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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend that you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency, such as Orbitz, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to travel. Additionally, keep in mind that discounted partner fares may not earn miles with US-based carriers.

TAP Portugal is currently offering incredible fares from New York and Boston to Europe, starting at just $289 round-trip. The catch is that you’ll need to fly an open-jaw to get that fare, meaning you’re flying into your European city of choice, but out of Lisbon, so you’ll need to make your way from London, Paris, Rome, etc. to Lisbon to catch your flight back home. Additionally, you must add a “throw away” segment from Boston or NYC to Toronto or Montreal to the end of your itinerary, but you can easily route through your home city and simply not board the flight to Canada.

To find your flights, search on Google Flights then head over to Priceline to book. Here’s an example of the search you’ll need to complete — simply plug in your departure and arrival cities and the dates you’d like to book. Note that the trip will always need to end with a LIS-BOS or NYC segment followed by BOS or NYC to YYZ or YUL the same or next day. Be sure to budget $100 more for your flight between your European destination and Lisbon to catch your TAP flight home.

Discounted flights appear to be available from now through the end of the schedule, but you’ll find the cheapest fares after the busy summer season. Additionally, while TAP is a Star Alliance member, it’s unclear which fare class this itinerary books into, so there’s a very good chance you won’t earn 100% mileage for these flights.

Airlines: TAP Portugal
Routes: NYC and BOS to LHR, CDG, FCO and more
Cost: $289+ round-trip in economy
Dates: July 2016 through March 2017
Booking Link: Orbitz
Pay With: American Express Premier Rewards Gold, Citi Prestige or Chase Sapphire Preferred

Here are a few examples of what you can book:

Newark (EWR) to London (LHR), Lisbon (LIS) to New York (JFK) for $289 on TAP Portugal:

Newark (EWR) to London (LHR), Lisbon (LIS) to New York (JFK) for $289 on TAP Portugal.

Boston (BOS) to London (LHR), Lisbon (LIS) to Boston (BOS) for $295 on TAP Portugal:

Boston (BOS) to London (LHR), Lisbon (LIS) to Boston (BOS) for $295 on TAP Portugal.
Boston (BOS) to London (LHR), Lisbon (LIS) to Boston (BOS) for $295 on TAP Portugal.

Newark (EWR) to Rome (FCO), Lisbon (LIS) to New York (JFK) for $539 on TAP Portugal:

Newark (EWR) to Rome (FCO), Lisbon (LIS) to New York (JFK) for $539 on TAP Portugal.
Newark (EWR) to Rome (FCO), Lisbon (LIS) to New York (JFK) for $539 on TAP Portugal.

Maximize Your Purchase

Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Premier Rewards Gold or Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.

If you’re able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below!

Source: thepointsguy.com