Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through the Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.With both Primera Air going belly-up and low-cost carriers scaling back operations to the US this week, it seems that legacy carriers smell blood and are going in for the kill. Star Alliance airlines Lufthansa and United are offering jaw-dropping deals from US cities to Europe — including Amsterdam, Paris and Rome. There are even more options than we list below — including about a dozen cities to London for less than $400 round-trip — but we’re listing all of the options that we could find under $300 round-trip.Here’s the catch: the best deals aren’t showing up on Google Flights. You’ll have to search and find them on Kayak and click through to Lufthansa’s website to book directly at these rates. Lufthansa operates its Airbus A380 on some of these routes, making this a great opportunity to fly the jumbo jet. Hot tip: see if there’s economy on the upper deck on the version you’re flying. I’ve found it’s an excellent experience thanks to the small cabin and better seating arrangement.An Airbus A-380 of Lufthansa lands on the western runway of Frankfurt am Main’s airport. (Photo by Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images)If you’re looking for something interesting to do while you’re in Europe, check out Get Your Guide’s list of best activities in Amsterdam, Paris and Rome to maximize your time while on vacation.Airlines: Lufthansa, UnitedRoutes: EWR/SFO/JFK/LAX/MIA/DEN to AMS/FCO/CDGCost: $228+ round-trip in economyTravel Dates: October - May 2019Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express® Gold Card, or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)Booking Link: Kayak, Priceline, Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airlineHere are a few examples of what you can book for less than $300 round-trip:Newark (EWR) to Amsterdam (AMS) for $228 round-trip nonstop on United:Newark (EWR) to Rome (FCO) for $250 round-trip nonstop on United:Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Newark (EWR) to Paris (CDG) for $255 round-trip on United/Lufthansa:San Francisco (SFO) to Paris (CDG) for $267 round-trip nonstop on United:New York’s Kennedy (JFK) to Amsterdam (AMS) for $272 round-trip on Lufthansa:Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris (CDG) for $278 round-trip on United/Lufthansa:Miami (MIA) to Rome (FCO) for $277 round-trip on Lufthansa:Miami (MIA) to Paris (CDG) for $282 round-trip on Lufthansa/United:Los Angeles (LAX) to Rome (FCO) for $287 round-trip on Lufthansa:San Francisco (SFO) to Rome (FCO) for $287 round-trip on Lufthansa:Denver (DEN) to Paris (CDG) for $288 round-trip on Lufthansa:Maximize Your PurchaseDon’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Premier, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.H/T: Thrifty Traveler Premium
