The Spanish carrier Air Europa is currently offering nicely priced tickets for flights to Miami in business class. Round-trips start as low as €1,365 and you can choose from two different airports of departure.
It can be tricky to find this deal since Google Flights won’t display the correct prices when searching via the calender function. But we’ve been able to find a few example dates:
- From Madrid
- From Barcelona
You should be able to find more dates in early 2020. Also, since the transatlantic flight from Madrid to Miami is always the same one, the dates above will most likely be interchangeable between the two airports of departure.
Trips from Barcelona will include a layover in Madrid whereas flights departing from the Spanish capital will be non-stop connections. Air Europa will operate a Boeing 787 and the long-haul route to the USA.
The SkyTeam member might not be the most famous airline. But rest assured that their business class product is up-to-date. Onboard of the Dreamliner, you’ll find lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. Even though all seats offer o good amount of privacy, due to the layout, not everybody will have direct aisle access. Something you might want to keep in mind when traveling alone.
Here’s a review that will give you a good impression of what will await you when flying Air Europas premium product:
Search & Book
The fare rules for this deal are rather sparse. The only thing that we’ve been able to find out is that you can only book your outbound flight between Tuesdays and Thursdays. No hint as to how long this deal will be available or if there are restrictions to the travel period. Availability seems to be good in January, February and March 2020.
Also, the carrier would allow you to spend up to 12 months in the USA. But remember that most EU citizens will need an ESTA which will only be valid for 90 days.
At this point, we normally refer to Google Flights (instructions). But unfortunately this time the tool can’t help, since for some reason prices will not be displayed. This is also true for the ITA Airfare Search. So the only option is to fiddle around with our Travel Dealz flight search. You will be able to get the promoted fare from OTAs but also from the airlines itself.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Tickets for all flights should be issued in booking class I. Since Air Europa is a member of SkyTeam, this can get you an earning rate of up to 100% with some programs. Here’s an example of what you would earn for a trip from Madrid:
- 14,214 Miles on Xiamen Airlines Egret Club
- 13,248 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 11,040 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 11,040 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 11,040 Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- 11,040 Award Miles + 150 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 11,040 Award Miles on Etihad Guest
- 8,832 Award Miles + 60 XP on Flying Blue
- 8,832 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 8,832 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 8,832 Miles on China Airlines Dynasty Flyer
- 8,832 Miles on CSA OK Plus
- 8,832 Miles on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 8,832 RDM + 1,766 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
Information & Tips for USA
The USA offers many sights, natural wonders and cultural significance. Thanks to numerous airlines offering flights across the Atlantic, it is always pretty inexpensive to get there. Alternatively, you can also cross the Atlantic by boat.
Immigration, ESTA & Visa Requirements
The USA has one of the strictest entry regulations in the world. Most EU citizens, among others, are lucky to be able to participate in the so-called Visa Waiver Program. If you get an electronic entry permit (ESTA) for approximately €20, you don’t need a visa for entry.
The Best Time to Visit
Due to its sheer size, the perfect time to visit the USA varies greatly from region to region. In winter, Florida is very popular due to the mild temperatures. In the summer the West and East Coasts are flooded by tourists which drives up the prices for hotels and flights and during the Indian Summer in late autumn New England is a very popular destination. The hurricane season between July and September can be dangerous in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida and the southern states are regularly struck by these tropical storms. Blizzards occur from the East Coast to the Midwest during the winter months and regularly put air traffic and public life on hold.
Currency
The US dollar is widely used throughout the world and accepted as a currency in most tourist hotspots worldwide. That being said, carrying cash isn’t necessary in the US, all you need is a credit card! These are very common in the USA and are accepted pretty much everywhere without any issues. If you already have a credit card in your wallet, you should make sure that it does not charge a foreign currency fee if possible. Carrying a few dollars in cash doesn’t hurt though. You might need cash e.g. for the bus ticket if you want to buy it directly from the driver. Most of the time you even have to give exact change.
Finding the Best eSIM Plan
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as Knowroaming and Ubigi. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for the USA 🇺🇸 Compared
→ All Dealz for USA
Information & Tips for Miami
Miami is the largest metropolitan region in Florida, although the city itself has only a population of about 400,000. Also called “Capital of Latin America”, the city has a lot of influences from Central and South America which give it its unmistakable character. Miami can be reached quite cheaply from Europe, fares of under €300 are now the norm and from time to time there are also bargains for under €200! Miami International Airport is served by numerous European airlines and American carriers also offer transatlantic flights.
The Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Miami is between November and May. At this time of year the weather is warm but moderate and the water temperatures are perfect for swimming. During the Hurricane Season from the beginning of June to the end of November, hurricanes and tropical storms with strong winds and extremely high precipitation can occur.
From the Airport to the City Center
The Metrorail Orange Line to Downtown costs US$2.25 (~€2.11) per person and takes only 15 minutes to get to the city centre. A taxi costs about €20-25, while the Miami Beach Bus will take you directly to the beach. For $2,65[7c] it leaves every 30 minutes from the airport to Miami Beach.
→ All Dealz for Miami
Cover Picture: Johannes Kinast