If you have Delta SkyMiles (or American Express Membership Rewards points) and want to fly to Europe this summer in lie-flat comfort for the price of a cup of coffee, this is your sign.
TPG first flagged wide-open Delta One business-class space to Europe for just 115,000 Delta SkyMiles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees one-way in mid-June, and three weeks later, the seats are still there. You’ll find thousands of itineraries across the airline’s network on peak summer dates across July, August and September.
Delta Air Lines’ dynamic award pricing usually means a lie-flat seat to Europe costs close to 500,000 SkyMiles one-way during summer travel dates.
That’s what makes the 115,000 SkyMiles price such a great option for a seat that regularly sells for thousands of dollars in cash.
While some other programs offer business-class seats to Europe from as low as 60,000 points or miles, these often come with hundreds of dollars in carrier-imposed surcharges and aren’t available on popular dates or routes — two negatives you can currently avoid by booking flights to Europe with Delta SkyMiles.
Whether you want to save money on a trip you were already planning or prefer a spontaneous opportunity to take advantage of a great deal, here are 10 European destinations you can fly to for less this summer thanks to Delta.
Related: Delta One Suites review on the Airbus A330-900neo
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Fly Delta One to Europe for the price of a cup of coffee plus a stash of SkyMiles
We found widespread availability to Europe this summer for 115,000 SkyMiles one-way, plus just $5.60 in taxes and fees (no surcharges), using the awesome Seats.aero tool.
Pricing and dates can and do change quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as possible to lock in this incredible price, the cheapest SkyMiles price we have seen for these routes in years.
London
London doesn’t need much promotion. Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Big Ben sit alongside free world-class museums like The British Museum and Tate Modern, and a walk along the Thames covers centuries of history in an afternoon. Add in Borough Market for lunch, a West End show at night and strolls through neighborhoods like Notting Hill and Shoreditch, and you have a perfect London summer day.
It’s also Delta’s single best-connected European gateway, with nonstop service from seven U.S. cities.
Fly from or via: New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Best availability: August, then July. The best availability has routings via Atlanta or Seattle.
Related: 29 of the best cheap (or absolutely free) things to do in London
Paris
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and a coffee-and-croissant break in a corner cafe are Paris’ classic activities, but the Seine-side walks between Notre-Dame and the Musee d’Orsay are where the City of Light earns its reputation as one of the world’s most walkable capitals. Beyond the postcard-worthy sights, the Marais and Saint-Germain-des-Pres are lovely places to spend your morning wandering around and people-watching.
Fly from or via: JFK, ATL, DTW, MSP, SEA and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
Best availability: July and August have the most seats from or via Atlanta, Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Related: 9 ways to use points and miles for an incredible trip to Paris right now
Madrid
Spain’s sunny capital pairs the Museo del Prado and Retiro Park with a tapas-and-late-dinner culture that rewards travelers willing to eat on Spanish time. Beyond the big sights, the Malasana and La Latina neighborhoods show off Madrid’s late-night, laid-back personality, and a rooftop vermouth at golden hour is as essential as any museum. Just ensure you book accommodations with air conditioning, as this city gets warm in summer.
Fly from or via: JFK, ATL and BOS to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).
Best availability: July and August show plenty of availability.
Related: How to travel to Madrid on a budget and still have a great time
Barcelona
Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia and Park Guell give Barcelona its skyline, but the city’s beaches, the Gothic Quarter’s tangle of medieval streets and a stroll down Las Ramblas make it one of Europe’s few metropolises that’s equally a beach trip and a culture trip. Nibble on tapas at La Boqueria market, indulge in fresh seafood while enjoying the ocean breeze at La Barceloneta’s waterfront and finish with an ice cream and a sunset view from Bunkers del Carmel.
Fly from or via: JFK, ATL, SEA and BOS to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN).
Best availability: Choose July or August for the most options.
Related: Prime beach access and delicious food: My stay at the iconic W Barcelona
Rome
Rome is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, packed with attractions for first-time visitors and regulars alike. Between the ancient ruins and Renaissance art, it’s easy to forget Rome is also one of Europe’s great food cities, where a simple plate of cacio e pepe can be as memorable as the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain.
