If the agent priced it as PIT-ORD-DUB-ORD-PIT on one itinerary, he (and his supervisor) told me it was considered a multi-partner award redemption and was significantly higher (don't remember the exact number). I had to split it up in order to pay only 98k for two one-partner award redemptions.

I am worried about the protection issue-- if I call up BA, will they be able to combine the itineraries without charging me any more points or cash?