Which Programs To Maximize DFW to Europe Trip
Jun 5, 2021, 9:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 5
Which Programs To Maximize DFW to Europe Trip
Hi,
First time post and very new to this world. My wife and I are planning a trip next year for 2 weeks to Europe. We have a couple of stipulations
1. Leave from DFW (Dallas, Texas)
2. Non-stop or very short layover
3. Business class (for lay flat seats; I literally cannot sleep on a plane)
4. Flying into a major airport (in order of preference London, Rome, or Paris) then flying back out of a different major airport
5. Leave April 30th and Return May 14th (dates are moveable by a few days if necessary)
We currently have points/money in the following places
1. Marriot Bonvoy (Chase Personal CC): 301,649 points
2. Chase Ultimate Rewards (Chase Business CC): 744,101
3. $3,200 in cash back rewards from Capital One
Is there a way to best utilize these points for the flights above? Chase UR points seem to be hard to move to American except through British Airways/Iberia, but the "taxes and fuel" surcharges are $1,500 per ticket each way on top of 125k points. American Airlines tickets are about 150k in rewards points per person each way and $5 or so in fuel surcharges.
We currently spend between $10,000 and $20,000 a month on the business credit card and a few thousand dollars a month on the personal credit card. So we can apply for new cards if needed and hit most spending goals. We only have 3 or so credit card accounts open and haven't really "played the game" yet as far as opening and stacking miles.
Thanks for the help,
Kids Dentist
First time post and very new to this world. My wife and I are planning a trip next year for 2 weeks to Europe. We have a couple of stipulations
1. Leave from DFW (Dallas, Texas)
2. Non-stop or very short layover
3. Business class (for lay flat seats; I literally cannot sleep on a plane)
4. Flying into a major airport (in order of preference London, Rome, or Paris) then flying back out of a different major airport
5. Leave April 30th and Return May 14th (dates are moveable by a few days if necessary)
We currently have points/money in the following places
1. Marriot Bonvoy (Chase Personal CC): 301,649 points
2. Chase Ultimate Rewards (Chase Business CC): 744,101
3. $3,200 in cash back rewards from Capital One
Is there a way to best utilize these points for the flights above? Chase UR points seem to be hard to move to American except through British Airways/Iberia, but the "taxes and fuel" surcharges are $1,500 per ticket each way on top of 125k points. American Airlines tickets are about 150k in rewards points per person each way and $5 or so in fuel surcharges.
We currently spend between $10,000 and $20,000 a month on the business credit card and a few thousand dollars a month on the personal credit card. So we can apply for new cards if needed and hit most spending goals. We only have 3 or so credit card accounts open and haven't really "played the game" yet as far as opening and stacking miles.
Thanks for the help,
Kids Dentist
Jun 6, 2021, 9:58 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,065
Any AA flight from DFW to any European destination will have lie flats in business class, and you can build an open jaw itinerary (DFW - XYZ, ABC - DFW). If your requirement is nonstop in both directions, then AA will be your option since BA will only offer nonstop between London and DFW.
And yes, the costs for the YR charges are ridiculous when redeeming points for a BA flight (and other OW airlines), where AA only charges the ~$5 taxes. So, the next issue is finding availability for using your points.
If you can't find business class availability using points on the dates you desire, you may be better off buying the tickets outright with the $3200 rewards cash and paying the extra $$ out of pocket. Or one ticket with points and the other using the $3200 reward $$.
Your time frame for travel (April-May 2022) is far enough out, so be aware if you book something now it will likely have some schedule changes (and even aircraft changes) between now and then.
And yes, the costs for the YR charges are ridiculous when redeeming points for a BA flight (and other OW airlines), where AA only charges the ~$5 taxes. So, the next issue is finding availability for using your points.
If you can't find business class availability using points on the dates you desire, you may be better off buying the tickets outright with the $3200 rewards cash and paying the extra $$ out of pocket. Or one ticket with points and the other using the $3200 reward $$.
