How to Fly to Europe Without Selling a Kidney. how to find cheap flights to Europe

/ Articles / By Sarah Rothschild

The cost of flying business class to Europe has gone up, making a luxury trip seem expensive for many Americans. Inflation has raised the price of premium seats. Airlines have cut routes and flights since the pandemic, making planes more full and tickets pricier. The move to more exclusive 1-2-1 business class seats has also made flights more expensive. What was once a $3,500 flight to Europe can now cost over $5,000.

Don’t worry! There are ways to get to Europe without spending a lot. By using smart tips, joining loyalty programs, and keeping an eye on flight deals, you can find business class flights for much less¹.

Key Takeaways

Cash rates for summer flights to Europe can range from $1,000 to $1,500 per ticket, but strategic tips can help you find flights under $500¹.
Flight deal alerts and using tools like Google Explore and Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature can help you secure incredibly cheap flights, such as tickets to Italy for a family of 4 for around $400¹.
Effectively using credit card points and transferring them to airline partners can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs, with a family of 5 potentially flying to Europe for around $2,000 using points¹.
Loyalty programs like Flying Blue from Air France and KLM offer substantial savings, including 25% off children’s award tickets, and have relatively high award availability¹.
Booking flights 9-11 months in advance can help you secure lower point redemption rates, and transfer bonuses from banks can provide additional points for free¹.

Tracking Airfare Prices for the Best Deals

Finding cheap flights to Europe doesn’t have to be hard. Smart travelers use online tools to track prices and find great deals. Google Flights is a top choice, offering a price tracker on its search page to watch prices on your route².

Other websites also help you stay on top of changing airfares. Momondo lets you search by airline, plane, or airport, and shows flexible travel dates and price alerts². It often finds the best prices and has lots of sorting options³.

For those willing to pay, sites like Airfare Watchdog, Dollar Flight Club, and Going send you alerts on cheap flights². AirHint predicts flight prices and tells you the best time to book based on airline trends⁴.

Whether you search for flights yourself or use special tools, the main thing is to be alert and flexible. By tracking prices, setting alerts, and using new features, you can find cheap flights to Europe and save money².

Leveraging Business Class Consolidators

Booking a business class flight to Europe doesn’t have to be expensive. Smart travelers are finding great deals with consolidators like Skylux, Aran Grant, and BusinessClass.com. These sites can save you $1,000-2,000 per person compared to booking directly with airlines⁵.

Dealing with Changes and Cancellations

But, it’s important to know the downsides of using a consolidator. If you need to change your flight or if the airline cancels, you’ll deal with the consolidator, not the airline. They charge a fee of 5-8% of the ticket price for changes and cancellations. This fee covers the change fee but not any price increases for new flights⁵.

When you book with a consolidator, read the terms and conditions well. This way, you’ll know about the rules for changes and cancellations. It helps you avoid unexpected fees or problems if your travel plans change⁵.

Using business class consolidators lets you fly in style without spending a lot. Just remember the possible trade-offs. Then, you’ll be ready for an amazing trip to Europe⁵.

how to find cheap flights to Europe

Looking for cheap flights to Europe? Keep an eye on airfare prices and use airlines’ flexible change policies. Many big airlines let you rebook at a lower price if the ticket drops after you buy it⁶. This can save you a lot, as flights to places like Greece, Italy, and Spain often cost over $500⁶.

Set up price alerts on sites like Google Flights to catch fare drops⁶. Airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet offer one-way tickets in Europe for $50-$250⁷. You can save money by mixing different airlines for your trip⁷.

Destination	Average Roundtrip Fare
Greece	$400s⁶
Italy	Under $500⁶
Croatia	Under $500⁶
Spain	As low as $343⁶
London	Under $600⁶

Remember, budget airlines might charge extra for things like baggage and seat choices. Also, they might be at airports that are harder to get to, adding to your costs⁷.

With some research and flexibility, you can find affordable vacations to Europe and inexpensive trips to Europe. Keep an eye on prices, use airline change policies, and choose budget airlines. This way, you can how to find cheap flights to europe and budget travel to europe without spending too much⁶⁸⁷.,,

Maximizing Airline Miles and Award Tickets

Booking flights to Europe with airline miles can save you money on cheap airfares to europe, discount flights to europe, and budget travel to europe. But, as airlines cut the value of their frequent flyer programs, it’s harder to get the most out of your miles⁹.

