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Are you planning an exciting trip to Greece but feeling overwhelmed by the number of flight options available? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we will explore the best airline loyalty programs to book your flights from the USA to Greece. We’ll also cover the most affordable options for booking both economy and business class, no matter if you prefer Oneworld, Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or non-alliance airlines. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with all the essential information to make a smart, budget-friendly decision on your next trip to Greece.
Table of Contents
- Best Programs To Use To Book Flights
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- ANA Mileage Club
- Asiana Airlines Asiana Club
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Etihad Guest
- Iberia Avios
- Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Korean Air SKYPASS
- United Airlines MileagePlus
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Oneworld airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?
- Which Star Alliance airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?
- Which SkyTeam airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?
- Which non-alliance airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?
- About Michael McHugh
Best Programs To Use To Book Flights
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is known for its diverse range of airline partners. Although Alaska Airlines doesn’t directly fly to Greece, you can leverage their partners, such as British Airways and Finnair, to reach your Greek destination with ease. One of the most attractive features of this program is the lower mileage required for award tickets compared to other loyalty programs.
Moreover, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers stopovers on one-way awards. This means that you can have an extended layover in a European city en route to Greece, allowing you to explore another destination without additional mileage costs. With frequent promotions and a generous earning rate, this program is a valuable option for booking your Greek adventure.
American Airlines AAdvantage
American Airlines AAdvantage program offers excellent availability, making it easy to book flights to Greece. American Airlines partners with several Oneworld members, such as British Airways and Finnair, along with Etihad and Qatar Airways, to help you reach your destination. Award availability tends to be better than average, especially for economy class seats.
Another advantage of the AAdvantage program is its off-peak award pricing, which can significantly reduce the number of miles needed for a ticket. For those with a surplus of AAdvantage miles, this program can provide an efficient way to book your trip to Greece while conserving your miles for future travels.
ANA Mileage Club
ANA Mileage Club, the frequent flyer program of All Nippon Airways, is part of the Star Alliance network, offering extensive reach across the globe, including Greece. This program provides competitive redemption rates for both economy and business class tickets, and the mileage required is often lower when booking round-trip flights rather than one-way tickets.
One of the standout features of ANA Mileage Club is the availability of “sweet spots,” or highly discounted mileage redemptions, particularly for flights to Europe. Although mileage expiration policies can be a bit strict, careful planning can make ANA’s program an excellent choice for your Greek travels.
Asiana Airlines Asiana Club
Asiana Airlines Asiana Club is part of the Star Alliance, offering a good variety of options for flights to Greece. Asiana Club offers competitive redemption rates for its awards and has unique partnerships like Etihad Airways, which expands your options for routes and availability.
A noted benefit is their relatively generous award availability and the possibility of booking one-way tickets at decent mileage rates. Moreover, for those traveling in business or first class, Asiana Airlines offers excellent cabin service and amenities, which might make a long trip more enjoyable. It’s worth considering this program if you have existing points or star alliance preferences.
Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca LifeMiles is another Star Alliance member with some of the most competitive award rates to Europe, including Greece. LifeMiles often runs promotions, allowing you to buy miles at a discount, which can be particularly useful if you’re a bit short on miles for an award.
The program is also known for not imposing fuel surcharges on award redemptions, making it a cost-effective option. Despite occasional glitches in the booking process, Avianca LifeMiles provides excellent value and access to a wide range of Star Alliance flights.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles offers several ways to earn and redeem miles for flights to Greece. As part of the Oneworld alliance, you can use Asia Miles on carriers like British Airways and Qatar Airways, often at rates lower than those offered by the airline’s programs themselves.
One of the standout features of Asia Miles is its flexible routing rules, which allow for stopovers and open-jaws on award tickets. The program also offers a mix of peak and non-peak pricing, allowing you to optimize your miles expenditure based on travel dates. This flexibility can make a significant difference in planning a multi-city itinerary to Greece and beyond.
Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest program, while not part of any global alliance, offers numerous partner airlines that can facilitate your trip to Greece. With partners like American Airlines and Air Serbia, you can enjoy flexible routing options and generally good award availability.
Furthermore, Etihad Guest miles are relatively easy to earn through credit card partners and transfer programs. The frequent flyer program often offers competitive redemption rates and unique benefits like complimentary chauffeur service for first and business class passengers, making it a compelling choice for a luxurious travel experience to Greece.