Fly from or via: ATL to Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO).
Best availability: August offers the most availability at this lower price point.
Related: The 25 best hotels in Rome to book for your Italian holiday
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, split by the green ravine of Princes Street Gardens, pack medieval closes and Georgian crescents into one of Europe’s most walkable capitals. Edinburgh Castle sits above it all on an extinct volcano, with the cobblestoned Royal Mile running downhill from its gates to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Beyond the Instagrammable sights, the climb up Arthur’s Seat rewards with panoramic views of the whole city. Also save time for a wee dram or whole whisky flight in one of the Royal Mile’s centuries-old pubs.
Fly from: BOS to Edinburgh Airport (EDI).
Best availability: You’ll find the best availability in July and August.
Related: What it’s like to stay at The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton
Venice, Italy
There’s no version of a first trip to Venice that doesn’t include a gondola ride past centuries-old palazzos, a stop at St. Mark’s Basilica and a wrong turn or two down a canal-adjacent alley — and that’s largely the point. The less-visited islands of Murano and Burano, known for glassblowing and lace-making, respectively, make an easy half-day trip for travelers who want to see Venice beyond the bustling main square. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as there are plenty of steps up and down over all those canals.
Fly from or via: ATL and JFK to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).
Best availability: Aim to travel in August, then July, for the most availability at this lower award rate.
Related: Venice cruise port: How to spend your day in Italy’s most romantic city
Dublin
Dublin’s pub culture and literary history (James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett all called it home) make it one of the easiest European cities to fall into a rhythm in, whether that means a Guinness Storehouse tour or an afternoon wandering the world-famous Temple Bar for a cheeky pint. Add a visit to Trinity College’s Book of Kells, a walk through St. Stephen’s Green and a live-music session in a neighborhood pub for a classic Irish day.
Fly from or via: JFK, ATL, BOS and DTW to Dublin Airport (DUB).
Best availability: August, then July and September, are the months with the best availability.
Related: A review of Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, where location meets value
Lisbon
Get your camera ready: Lisbon’s hills, yellow trams and custard-tart bakeries make it one of Europe’s most photogenic capitals, and the Alfama district’s fado bars are an authentic way to spend an evening mingling with locals and making new friends along the way. The Belem district’s monasteries and pastel de nata bakeries, plus miradouros (viewpoints) scattered across the city’s seven hills, are a rewarding way to get your steps in and work off all those custard tarts.
Fly from or via: BOS and JFK to Lisbon Airport (LIS).
Best availability: Pick July or August for the most options at this lower rate.
Related: The 13 best hotels in Lisbon
Berlin
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate and East Side Gallery are stark and somber reminders of world history, but the city’s museums, food scene and nightlife make it Europe’s most progressive cultural capital. Museum Island alone could fill a full day, and neighborhoods like Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg show off the creative, low-key side of the city that keeps drawing people back.
Fly from or via: JFK to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
Best availability: August offers the best availability, though you’ll find plenty of seats in July, too.
Related: I stayed exclusively with Hyatt on my 10-day Germany trip for $0 — here’s how I did it
How to earn Delta SkyMiles
It’s easy to earn SkyMiles with the right credit card. In fact, some of these cards are offering limited-time increased welcome offers until July 15:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases (for a total of $9,000) in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $6,000) in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $5,000) in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
You can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 rate.
Bottom line
We don’t know exactly why SkyMiles has reduced the cost of Delta One business-class fares to Europe this summer, and it doesn’t really matter: It’s the lowest rate we’ve found in years.
Combined with taxes and fees of just $5.60, no surcharges and widespread availability across so many popular destinations (try Naples, Italy; Porto, Portugal; or Munich if you don’t fancy our suggestions above), you can save thousands of dollars redeeming your SkyMiles (or transferring Amex points) right now.
We don’t know how long this excellent offer will last (we are surprised the seats are still there), so don’t delay if you want to enjoy lie-flat comfort to Europe this summer.
