Aer Lingus Adding 2 New Nonstop Routes to Dublin, and Award Tickets Are Just 26,000 Avios Points Round-Trip!
Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.
Aer Lingus has announced they’re adding nonstop flights from Minneapolis and Montreal to Dublin in August 2019. This is great news for folks living in or near these cities looking for cheap award flights to Ireland. Or for another option to fly to Europe for less!
This is because BOTH of these cities fall into Aer Lingus’ award chart sweet spot. And you might have access to Aer Lingus Avios points without even realizing it. I’ll explain!
Because Aer Lingus’ award chart is distance based, the price you pay for an award ticket is tied to the distance flown per segment. For flights between 3,001 and 4,000 miles, you’ll pay just 13,000 Avios points one-way in coach (26,000 Avios points round-trip)!
And British Airways uses Aer Lingus award chart prices for flights operated by Aer Lingus, even when using British Airways (not Aer Lingus!) Avios points for a ticket.
The flight distance from Montreal to Dublin is ~2,970 miles and between Minneapolis and Dublin, it’s ~3,728 miles.
What does that mean? That means it will only cost you 26,000 British Airways Avios points to fly round-trip from these cities to Dublin!
Even though Montreal to Dublin is technically under 3,000 miles, according to the Aer Lingus award chart, you’ll still be charged 13,000 Avios each way.
Update: Even though the Aer Lingus website shows Montreal listed as Zone 5 (13,000 Avios one-way to Dublin) , you can currently book it at Zone 4 prices (12,500 Avios one-way). It looks like Aer Lingus plans to add it (like Boston) to Zone 5 even though it is under 3,000 miles, but they just haven’t updated their systems. So you should be able to book at the discounted rate, for now. I wouldn’t expect this to last long.Avios points are easy to earn because you can transfer points from flexible points programs, like American Express Membership Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards to British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus Avios points!
You can check out this guide on how to transfer Avios points between your Avios points earning accounts. And if you have other plans to use British Airways Avios points in the near future, don’t forget the 40% transfer bonus you’ll get when you transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to British Airways Avios right now!
To stay on top of the latest travel news, sign up for our email newsletter!
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
$179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.
Intro APR on purchases
N/A
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Annual Fee
$695
Balance Transfer Fee
N/A
Rates & Fees
Other
MORE INFO
Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)
Join the Discussion!