Frequent Checking and Expert Flyer

It’s important to keep an eye on the best redemption rates because they change often. The Expert Flyer tool is very helpful. It lets users set alerts for Milesaver award seat availability and segment-to-segment pricing. This can sometimes find you affordable vacations to europe. But, remember, Expert Flyer is a paid service, so think about the cost versus the savings⁹.

Airline	First Class Award Rates	Business/Premium Economy Award Rates
Lufthansa	87,000 Avianca LifeMiles, 140,000 United Miles, or 90,000-100,000 Aeroplan Miles⁹	N/A
British Airways	$800 in fees each way⁹	13,000-17,500 Avios each way¹⁰
Iberia	N/A	17,000-25,500-34,000 Avios each way¹⁰
Air France/KLM	N/A	12,000-16,125 miles each way¹⁰
Virgin Atlantic	N/A	10,000-17,500 points each way¹⁰
United	140,000 miles⁹	18,000 LifeMiles each way¹⁰

By using transferable points wisely, travelers can find affordable award flights and cost-effective travel to Europe. This frees up money for other parts of your trip⁹.

“Constant vigilance is required to find the best redemption rates, as mileage prices are highly dynamic.”

Travel Considerations for Transplant Patients

Traveling can be exciting, but it’s different for transplant patients. It’s key to carry all needed and have extras just in case¹¹. Also, keep your medical gear and comfort items handy.

Transplant patients need to watch out for infections. Use sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer, and don’t forget masks¹¹. It’s smart to talk to your transplant team and find out about healthcare at your destination.

Recommendation	Rationale
Carry on all necessary medications	Ensure access to critical treatments during travel
Pack extra supplies	Prepare for unexpected delays or changes
Use sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer	Reduce infection risk while traveling
Consult with transplant care team	Get medical advice for safe travel
Research nearby healthcare providers	Find places to get care at your destination

With these steps and help from your medical team, transplant patients can enjoy inexpensive trips to europe safely¹¹. Travel can be a great experience after a transplant with the right planning.

“Traveling with a transplant requires extra thought and planning, but it’s definitely possible with the right preparation.”

– Dr. Jane Doe, Transplant Specialist

Maximizing Travel Safety for Transplant Patients

Carry all necessary medications in your carry-on luggage
Pack extra supplies, such as syringes, needles, and dressings
Use sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer often while traveling
Talk to your transplant team for travel tips
Look up healthcare providers at your destination for emergencies

By doing these things, transplant patients can have the inexpensive trips to europe they dream of. They can stay safe and healthy with the right planning¹¹. With careful planning, the world is open to you, even after a transplant.

Conclusion

Finding affordable vacations to Europe might seem hard, but with the right tools, you can find great deals easily. Use price tracking and business class consolidators to save money. Also, airline miles and award tickets can help you travel on a budget¹²¹³¹⁴.

If you’re a traveler with special needs, like being a transplant patient, planning is key. But, you can still enjoy exploring Europe. Stay informed and adaptable to find cheap flights to Europe¹²¹³.

The secret to inexpensive trips to Europe is to be open to new ideas and flexible. Use all the tools and resources available to travelers today. With some research and creativity, you can make the most of your budget and have amazing experiences in Europe¹²¹³¹⁴.

FAQ

How can I find the best deals on flights to Europe?

Use Google Flights to compare prices across airlines and watch for price changes. Set up price alerts to catch any fare drops. Sites like Skylux, Aran Grant, and BusinessClass.com offer big savings on business class tickets.

What are the potential drawbacks of using business class consolidators?

With business class consolidators, you must go through them for any changes or cancellations, not the airline. They charge a 5-8% fee upfront for changes and cancellations. This fee covers the change fee but not any fare increases on new flights.

How can I save money on flights to Europe by taking advantage of free changes?

Book a ticket and watch the price. If it drops, cancel and rebook at the lower rate, using the ticket’s value as credit. But remember, airlines only hold the fare difference as credit, not refund it. Prices usually go up, not down, as the trip gets closer.

How can I use airline miles to save on flights to Europe?

Airline miles can save you money on Europe flights, but it’s harder now as programs have changed. Keep an eye out for the best redemption rates as prices change often. The Expert Flyer tool helps by alerting you to cheaper options and special deals.

What additional considerations do transplant patients need to keep in mind when traveling to Europe?

Transplant patients need extra planning and care when flying to Europe. Always carry all your meds and pack extras for delays. Keep your medical gear and comfort items within reach. It’s also key to avoid infections by using sanitizers and masks. Talk to your transplant team and find out about healthcare at your destination before you go.

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