As most readers will understand, BAEC Tier points don’t grow on trees! So our recent trip to PHX inevitably involved a few extra sectors including a night-stop for the ex-DUB element for financial benefit! The routing was a familiar one for us: JER-LGW-LHR-DUB//DUB-PHL-PHX, with one booking on BA to get us to/from DUB and another with AA covering DUB to/from PHX. Both bookings were done with BA, on 125- tickets, with the DUB-PHX done on the phone with BA. The DUB-PHL [and return] were booked as a BA codeshare (AA723/BA1580) which caused further complications down the line.

Prices were for 2 adults (I claim that title, despite rumors!) and of course round-trip in J/Domestic F.

DUB-PHL-PHX = GBP 2973
JER-UK-DUB = GBP 349 + 46k Avios
Homewood Suites = USD 1139 for 13 nights
Avis Intermediate SUV = USD 460.




Both BA and AA then decided quietly to mess up a carefully-planned and leisurely trip by changing things constantly since we first booked back in September 2017. Most changes were trivial and typical of bookings on AA, although the flight number changes were a bit confusing. Keeping track required a small text table to ensure we knew what was happening! But the real last-minute PITA was the last one (#9 below) - a nice leisurely start to the trip turned into another “Taxi at 0530” to catch the Red-Eye to LGW

1. 10 Dec, BA. DUB-PHL 5 Jun BA1580, BA codeshare on AA, now departs 20 min later.
2. 11 Dec, MyFlights. PHL-DUB 18 Jun BA1579. 5/10 min time changes.
3. 12 Dec, BA. DUB-LHR 19 Jun BA827. 20 minutes earlier.
4. 13 Dec, MyFlights. LHR-DUB 4 Jun BA824. 5 minutes later.
5. 4 Feb, BA. PHL-PHX 5 Jun AA2026. Now AA777 and 10/20 min time changes
6. 15 Feb, BA. PHX-PHL 18 Jun AA1803. Now AA629, c. 15 min time changes.
7. 11 May, BA. JER-LGW 4 Jun BA2771. Now op by Eastern Airways, seat changes required.
8. 11 May, BA. Four calls to BA to resolve tight connection at DUB following re-timing of BA1579 (2) and BA827 (3). Rebooked free on BA835, DUB-LHR @ 1255.
9. 20 May, BA. JER-LGW 4 Jun BA2771. BA2771 @ 0950 cnx, rebooked on BA2767 @ 0705.
10. 20 May, BA. LHR-DUB 4 Jun BA824. Following a couple of phone calls, BA moved us [at no charge] from BA824 @1735 to BA836 @ 1305 to avoid sitting at LHR for some 7 hours!

The changes also required re-booking our National Express coach connections between LGW and LHR, at no cost thanks to our advance purchase of ‘Flex’ tickets. And from somewhere, for the DUB-PHL codeshare, I acquired a second AA Record locator to go with the one I had earlier, along with the BA PNR. At least some of them are showing the right seat assignments, if I hop between AA.com and BA.com … although I struggled to pre-order the meals on that codeshare leg from either airline!

But it was not just the pre-planning that went awry, as you will see later.

3 Jun 18
OLCI proved to be a bit of a PITA. The BA bits of the process actually worked OK on this occasion, including the codeshare segment DUB-PHL. But AA777 (PHL-PHX) steadfastly refused to let me check in, and kept bouncing me between AA and BA websites to no effect.

4 Jun 18
JER-LGW, BA2767, 0705-0810 (1h 5m), A319, CE seats 3D/F.

As noted earlier, a revoltingly early start to the day with the taxi booked for 0530. A quick check on the BA App showed a 1 hour delay for arrival at LGW - subsequently discovered it was a precaution against fog delay/holding at LGW. Safely at the airport at 0545 just as the doors opened, and after bag-drop and Security grabbed seats in the crowded Lounge for a snack breakfast. The Monday red-eye is clearly a popular flight, and had c. 8 rows of CE. Boarding was, however, excellent as we were called to the holding room at Gate 10, waited a couple of minutes, and then straight on board.

Breakfast was somewhat below par, with cold rolls and warm orange juice. Happily the LGW delay did not materialise, and after the usual short hop we were soon on the bus to Gatwick’s Domestic/CTA Arrivals. Our 2 large “Shopping Cases” arrived on the belt quite quickly, and we were out of the Terminal and down in the lift to the coach stops. No sign of a staffer helping people find the right stop, but a mix of self-checking and luck had us at the right stop for the 0930 #201 service to LHR.

One hour later, and with no significant delays en route, we were deposited at the Arrivals level at LHR T5 … just below Zones H (Club) and J (First). Very convenient for 2 Gold Card holders, who made their way painlessly to the First Wing, dropped the cases and strolled through effortless Security and into the First Lounge … which was crammed! We walked a full circuit before eventually finding 2 seats together - which were fortuitously right beside the Rioja wine presentation. Yum-yum.



I tried to get some check-in help from the BA Customer Services desks in the FLounge and upstairs in GC (South). They displayed little interest, despite being a BA booking. To be resolved further down the line, I hoped.

