Best way to Ireland from US? Chase/UA points and J class?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: DEN
Posts: 32
Best way to Ireland from US? Chase/UA points and J class?
Hello all, I may be behind the ball but I'm starting to think about a trip to Ireland with my wife next year. We prefer to avoid the peak tourist season, thinking May preferably or Sept. We have just over 280k UR points together, and I have about 78k UA points. We've never flown international. Would like to relax and experience J class for the first time. Based out of DEN.
I figure ideally the trip would center around Ireland for about 7 days or so. Wouldn't mind an open jaw arrival to DUB for a few nights, then drive the South and East for 3-4 days then return via SNN. I wouldn't even mind a short 1-2 day stopover somewhere nice on the way out if it's not too complicated.
How would you get there? We don't want to take the trip to fly as priority #1 , but if we're going to do it, we might as well try to find a decent product to fly J on if possible and enjoy the experience being first-timers.
Aer Lingus seems to be one of the easier solutions, but not sure the J class experience and shortish haul from Boston are the best way to spend my points. Their early departures and arrivals are a little bit of a turn off too. United doesn't seem to show much availability for their awards, especially for May. Am I too late, or too early? Any other better ideas?
I'm not too savvy with search and booking as I've never done it, but have done a bit of reading around to get somewhat familiar so far. Thanks for any help or info!
Mike
I figure ideally the trip would center around Ireland for about 7 days or so. Wouldn't mind an open jaw arrival to DUB for a few nights, then drive the South and East for 3-4 days then return via SNN. I wouldn't even mind a short 1-2 day stopover somewhere nice on the way out if it's not too complicated.
How would you get there? We don't want to take the trip to fly as priority #1 , but if we're going to do it, we might as well try to find a decent product to fly J on if possible and enjoy the experience being first-timers.
Aer Lingus seems to be one of the easier solutions, but not sure the J class experience and shortish haul from Boston are the best way to spend my points. Their early departures and arrivals are a little bit of a turn off too. United doesn't seem to show much availability for their awards, especially for May. Am I too late, or too early? Any other better ideas?
I'm not too savvy with search and booking as I've never done it, but have done a bit of reading around to get somewhat familiar so far. Thanks for any help or info!
Mike
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,215
You would have to check availability but, in general, it's better to do the long flight TATL and have just a very short flight rather than do two middling length flights. This is principally because it allows more time for sleep (especially eastbound) but also because both the service and the seating are much better on the TATL.
For *A this would suggest DEN-FRA-DUB and for OW DEN-LHR-DUB. Can't speak to ST. But ultimately you will be led by availability.
For *A this would suggest DEN-FRA-DUB and for OW DEN-LHR-DUB. Can't speak to ST. But ultimately you will be led by availability.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,363
You would have to check availability but, in general, it's better to do the long flight TATL and have just a very short flight rather than do two middling length flights. This is principally because it allows more time for sleep (especially eastbound) but also because both the service and the seating are much better on the TATL.
For *A this would suggest DEN-FRA-DUB and for OW DEN-LHR-DUB. Can't speak to ST. But ultimately you will be led by availability.
For *A this would suggest DEN-FRA-DUB and for OW DEN-LHR-DUB. Can't speak to ST. But ultimately you will be led by availability.
#6
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#7
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#8
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