re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

My train of thought:

It is really a decision of how convenient the flights are. The BOS-DUB for 25K are a very valuable redemption and you can see Ireland and/or Boston while you're at it. How are your flights to Boston and out of Dublin? Are they expensive? If you have the SW CP then getting to Boston might be worth it. What about flight out of Dublin? Shouldn't be too expensive. Also consider: Dublin to Milan on Aer Lingus would be another 7.5K avios if you want to go that route.

As far as the United option goes, it definitely seems to be more convenient. And you can always build in a stopover in Munich and open jaw in Italy so you don't have to backtrack. It is, however, more "expensive" at 60K miles a pop.

Additionally, if you are not able to see Munich, then I would save my United miles for when you can make use of a stopover. At 30K each way UA isn't that much better than other programs. But if you can build in a stopover/open jaw, then they are invaluable.

Compare 120K points to 50K+SW points to get to Boston. Then calculate how much you are paying to save the marginal miles. See if it is worth it.

Me personally - since I do have SW CP, I would go with option #1, as I had suggested.

Wait - 30K per ticket? It should be 25K Round trip. 12.5K per person, per way. You need to look for direct flights Boston to Dublin (DUB or SHN). Total you're at is 50K for 2 people. Double that for business (angled lie flat though so..)

I still don't get it. Should be 25K.

Ahh I see now.

Ignore the prices on united.com when you are trying to book Aer Lingus flights using avios. You are just using the United search engine to search for available Aer Lingus flights. You are looking for non-stop flights from BOS-DUB or BOS-SHN on "flights operated by Aer Lingus" (will say this below the flight route) at Saver level (ie at 30K on United).

So you are looking Aer Lingus operated flights that show as 30K on united.

When you find your flights, you write down dates, times, flight numbers and airports, then call BA and tell them you want to use avios to book flights on a partner. Feed them the details and they will tell you the price (should be 25K). Request to waive $25 phone booking fee because Aer Lingus awards cannot be booked online.

So 4 steps:

1) Look for Non-stop Aer Lingus operated flights on united.com
2) Should show as 30K on united
3) Take down details
4) Call BA to book

Since you will be booking on two different itineraries it is not a given that your bags will be checked through. If both itinariries are with the same airline, you can request the agent at check in in Boston to see if they will check your bag through. But don't count on it. Keep at least 2 hrs to make international connections.

ahhhh tracking. I was just assuming the United points were the value.

What are your thoughts on the connection? The options are pretty shitty coming out of DUB to Rome. We want to be in Rome by mid day on the 24th.

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I just received a targeted 60,000 Skypeso Amex Gold Delta offer. Should I care?

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Do you have a DL redemption in mind? This is the highest bonus on this card but DL award chart, in general, sucks. I would get it only if I am past Chase's 5/24 rule and don't immediately require SPG or MR.

Looks perfect to me. You got a day there to see Dublin. On the way back your layover is just perfect. Not too short not too long.

Book it TODAY!

Again - if you change your mind later, you only forego $55 or taxes paid on the trip, whichever is lower.

Call BA and expect to be on the line for at least 1 hr before someone comes through

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Now that I'm thinking about it, how long until I can apply for another CSP?

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You can apply whenever you want. But to get the bonus, you need to wait for 2 years after the bonus post to your account last time.

Why not go for the United or IHG card and get to 5?

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I don't have a particular need for an SPG

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Said no-one ever :) You can tranfer 20K spg points to 25K points to almost any airline. Right now the offer is at its highest ever - 35K! After spend, you are at 38K points at least. If you can get the last 2K, then you've earned 50K airline points in any airline. Transfer to programs like AA, AS or JAL since they have no other transfer partners.

If you are going to get any AmEx card, you should get the SPG one. Because, quite simply, SPG is awesome and DL sucks.

Wow. All of y'all lucky sobs. So you should be good to go on the 21st. Refrain from any other apps in the meantime and Use my referral

Hmm. I don't have experience with this. If you meet min spend, I think you should get the Hilton bonus either way. But if it comes down to 75K hilton honors vs 10K spg, I would probably go with the HH.