Aer Lingus booking with Avios?

[bernardblack]

Is anyone else a member of Avios and able to search for Aer Lingus award space? The space is visible through United MileagePlus and Alaska Mileage Plan, and I have an AerClub account and an Avios.com account, but every attempt to search for the award space loops back, or redirects to an old text-based search form which loops back on submission.

I also have a BAEC account, but you can't search for EI space online through BA.

 

[Mattg]

What flight/date are you looking for?

 

[bernardblack]

DUB-JFK is available per United and Alaska, ~25/05/22, and we're looking for four pax in J. Actually DUB or SNN to any North American port (ideally the east coast for fewer Avios) for four pax in J would be good, but DUB-JFK was what I found available.

I was thinking more in terms of "What's the trick to get it to work for me?" rather than having other people run speculative searches for me, although if you would like to do so I would appreciate it. But I'm not ready to book yet. But if there's something I'm missing, or if there is a link direct to the search form that I can copy and paste (using my own credentials) that would be good.

If you are able to find (for instance) DUB-JFK 25/05/22, I would be happy to learn the price (I think 50k Avios if off-peak) and the taxes/fee?

 

[Mattg]

Hmm. Well as you've found, Aer Lingus award space isn't appearing on the BA website at all. If there is space available via UA/AS, I don't see any reason you shouldn't be able to book it using Avios. But I suspect you would have to call BA to enquire about pricing/booking.

FWIW, Expert Flyer shows 3 business (U class) awards as being available on EI105 on 25/5/22. It's the same for other DUB-JFK flights around that date.

Sorry, I realise this isn't very helpful.

 

[bernardblack]

No, I appreciate it. I found the same on Expert Flyer too.

 

[Mattg]

Just came across this article on Head for Points, which has an interesting little tidbit regarding Aer Lingus redemptions:

You can book Aer Lingus redemptions online via avios.com (avios.com is still ‘open’ for anyone who opens an Avios account via AerClub or Vueling Club). There is some jiggery pokery going on with the taxes, however.

If you keep your Avios in British Airways Executive Club and ring them to book your Aer Lingus redemption flights – it can’t be done online – you will pay a lot less. Anecdotally, avios.com does seem to have better availability though.