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Follow @MileValueAlerts on Twitter and follow these directions to get a text message every time I tweet from that account. I’ve tweeted from @MileValueAlerts only once this month, for this deal, because it is designed to be used only for the best and most limited-time deals–like mistake fares–so that you aren’t bombarded by text messages.

Share your experience trying to search and book in the comments.

Contents:

  1. Pay In Norwegian Krone
  2. Cheap Fares
  3. Optional Extra Fees
  4. Why Oslo in Winter
  5. Best Way to Buy the Ticket

Pay In Krone

Start on the Norwegian version of Norwegian.com because prices are lower in Norwegian Krone than US Dollars. Use Google Chrome to translate the page to English. Pay with a card with no foreign transaction fees.

$277 Roundtrip from New York to Oslo

Sample Dates: January 22 – February 5 on Norwegian

Search and book on Norwegian.com with their low fare calendar by selecting “Show budget calendar” on the search screen.

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You’ll get a calendar like this for a month at a time. The cheapest outbounds cost 871 DKK and are on January 22, 28, and 29 and February 4 and 5. The cheapest returns cost 966 DKK and are on February 2, 4, and 5 and March 1.Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 6.41.58 PM

The cheapest total of 1,837 DKK is $277.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 6.45.15 PM

Other Cheap Dates

There are plenty of other dates for around $300 or $330 in winter 2016. Here’s a nine day trip during which you’d only need five vacation days for $290.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 6.42.34 PM

Extra Fees

All the cheapest fares are in the “Lowfare” bucket. That comes with one carry on that weighs up to 10 kg (22 lbs.) Check out my post on one bag travel.

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Everything else costs extra.

Your first checked bag is 240 DKK ($36) each way. Your second is 270 DKK ($41.) Check the city pair chart and see that New York to Oslo is zone F, then read the zone F direct flight checked baggage price off this chart. Similarly a seat reservation is $36 each way.

The eat on board menu is limited, but you can preorder from a bigger selection.

All the add ons are expensive, so I suggest traveling with just one carry on, eating before take off on the outbound, packing a meal for the return, and taking whatever seat they give you for free. Then you can’t beat a $277 roundtrip to Norway.

Why Norway in Winter

You can see the Northern Lights from September to March with the best chance in February and March.

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Source: http://www.visitnorway.com/en/what-to-do/attractions-culture/nature-attractions-in-norway/the-northern-lights/when–where-to-find-northern-lights/

You can stay in an igloo hotel sleeping under reindeer skin.

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Source: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g226916-d1179315-Reviews-Sorrisniva_Igloo_Hotel-Alta_Alta_Municipality_Finnmark_Northern_Norway.html#photos

Oslo is a lovely waterfront town though it will be freezing cold.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo

Best Way to Buy the Ticket

Buy with the Citi Prestige® Card. It has no foreign transaction fees, so you will get the interbank rate on the conversion from krone to dollars. The first $250 in flights per calendar year are refunded to you as a statement credit. This includes fees like the checked bag fee, seat reservation, or meals that you purchase at the time of ticketing or later. After the statement credit, your roundtrip ticket will cost $27 plus any optional fees.

If you’ve already maxed out the statement credit, you will still earn 3x ThankYou Points on the award taxes. The Citi Prestige® Card also comes with a 40,000 ThankYou Point sign up bonus.

Hat Tip Secretly Flying

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.

With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!


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