The Euro Holiday Fare Game is Win-Win Right Now.
Gotta hand it to the airlines. Just when you think they’ve settled into a pattern on fares to Europe, the catwalk throws up something different.But this is a style you’ll want in your travel wardrobe.
A Changing European Fare Trend
Once upon a time, you could bank on the fact that Business Class fares to Europe were low during holiday seasons.Like the length of skirts, that changed fast. Last year, holiday fares were not to be found and instead, airlines focused only on discounting certain destinations. At times there were thousands of dollars difference for cities that were just an hour apart.
We wrote about it here, saying that, “planning travel around seasons is now ancient thinking. The new paradigm is not when is the best time of the year to travel, instead it’s where is the lowest place to travel to.”
And now? Faster than you can say “Dolce & Gabbana,” it’s changed again.
Now you get the best of both Europe's because low fare destinations are still in play (so the “where” question is still valid) AND seasonal Business Class discounting has made its happy way back onto the scene (so we’re back to asking “when”). FCF’s research has found lots of new low Business Class fares valid for travel this Christmas/New Years—and even Easter 2020.
Examples of These Changing Business Class Fare Fashions
Atlanta: The Atlanta to Lisbon route goes for $2,386 round-trip on British Airways for travel in December and April. Compared to the normal fare ranging from $3,216 to $3,992, that’s a savings of $830 to $1,606 (26% to 40%). If you fly Atlanta to Brussels on Delta non-stop in December and April, you’ll pay $2,457 round-trip. Compare this to the normal fare of $2,910 to $4,089, and you’re getting a savings of $453 to $1,632 (16% to 40%).Charlotte: The Charlotte-to-Rome route goes for $2,344 round-trip for travel in December. Compared to the normal fare at $3,180, that’s a savings of $836 (26%).
Chicago: Chicago to Madrid goes for $2,343 round-trip on Iberia non-stop, for travel in December and April. Compared to the normal fare range of between $2,984 and $3,462, that’s a savings of between $641 and $1,119 (22% to 32%). Fly Chicago to Venice on British Airways in December or April for $2,355 round-trip, compared to the normal fare of $3,578 to $4,330. That’s a savings of $1,223 to $1,975 (34% to 46%).
Dallas: The Dallas-to-Amsterdam route goes for $2,328 round-trip for travel in December and April. Compared to the normal fare at $2,854 to $3,114, that’s a savings of $526 to $786 (18% to 25%). Or Dallas-to-Dublin goes for $2,334 round-trip, compared to the normal fare of $3,180 to $4,567, that’s a savings of $846 to $2,233 (27% to 49%).
Denver: The Denver-to-Dublin route goes for $2,452 round-trip for travel in December and April. Compared to the normal fare at $5,785, that’s a savings of $3,333 (58%).
Houston: The Houston-to-Lisbon route goes for $2,337 round-trip for travel in December. Compared to the normal fare at $3,145 to $4,883, that’s a savings of $808 to $2,546 (26% to 52%). Or Houston-to-Copenhagen goes for $2,446 round-trip, compared to the normal fare of $3,697 to $5,264, that’s a savings of $1,251 to $2,818 (34% to 54%).
Los Angeles: The Los Angeles-to-Dublin route goes for $2,434 round-trip in December and April. Compared to the normal fare at $3,111 to $3,410, a savings of $677 to $976 (22% to 29%). Or Los Angeles-to-Barcelona for $2,446 round-trip, compared to the normal fare of $3,296 to $3,603. That’s a savings of $850 to $1,157 (26% to 32%).
San Francisco: The San Francisco-to-Inverness, Scotland route goes for $2,250 round-trip in on British Airways in December and April. Compare that to the normal fare at $3,007 to $4,029, a savings of $757 to $1,779 (25% to 44%). Or San Francisco to Madrid at $2,351 round-trip, compared to the normal fare of $2,908 to $3,858, a savings of $557 to $1,507 (19% to 39%).
Seattle: The Seattle-to-Inverness route goes for $2,348 round-trip for travel in December and April. Compared to the normal fare at $4,214, that’s a savings of $1,866 (44%).
New York and major cities in Florida (such as Miami and Orlando for example), currently do not offer discounted holiday fares for travel in Business Class. However, keep checking FCF’s daily deals for updates as fares always change, and new deals come up everyday.
Lower Your Fare Even Further
- Get 10% off on British Airways when using the BA Visa card.
- Get $200 off through AARP for Business Class fares on British Airways.
- Save hundreds through Amex on already-low tactical Business Class fares on Air France, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic to Europe.
First Class Fare Fashion
Sample From the West Coast to Europe
San Francisco: The San Francisco-to-Basel, Switzerland route goes for $3,279 round-trip for travel in December (departure starting Dec. 9 through Jan. 3, 2020, return by Jan. 9, 2020). Compared to the normal fare at $4,579+, that’s a savings of $1,300 (28%). Or San Francisco-to-Zürich goes for $3,293 round-trip, compared to the normal fare of $4,293+, a savings of $1,000 (23%).Sample From Chicago and Texas to Europe
Chicago & Houston: The Chicago-to-Basel route costs $3,279 round-trip for travel in December (departure starting Dec. 9 through Jan. 3, 2020, return by Jan. 10, 2020). Compared to the normal fare of 4,579+, that’s a savings of $1,300 (28%). Or Houston-to-Munich goes for $3,338 round-trip, compared to the normal fare of $4,638+, a savings of $1,300 (28%).“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”
Oscar Wilde