Oneworld Options LHR-DUB?

[jamesatfish]

G'day all,

Now that Aer Lingus is no longer a oneworld partner, does anyone have any suggestions for getting from LHR - DUB to best take advantage of an AONE4 ticket (in terms of flight comfort and points / SC earn as a Qantas FF)?

The last time I flew into DUB was BWI-LHR with BA, then LHR-DUB on a BA codeshare with Aer Lingus - which earned me SCs and provided departures lounge access in LHR. That was before Aer Lingus left the alliance.

Currently I'm booked JFK-LHR on BA, then LHR-DUB on an Aer Lingus flight number, so I'm in economy and don't earn anything for the flight. Flying out of LGW isn't an option as I don't have time to make the ground transfer to Gatwick.

Does anyone know of another way to get to DUB that either/both earns Qantas SCs and lets me book in at least business class?

On a similar note, SeatGuru lists the AE planes as having a 'premier' class, but Qantas have booked me into economy (L) and ExpertFlyer doesn't list any ticket classes above Y. Has anyone flown LHR-DUB on AE recently who can shed some light as to what is going on?

Many thanks to all in advance for your advice.

 

[v8Statesman]

G'day all,

Now that Aer Lingus is no longer a oneworld partner, does anyone have any suggestions for getting from LHR - DUB to best take advantage of an AONE4 ticket (in terms of flight comfort and points / SC earn as a Qantas FF)?

The last time I flew into DUB was BWI-LHR with BA, then LHR-DUB on a BA codeshare with Aer Lingus - which earned me SCs and provided departures lounge access in LHR. That was before Aer Lingus left the alliance.

Currently I'm booked JFK-LHR on BA, then LHR-DUB on an Aer Lingus flight number, so I'm in economy and don't earn anything for the flight. Flying out of LGW isn't an option as I don't have time to make the ground transfer to Gatwick.

Does anyone know of another way to get to DUB that either/both earns Qantas SCs and lets me book in at least business class?

On a similar note, SeatGuru lists the AE planes as having a 'premier' class, but Qantas have booked me into economy (L) and ExpertFlyer doesn't list any ticket classes above Y. Has anyone flown LHR-DUB on AE recently who can shed some light as to what is going on?

Many thanks to all in advance for your advice.

Looking at oneworld - Home, the only flight to DUB that is marketed and operated by a OW carrier is from LGW.

 

[simongr]

You could fly LHR-BUD-DUB on Malev...

The LGW-DUB flights are mon-fri with a couple of mid week flights I think as well.

 

[jamesatfish]

Thanks to all for your replies - I will check out the LHR-BUD-DUB option today and see what that's like.

I'm still curious about the Aer Lingus planes themselves on the LHR-DUB route - does anyone know whether they are indeed 2 class or just economy?

Thanks again!

 

[simongr]

One class of service in EUR per the aerlingus website:

Aer Lingus - Inflight Service UK & Europe

 

[jamesatfish]

One class of service in EUR per the aerlingus website:

Aer Lingus - Inflight Service UK & Europe

Thanks - and yes I do feel embarassed that I didn't manage to find that site for myself...

 

[simongr]

That's ok - more interesting than assessing potential fraud risks at the moment

 

[Travel Guru]

That's ok - more interesting than assessing potential fraud risks at the moment

Speaking of which, whats with the waging a war on Corporate TA's Simon??

TG

 

[simongr]

I have yet to see value in Corp TAs - examples being FCM and Carlsson Wagonlit - both adding zero value to my various companies. I am trying to get people to push the Corp TAs to make travel both more enjoyable and more cost effective and also making travel part of the war of talent that we face.

I am fighting a losing battle against "perceptions" and people trying to save money fill their own bonuses - most of those people who get bonuses arent bean counters as well...

 

[Travel Guru]

I have yet to see value in Corp TAs - examples being FCM and Carlsson Wagonlit - both adding zero value to my various companies. I am trying to get people to push the Corp TAs to make travel both more enjoyable and more cost effective and also making travel part of the war of talent that we face.

I am fighting a losing battle against "perceptions" and people trying to save money fill their own bonuses - most of those people who get bonuses arent bean counters as well...

So are you suggesting companies (yours included) would find more value having inhouse staff book the travel themselves online?

TG

 

[simongr]

Yes - when you define value as either saving money directly by not being forced to ticket through QF, ensuring that the best option is considered for travel and the bookings are accurate. Give me a good corp TA and I will be happy - I just dont rate the three I have used.

 

[NM]

Yes - when you define value as either saving money directly by not being forced to ticket through QF, ensuring that the best option is considered for travel and the bookings are accurate. Give me a good corp TA and I will be happy - I just dont rate the three I have used.

Perhaps you need to seek further for a suitable corporate TA. My DONE4 is supposed to be issued today through AA by our corp TA. Now until I see the e-ticket receipt I will be a little sceptical as to whether they will actually complete the isue process via AA, but I have been told it should be done that way. They have done exactly what I have asked so far and I see the $99 service fee as value given that I don't have to climb through hoops to get it booked, issued and paid.

 

[simongr]

I am not part of the decision making process that determines our Corp TA. We have direction from some senior staff that they don't care what they do about our travel arrangements as long as they always fly on QF...

Fortunately due to my role and the funding of my travel I do not have to use our Corp TA and I am finding that my travel costs are below budget and over budget in miles travelled

In any future role I will just have to do what the Corp TA advises but I expect any future role will have a lot lss int'l travel and be just [frequent] domestic whY...

 

[NM]

In any future role I will just have to do what the Corp TA advises but I expect any future role will have a lot lss int'l travel and be just [frequent] domestic whY...

Well I can now confirm that our corp TA has successfully issued my DONE4 ticket via AA. Their usual process is to use QF, but they issued my ticket via AA just because I asked.

So applying 2 x eVIP during my transit at ADL today was very simple.

 

[simongr]

Good work NM. If I change jobs or Corp TA I will certainly update here and potentially update my sig.