Page Contents<\/p>
- Why Book Intra-Europe Flights With Points and Miles?<\/a><\/li>
- Cheapest Intra-Europe Award Flights<\/a>
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 4k miles in economy or 8k in business<\/a><\/li>
- United MileagePlus: 6k miles in economy<\/a><\/li>
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: 7.5k miles in economy or 15k in business<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Why Book Intra-Europe Flights With Points and Miles?<\/span><\/h2>\n
If you\u2019ve ever booked a ticket on one of Europe\u2019s ultra-low-cost carriers — like Ryanair — you know those dirt-cheap fares can get expensive fast. That sub-$20 flight from Country A to Country B quickly snowballs once you factor in checking a bag, selecting a seat, or even bringing a normal-sized carry-on.<\/p>\n
One of the easiest ways to avoid all the nickel-and-diming is to use miles to book a legacy carrier. That\u2019s how you skip the \u00e0 la carte experience of flying a budget airline and choose your seat, bring a carry-on, and typically even check a bag.<\/p>\n
For example, you can fly Air France between Krakow (KRK) and Copenhagen (CPT) for just 4,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club<\/a> points in economy — or 8,000 in business class — with only about $35 out-of-pocket. This one-way award can save you hundreds compared to what Air France charges in cash and lets you avoid budget airlines entirely. And the savings really stack when you're flying a big group of people.<\/p>\n
![\"Virgin](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Credit: Virgin Atlantic<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n That\u2019s just one example, and it offers pretty good value. But there are several other routes that deliver even better value for your points.<\/p>\n
Cheapest Intra-Europe Award Flights<\/span><\/h2>\n
No two award programs are the same. Some charge fewer miles but tack on higher taxes and fees. Others charge higher mileage rates but lower taxes and fees. And some land somewhere in the middle. Below, we've rounded up the best options.<\/p>\n
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 4k miles in economy or 8k in business<\/span><\/h3>\n
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers some of the cheapest all-in rates for flights within Europe. Through Flying Club, you\u2019ll find plenty of intra-Europe awards starting at just 4,000 points in economy or 8,000 in business class. Many of these flights are operated by Air France, KLM, or a combination of the two. But you might also come across options on other SkyTeam airlines<\/a> like TAROM.<\/p>\n
More often than not, these awards offer excellent value. For example, 4,000 Virgin points plus around $35 in taxes for an economy flight between Nantes (NTE) and Amsterdam (AMS) can yield over 4 cents per point. And you\u2019ll get all the perks of a \u201cStandard\u201d KLM fare — from seat selection to checked bags — that might otherwise cost over $200 if you paid for the flight.<\/p>\n
Credit: Virgin Atlantic<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Business class, meanwhile, can deliver even better value. Redeeming just 8,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points and $62 beats shelling out $914 \u2014 should you want to splurge on this short flight.<\/p>\n
Credit: Google Flights<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n The best way to explore your options is by checking out Seats.aero<\/a>. There, you\u2019ll see tons of examples of ultra-cheap award flights. Some examples include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Bordeaux (BOD) to Amsterdam (AMS)<\/strong> for 4k points in economy or 8k in business class, plus $34 in taxes and fees.<\/li>\n
- Oslo (OSL) to Copenhagen (CPH)<\/strong> for 4k points in economy or 8k in business class, plus $40 in taxes and fees.<\/li>\n
- Paris (CDG) to Nuremberg (NUE)<\/strong> for 4k points in economy or 8k in business class, plus $45 in taxes and fees.<\/li>\n
- Rome (FCO) to Geneva (FCO)<\/strong> for 4k points in economy or 8k in business class, plus $55 in taxes and fees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Credit: Seats.aero<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n However, just be mindful of the taxes and fees. Depending on where you\u2019re flying from, they can exceed $100 or more per way. Sometimes it\u2019s still worth paying extra out of pocket for an award if you\u2019re saving big compared to what the airlines (including budget airlines) would charge in cash. And sometimes it isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Stock up on Virgin points<\/h4>\n
If you're short on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points to book an award ticket, the fastest way to boost your balance is by transferring points from a flexible rewards program. Virgin Atlantic partners with several major programs, including:<\/p>\n
From<\/div>To<\/div>Transfer Ratio<\/div>Min.Transfer<\/div>Average Time<\/div><\/div>Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1,000:1,000<\/div>-<\/div>Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>United Kingdom<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>500:500<\/div>1,000<\/div>Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>Capital One<\/a>United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>100:100Capital One points transfer to Virgin Red. Link your Virgin Red and Flying Club accounts to use points for flights<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>1,000<\/div>Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>Chase (Ultimate Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1,000:1,000<\/div>-<\/div>Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>Citibank (ThankYou Rewards)<\/a>United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1,000:1,000<\/div>-<\/div>Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>3:1<\/div>3,000<\/div>15 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div>Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1,000:1,000<\/div>2,000<\/div>15 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div>Wells Fargo (Go Far Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1:1<\/div>-<\/div>Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nUnited MileagePlus: 6k miles in economy<\/span><\/h3>\n
United MileagePlus<\/a> probably isn\u2019t the first program that comes to mind when you think of award sweet spots, but it actually offers solid rates for intra-European flights. Well, at least in economy.<\/p>\n
Several Star Alliance member airlines operate short-haul routes across Europe, and you can book flights between select cities for as few as 6,000 United miles in economy. That can be a great deal if you\u2019re looking to avoid more basic and restrictive fares on carriers like Lufthansa, SWISS, or Aegean.<\/p>\n
For example, you can snag an award between Athens (ATH) and Istanbul (IST) for 6,000 MileagePlus miles and $34.80 in taxes and fees. And that includes a checked bag and complimentary seat selection. It\u2019s also a lot less out of pocket than the $130+ Aegean regularly charges for a ticket with the same inclusions.<\/p>\n
Credit: United<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n You could also fly farther on a carrier like Lufthansa. Think Corfu (CFU) to Munich (MUC) for 8,000 miles plus $25.10 out of pocket. That same \u201cEconomy Classic\u201d fare would otherwise run you $275+. It\u2019s hard to argue with over 3\u00a2 per mile.<\/p>\n
Credit: United<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Seats.aero is a solid tool for finding United awards on intra-European flights, especially those that start at just 6,000 miles.<\/p>\n
Credit: United<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Stock up on United miles<\/h4>\n
United MileagePlus miles are pretty versatile, and there are a few ways to earn them quickly so you don't miss out on award space. If you have Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards points, both transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy points also transfer to United at a 3:1 ratio<\/a>, with a 10,000-mile bonus when you transfer at least 60,000 points.<\/p>\n
From<\/div>To<\/div>Transfer Ratio<\/div>Min.Transfer<\/div>Average Time<\/div><\/div>Chase (Ultimate Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>United Airlines (Mileage Plus)<\/div><\/div><\/div> - Oslo (OSL) to Copenhagen (CPH)<\/strong> for 4k points in economy or 8k in business class, plus $40 in taxes and fees.<\/li>\n
- United MileagePlus: 6k miles in economy<\/a><\/li>
- Cheapest Intra-Europe Award Flights<\/a>
![\"Virgin](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AF-KRKCPH.png\")
![\"Virgin](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/VS-NTEAMS.png\")
![\"NTE](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GF-NTEAMS.png\")
![\"Seats.aero](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Seats.Aero-Virgin.png\")
![\"United](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/UA-ATHIST.png\")
![\"United](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/UA-CFUMUC.png\")
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SeatsAero-United-intra-Europe-flights-6k-miles-300x190.png\")