topic Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin in Credit Cards

help using MR/UR to Dublin

elim — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 02:54:42 GMT

I am a Rewards newb and really need your help in transferring points, as well as the best way to book the flights. I don't want to make a mistake and transfer to the wrong partner or miss a step and lose out on any/all points for this trip.

i'm trying to use MR/UR flying from Detroit(DTW) to Dublin(DUB) in May for 2 adults (booking now)

Aer Lingus has a flight that's less than 3000 miles from Boston(BOS) to Dublin(DUB). I can book my own cheap flight from DTW to BOS if i need to and still keep my dates.

Qantas also is an Aer Lingus partner but i read it's a junk transfer rate these days (and no "points plus pay")

Aer Lingus is a non OneWorld British Airways partner.

I have about 55k each MR and UR.

any help at all will make the DGF and myself very relieved and happy.

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

longtime_lurker — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 03:52:12 GMT

I'm no expert but there's a flight from PHL (I think) to Ireland using a BA partner that might be worthwhile.

Realistically, an easier booking would be with UR through united (to avoid fuel surcharges), But I think offpeak is 60k roundtrip

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

elim — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 04:00:53 GMT

@longtime_lurker wrote:
I'm no expert but there's a flight from PHL (I think) to Ireland using a BA partner that might be worthwhile.

Realistically, an easier booking would be with UR through united (to avoid fuel surcharges), But I think offpeak is 60k roundtrip

hrm, let me look.... thanks :]

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

mongstradamus — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 04:22:55 GMT

@elim wrote:
@longtime_lurker wrote:
I'm no expert but there's a flight from PHL (I think) to Ireland using a BA partner that might be worthwhile.

Realistically, an easier booking would be with UR through united (to avoid fuel surcharges), But I think offpeak is 60k roundtrip
hrm, let me look.... thanks :]

I know if you fly from boston its 25k i believe RT to dublin on aer lingus via BA avios miles. I think its 40k from everywhere else, but check and makesure if that hasn't changed.

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 04:25:18 GMT

BOS-DULIN (or SHANNON) is one of the classic Avios examples, because it is just under 3K as you say. So transfer to Avios from both prorams and call BA to book the award on Aer LIngus to avoid fuel surcharges. See for example http://mommypoints.boardingarea.com/2014/07/21/use-avios-book-aer-lingus-flights-low-fees-low-miles-europe/ which has the trip as 25K avios round trip in coach. Avios is about to get a downgrade, at least on earning, so I would check details and, if appropriate, book as soon as you are able.

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

mongstradamus — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 04:26:54 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
BOS-DULIN (or SHANNON) is one of the classic Avios examples, because it is just under 3K as you say. So transfer to Avios from both prorams and call BA to book the award on Aer LIngus to avoid fuel surcharges. See for example http://mommypoints.boardingarea.com/2014/07/21/use-avios-book-aer-lingus-flights-low-fees-low-miles-europe/ which has the trip as 25K avios round trip in coach. Avios is about to get a downgrade, at least on earning, so I would check details and, if appropriate, book as soon as you are able.

Another thing i would be worried about is BA is or has bought aer lingus so i wonder if and how long this nice 25k rt from Boston deal is going to last.

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

elim — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 04:27:28 GMT

$2,226.00 withought UR's through Aer Lingus

$1,660.00 Directly through AMEX

$1,274.36 Directly through Chase

all are same flights exactly

thats a 1k savings (really 2 PPC) and i can keep my MR's for hotels (also spending a few days each near London / Paris)

Thanks LTL, I overlooked Chase thinking it would be a big loss.

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 04:32:58 GMT

Disregard this post. I don't know where I confused the departing citites. Only Blue and Delta seem to have a direct flight to Boston from Detroit. It seems like your best bet would just be flying from Detroit on cash. It isn't realy worth paying for 2 round trip tickets from Detroit to Boston just to catch a flight to Dublin on points. Kind of loses it's value.

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

elim — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 04:30:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
BOS-DULIN (or SHANNON) is one of the classic Avios examples, because it is just under 3K as you say. So transfer to Avios from both prorams and call BA to book the award on Aer LIngus to avoid fuel surcharges. See for example http://mommypoints.boardingarea.com/2014/07/21/use-avios-book-aer-lingus-flights-low-fees-low-miles-europe/ which has the trip as 25K avios round trip in coach. Avios is about to get a downgrade, at least on earning, so I would check details and, if appropriate, book as soon as you are able.

I'm having a very hard time finding rewards seats like this but i'll call before i transfer or use ponts(i read every points article i could find on that under 3k miles deal)

with that deal it's free flights for both of us :]

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 04:33:59 GMT

You won't be able to book that flight on their online system.

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

bigbang91 — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:01:11 GMT

Did you take advantage of the transfer bonus to BA amex offerred last January? I got 84K BA miles for 60k MR. Anyway, you should call BA and ask for availability. Otherwise, use Qantas search engine to find award seat on Aerlingus

Re: help using MR/UR to Dublin

elim — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 06:29:54 GMT

Update*

flights booked for under $600 each rnd trip to Dublin from Detroit. (no Avios award seats for my dates so i used Chase and UR's)

leaves me with 55k MR's, 73k Marriott (plus a tier 4 cert), $450 travel eraser(Venture), and whatever cash I'Il need for 8 nights hotel (we're thinking 4 across republic Ireland, 2 London, 2 Paris) and food/fun

1 way Dublin to Paris = $120 for 2

1 way Paris to London = $100 for 2

SailRail from London to Dublin = $140 for 2 (Rail and Jet Ferry)

(haven't booked the short hops yet, just Google Flight prices)

i'll start booking those and hotels sometime this month (break time for now)

thanks for the help :] nite all