There are a number of websites that will flag interesting flight sales for you (including our flights blog!), but sometimes going straight to the source is the most effective way to score a great round-trip fare, especially when airlines announce flash sales. After all, being the first to book is almost always the key to scoring flash sale fares.

Related: Airline baggage fees for US to Europe carriers

Below, we’ve listed 15 airlines that fly from the US to Europe, with links to their newsletters. Signing up for all of them might be a little overwhelming (although it’s not too much for serious budget travelers to handle!). We’d recommend at least signing up for some of the airlines that serve the destinations you routinely visit.

Good luck scoring some cheapo flights!

Airline newsletter signup pages

Here are the top airline newsletters serving Europe from the United States.

Aer Lingus

Best for: Flying to Ireland and Britain

Sometimes “the luck of the Irish” can help you score a good deal. If you love traveling to Ireland or Britain, Aer Lingus should be near the top of your list when looking for deals. You can choose your departure airport when you sign up to customize the deals you receive.

Sign up for the Aer Lingus newsletter here.

Air France

Best for: Flying to Paris, Air France frequent flyers

Although it seems harder to find a great deal on Air France these days than it used to, it’s still worth subscribing to keep on top of their deals. They occasionally offer cheapo-friendly fares and often blast out frequent flyer specials (even as low as 12,500 miles one-way from the US to Paris).

Sign up for Air France newsletter.

Alitalia

Best for: Flying to Italy

Is your idea of the perfect vacation include sipping an espresso in Rome or drifting along the canals of Venice? Learn about the latest services and promotions when you sign up for the Alitalia newsletter.

Sign up for the Alitalia newsletter.

American

Best for: AAdvantage members

In order to hear about American’s deals to Europe, you must signup for their AAdvantage program, which is free to join.

Sign up for AAdvantage.

British Airways

Best for: Flying to London

Are you looking for deals to London and the UK? You should sign up for British Airways’ Executive Club to help save a few pounds on your next visit. If the name sounds too fancy, don’t fret. Anyone can register, and they’ll send frequent deals even to Cheapos like us!

Sign up for British Airways newsletter.

Delta

Best for: Europe-wide discounts, SkyMiles members

Sign up for their SkyMiles frequent flyer program to learn about their latest Europe-wide deals by email. Along with keeping track of your miles and Delta flights, you can also be the first to learn about vacation specials and promotions.

Sign up for the Delta newsletter.

Emirates

Best for: European flash sales and top-rated service

For one of the world’s highest-rated airlines, Emirates offers a surprising number of flash sales throughout the year. Remember that an Emirates flight, even in economy, includes fancy perks, like four-course meals (with wine), free Wi-Fi, and over 2,500 channels on the in-flight entertainment system.

Sign up for the Emirates newsletter.

Iberia

Best for: Flights to Spain

Be the first to know about flight deals to Madrid and beyond when you sign up for deals from Iberia.

Sign up for the Iberia newsletter.

Icelandair

Best for: Stop-over visits to Iceland

Well known for their fabulous stop-over policy that allows you to visit Reykjavik for no additional cost on your way to major European hubs, Icelandair often offers enticing deals and last-minute ticket sales. Be the first to find out about these deals when you sign up for the Saga Club.

Sign up for the Icelandair newsletter.

KLM

Best for: Flights to Amsterdam, connections throughout Europe

Be among the first to know about special offers from this airline based out of the Netherlands. With Amsterdam as their hub, you can find some excellent prices for connecting flights across Europe.

Sign up for the KLM newsletter.

Lufthansa

Best for: Flights to Germany

This German airline flies all over Europe, and they announce major sales to top destinations 4-5 times a year. Sign up to receive their general newsletter or their country-specific newsletters.

Sign up for the Lufthansa newsletter.

Norwegian

Best for: Low-cost budget flights (with minimal perks) to Europe

Norwegian has rolled out several cheap flights since it launched their trans-Atlantic service in 2013. In recent years, they’ve featured $175 flights to Paris on their newsletter, as well as other deals to Stockholm, London, and beyond.

Sign up for the Norwegian newsletter here.

Tap Portugal

Best for: Flights to Portugal

Fancy a holiday in beautiful Lisbon or Porto? Subscribe to TAP’s newsletter to stay informed about deals, including direct flights to Portugal from the US.

Sign up for the TAP newsletter here.

United Airlines

Best for: Mileage Plus members

Like American and Delta, you must join United’s frequent flyer program (Mileage Plus) in order to hear about flight sales. Anyone can join for free.

Join Mileage Plus.

Virgin Atlantic

Best for: Flights to London

Based in London and Manchester, this British airline is well-known for its famous founder Richard Branson and cheeky service. Join the Flying Club to receive exclusive offers and last-minute promotions.

Sign up for the Virgin Atlantic newsletter here.

Other airlines?

Do you have any favorite airline email deals that we missed? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Sign up for these airline newsletters to find cheap flights to Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The deal

Right now, Aer Lingus is offering fares under $500 direct to Ireland from the East Coast of the US. The $499 round-trip fare is good from New York JFK and Newark International Airport to Dublin and from Boston to Shannon.

If you live in Washington, DC, the price jumps a little bit to $579, and even more from the West Coast.

Travel Period: You can travel anytime between November 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017. Aer Lingus has an easy-to-use fare finder system where you can quickly scroll through the calendar to compare prices on different days of the week.

Booking Period: You have until September 21, 2016, at 7 pm to book your flight. However, as with any great flight deal, reserve your tickets as soon as possible to have the best chance at securing the dates you want to travel.

How to book: Check availability and book on the Aer Lingus website.

(Note: Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to find out early about these flash deals. Click the envelope icon at the top of the page to subscribe.)

Is it a good value?

Anytime we can find a direct, round-trip flight to anywhere in Europe for $500 or less, our cheapo alarm bells go off. For budget travelers like us, flying to Europe is always the most expensive cost of our trip. With many flights to Europe tipping toward the $800-900 price range on a regular basis, we’re always on the hunt for deals like this.

Plus, Aer Lingus also lets you take one checked bag on your journey, so you don’t have to worry about hidden baggage costs at the gate. That $499 also includes all taxes and fees.

On the downside, the travel window is limited, and you can’t use this deal to go in the high season. But when the temperatures drop across Ireland in January and February at least you won’t have to worry about the summer crowds. And if you’re used to winter in New York, the “off season” in Ireland might just feel downright tropical compared to the frozen thermometer back home.

Related: Baggage fees for airlines flying from the US to Europe

St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

Looking to spend St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland? This might be the year to skip the parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City and head straight for Dublin. We found flights leaving on March 13, 2017 and coming back on March 20 for the $499 price.

Dublin hosts a popular St. Patrick’s Festival every year including a parade through the city streets. Dig out your favorite green outfit and start packing your bags. Just book those hotel reservations early, because you can expect to join over 500,000 other revelers in the streets of Dublin on March 17th.

Cheers! The scene at Temple Bar after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. Photo: lendog64

Hotels and hostels in Dublin

Once you score a great deal on your flight, finding a room for under $100 is easier than you might think when you visit Dublin. If you want to really save, there are several cheap hostels in Dublin and you can find private double rooms starting for around $50.

Search the best value hotels in Dublin on EuroCheapo

The post Flash Deal: Fly to Ireland on Aer Lingus for $499 roundtrip (book by September 21) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.