Your time frame for travel (April-May 2022) is far enough out, so be aware if you book something now it will likely have some schedule changes (and even aircraft changes) between now and then.
Jun 6, 2021, 10:33 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: STL
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 504
Some suggestions:
1. Look at cash fares and using your Ultimate Reward Points via the Chase portal. There have been some outstanding business class fares to Europe and more are likely to pop up until business travel resumes to anything like pre pandemic levels, which could be quite a while. With Ultimate Rewards you can use any airline so just look for the best fare and book through their portal. Your 744K Ultimate rewards should be worth at least $9,000 in airfare (and more if you have the Sapphire Reserve Card) so more than enough for round trip business class for 2 on the dates you want and the route you want even without a major sale. Also consider alternate airports, for example Edinburgh or Manchster for London, Milan or Venice for Rome, Brussels or Amsterdam for Paris etc. Frequently you can turn that into an added opportunity. You have to be flexible to maximize the value of Frequent Flyer miles/points.
2. I have seen AA Saver Business class fares at 57,500 per person each way in that time frame depending upon the date and destination so keep looking. You could transfer your Bonvoy points to AA, which wouldn’t give you enough because the transfer ratio is less than 1:1 but you could apply for any combination of Aviator and AA Personal and Business Cards for yourself and your wife. Each one of those cards typically offers 65,000 bonus miles right now, so if you do not have, and have not had those cards in the recent past there are some easy pickings there. Read the bonus offer carefully if you have had them in the past.
3. Like I said, successfully using FF points requires flexibility. Be more flexible on your requirements. Flying into one airport and out of another is good, gives you more flexibility. But be prepared to fly from DFW and change at an airport in the US or in Europe. Non stops from DFW to London, Paris or Rome are the least likely tickets to offer saver levels or great fares (for obvious reasons). But opening up to a layover either in the US or in Europe will open up your options hugely.
1. Look at cash fares and using your Ultimate Reward Points via the Chase portal. There have been some outstanding business class fares to Europe and more are likely to pop up until business travel resumes to anything like pre pandemic levels, which could be quite a while. With Ultimate Rewards you can use any airline so just look for the best fare and book through their portal. Your 744K Ultimate rewards should be worth at least $9,000 in airfare (and more if you have the Sapphire Reserve Card) so more than enough for round trip business class for 2 on the dates you want and the route you want even without a major sale. Also consider alternate airports, for example Edinburgh or Manchster for London, Milan or Venice for Rome, Brussels or Amsterdam for Paris etc. Frequently you can turn that into an added opportunity. You have to be flexible to maximize the value of Frequent Flyer miles/points.
2. I have seen AA Saver Business class fares at 57,500 per person each way in that time frame depending upon the date and destination so keep looking. You could transfer your Bonvoy points to AA, which wouldn’t give you enough because the transfer ratio is less than 1:1 but you could apply for any combination of Aviator and AA Personal and Business Cards for yourself and your wife. Each one of those cards typically offers 65,000 bonus miles right now, so if you do not have, and have not had those cards in the recent past there are some easy pickings there. Read the bonus offer carefully if you have had them in the past.
3. Like I said, successfully using FF points requires flexibility. Be more flexible on your requirements. Flying into one airport and out of another is good, gives you more flexibility. But be prepared to fly from DFW and change at an airport in the US or in Europe. Non stops from DFW to London, Paris or Rome are the least likely tickets to offer saver levels or great fares (for obvious reasons). But opening up to a layover either in the US or in Europe will open up your options hugely.
Jun 6, 2021, 11:36 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,313
However you go it, starting in London will be cheaper than returning from London due to taxes in departing flights, very high in business , same tax in awards.