LHR-DUB, BA836, 1305-1430 (1h 25m), A321, CE seats 1D/F

Priority Boarding worked [at least for Group 1] and we settled down for breakfast. We accepted the ‘Chicken Panini’, which was quite disgusting. A look across the aisle showed that the Salad option was equally inadequate, with a couple of mozzarella balls, some tomato and leaves. We were served a single glass of the duty fizz, with no top-up offered … perhaps they were being sparing, as CE was filled back to Row 12? Slightly irritated by the CC constantly referring to the lunch-time meal as ‘Dinner’ - must have been a Northern lass

DUB arrival was punctual and completely routine, and after a moderate wait for our luggage we headed out across the airport to the bus stops in Zone 16 where the hotel shuttle buses live. As usual we had booked the night-stop at the Hilton, a couple of miles away, and as usual we had just missed the bus and had a 30 minute wait for its return! The new Hilton policy of charging €2 for the ride to the hotel (HHons Gold go free) was in force to a certain extent. The driver seemed somewhat disinterested in collecting the fares, and a mumbled ’Gold’ seemed to satisfy him as far as we were concerned. I should feel guilty about playing the expired HHons Gold card again, but having waited 30 minutes I felt sufficiently irritated to self-justify

The Hilton was familiar by now, as we moved into Room 112 for the night. We then discovered that the aircon wasn’t working, meaning a rather hot room. A quick call to the front desk, where a very helpful David moved us to 108. In addition, as a Service Recovery gesture, he gave us a 10%-off voucher for the restaurant and a free return Shuttle pass fo the morning! A quick meal at Burnells (the Howth Seafood Chowder … smoked haddock, salmon, cod & Guinness soda bread for €9 is excellent!) and after a further attempt at OLCI for AA777, we retired.

5 Jun 18
DUB-PHL, AA723, 1120-1350 (7h 30m), A330, Business seats 1H/2H

We took an 0600 call, and the 0700 shuttle to DUB T2. The ‘Priority’ line for the AA desks was empty, and by 0730 we were bag-dropped and BP’d for both sectors of the day’s travel with no difficulty. Upstairs to Departures, where we found a new and partitioned off DAA Fast Track Security over on the far left side - very quick and efficient. From there, through the shops to the well-signed US Pre-Clearance area, where US Security was also quick. However, Immigration was painfully slow as the E-Passport machines were not working, requiring manual processing of everyone. We stood in line for an hour!!

Eventually we reached the sanctuary of the Lounge (51st and Green) where we noticed the paid entry fee is now €39. Considering the fairly thin offering (by UK Lounge standards) that seems a little high.





Our nice BPs said “Boarding 1030”, so we headed at that time for Gate 410, where we arrived at 1040 to find an empty Priority Boarding lane - no sign of Group 1 anywhere!. Entering the cabin, it was clear that everyone in J was on board already! We were quickly served with our PDB of champagne by our excellent FA, James. Efficient, funny and engaged, he even provided a PDB top-up … we clearly had quickly established a rapport! (Good Show sent to AA for his overall performance)

And now the first glitch (of many). The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) wouldn’t start, so we ended up with a ground delay of c. 35m and eventually pushed back at 1155, and got airborne at 1215. In the interim we were entertained with a manual safety demo, during which James’ demonstration of the oxygen mask resulted in the elastic band coming away … cue giggles all round!

I found space to temporarily stow the very nice pillow and blanket, and deployed my Kindle and notebook on the convenient side shelf - so different from BA CW ,





More drinks and warm nuts (cue more giggles from James) at 1245, followed by a real nice meal.





The Salad


Sliced Smoked Chicken - tasty and smoky


Slow Cooked Beef - delicious and tender.


Ice Cream Sundae? Yes, please, James ... with everything!




I guess I watched a film on the good IFE, but have no recollection! Indeed, I may even have grabbed a couple of hours sleep, as 7h 30m has to be used efficiently. Before landing we were served the ‘traditional’ Beef and Cheese Toastie, a tasty nod to the famous Philly Cheese Steak. I really like that, and I should have asked for some wine or beer to wash it down (silly me!).



With a 2-hour layover in PHL, we wandered casually to the next part of the VERY long terminal, in this case from A West to B (about 1,000 yards, mercifully much equipped with moving walkways!), where we collapsed in an uninteresting AAdmirals Lounge to await the last leg.

PHL-PHX, AA777, 1600-1815 (5h 15m), A321, First seats 1A/C

Despite the confusing time-zone shifts, this was a totally unremarkable 5 hours of droning across America. Much Kindle time (no IFE) and probably some un-photographed food … frankly, just VERY boring! However, eventually the landscape showed evidence of imminent Phoenix-ness ….



... and we arrived. A refreshing 500+ yard walk had us at Reclaim, where we nipped outside, turned left and walked a further 250 yards to the smoking area for a much-needed cigarette! Returning to Reclaim, we were pleased to see our 2 cases emerging on the belt (Priority seems to work with AA). Across the street to the Shuttle Bus to the Rental Car Center (a 10-minute ride) and down to the lowest subterranean level for Avis Preferred pickup.

This time our “Intermediate SUV” turned out to be a Toyota RAV4, with some 8k miles on the clock, and very nice it was too.



Prepaid in full, I tacked on the “Buy a Tank of gas” option and headed off to the Homewood Suites Phoenix/Chandler again for our 3rd visit. Straight down I-10 East (which at this point heads south) and some 10 miles later leave at Exit 160 for Chandler Bvd. At 1930 we received a warm welcome at the Front Desk, and made our way up to our spacious Suite 329 (KING FIREPLC STE SMOKING as they term it) which we have enjoyed before.

Unpack and collapse required.