Amazing airfares to Europe continue this week

If you are looking to find amazing prices to travel to Europe then now is the time to get up and go. Airlines have added hundreds of additional flights across the pond to Europe and now are discounting airfares to get people to jump on the airplanes this winter. Last week we shared with you that round-trip airfares to 9 major European cities averaged an amazing $611. These airfares are still available for travel through the end of March 2024.  If you can travel to Europe in the next six months you will find amazing deals for airfares and hotels. 

It now takes spending $24,000 on United Airlines to earn 1K Top-Tier Elite status – All the major airlines are raising the bar for their best customers to retain their super perks status. United Airlines’ highest published Status is 1K (Global Services is much higher status with unknown hurdles). This year they are raising the dollar amount that must be spent on United or other Star Alliance airlines to requalify for 1K status in 2024 to 54 flights and $18,000 or $24,000 spending a year. In return for that amount of spend United provides a long list of benefits that the top 10 in my mind which include:

• Priority check-in. Premier 1K members have access to a separate check-in line than standard guests, even when flying in economy.
• PlusPoints. There are 320 PlusPoints per year valid toward flight upgrades.
• Free drink and snack.  1Ks get one free drink and snack per flight.
• Preboarding. You’ll board before everyone else with preboarding access.
• Complimentary checked bags. Check up to three 70-pound bags free of charge.
• Confirmed flight changes. Free of charge within the same fare class starting at 24 hours prior to departure.
• Clear membership. Complimentary Clear membership.
• Complimentary upgrades. Premier 1K member upgrades start clearing up to 96 hours in advance of the flight.
• Complimentary Economy Plus seats. Available at booking and for up to eight companions.
• Star Alliance status. As a 1K, you’ll have Star Alliance Gold status.

 Even with all these benefits listed above many travelers are thinking about ditching Elite status and becoming a free agent – What I am seeing is that often times I am purchasing tickets on United Airlines that are more expensive than other flights just to earn freebies. Recently I compared flying to NYC and found that I bought UA flights for $600 in coach class with a connecting flight in Chicago only to find I could have bought non-stop flights on Delta and American in first class for about the same price. Basically, I paid the same amount to ride in coach (with the hope of getting upgraded) and add 2 hours of connecting flight time instead of buying first class seats for the same price.  I do silly things to maintain my 1K status.

 Here are eight reasons I should not try to attain Elite status with United Airlines next year –

• Flying from Omaha I can find 28 cities that are non-stop flights with United having just 4.
• I find I get complimentary upgrades to first-class on less than 50% of my flights
• I overpay to stay on United when I can often save 25% or more on other airlines
• The only benefit that has any meaning to me is primarily first-class upgrades
• There are so many people with Elite status today that even at the top tier I have been as low as #20 on the complimentary upgrade list.
• You do not need priority boarding if you purchase first-class tickets as those customers already have priority seating and overhead space for carry-ons.
• Many business class seats to European destinations are much cheaper and have fewer connections than flying United.
• United international business class service does not compare with other international airlines.

 Boarding passes and passports soon to be history as biometrics make them redundant – The airport in Singapore next year plans to be the first airport to allow passengers to depart the country without passports, using only biometric data. Biometrics along with facial recognition will be the backbone of this new process to make showing your passport and boarding pass obsolete. Many will think this is great news. Others won’t like big brother knowing where you always are. CLICK HERE to read more.

 Please watch our Weekly Travel Alert Podcast this week. CLICK here for 15 minutes of the best travel tips on YouTube and all your favorite social media sites.

 Here are the five worst airports in North America – A recent J.D. Power 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study was released last week and it found that the Detroit Airport has been rated as the best airport in North America. The worst airports many travelers could already guess. They include:

• Boston Logan International Airport
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
• Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Newark Liberty International Airport

CLICK HERE to find out what travelers say are the top 10 best airports.

 Florence, Italy one of many European cities expected to ban Airbnb’s – The giant wave of tourists traveling to Europe is launching many major tourist cities, who have seen the massive conversion of apartments to Airbnb short term rentals, to consider outlawing them so locals have places to live at reasonable prices. Florence, Italy is expected to outlaw new Airbnb’s before the end of the year. Other cities like Venice, Italy are putting in place visitor taxes and tickets to enter the city. It will be a new world traveling to Europe next year that will be very complicated. This is another great reason you need to find a friendly travel advisor to help you along the way.