Get new AA credit cards. Use your existing hotel points on hotels unless the transfers are at a good ratio. Chase transfers to Hyatt at a good ratio.
you will likely need a minimum of 230k miles RT for 2 if you can find saver. Take out 2 personal and two business cards for you and your wife (or 4 personal, with citi and Barclays) and you should have the signup bonuses in. 60 days with that much monthly spend.
frankly, don’t think you will get nonstops at a good price on awards from a hub , but going through LHR or MIA in a connection home (connections don’t incur the tax ) will likely save you a ton of miles and is not much out of the way.
Dont be focused on too short a connection, a misconnection would be not worth it. Plan on 2 hours at least unless you are willing to roll the dice (maybe the next flight if misconnect would only be a hour later as opposed to next day)
you should also open up an Iberia avios account. Amex points moved to IB is a great way to get to Europe, and you can take out Amex cards for big bonus. The IB account has to be open for 60 days before transfer, so open it now.
You are in a position to steamroll a bunch of credit card applications and could wind up with a ton of AA and Amex points.
Not sure if you have a peremium Chase business card or no fee, you need a premium card to transfer the UR points (you can usually double the value of them by transferring rather than as a cash statement). If you don’t, the Chase Sapphire preferred is currently having an all time high bonus.
Get new AA credit cards. Use your existing hotel points on hotels unless the transfers are at a good ratio. Chase transfers to Hyatt at a good ratio.
you will likely need a minimum of 230k miles RT for 2 if you can find saver. Take out 2 personal and two business cards for you and your wife (or 4 personal, with citi and Barclays) and you should have the signup bonuses in. 60 days with that much monthly spend.
frankly, don’t think you will get nonstops at a good price on awards from a hub , but going through LHR or MIA in a connection home (connections don’t incur the tax ) will likely save you a ton of miles and is not much out of the way.
Dont be focused on too short a connection, a misconnection would be not worth it. Plan on 2 hours at least unless you are willing to roll the dice (maybe the next flight if misconnect would only be a hour later as opposed to next day)
you should also open up an Iberia avios account. Amex points moved to IB is a great way to get to Europe, and you can take out Amex cards for big bonus. The IB account has to be open for 60 days before transfer, so open it now.
You are in a position to steamroll a bunch of credit card applications and could wind up with a ton of AA and Amex points.
Not sure if you have a peremium Chase business card or no fee, you need a premium card to transfer the UR points (you can usually double the value of them by transferring rather than as a cash statement). If you don’t, the Chase Sapphire preferred is currently having an all time high bonus.
Last edited by beachfan; Jun 6, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Jun 6, 2021, 1:55 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
There are 4 seats in F on the AA DFW-LHR nonstop on 4/30/22 for 85k plus $5.60 each. It doesn't sound like you have a good way to get the 170k AA too quickly but if you did, that's a pretty good option...
You could sign up for a couple of AA cards (1 personal and 1 business if there are still good offers out there), then transfer Marriott over to AA (not a good transfer rate but not terrible for just a top up).
You could sign up for a couple of AA cards (1 personal and 1 business if there are still good offers out there), then transfer Marriott over to AA (not a good transfer rate but not terrible for just a top up).
Jun 6, 2021, 2:03 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 5
Some suggestions:
1. Look at cash fares and using your Ultimate Reward Points via the Chase portal. There have been some outstanding business class fares to Europe and more are likely to pop up until business travel resumes to anything like pre pandemic levels, which could be quite a while. With Ultimate Rewards you can use any airline so just look for the best fare and book through their portal. Your 744K Ultimate rewards should be worth at least $9,000 in airfare (and more if you have the Sapphire Reserve Card) so more than enough for round trip business class for 2 on the dates you want and the route you want even without a major sale. Also consider alternate airports, for example Edinburgh or Manchster for London, Milan or Venice for Rome, Brussels or Amsterdam for Paris etc. Frequently you can turn that into an added opportunity. You have to be flexible to maximize the value of Frequent Flyer miles/points.
