The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles

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Redemptions are of great value if you can find them at the last minute. You can use the following partner points and miles to book it:

• Air Canada Aeroplan: 90,000 points from the East Coast or 100,000 points from the Midwest and West Coast, plus around $50 in taxes and fees, for a flight to Germany; taxes and fees for a flight from Europe to the U.S. will cost less than $200. Aeroplan is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One miles and Marriott Bonvoy.
• Avianca LifeMiles: Following a 2024 devaluation, you’ll need 130,000 miles (plus some cash for the low taxes and fees) to travel from the U.S. to Germany. Avianca LifeMiles is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.
• United MileagePlus: Expect to redeem 140,000 miles and spend about $140 in taxes and fees for a flight from the U.S. to Germany. United MileagePlus is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

British Airways

While British Airways’ first-class product doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as Lufthansa’s, booking with points and miles is much easier.

British Airways operates first class on much of its transatlantic fleet, including the Airbus A380, the Boeing 787-10 and most Boeing 777s. If you are flying from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) in first class, the Concorde Room is one of the best airport lounges in Europe.

First class can be easy to find on flights from New York, where the airline operates over a dozen combined services daily. However, it can be harder to find on routes with only one or two daily services, like ones from MIA and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

First-class flights on British Airways to London start from 68,000 British Airways Executive Club Avios on off-peak dates for shorter flights from the East Coast, 80,000 Avios on peak dates for shorter flights from the East Coast, 85,000 Avios on off-peak dates for longer flights (such as those from California) and 100,000 Avios on peak dates for longer flights, including those from the Midwest and the West Coast.

Unfortunately, British Airways imposes large surcharges, airport fees and government taxes that cost around $800 each way for first-class tickets. As first-class flights are excluded from British Airways’ Reward Flight Saver option, paying more Avios cannot reduce these surcharges.

American Airlines AAdvantage award rates are cheaper for first-class British Airways tickets to the West Coast, as American Airlines uses a region-based award chart rather than a distance-based one. Regardless of the origin in the U.S. or date of travel, American Airlines currently charges 85,000 AAdvantage miles plus taxes and fees for these award flights, so for longer flights to Europe, consider AAdvantage instead.

You can also add a short-haul connecting flight beyond London to mainland Europe for no extra cost when using American miles, whereas British Airways charges extra. Remember, a short flight with British Airways will be in the carrier’s Euro-business Club Europe cabin, which is nothing like first class.

Just remember that flights departing from the U.K. will face even higher costs thanks to the country’s Air Passenger Duty. That’s why you should avoid making London the final stop on your European adventure.

Related: Still better than business class: A review of British Airways First on the 777 from London to Washington

Business class

Want a lie-flat bed for an overnight flight that arrives in Europe so you can feel rested and refreshed? Here are our business-class redemption recommendations.

Iberia

One redemption for Europe trips that continues to provide terrific value is offered by Iberia. Iberia operates flights from ORD, IAD, BOS, LAX, MIA, JFK, SFO and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to its main hub at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).

Iberia’s Airbus A330-200, A330-300 and A350-900 aircraft operate transatlantic flights, each offering a 1-2-1 business-class configuration. While some of the airline’s Airbus A350 aircraft offer Iberia’s newest and best business-class product (including sliding doors and an 18.5-inch, 4K inflight entertainment screen), all three aircraft provide excellent redemption value on transatlantic flights.

The airline is also the first operator of the narrow-body Airbus A321XLR, which operates some flights to the East Coast and still provides a solid business-class product.

Iberia prices its flights based on distance and whether your travel falls on peak or off-peak dates. Four of its departure gateways offer spectacular value. If you depart from JFK, BOS, IAD or ORD, here’s what you’ll pay for one-way business-class flights:

• Off-peak dates: 34,000 British Airways or Iberia Plus Avios and about $120 in fees
• Peak dates: 50,000 British Airways or Iberia Plus Avios and about $120 in fees

Tickets on Iberia flights longer than 4,000 miles (any flights departing from Miami or cities west of Chicago) are pricier. However, an off-peak fare to Madrid from these destinations will cost 42,500 Avios, which is still an excellent deal.

