What if I told you that instead of paying hundreds and hundreds in cash and spending over 100,000 miles to fly between the US and Europe (and vice versa) round trip, you could do it for a fraction of the cash and miles? You’re in luck. You really and truly can and everything you need to do it is on this page. Here’s how to fly round trip business class for 75,000 miles and $123 in taxes and surcharges…
I’m Listening, Gimme The Basics…
The first thing you need to know is that airlines have partners and you can use your miles to fly on them instead of the airline whose miles you hold. In this case, you’re going to take advantage of a “sweet spot” using British Airways miles, to fly on their partner Aer Lingus who operate a unique flight, which helps you dodge the taxes and the extra miles.
Sweet Spot You Say? Tell Me More…
British Airways figures out how many miles you’ll need for your flight based on distance. Any flight over 2001 miles and below 3,000 miles is offered at a very favorable rate. The problem is that every flight British Airways flies across the Atlantic is more than 3,000 miles, giving you a much higher rate in miles. British Airways partner Aer Lingus offers the only flight across the ocean under 3,000 miles, clocking in at just 2998 miles from Dublin to Boston (and vice versa), locking in the lower (better) rate in miles, just 37,500 one way in business and taxes…
Ok Less Miles Is Good, What About The Taxes?
There’s no real way to avoid paying the British Airways extortionate taxes and surcharges they add to flights out of Europe if you fly on British Airways. Flying on some of their select partners however can make those brutal taxes disappear. British Airways does not charge surcharges when you use your British Airways miles on Aer Lingus flights, so for the flight from Dublin to Boston (and vice versa), you not only pay 25,000 less miles, you only pay $126 in taxes round trip, compared to $1137 from the US or £485 from Europe for a round trip on BA.
Sold, How Do I Find Space And Book This…
Try to stay with me here. You’re going to fly on Aer Lingus’ gorgeous new business class seat using your British Airways miles, but to find availability you’re going to go to United Airlines, who shows Aer Lingus availability much better than British Airways. Still using British Airways rates and miles, just using United to find the space, since BA (purposely) doesn’t show it. To search on United enter BOS to DUB or DUB to BOS, click award ticket and search. Once you see a search, click “direct flights only”. That will show you availability for Aer Lingus’ direct flight, which qualifies for this amazing deal. When you find it, you call British Airways to book…
Ok, What Do I Say When I Call British Airways?
Tell them you’d like to use your British Airways Avios (miles) to book a flight on their partner Aer Lingus. Feed them the date and flight number you found space for. They will likely take a few minutes to review, maybe even put you on a brief hold. Once they confirm the space, you’ll simply book and enjoy! That’s it.
