Icelandair Is Coming to St. Louis! Here’s How to Fly to Europe With Points
A New Gateway to Europe
Travelers in the St. Louis area have something exciting to look forward to! Icelandair recently announced new nonstop service between St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) and Reykjavík, Iceland, beginning May 14, 2027. Flights will operate seasonally through October, with service up to four times weekly. Even better, Icelandair connects Reykjavík to more than 35 European destinations, making it possible to reach cities throughout Europe with just one connection from St. Louis. Take a look at Icelandair’s Reykjavik connections here.
You Don’t Necessarily Need Icelandair Points
One of the things I emphasize when talking about points and miles is that you don’t always need points with the airline you’re flying. Icelandair has partnerships with several airlines, including Alaska Airlines. Alaska’s Atmos Rewards program allows members to redeem points for eligible Icelandair flights. That means travelers may have opportunities to book the new St. Louis service using points earned outside Icelandair’s own loyalty program. Award availability and pricing will vary, so it’s important to check before committing points.
How Can You Start Earning Points?
One option worth investigating is the Atmos Rewards program and its associated credit cards. These can help you accumulate points through everyday purchases and potentially through a new-cardmember welcome bonus. Icelandair also operates its own Saga Club loyalty program, where members can earn points through flights and participating partners. The best approach depends on which program offers the redemption opportunities you’re most likely to use. Regardless, it wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and get signed up for the Saga Club loyalty program.
Don’t Forget About Flexible Travel Rewards
Another option is earning flexible credit card points that can be used to book travel. For example, certain bank rewards programs allow you to book flights through their travel portals. While this isn’t necessarily the same as transferring points directly to an airline, it provides another way to offset the cost of a trip. I generally recommend keeping your points flexible until you’ve identified a trip and confirmed your redemption options.
Start Planning Now
Even though these flights don’t begin until next year, it’s not too early to start exploring destinations, researching award options, and building a points balance. Whether Iceland is your destination or simply a connection to somewhere else in Europe, this new service creates another exciting opportunity for St. Louis-area travelers.
