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Editorial Note: We’re the Million Mile Secrets team. And we’re proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader’s comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! 🙂
Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card issuers from which MillionMileSecrets.com receives compensation. Compensation does not impact the placement of cards on Million Mile Secrets other than in banner advertising. MillionMileSecrets.com does not include all credit card offers that might be available to consumers in the marketplace.
Editorial Note: We’re the Million Mile Secrets team. And we’re proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader’s comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! 🙂
Best Ways to Europe Using Starwood Points
August 27, 2015 By Meghan Hunter
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UPDATE: The Starwood American Express credit card offers in this post are no longer available, but check Hot Deals for the latest offers!
For small business cardholders, access to Sheraton Club lounges (free breakfast and hors d’oeuvres) for cardholder and 1 guest staying in the same room (3rd party bookings are excluded).
American Airlines Charges 20,000 American Airlines Miles Each Way to Europe in Coach From October 15 to May 15, and There Are Lots of Open Award Seats!
American Airlines has off-peak awards to Europe from October 15 to May 15. That’s over half the year! During that time, you’ll pay 20,000 American Airlines miles each way for a coach award flight to Europe. And fuel surcharges are very low.
Save Nearly $2,000 by Using 20,000 American Airlines Miles From Chicago to Barcelona This November
A 1-way coach fare from Chicago to Barcelona in November is ~$1,978. So you’ll save a lot of money by using miles!
A flight from New York to Berlin on Air Berlin costs 20,000 British Airways Avios points and $5. You’ll pay the same number of points to fly back, and fuel surcharges are under $100. This is a great deal if you can find open seats!
Delta
Delta is a good choice because it’s only 30,000 Delta miles each way to Europe, even from the West Coast, where award seats can be hard to find.
And Delta has several airline partners from the US to Europe, like Air France, Alitalia, and KLM.
Fly from Chicago to Paris for 60,000 Delta Miles and ~$84 Round-Trip in Coach60,000 Delta miles round-trip in coach is a great way to get to Europe. And fuel surcharges are typically low on Delta flights, which saves you from paying out-of-pocket.
Flying Blue
Flying Blue is the loyalty program of Air France and KLM.Flying Blue Promo Awards Are a Terrific Way to Visit Europe for Fewer Miles!
Each month, Flying Blue releases promo awards that offer mileage discounts on award flights. Sometimes these discounts can be as much as 50%!
Lufthansa has high fuel surcharges on their own flights. But it might be worth it to save thousands of dollars on a First Class or Business Class award flight.A 1-Way Ticket From Chicago to Frankfurt in Lufthansa Business Class Would Cost ~$7,295
A Business Class ticket between the US and Europe can cost a lot! Expect to pay over $7,000 to fly from Chicago to Frankfurt in Lufthansa Business Class.
The Same Flight Costs 52,000 Lufthansa Miles…but You’ll Pay ~$456 in Fuel Surcharges
Or you can use Lufthansa miles. A 1-way Business Class flight between Chicago and Frankfurt costs 52,000 Lufthansa miles, but you’ll also pay ~$456 in fuel surcharges.
But if you want to fly in First Class or Business Class, it might be worth it.
Save up to 50% Off Award Flights with Lufthansa’s Mileage Bargains!
Lufthansa partners with LOT Airlines, an airline based in Poland. Fuel surcharges are much lower on LOT award flights. If you can find available award seats this can be an affordable way to fly to Europe!
Aeroplan
Aeroplan is the loyalty program of Air Canada. Like Lufthansa, they have high fuel surcharges on their own flights to Europe.
If you want to fly First Class or Business Class, and can findavailable award seats on an Air Canada flight, consider this option.
You’ll Pay 30,000 Aeroplan Miles and ~$88 for a Direct Flight From Chicago to Warsaw on LOT Airlines
Aeroplan also has access to LOT Airlines award seats. So this is another way to take advantage of the lower taxes and fees on LOT Airlines.
Aeroplan charges fewer miles for First Class than Lufthansa because they have different award charts (62,500 Aeroplan miles each way to Western Europeinstead of 85,000 Lufthansa miles for First Class). So this is a better choice, depending on which airline you want to fly, and if you want First Class or Business Class.
Business Class to Western Europe is just 45,000 Aeroplan miles each way. If you can find award flights with low fuel surcharges, you can travel in style to Europe!
Singapore Airlines
If you can make an award flight on Singapore Airlines work, it’s a fantastic option.
It Costs 17,000 Singapore Airlines Miles and ~$179 From New York to Frankfurt
They have a zone-based award chart, and award flights on their own planes are very inexpensive. They operate a limited schedule, so award flights can be tough to find. But if you can make the dates work, it’s a great deal!
For example, it costs just 17,000 Singapore Airlines miles (including the 15% online booking discount) and ~$179 from New York to Frankfurt in coach when you book online.
You’ll pay 55,000 Singapore Airlines miles for a round-trip coach award on their airline partners (which can’t be booked online), but this is NOT the best use of your Starwood points because fuel surcharges can be high.
It’s 42,500 Virgin Atlantic Miles Round-Trip From San Francisco to London, but Watch Out for High Fuel Surcharges
From the West Coast, you’ll pay 42,500 Virgin Atlantic miles round-trip, which is a good price. But the fuel surcharges can be several hundred dollars. From San Francisco to London, for example, you’ll pay ~$457 in taxes and fees.
Some folks love the in-flight experience, so it’s up to you whether you pay to pay fewer miles and more money in comparison to the other award flight options to Europe.
The quickest way to earn Starwood points is to sign-up for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express (personal or small business). Through September 14, 2015, you’ll earn 30,000 Starwood points after meeting minimum spending requirements.
Then you can use Starwood points for Big Travel to Europe!
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Intro APR on purchases
N/A
Regular APR
15.99%-22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Intro APR on purchases
N/A
Regular APR
15.99%-22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Rates & Fees
Annual Fee$95
Other
Credit Needed Excellent
/
Good
IssuerChase
Card TypeVisa
MORE INFO
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Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)
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