Questions and Answers

Hi,

I’m starting to look for flights to and from Europe this October. Would appreciate any pointers helpful hints etc.

Would like to do business class trans Atlantic or first class if available. We will be leaving from RDU and eventually want to end up in Milan, Italy. But we’d love to do a stop over on the way in Europe, Iceland, whatever. Two seats and we have a good stash of AA, BA, Alaska, Southwest, and flexible miles to use.

Any good suggestions would be much appreciated !

Dick

Hi Dick,

With AA and BA and Alaska points, you should start looking at options from any East Coast getaway to get to Europe. Ideally, you’re looking for space on an American plane and not British, because of the difference in fuel surcharges. I’d look at any transatlantic option out of Raleigh, Charlotte, Philly, New York, Chicago, Miami. Then, you can start piecing your trip together once you’ve sorted out the long-haul.

Assuming you find the space, I think your best bet would be booking through American for 57,500 points each way plus about $6 in taxes/fees.

It’s been a sparse year so far with AA SAAver award space in Business Class to anywhere in the EU. If last year is any indication of what might happen, I didn’t see any decent SAAver award space open on that route in October until May. That said, it’s important to have flexibility with your travel dates and set alerts on Expert Flyer so you won’t miss out if anything opens. In the meantime, have a Plan B in the event things don’t work out.

[QUOTE=”Dick, post: 62702″] Would like to do business class trans Atlantic or first class if available. We will be leaving from RDU and eventually want to end up in Milan, Italy. [/QUOTE]

You can fly AA direct from RDU to LHR and then make your way from there. Or you can fly out of MIA, PHL, CLT, or JFK to various European destinations. But your only shot for first class is out of JFK (and MIA, I think) to LHR. And not even on every AA flight. Only the 773’s. Honestly, first class on AA is only marginally better than Biz IMO, and probably not worth the additional miles. I’ve flown it when I have about-to-expire SWU’s and already have a Biz ticket. It’s nice. But not spectacular.

Finally to follow up on what Ricky and Gia said – try to fly AA and not BA to avoid ridiculous fuel surcharges, and be prepared to to be flexible on dates if you want SAaver awards.