Via The Flight Deal, you can fly round-trip to Tokyo, Japan, from Portland and Seattle for ~$500 September through November 2016. And from Dallas and Phoenix for $552 in September and October 2016.
Here’s how to find the deal.
Find a Flight and Book Your Cheap Ticket to Europe!
Link: Google Flights
Link: ITA Matrix
Link: The Flight Deal Seattle & Portland to Tokyo $500
Use Google Flights to search dates and find a ticket. Then book directly with the airline or on a site like Orbitz or Priceline. The Flight Deal suggests using Priceline to find the Portland and Seattle sales.
Here’s my series on how to use ITA Matrix to find flights. And my post about using the very easy Google Flights.
These cheap fares will NOT last long.
For example, using Google Flights and then plugging the flights into Priceline, I found a ~$550 round-trip flight from Seattle to Tokyo September 20 to September 27, 2016.
And also through Google Flights I’m seeing ~$552 round-trip on Delta from Phoenix to Tokyo October 4 to October 11, 2016.
See if you can find dates that work for you!
Delta Tips
Folks with AMEX Delta SkyMiles cards can get 1 free checked bag for yourself and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
Note: You can cancel a Delta booking by midnight the day after you bought your ticket and get a full refund.
Hotel Information
If you book a sale flight, remember there are lots of ways to get cheap or free hotel rooms with points from credit card bonuses and spending.
To find hotels that can be booked with points, I use Hotel Hustle (which even shows you if rooms are actually available!) or AwardMapper.
Remember, you can transfer flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards to different hotel programs.
Note: If you prefer to book paid stays, check out discount sites like Orbitz, Expedia, or TravelPony for deals. But remember you won’t get stay credits or points (and might not have your elite status recognized!).
Airbnb is another terrific way to save money on accommodations, especially for longer stays. Here are some tips on how to negotiate a better Airbnb price, and how to find a safe and comfortable Airbnb.
Use a Credit Card That Earns Bonus Miles & Points
These cards earn bonus miles or points for paid airfare:
| Card Name | What It Earns |
|---|---|
The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN | - Earn 3X American Express Membership Rewards points on airfare purchased directly from airlines when you choose this as your 3X category (otherwise earn 2X points) - Here's my review of the card - Terms apply |
Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express | - Earn 3X American Express Membership Rewards points for airfare purchased directly from airlines - $100 Airline fee credit. Up to $100 a year for incidental fees with your selected airline - Here's my review of the card - Terms apply |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express | - 3% cash back on airfare purchased directly from airlines on the first $50,000 when you choose this as your 3% cash back category - Here's my review of the card - Terms apply |
The Platinum Card® from American Express | - Earn 5X American Express Membership Rewards points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel - $200 Airline Fee Credit. Up to $200 a year in baggage fees and more at 1 airline - Here's my review of the card - Terms apply |
| Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard | - Earn 2 miles per $1 on all purchases - Use miles for travel statement credits (minimum 10,000 miles for $100) - Here's my review of the card |
Chase Sapphire Reserve | - Earn 3 miles per $1 on travel and dining - $300 statement credit for travel purchases per calendar year (including hotels, airfare, etc.) - Here's my review of the card |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | - Earn 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel, including airfare - Here's my review of the card |
| Citi Prestige® Card | - Earn 3X ThankYou points for airfare & hotels - $250 statement credit for airfare & baggage fees each calendar year |
Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card | - Earn 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 spent on travel, including airfare each year - Here's my review of the card |
Citi ThankYou® Premier Card | - Earn 3X ThankYou points for travel, including airfare |
| Or pay with an airline credit card for specific perks! |
And if you book a hotel, don’t forget to use one of these cards:
| Card Name | What It Earns |
|---|---|
| SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express | - 3% cash back on hotel rooms purchased directly from hotels on the first $50,000 when you choose this as your 3% cash back category - Here's my review of the card - Terms apply |
| Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard | - Earn 2 miles per $1 on all purchases - Use miles for travel statement credits (minimum 10,000 miles for $100) - Here's my review of the card |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | - Earn 3 miles per $1 on travel and dining - $300 statement credit for travel purchases per calendar year (including hotels, airfare, etc.) - Here's my review of the card |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | - Earn 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel, including hotels - Here's my review of the card |
| Citi Prestige® Card | - Earn 3X ThankYou points for airfare & hotels - Extend your trip with a complimentary 4th night stay at any hotel of your choice |
| Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card | - Earn 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 spent on travel, including airfare & hotels each year - Here's my review of the card |
| Citi ThankYou® Premier Card | - Earn 3X ThankYou points for travel, including hotels - Here's my review of the card |
| Or pay with a hotel credit card for specific perks! |
Let me know if you book a flight to Tokyo!
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