Iberia Avios
Iberia Avios, part of the Oneworld alliance, offers valuable redemption opportunities for flights to Greece, especially when booked through off-peak schedules. Similar to British Airways, Iberia has its unique award chart which can offer better value on specific routes.
As a notable tip, transferring Avios from British Airways to Iberia can sometimes provide lower redemption rates and fewer surcharges. Iberia also allows for easy connection flights within Europe, which can spread your journey to multiple cities without costing extra miles, making it an attractive option for multi-city European trips.
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank offers some unique opportunities for redeeming miles for flights to Greece, leveraging its partnerships through the Oneworld alliance. The program is known for offering decent award availability and competitive pricing for both economy and business class tickets.
A significant advantage of using Japan Airlines Mileage Bank is their lower redemption rates for business class on Oneworld partner airlines compared to some competitors. Additionally, they provide round-trip awards at a slight discount compared to two one-ways. If you’re looking to fly in premium cabins, especially on quality carriers like Qatar Airways, this program could be quite beneficial.
Korean Air SKYPASS
Korean Air SKYPASS is a SkyTeam member that offers flights to Greece through its partners like Delta Air Lines and Air France. The program is well-regarded for its transparent and generous award redemption rates, particularly for business class.
Korean Air also allows for flexible booking options, including one-way awards and mixed cabin bookings. Furthermore, the ease of earning miles through various credit card transfer programs adds to its appeal. Despite the route’s potential connection complexities, SKYPASS provides an appealing avenue for planning your Greek voyage.
United Airlines MileagePlus
United Airlines MileagePlus is part of the Star Alliance, offering widespread connectivity to Greece via partner airlines like Lufthansa, Swiss Air, and Aegean Airlines. One of the standout features of MileagePlus is the absence of fuel surcharges on award tickets, making the total cost of your trip significantly more predictable.
United MileagePlus also offers excellent award availability, especially for economy seats. Additionally, frequent promotional offers and the opportunity to earn miles through a variety of avenues, including credit card spend and shopping portals, make United MileagePlus a practical and cost-efficient choice for your journey to Greece.
Final Thoughts
When planning your trip to Greece from the USA, choosing the right airline and loyalty program can greatly impact your travel experience and budget. Each of the programs mentioned offers unique benefits, whether it’s through strategic partnerships, flexible routing rules, or competitive redemption rates. By leveraging the various features and promotions, you can maximize your miles and enjoy a memorable journey to one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Oneworld airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?
American Airlines AAdvantage often provides the cheapest economy and business class options to Greece, especially during off-peak times. Partnering with airlines like British Airways and Finnair, AAdvantage members have access to a variety of routes and good availability.
Which Star Alliance airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?
ANA Mileage Club and Avianca LifeMiles are highly competitive for booking economy and business class flights to Greece through the Star Alliance network. Both programs offer low redemption rates and frequent promotions that can further reduce mileage costs.
Which SkyTeam airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?
Korean Air SKYPASS stands out for its transparent and generous award redemption rates, providing a cost-effective option for SkyTeam members planning a trip to Greece. Their partnerships allow for a relatively smooth booking experience with decent availability.
Which non-alliance airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?
Etihad Guest offers competitive redemption rates and many partners, making it a strong contender among non-alliance programs. Their unique benefits and frequent promotions can provide affordable and luxurious options for your trip to Greece.
About Michael McHugh
Michael McHugh is a seasoned travel writer and loyalty program expert. With years of experience researching and optimizing travel strategies, he has helped numerous travelers make the most of their miles and points. His insights and tips aim to simplify the complexities of airline programs, guiding readers towards the best travel deals.
| Airline Program | Alliance | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan | Oneworld (efficient use of partners) | Lower mileage requirements, stopovers |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Oneworld | Good availability, off-peak pricing |
| ANA Mileage Club | Star Alliance | Lower round-trip mileage, “sweet spots” |
| Asiana Airlines Asiana Club | Star Alliance | Generous award availability, partnership with Etihad |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Star Alliance | No fuel surcharges, frequent promotions |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Oneworld | Flexible routing, peak/non-peak pricing |
| Etihad Guest | Non-Alliance | Diverse partners, easy to earn miles |
| Iberia Avios | Oneworld | Off-peak schedules, transfer benefits |
| Japan Airlines Mileage Bank | Oneworld | Competitive business class rates |
| Korean Air SKYPASS | SkyTeam | Simple redemption rates, good availability |
| United Airlines MileagePlus | Star Alliance | No fuel surcharges, excellent availability |
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