Does a European vacation seem out of reach? It can for many people due to the extremely high cost of airfare. Let’s see how you can cover the airfare cost to Europe with just one credit card sign up bonus.
Citi is offering 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 within 90 days. ($33 a day). Now before you get discouraged by that high minimum spend amount, hang in there, I have an easy way to meet that amount. (you will want to apply sooner rather than later, this offer may expire soon)
A quick touch on the perks of this credit card:
•$95 annual fee, but $0 for the first year (you can cancel at anytime)
•Group 1 priority boarding
•10% of your points back when you redeem. Redeem 25k get 2,500 back
•First checked bag free for you and four of your companions
•25% off food and beverage purchases on-board.
So here is the skinny… You can travel round-trip to Europe for only 40k miles from now until May 15th, 2016. (off peak). This is a great deal as it is normally 60k miles round-trip!
Not only can you go to Europe but you will have enough points left over for another free one-way domestic flight.
50,000 points (sign up bonus)
– 40,000 (redemption to Europe)
+ 4,000 (10% redemption credit deposited back to you)
+ 3,000 (minimum spend which also earns you points)
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17,000 remaining
FYI: For 17,500 you can one-way to Mexico and the Caribbean or 12,500 to the lower 48…
Okay, let’s take a look at a sample itinerary to Europe:
Phoenix to Madrid, Spain for one week. 40,000 points + $59 in customs fees
When booking international award flights on aa.com you will want to be aware of the airlines that you are flying on. Some of the legs of your trip may be operated by British Airways, Iberia, Alaska Air, etc (all partners of American Airlines). These partner airlines may charge additional fuel surcharge fees. If possible, uncheck the partner airlines, like British Airways, so you only see flights that are operated by American Airlines.
Okay, I promised I would help you hit your minimum spend. The service plastiq.com allows you to send money or pay your bills with a credit card. Do you have a $1,000 a month rent or mortgage? You can send your bank or landlord a check using Plastiq for a 2.5% service charge. Another thing you can do is send money to yourself or a friend and just cash the check to yourself. To spend your $3,000 it will cost you $75 in fees.
So let’s recap
$59 customs fees
$75 in plastiq.com fees (if you need help meeting your minimum spend)
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$134
What do you get for $134?
•Round-trip to Europe
•One-way anywhere in the lower 48
