fire11xx

Hey guys! I'm trying to plan a surprise trip from Northeast U.S. to Europe for my girl and I (first class preferred) in the next couple months. However, now I'm guessing that's cutting it too close. I've been reading the award travel blogs for a little while, which gave me some hope that it's possible.

Here's what I have so far:
- 30,000 AMEX MR
- 33,000 WorldPoints
- 104,000 Chase UR (with CSP)
- 10K+/month spend capabilities for card signups
- Various airline miles & hotel points, but probably nothing above ~5K

I'm not looking for someone to do all of the planning work for me, but any advice or help to point me in the right direction would be VERY appreciated. I tried to price out a trip via United, and it came out to be 680,000 award miles. I clearly have no idea what I'm doing.

In the meantime, I'll keep on reading this forum. ^

LondonElite

I think you will struggle with availability (where in Europe?). Also, you don't have enough miles for two first class tickets, and will probably struggle to get two business seats. Economy should be ok, but that's not a good use of your miles. 680,000 is not what is needed, but a quarter of that would be a good place to start.

fire11xx

Not 100% sure of where in Europe, but hoping for France with one stopover nearby. Or France + train to somewhere else.

If I could do the trip with a quarter of those miles (or even half), that would be amazing. I could probably do that via signups + spend. My main problem (aside from availability, like you mentioned) is that I'm a complete idiot when it comes to award partners, transfer rates, and that sort of thing. I don't know what kind of miles to focus on or how to get the most travel for those miles.

Crandall

I'm not sure if this guy still does booking for people but they were very good at it. Not only find the flights but at good rates.

http://www.milevalue.com/

fire11xx

The main downside is it will cost $250 for two people, and I haven't even gotten the miles I'd need yet. I'm probably not even to that stage yet, but I'd like to at least give it a shot on my own first.

P.S. I think my last post got removed, and I don't know why.

Indelaware

It is very nice that you are planning to take your daughter to Europe; travel can be quite educational.

If her other parent is not accompany you, don't forget about parental consent forms:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...ot-a-parent-or

Yoshi212

i might be wrong but I read this as his girlfriend.

Indelaware

No, it clearly says "girl" - which means a child, not an adult - not "girlfriend."

Regardless, why assume that the poster is male? She/he made no indication.

Doc Savage

It could mean either, but in this context likely means "girlfriend" in colloquial American English.

Yoshi212

Relax, I just don't know any parent that says I'm taking my girl. Instead they would say I am taking my daughter. I do know people who say things like "My girl and I are going away to.....". I could be wrong and you could be right, still relax.

dukerau

First class to Europe is not worth it IMO. First, especially from the NE US, the flight is pretty short (< 8 hours). Second, there are few airlines who fly a first class product US-Europe that is substantially better than business, and those that do are tough or impossible to get with miles. If you insist on first though, go for Singapore's JFK-FRA route or anything on LH or LX, if you can find any of that. Likely you'll need to settle for what's available, and that could be a very nice business class.

You're furthest along with Chase UR, so perhaps the best focus is there. UA charges 115K round trip business on its own metal and 140K round trip on partner metal for US-Europe business class. So you're almost there for 1 person. Perhaps look into the United card? Then, if you can get another 60K Amex MR, you'd have enough for Aeroplan US-Europe round trip for the second person. Amex PRG has a 50K sign up bonus around.

LondonElite

I think it's pretty obvious that the OP meant his girlfriend rather than his daughter, and those forms, while nice, won't mean a great deal to many immigration control people in Europe.

fire11xx

Wow, thanks! Looks like business class it is, then. You guys are infinitely more knowledgeable than I am about this stuff, so I trust your judgment. I'm basically shooting for 230K on UA for us to be on the same flight, pending availability?

I'd probably be looking for:
- United MileagePlus Explorer Business (50K)
- Chase InkPlus Business (50K)
- United Mileage Plus Explorer (35K)
That would leave me 239K points total. Definitely doable.

Any tips or tools on how you guys figure this stuff out, or is it just knowledge accumulated over the years?


P.S. It's "girlfriend" in my first post. I could've sworn I typed "girlfriend" in there. Guess not.

Yoshi212

Now that you've learned some more, don't worry you'll soon be addicted to this stuff, where are you planning on going with your lady? You mentioned Paris. And for how long? Two destinations? Your Amex Points can be used to transfer to a programs for domestic flights or you could use cheap tickets, LCC (Low Cost Carrier) or trains which are great in Europe.

Paris and London are always favorites, but what are your interests as a couple? As many here can suggest cities to visit that will help make this a memorable trip.

fire11xx

Paris & London seems like a pretty good combination. We're planning on spending a week or two over there, mainly for sightseeing & things like that. I've never been to Europe, and she's only been there once.

This kind of thing definitely seems pretty addicting. Hopefully I'll learn to plan better for my next trip, though.