Beginning help with CDG-JFK
 

Guys

I'm planning a trip to Europe and have been to book my outbound flight but need an option for a return flight in Sept. (ideally, Paris-NYC). None of my mileage programs seem to work. I don't mind coach or business and this is what I have. I'd prefer not to pay heavy surcharges like those on BA. I don't mind flying back to EWR as well. I'm looking for a non-stop route.

- AA 150k
- Avios 100k
- Ultimate rewards 100k
- Marriott 150k
- Priority club 100k
- Delta 65k

I have 4 months for my trip so if none of these options work, I'm open to opening a new card and aggressively get the miles required in the 1st billing cycle.

Thanks!

Where to? It would be nice to know your origin and destination (airports) so folks can give you some suggestions.

ETA: My apology. I just reread your OP and realize I skipped the CDG-JFK part in your thread title. :o (But I did get the EWR part in your OP. ;))

Does it mean you've already booked JFK to CDG and are only looking for one-way award from Paris back to NYC?

I found a direct AA flight on the the 26th on Avios but it's charging a $286 fee & taxes. Is this the same BA surcharge or are these taxes normal? Expedia has a 1-stop flight for only $450 so I'm a little hesitant using miles and then paying $286

Have you looked at OpenSkies?

If you use AA miles for that flight you will pay much less in taxes and fees.

Sept 12 and 17 have the nonstop on United open in coach.

DL will charge you the same amount in miles for OW as for RT, so DL should be avoided in this situation. UA and AA change 1/2 miles for OW. To avoid the heavy changes on BA, you might consider using AA miles to fly on IB via Madrid. IB award flights cannot be booked or checked for availabilty on www.aa.com, but you can check the IB schedules for paid travel. Then call AA (fee applies) to book award tickets. Since your plans seem quite flexible, I think that you should be able to find something suitable. Using AA miles to fly AB might also be possible.

Consider flying CDG-BOS-JFK?

So like i said, I found a direct AA flight on the the 26th on Avios but it's charging a $286 fee & taxes. Now when I go to aa.com and try to find the same flight, it only gives me that flight for 60k miles (not 30k) and $85 taxes. Hence it comes to the same thing. I wonder why they would give out seats to Avios but not have any 30k seats available. I'll check on united

Sept 25 is 30k and $85 with AA miles.

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Also, call AA and check into BRU-EWR on 9W. There's an early morning train from Paris to BRU that should get you to the airport in time to catch the flight (if you can find award seats on 9W).

And, of course, don't overlook the gateway stopover option at NYC if you use AA miles.

what is the price of the train to BRU?

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

I expect that the price might vary, depending on how far in advance one books. Try a Google search.

Usually about 29-49 euros.