2. I have seen AA Saver Business class fares at 57,500 per person each way in that time frame depending upon the date and destination so keep looking. You could transfer your Bonvoy points to AA, which wouldn’t give you enough because the transfer ratio is less than 1:1 but you could apply for any combination of Aviator and AA Personal and Business Cards for yourself and your wife. Each one of those cards typically offers 65,000 bonus miles right now, so if you do not have, and have not had those cards in the recent past there are some easy pickings there. Read the bonus offer carefully if you have had them in the past.
3. Like I said, successfully using FF points requires flexibility. Be more flexible on your requirements. Flying into one airport and out of another is good, gives you more flexibility. But be prepared to fly from DFW and change at an airport in the US or in Europe. Non stops from DFW to London, Paris or Rome are the least likely tickets to offer saver levels or great fares (for obvious reasons). But opening up to a layover either in the US or in Europe will open up your options hugely.
1. Look at cash fares and using your Ultimate Reward Points via the Chase portal. There have been some outstanding business class fares to Europe and more are likely to pop up until business travel resumes to anything like pre pandemic levels, which could be quite a while. With Ultimate Rewards you can use any airline so just look for the best fare and book through their portal. Your 744K Ultimate rewards should be worth at least $9,000 in airfare (and more if you have the Sapphire Reserve Card) so more than enough for round trip business class for 2 on the dates you want and the route you want even without a major sale. Also consider alternate airports, for example Edinburgh or Manchster for London, Milan or Venice for Rome, Brussels or Amsterdam for Paris etc. Frequently you can turn that into an added opportunity. You have to be flexible to maximize the value of Frequent Flyer miles/points.
2. I have seen AA Saver Business class fares at 57,500 per person each way in that time frame depending upon the date and destination so keep looking. You could transfer your Bonvoy points to AA, which wouldn’t give you enough because the transfer ratio is less than 1:1 but you could apply for any combination of Aviator and AA Personal and Business Cards for yourself and your wife. Each one of those cards typically offers 65,000 bonus miles right now, so if you do not have, and have not had those cards in the recent past there are some easy pickings there. Read the bonus offer carefully if you have had them in the past.
3. Like I said, successfully using FF points requires flexibility. Be more flexible on your requirements. Flying into one airport and out of another is good, gives you more flexibility. But be prepared to fly from DFW and change at an airport in the US or in Europe. Non stops from DFW to London, Paris or Rome are the least likely tickets to offer saver levels or great fares (for obvious reasons). But opening up to a layover either in the US or in Europe will open up your options hugely.
Jun 6, 2021, 2:18 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 5
However you go it, starting in London will be cheaper than returning from London due to taxes in departing flights, very high in business , same tax in awards.
Get new AA credit cards. Use your existing hotel points on hotels unless the transfers are at a good ratio. Chase transfers to Hyatt at a good ratio.
you will likely need a minimum of 230k miles RT for 2 if you can find saver. Take out 2 personal and two business cards for you and your wife (or 4 personal, with citi and Barclays) and you should have the signup bonuses in. 60 days with that much monthly spend.
frankly, don’t think you will get nonstops at a good price on awards from a hub , but going through LHR or MIA in a connection home (connections don’t incur the tax ) will likely save you a ton of miles and is not much out of the way.
Dont be focused on too short a connection, a misconnection would be not worth it. Plan on 2 hours at least unless you are willing to roll the dice (maybe the next flight if misconnect would only be a hour later as opposed to next day)
you should also open up an Iberia avios account. Amex points moved to IB is a great way to get to Europe, and you can take out Amex cards for big bonus. The IB account has to be open for 60 days before transfer, so open it now.
You are in a position to steamroll a bunch of credit card applications and could wind up with a ton of AA and Amex points.
Not sure if you have a peremium Chase business card or no fee, you need a premium card to transfer the UR points (you can usually double the value of them by transferring rather than as a cash statement). If you don’t, the Chase Sapphire preferred is currently having an all time high bonus.
