If you’ve been saving up your points and miles for a trip to the Emerald Isle, there’s good news: Getting there can be as cheap as a domestic award ticket.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to redeem 13,000 Avios — plus taxes, fees and carrier-imposed surcharges starting from $115 — for a one-way economy ticket on off-peak travel dates between the eastern U.S. and Ireland.
Here’s what you need to know about this transatlantic award travel option.
Redeem Avios for US flights to Ireland
Redeeming 13,000 Avios for a one-way award ticket to Ireland is a bargain. Major programs like United Airlines MileagePlus and American Airlines AAdvantage usually charge at least twice that amount for a one-way economy ticket to Europe, with dynamic pricing on peak dates rising even higher.
Booking through British Airways offers a particularly good deal for flights to Ireland since the fees, taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges are mild.
Thankfully, you can find off-peak dates throughout much of the year.
Here’s a look at Aer Lingus routes from the U.S. to Ireland, requiring just 13,000 Avios each way on off-peak dates (peak dates require 20,000 Avios each way):
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Shannon Airport (SNN) or Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Bradley International Airport (BDL) to Dublin
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Shannon or Dublin
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Dublin
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Dublin
- Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Dublin
- O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Dublin
Longer flights from Florida, Washington and California to Ireland cost a slightly higher 16,250 Avios each way on off-peak dates or 25,000 Avios on peak dates.
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Fees, taxes and surcharges may be slightly higher, depending on the departure airport.
How to book Avios award flights to Ireland
Previously, booking transatlantic Aer Lingus awards through British Airways required calling, but now you can book them online. Go to the British Airways website and select “Book a flight with Avios.”
After signing in to your account, enter your desired criteria (if you haven’t already) and search. After declining the stopover option, you’ll find award flight options on the next screen. Be sure to look for the nonstop flights Aer Lingus operates for the lowest prices.
From there, booking your flight is straightforward.
As always, we recommend paying the taxes and fees with one of the best cards for airfare purchases. Doing so will let you earn bonus rewards on your purchase and may also provide travel protections for your flight, such as trip delay reimbursement and delayed baggage protection.
How to earn Avios for this award
If you don’t have enough British Airways Avios to book this award, you can transfer earnings from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One and Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio, with 5,000 bonus Avios awarded for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer.
Here are some of our favorite cards that earn points and miles that can be converted to Avios:
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. Terms apply.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Check to see if you’re targeted for a higher welcome offer through CardMatch (offer subject to change at any time). Terms apply.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
You could also apply for the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card or the Iberia Visa Signature® Card, all of which currently offer 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Related: The best ways to redeem British Airways Avios
Bottom line
While British Airways Avios can be tricky to use due to added fees when transiting through London, there are still valuable redemption options like economy flights on Aer Lingus.
The award option discussed in this story can be appealing if Ireland is on your travel bucket list. You can travel on off-peak dates with award availability, and the reasonable fees, taxes and surcharges won’t deter you.
