When does Aer Lingus open up award availability for BA (within Europe)?
Sep 17, 2014, 4:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 24
When does Aer Lingus open up award availability for BA (within Europe)?
I'm looking to make a number of BA award reservations on Aer Lingus flights for July of 2015, and there's no economy availability right now on any flights from Cork (ORK) to any cities I've checked (e.g., LHR, BCN, CDG, AMS). Does anyone know when Aer Lingus releases availability on these flights to BA? (And one other question--do these show up reliably on BA's award search, or do you really have to call BA to check on them?)
Sep 18, 2014, 1:44 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
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They simply don't open up award availability on shorthaul to partners.
You have to call BA to make all bookings on Aer Lingus. And BA would then have to request that seats be opened up, meaning they have to call Aer Lingus. And whether EI would want to do this without a corresponding booking on a transatlantic service is a matter of debate.
You are probably better off buying the flights outright from EI rather than trying to spend your Avios on them.
You have to call BA to make all bookings on Aer Lingus. And BA would then have to request that seats be opened up, meaning they have to call Aer Lingus. And whether EI would want to do this without a corresponding booking on a transatlantic service is a matter of debate.
You are probably better off buying the flights outright from EI rather than trying to spend your Avios on them.
Sep 20, 2014, 10:56 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,899
I use the EI European network quite a bit and never would consider using AVIOS as you are always better just buying the cheap fares on the EI website. Just in case another option would be to make your way from Cork to Belfast by train or coach and fly from BHD using AVIOS as the miles are the same as if you were flying Ex LHR. Also I know a few not far from ORK who make their way to Belfast fly to LHR stopover for free then continue onto another EU destination all for the same price. Handy if you want to see two cities and even 3 taking in Belfast.
For some its too much hassle but others get some nice trips out of it.
For some its too much hassle but others get some nice trips out of it.
Sep 21, 2014, 3:01 am
#6
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It is understood that Aer Lingus does not generally publish short-haul award availability. If a redemption request comes in, it is put to Revenue Management who decide whether to grant it or not. Most partner airlines will not generally place such a request.
Aer Lingus awards never show up on BA online search though. Always a case of having to phone up.
Aer Lingus awards never show up on BA online search though. Always a case of having to phone up.
Oct 10, 2014, 10:53 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
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Posts: 602
Oct 10, 2014, 10:55 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
They simply don't open up award availability on shorthaul to partners.
You have to call BA to make all bookings on Aer Lingus. And BA would then have to request that seats be opened up, meaning they have to call Aer Lingus. And whether EI would want to do this without a corresponding booking on a transatlantic service is a matter of debate.
You are probably better off buying the flights outright from EI rather than trying to spend your Avios on them.
You have to call BA to make all bookings on Aer Lingus. And BA would then have to request that seats be opened up, meaning they have to call Aer Lingus. And whether EI would want to do this without a corresponding booking on a transatlantic service is a matter of debate.
You are probably better off buying the flights outright from EI rather than trying to spend your Avios on them.
I regularly book EI on SNN-LHR using Avios, and never have any problems with availability provided I'm fare enough out. I agree that you have to call BA to book (but they waive the phone booking fee, because it's BA's IT systems that are broken).
I'd also disagree that using Avios is bad value. SNN-LHR including a bag for £50 ow + 4500 Avios sounds good to me compared to the cash fare which is regularly £100 including the bag fee.
Oct 10, 2014, 11:09 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
It is understood that Aer Lingus does not generally publish short-haul award availability. If a redemption request comes in, it is put to Revenue Management who decide whether to grant it or not. Most partner airlines will not generally place such a request.
Aer Lingus awards never show up on BA online search though. Always a case of having to phone up.
Aer Lingus awards never show up on BA online search though. Always a case of having to phone up.
Oct 10, 2014, 2:28 pm
#11
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I wouldn't get very far trying to book that via BA!
Oct 11, 2014, 1:58 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
If I saw it that cheap then I would of course agree! Last time I booked it was over €100 for a OW with a checked bag...
Oct 11, 2014, 1:59 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
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Oct 11, 2014, 2:22 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
My mistake - having checked latest booking I made on this route it's GBP32.90 in fees, which is ~EUR42. Agree the avios benefit is marginal if the cash fare is 71. However, for the dates I want to travel next, a plus fare is EUR88, valuing 4500 avis at EUR46..