Get new AA credit cards. Use your existing hotel points on hotels unless the transfers are at a good ratio. Chase transfers to Hyatt at a good ratio.
you will likely need a minimum of 230k miles RT for 2 if you can find saver. Take out 2 personal and two business cards for you and your wife (or 4 personal, with citi and Barclays) and you should have the signup bonuses in. 60 days with that much monthly spend.
frankly, don’t think you will get nonstops at a good price on awards from a hub , but going through LHR or MIA in a connection home (connections don’t incur the tax ) will likely save you a ton of miles and is not much out of the way.
Dont be focused on too short a connection, a misconnection would be not worth it. Plan on 2 hours at least unless you are willing to roll the dice (maybe the next flight if misconnect would only be a hour later as opposed to next day)
you should also open up an Iberia avios account. Amex points moved to IB is a great way to get to Europe, and you can take out Amex cards for big bonus. The IB account has to be open for 60 days before transfer, so open it now.
You are in a position to steamroll a bunch of credit card applications and could wind up with a ton of AA and Amex points.
Not sure if you have a peremium Chase business card or no fee, you need a premium card to transfer the UR points (you can usually double the value of them by transferring rather than as a cash statement). If you don’t, the Chase Sapphire preferred is currently having an all time high bonus.
Good thoughts on not making the layover too quick. That'd really put a damper on the travel experience to have to fly out on another flight.
Jun 6, 2021, 2:20 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 5
Any AA flight from DFW to any European destination will have lie flats in business class, and you can build an open jaw itinerary (DFW - XYZ, ABC - DFW). If your requirement is nonstop in both directions, then AA will be your option since BA will only offer nonstop between London and DFW.
And yes, the costs for the YR charges are ridiculous when redeeming points for a BA flight (and other OW airlines), where AA only charges the ~$5 taxes. So, the next issue is finding availability for using your points.
If you can't find business class availability using points on the dates you desire, you may be better off buying the tickets outright with the $3200 rewards cash and paying the extra $$ out of pocket. Or one ticket with points and the other using the $3200 reward $$.
Your time frame for travel (April-May 2022) is far enough out, so be aware if you book something now it will likely have some schedule changes (and even aircraft changes) between now and then.
And yes, the costs for the YR charges are ridiculous when redeeming points for a BA flight (and other OW airlines), where AA only charges the ~$5 taxes. So, the next issue is finding availability for using your points.
If you can't find business class availability using points on the dates you desire, you may be better off buying the tickets outright with the $3200 rewards cash and paying the extra $$ out of pocket. Or one ticket with points and the other using the $3200 reward $$.
Your time frame for travel (April-May 2022) is far enough out, so be aware if you book something now it will likely have some schedule changes (and even aircraft changes) between now and then.
Jun 6, 2021, 4:15 pm
#9
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Jun 6, 2021, 6:42 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,210
Don’t forget you can book one way flights (mostly) without penalty compared to round trips
DFW to Frankfurt > you can use United Miles to book a Lufthansa flight
DFW to Frankfurt > you can use United Miles to book a Lufthansa flight
Jun 6, 2021, 6:58 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2001
Location: exUA1K, UA MM, lifetime UA1P, AA MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,731
This is why I book 3 hour connections on international travel Also, there is time for a good shower.
.
Last edited by Microwave; Jun 6, 2021 at 10:46 pm Reason: Corrected invalid quote syntax
Jun 6, 2021, 10:09 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
Jun 6, 2021, 10:45 pm
#14
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
~Microwave
AAdvantage Forum Co-moderator
Last edited by Microwave; Jun 6, 2021 at 10:51 pm
Jun 7, 2021, 6:16 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,210
Hi,
The first thing to do would be "Where to fly to/from"
Use wikepedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas...port#Passenger to see which routes/carriers are of interest to you (not too many non-stop to Europe).
The first thing to do would be "Where to fly to/from"
Use wikepedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas...port#Passenger to see which routes/carriers are of interest to you (not too many non-stop to Europe).