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Pack your bags, friends! This is one of those rare travel deals that you’ll want to book immediately — because it won’t last long. Round-trip flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Mumbai (BOM) are currently priced at just $494 — nearly half of the usual cost.
For a trip that typically costs upwards of $850 (and sometimes closer to $1,000), this is an insane opportunity to explore India without it costing you big time. Multiple fall dates are available, and you’ll be flying with Virgin Atlantic, which means solid in-flight amenities and a smooth layover in London.
Travel Details
Airline: Virgin Atlantic
Route: SFO to LHR to BOM
Seat class: Economy
Travel time: about 23 hours (including layover)
Best dates: May 17, July 6, Sept. 8, Oct. 4, and November availability
Price: $494 round-trip
Why This Deal Is Amazing
Flights from the U.S. to India for under $500 are incredibly rare — and even more so when it’s a full-service airline like Virgin Atlantic. Plus, with a reasonable layover in London (about three hours), your travel day should be pretty smooth, especially considering you’re flying across the globe.
If you’d rather book with points, here’s what you’ll need:
Chase Ultimate Rewards: about 32,900 points
American Express Membership Rewards: about 54,400 points
Capital One miles: about 49,400 miles
Y’all… that’s insane for a round-trip flight to India.
Where to Stay in Mumbai
Luxury: The St. Regis Mumbai
Cash: $300/night
Points: about 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Mid-Range: Hyatt Regency Mumbai International Airport
Cash: $120/night
Points: about 9,000 to 12,000 World of Hyatt points
Budget: Hotel City Palace
Cash: $40/night
Points: Not bookable with major programs
How to Book
Flights: Search through Daily Drop Pro, Google Flights, or Virgin Atlantic’s website. You can also redeem points through the Chase, Amex, or Capital One travel portals.
Hotels: Book with points through Hyatt or Marriott sites directly, or use sites like Hotels.com for some solid cash rates.
Maximize Your Booking
Make the most of your rewards by using a card that earns bonus points on flights, like:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — Earn 2x points on all travel purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — Earn 5x miles on flights through Capital One’s travel booking site
American Express® Gold Card — Earn 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline or via American Express Travel®
Chase Sapphire Reserve® — Earn 3x points on airfare
The Platinum Card® from American Express — Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
Pro Tip
There is a ton to do (and see) in Mumbai — walk around in Colaba, explore Elephanta Island, or even catch a Bollywood show. But, I’d encourage you to get out and explore nearby cities as well, especially since Mumbai is ultra-connected to other parts of India.
And if you want to turn this into a longer Asia trip? Mumbai’s international connections make it a perfect starting point for Thailand, Sri Lanka, and other spots.
The thing is… this deal is a freaking gem. If Mumbai has been on your radar (or even if it hasn’t), now’s the time to lock it in.
