a bit early to commit unless cancel/change fees were minimal.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Neither here nor there
Programs: UA Slvr, DL Slvr, AA plt, HH LTD, MR tit/LTP at least two of those buy 10 get 1 free coffee cards
Posts: 3,450
There is a reason why Delta's SkyMiles are referred to as Sky Pesos in the Delta forum
IIRC Level is owned by one of the major European carriers. And I would not worry about them on cutting costs for maintenance, but I suppose it's always possible that they may go out of business. But with travel booming and pandemic over I would say the risk is not very big.
IIRC Level is owned by one of the major European carriers. And I would not worry about them on cutting costs for maintenance, but I suppose it's always possible that they may go out of business. But with travel booming and pandemic over I would say the risk is not very big.
Also consider a cheapo euro flight / train to London, Paris or Milan and fly from there on Norse/French Bee/Neos respectively. As you get closer to the dates, check Kiwi, as they often have throwaway ticket or hidden city deals from Europe to the US.
#10
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Yep. Level is owned outright by IAG. Same owners as BA and IB. They are just fine across the pond. No frills, but they get you there.
Also consider a cheapo euro flight / train to London, Paris or Milan and fly from there on Norse/French Bee/Neos respectively. As you get closer to the dates, check Kiwi, as they often have throwaway ticket or hidden city deals from Europe to the US.
Also consider a cheapo euro flight / train to London, Paris or Milan and fly from there on Norse/French Bee/Neos respectively. As you get closer to the dates, check Kiwi, as they often have throwaway ticket or hidden city deals from Europe to the US.
As for cheap flights ex London ...... there is an extra environmental fee added to each ticket, and it's (IIRC) about a couple of hundred dollars more for premium class (that includes not just Biz but Premium Economy).
Condor has some decent premium prices as does Icelandair for their (IIRC) Saga class, which is essentially Premium Economy (no matter what they call it).
#11
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 26
We are doing a trans Atlantic the opposite way. Leaving Barcelona. What we found was best for us was French Bee (premium) to Paris and then the train to Barcelona. Came out cheaper than traditional carriers wanted for economy especially if I booked it from my home airport.