Air France and KLM

Another one of the industry’s great sweet spots to Europe is booking flights on Air France or KLM through their Flying Blue program. While flights are priced dynamically, they start from just 60,000 miles in business class from anywhere in North America to anywhere in Europe. This price was recently raised from 50,000 miles, but it still represents a terrific deal, with both carriers operating great products.

Availability during the winter months is usually good. During summer, seats at these prices come and go often in waves. Availability from New York can be easy to find if you are flexible, as there are numerous daily flights, while seats from the West Coast can be harder to find.

Also, remember to watch Flying Blue’s monthly Promo Rewards, where select routes are discounted by 25%, making the award prices even cheaper.

Related: Private suites and high-tech touches: What it’s like flying Air France’s new business class

Premium economy

Premium economy provides a sensible midway point with more space and comfort than economy without breaking the bank.

Iberia

Like its attractive business-class redemption pricing, Iberia’s business-class cabin rates for flights to Spain are also very reasonable.

If you don’t have enough miles to stretch for a flat bed in business class for overnight flights to Europe, consider premium economy instead. It offers a wider seat, a smaller, more intimate cabin, more legroom and recline, and elevated food, beverages and bedding than the economy-class cabin. Passengers also receive a small amenity kit and noise-canceling headphones.

From Dallas, Miami and the West Coast, expect to pay 31,750 Avios for off-peak travel or 43,750 Avios for peak season flights. During off-peak times, you can book a premium economy ticket for just 25,500 Avios from New York, Boston and D.C. to Madrid; on peak dates, you’ll need 35,000 Avios.

Air France and KLM

Both Air France and KLM offer premium economy class on most transatlantic routes. While Air France’s product has room for improvement, TPG rates KLM’s premium economy as one of the world’s best. It provides an elevated experience above economy class, including lobster for dinner on select routes, which is almost unheard of in premium economy.

While Flying Blue prices its awards dynamically, the program has standardized saver-level pricing for all one-way flights between the U.S. and Europe, regardless of origin or destination. This means you can connect at no extra cost from just 40,000 miles in premium economy on Air France or KLM.

Economy

Looking for the cheapest way to fly to Europe? Here are our economy recommendations for redeeming points and miles for flights to Europe.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club recently switched to dynamic award pricing, so redemptions are priced according to demand. Redemptions can reach as high as 100,000 points on peak dates for a single economy flight, which is not a great deal.

Watch for Delta Air Lines-operated flights on Virgin’s website on these peak dates. You may be able to find flights for as low as 10,000 points from the East Coast or 15,000 points from cities further afield, like Salt Lake City.

Admittedly, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club charges more for fees, taxes and surcharges than Delta SkyMiles. However, Delta’s loyalty program may charge at least 40,000 miles from the U.S. to the U.K. in economy (but with lower taxes and fees), so you’ll want to price out your options to see which is the most cost-effective way to go.

Related: A review of Delta Air Lines economy on the Boeing 767 from London to New York

Aer Lingus

If you want to fly to Ireland in economy class, redeeming Avios through the Aer Lingus AerClub program or British Airways Executive Club is a terrific deal.

Aer Lingus routes from the Northeast to Ireland require just 13,000 Avios each way on off-peak dates. This includes flights from JFK, BOS, ORD, IAD and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Fees, taxes and surcharges are reasonable and should be no more than $100. However, peak travel dates require 20,000 Avios each way.

Longer flights from Florida, Washington state (specifically, Seattle) and California to Ireland cost a slightly higher 16,250 Avios each way on off-peak dates or 25,000 Avios on peak dates. This could still be a good deal if nonstop cash fares are expensive.

How to earn points and miles to book flights to Europe

Bottom line

Redeeming points and miles for travel to Europe can be confusing. With so many airlines flying on seemingly endless route combinations across the Atlantic, planning a European getaway with rewards can quickly overwhelm you. If you plan to visit Europe in the summer, booking as early as possible is best to maximize your chance of finding the right flight at the right price.