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Fly between the US and Ireland for 13,000 Avios each way

March 06, 2024
6 min read
Skellig Michael or Great Skellig, home to the ruined remains of a Christian monastery, Country Kerry, Ireland
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Editor's Note

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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

NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY

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.

BRITISHAIRWAYS.COM

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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BRITISHAIRWAYS.COM

Fees, taxes and surcharges may be slightly higher, depending on the departure airport.

How to book Avios award flights to Ireland

(Photo by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy)
NICKY KEVLIN/THE POINTS GUY

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:

You could also apply for the British Airways Visa Signature® Card (see rates and fees), the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card or the Iberia Visa Signature® Card, all of which currently offer new applicants the ability to earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

The information for the Ink Business Preferred, Aer Lingus Visa Signature and Iberia Visa Signature have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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.

Featured image by MNSTUDIO/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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