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Deal alert: Business-class seats to Ireland for as low as 45K miles each way

March 31, 2024
•
5 min read
Baily Lighthouse, Ireland
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Trying to get to Europe this summer using miles can be incredibly expensive, thanks to the usual high demand for overseas trips, the Paris Olympics and of course, Taylor Swift. But we've just spotted a lot of business-class seats available to Dublin, Ireland, this summer available on Aer Lingus for as low as 45,000 miles each way. The award space is available through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, and it includes departure cities like Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.

Award space on other airlines for premium seats on flights to Ireland is currently going for significantly higher redemptions than this deal, making this one to jump on. So, if you're sitting on a pile of Alaska miles, this is the time to cash them in.

There is space available from May through August on some routes; others mainly have flights in specific months. These low redemptions are only available for east coast departure cities and Chicago. This is a deal so good, you might consider getting to Dublin and then finding a a cheap flight on to elsewhere in Europe.

The Ha'penny Bridge in Dublin, Ireland
The Ha'penny Bridge is a pedestrian bridge crossing the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland. Built in 1816, it takes its name from the toll requested after its opening. GETTY IMAGES


Deal basics

Airline: Aer Lingus (booked via Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan)

Routes: Round-trip flights from various U.S. cities to Dublin, Ireland.

How to book: Go to the Alaska Airlines website, click the 'use miles' button and search routes;

Travel dates: Award space is available May-August 2024; some routes may only have availability in certain months.

Sample flights

Departure cities with reduced awards redemptions to Dublin (DUB) include:

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  • Boston (BOS)
  • Chicago (ORD)
  • Minneapolis (MSP)
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD)

We found lots of available business-class seats throughout the summer out of Philadelphia for only 45K miles each way. This itinerary from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Dublin Airport (DUB) costs just 90K miles and $72.70 in taxes round-trip.

ALASKA AIRLINES

It's not just the availability that makes this a rare deal. It's the price. Booking a business-class seat to Europe for just 45K miles is absurdly low, especially during the summer. For comparison's sake, here is what it would cost to book the same route in business class on American using miles.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

There is business-class award space available all summer from Philadelphia to Ireland. May is slowly getting booked, but June still has lots of options. July is wide open, as you can see from the awards calendar below.

ALASKA AIRLINES
ALASKA AIRLINES

Boston also has tons of business-class availability, especially in July and August. You can fly nonstop out of Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Dublin for only 90K miles and $72.70 in taxes round-trip.

ALASKA AIRLINES

The availability is a bit more limited for flights out of Chicago, but the deals are there if you're OK traveling later in the summer. The best month we saw for award redemptions is July, where you can find biz-class seats for just 55K miles each way. An itinerary like this one below will cost you just 110K miles and $72.70 in taxes round-trip.

ALASKA AIRLINES

The best availability for redemptions out of Minneapolis is in July and August, with loads of flights available at 55K miles each way. But if you want to book a family vacation to celebrate the start of summer (last day of school in Minneapolis is May 30), you can fly out from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Dublin on June 1 for only 110K miles and $72.70 in taxes.

ALASKA AIRLINES

Related: These Michelin-starred restaurants in Ireland are worth hopping on a plane for

Maximize your purchase

When you book this deal or any flights, be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

Bottom line

These are exceptional redemptions for business-class seats to Europe, and the widespread availability gives you unusual flexibility to cash in those Alaska miles you've been sitting on. You won't find prices like this for long, so jump on it. Also consider positioning to Dublin and then finding a cheap onward flight to other cities in Europe.

Related reading:

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.