AA Awards - SYD to DUB / LHR / FRA / CDG / Europe - 18-Dec to 10-Jan

[Donmonster]

Ok folks so this is a cry for help from the experts out there. I have used the KVS tool but my membership has run out and thought perhaps better to offer someone here cash directly! First things first – I know I am a muppet for leaving it this late, a mixture of not enough miles, not happy with routes and not being totally sure of dates – so we are where we are!

Here are the facts:
- Need to depart from Sydney 17-18-19-20 December
- My final destination is Dublin or Belfast – would like to avoid London for taxes but I may not have that luxury now
- Happy to even get as far as London / Paris – basically anywhere where they then fly to Dublin / Belfast
- Using AA reward miles – current balance is 145,400 – will buy more to make up to 150,000 if needed
- Would like to fly Business but would do 1[SUP]st[/SUP] if no Business available
- Basically will fly with anyone in One World Alliance (believe Etihad are also on this but no availability I could see)
- Want to get home as quick as possible but will consider stop overs
- Can return from pretty much any of the main hubs in western Europe from 10[SUP]th[/SUP] Jan and looking to get back to Sydney ASAP
- Only need 1 seat

Happy to pay for help in securing a route / seats and deal via PM or on the thread. Last minute saloon and need to get something booked soon.

Thanks in advance
Donmonster

 

[Mattg]

As you're trying to book an award flight a month out, for travel to the other side of the world in the week before Christmas, this is an extremely tough one.

I've found a few things that may work:

Etihad has business class availability on EY451 from Sydney to Abu Dhabi on 16, 18 and 20 December (that I can tell, anyway). That's assuming you can book seats available to Etihad members using AA miles. In Business Class that would cost 45,000 AA miles.

Then you just need to get from Abu Dhabi to Europe for 30,000 AA miles in Business. I can see EY availability on EY77 to Amsterdam on 19,20 and 22 December. There also seems to be a small amount of business availability to London on some days. There could be availability to other cities, e.g. Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Brussels etc (I haven't checked all of them). Nothing to Dublin unfortunately.

You'll probably need to break the journey in Abu Dhabi but with AA miles you have to purchase two separate tickets (Australia to Middle East and Middle East to Europe) anyway AFAIK. Total cost 75,000 miles one-way.

For the return trip, there is a good connection from DUB to SYD on 13 January with a short stop in Abu Dhabi. I haven't checked other options but being mid-January (and not the week before Christmas) I don't think you'll have too many issues.

Hope that helps.

 

[Donmonster]

As you're trying to book an award flight a month out, for travel to the other side of the world in the week before Christmas, this is an extremely tough one.

I've found a few things that may work:

Etihad has business class availability on EY451 from Sydney to Abu Dhabi on 16, 18 and 20 December (that I can tell, anyway). That's assuming you can book seats available to Etihad members using AA miles. In Business Class that would cost 45,000 AA miles.

Then you just need to get from Abu Dhabi to Europe for 30,000 AA miles in Business. I can see EY availability on EY77 to Amsterdam on 19,20 and 22 December. There also seems to be a small amount of business availability to London on some days. There could be availability to other cities, e.g. Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Brussels etc (I haven't checked all of them). Nothing to Dublin unfortunately.

You'll probably need to break the journey in Abu Dhabi but with AA miles you have to purchase two separate tickets (Australia to Middle East and Middle East to Europe) anyway AFAIK. Total cost 75,000 miles one-way.

For the return trip, there is a good connection from DUB to SYD on 13 January with a short stop in Abu Dhabi. I haven't checked other options but being mid-January (and not the week before Christmas) I don't think you'll have too many issues.

Hope that helps.

Mattg you are a star thanks so much - I did not think they had any availability and have now managed to get on an A380 for 2 of the long legs! Ended up buying a flight from CDG to DUB as no availability and just want to get home at that stage - its only $100 so no problem. Taxes also so much cheaper avoiding LDN at only $131 for the lot including booking - can't believe it!

Can you PM please to sort out payment? Is that how it works? Once again much appreciated - got a smile as wide as my face that i am now booked to go home for Christmas!

 

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