Hi,

I'm trying to find the best way to optimize using UR points to fly my family of four from phoenix to dublin. We are looking in the July 2015 time frame.

I've read and used a very good method where you look for economy milesaver flights at american and then transfer points to BA and from there book flights through BA which american is a partner. I've only done this in the states. I'm sure most folks have done this.

But, I can't find any flights in July to get me there and back from phx to dublin.

So, anybody have any great ideas for utilizing UR points most efficiently to get to dublin and back?

I'm wondering about the possibility of booking a oneway ticket now which is available and then continue to watch and later get the return flight booked.

I was hoping to make this happen for 240K points.

Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks for your help!!

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Welcome to FT!

Look at using EI for SFO/ORD/BOS-DUB, and AA/US for PHX-SFO/ORD/BOS. You'll have to call BAEC to check award-seat availability on EI. Note: BAEC may try to charge you the higher "multi-partner" redemption rate if you try to combine EI with either AA or US on a single redemption. If so, you will have to book the different airlines as separate redemptions. And if you do that, leave extra time (maybe even an overnight) for your connections, as you will not be assured any protection in the event of IRROPS.

The cheapest roundtrip Coach redemption will be PHX-BOS-DUB-BOS-PHX for 50,000 Avios per person. Going via SFO or ORD will cost 59,000-60,000 Avios per person, roundtrip.

Note that EI also flies BOS-SNN, in case flying in (or out) of SNN is an option for you.

You do not want to use your Avios for TATL travel on AA or US, as doing so will incur hefty surcharges. The surcharges for TATL award travel on EI are quite modest.

Have you looked for United availability? 60K round trip at saver level.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

And only 55K SQ Kris Flyer miles for Saver award travel on UA. Does SQ impose surcharges for TATL award travel on UA metal?

I'd definitely give UA a look. Aer Lingus (EI) is also a UA partner and their availability will show up on the UA website for award searches. Not to mention other UA partners who may be available. And if you wanted you can set up an open jaw or a stopover with a UA roundtrip redemption, at no additional miles.

A quick look at random July dates seems to show pretty decent availability PHX-DUB. UA doesn't pass along any fuel surcharges on redemptions through its FFP.