Hello fellow FTers, here is a mini trip report for a tier point run I recently did from Dublin to Honolulu (and back!). This was in early November – sorry, a somewhat late posting as I just did MAD > LHR > AUH > DXB > BAH > LHR > MAD in seven days so am a bit tired!

Positioning flights: MAD > LHR > ABZ > DUB > LHR > MAD (BA ticket, all economy, mix of BA and EI).

Main trip: DUB > LHR > JFK > PHX > HNL > PHX > JFK > LHR > DUB (AA ticket, European and transatlantic flights in BA Business, US flights in AA First.)

Positioning part 1, via Aberdeen to see my Mum. Nothing major to report. I didn’t know that there was an Aer Lingus Regional (aka Stobart Air) flight from Aberdeen to Dublin, which BA codeshares, which was a good option. Overnighted in an hotel downtown, so a few Guinesses consumed!

Main trip

§§DUB > LHR > JFK, both in BA, late morning out of Dublin, so got to JFK in the evening – nothing major to report. 777-200 to JFK. Was rejected by the auto passport machine in JFK, as I had less then six months left on my passport – which I knew. Quick and nice processing by a chatty lady in the US CBP. Overnighted in an airport hotel (Hilton). Odd that the Hilton shuttle picks up from the Federal Circle AirTrain station, but the following morning dropped me at the terminal – I was too sleepy to ask why – I was up at 0330 for a 0630 flight! Spacious lounge at the outer pier in the AA T8.

JFK > PHX > HNL. Oldish 737 to Phoenix but nice service and good breakfast. Got to PHX at 0910 and went to the AA lounge – cant remember which pier, but the lounge was small, really packed and noisy so went back to sit at the gate which was quieter. Oldish 757 to HNL, arriving at 1430hr. Nice service. Shuttle to the hotel (Hilton Waikiki).

Had four full days in Honolulu. I did the full ‘military’ one-day tour - USS Arizona and USS Missouri (both must sees in my opinion), Ford Island air museum, USS Bowfish submarine, etc. Well worth it. Also did the full island one-day tour – could be done by renting a car, but easier to be driven. Otherwise just walking, chilling and some light shopping. Watched the Chicago Cubs versus Cleveland Indians World Series final two games on TV – classic! The Hilton has a nice feature – if you check out in the morning, between 4pm and 6pm they will give you a room free for half an hour to freshen up.

HNL > PHX > JFK. Flight out of HNL left at 2230; used the Japan Airline lounge. Again an oldish 757 to Phoenix, managed to sleep a bit, arrived at 0725. A different, bigger nicer AA lounge in PHX (cant recall the pier), but didn’t have time to enjoy it. A pretty new 737 to JFK with large seat-back screens and not bad IFE. Landed at JFK at 1700.

And now the only major issue of the trip. On landing at JFK T8, walked to the AirTrain station to find the doors closed with tensa barriers and tape. Went to the T8 info desk to be told the AirTrain was down – no-one knew if it was an issue or for maintenance. Was told to take the inter-terminal bus. Got to the bus stop and to use that wonderful description from Bill Bryson “it looked like a fire drill in a lunatic asylum” Clearly not enough buses were in use; some people were getting on the Federal Circle bus, but that would have taken more than a half hour round trip. In fifteen minutes never saw an inter-terminal bus. As more and more people were arriving it got worse and worse, to the point that people swamped each bus as it arrived and tempers were fraying. Note; you can’t walk between T8 and T7 – the BA Terminal. I went to the official taxi queue to see what could be done and was stopped en route by a tout for a ‘pirate’ taxi. They wanted $45 to go to T7 and I negotiated down to $35. Steep, but I was not in a position to miss my flight to LHR and onwards and I just had 1-1/4 hours to go. Journey took about ten minutes.

Checked in at the BA First/Club zone, through security and a quick stop in the GC lounge. Upstairs on the 747 back to LHR. Quick transit at LHR T5 and then onto Dublin.

Positioning part 2. Transferred T1 to T2 at Dublin to get my Aer Lingus fight back to LHR. Then onwards and home to Madrid on BA.

Some points:

For the main trip, I found the most suitable routing/flights on ITA Matrix and the ticket was issued by a travel agent I know in Brussels. The positioning ticket I bought on ba.com.

I went with carry-on bags only, so no issues re luggage.

I had given myself about 1-1/2 to 2 hours for each connection. In thirteen flights, not one arrived more then 10 minutes late - I must be lucky!

For the main trip I got 1,200 Tier Points. This had the nice distinction of getting me to BA Gold for Life!

All in all not too tiring and Honolulu was interesting, if pretty touristy; would consider another trip to the islands, was recommended to try Maui.

Happy trails!