Advice about using frequent flier miles for flight to Croatia
Jul 29th, 2010, 01:25 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Advice about using frequent flier miles for flight to Croatia
Hello Fodorites!
I have been planning a trip to Croatia for early May 2011 - was planning primarily to see Dubrovnik, Split and Plitvice, although we are flexible. I had hoped to use frequent flier miles (American Airlines predominantly) and they have absolutely NOTHING to offer me.
I could get ONE flight into Split with several connections and that's it. I was hoping to do an open jaw trip in Zagreb or Split and out of Dubrovnik or visa versa and can't believe I cannot find a darn connection on frequent flier miles that will accommodate me. We have other airline miles too. Do you have any advice in this regard? Is driving from Budapest a bear? If I have to BUY a ticket, I suppose I can do that, but don't want 4 flights to get there from Cincinnati!
Thanks in advance for your insight!
Allison
I have been planning a trip to Croatia for early May 2011 - was planning primarily to see Dubrovnik, Split and Plitvice, although we are flexible. I had hoped to use frequent flier miles (American Airlines predominantly) and they have absolutely NOTHING to offer me.
I could get ONE flight into Split with several connections and that's it. I was hoping to do an open jaw trip in Zagreb or Split and out of Dubrovnik or visa versa and can't believe I cannot find a darn connection on frequent flier miles that will accommodate me. We have other airline miles too. Do you have any advice in this regard? Is driving from Budapest a bear? If I have to BUY a ticket, I suppose I can do that, but don't want 4 flights to get there from Cincinnati!
Thanks in advance for your insight!
Allison
Jul 29th, 2010, 01:53 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,996
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For AA miles on partners check www.oneworld.com, or use a search engine such as www.kayak.com and then click on oneworld alliance when your results come back. You cannot book partner award these trips online, but rather must call up the airline directly.
I'm guessing your best bet may be BA from London to Croatia, and AA from the US to London. Unfortunately the AA/BA joint agreement isn't yet in place which limits your options across the pond. (You can't fly BA metal using AA miles right now). My guess is you'll have to piece together a route CVG - ORD - London - Croatia, or via JFK, then call up AA to try to book with miles.
OneWorld definitely is NOT as strong to Europe as the Star Alliance.
I'm guessing your best bet may be BA from London to Croatia, and AA from the US to London. Unfortunately the AA/BA joint agreement isn't yet in place which limits your options across the pond. (You can't fly BA metal using AA miles right now). My guess is you'll have to piece together a route CVG - ORD - London - Croatia, or via JFK, then call up AA to try to book with miles.
OneWorld definitely is NOT as strong to Europe as the Star Alliance.
Jul 29th, 2010, 01:57 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, I would use AA to get to Europe and use easyJet or BA to fly between them. London is a convenient hub for that, but of course that may require you to overnight one way in London. On the upside, easyJet has very cheap flights from the UK to Croatia, and if you book them early you can get fantastic prices. BA sometimes has competitive fares too.
Jul 29th, 2010, 02:03 PM
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA flies from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik. Most flights from the US to the UK go into Heathrow.
I suggest looking at www.whichbudget.com, with the idea of using your FF miles to someplace like London, Paris, Rome. Then paying for a budget airline flight to and from Croatia. For example, Easyjet flies to Dubrovnik and Split from Rome FCO.
I suggest looking at www.whichbudget.com, with the idea of using your FF miles to someplace like London, Paris, Rome. Then paying for a budget airline flight to and from Croatia. For example, Easyjet flies to Dubrovnik and Split from Rome FCO.
Jul 29th, 2010, 02:07 PM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,996
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looking at the oneworld route map, it looks like the only OneWorld flights to Split are from Budapest, and to/from Dubrovnik & Barcelona and London.
You could piece to together a route to DBV on AA/BA through London, or Iberia through Spain.
Split or Zagreb on Malev would require you to go through Budapest, and I don't think Malev flies to the US.
You could piece to together a route to DBV on AA/BA through London, or Iberia through Spain.
Split or Zagreb on Malev would require you to go through Budapest, and I don't think Malev flies to the US.
Jul 29th, 2010, 02:18 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You guys are unbelievable! I just posted my inquiry a few minutes ago and I get 4 instant and great responses. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
I checked kayak.com and r/t flights into Zagreb or Split and out of Dubrovnik are about $950 USD per person, which is pretty good. From the perspective of renting a car, is there an advantage to flying into Zagreb vs. Split?
I checked kayak.com and r/t flights into Zagreb or Split and out of Dubrovnik are about $950 USD per person, which is pretty good. From the perspective of renting a car, is there an advantage to flying into Zagreb vs. Split?
Jul 29th, 2010, 02:39 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I rented a car in Zagreb last fall but not at the airport. I drove from Zagreb via Plitvice Lakes on past Split to Mostar, BiH, then dropped the car in Dubrovnik. Rented from Auto Europe (who used the company called Sixt for the car) which required a three day minimum rental to be able to drop the car as a one-way rental in Dubrovnik.
I'd just check out renting the car in Zagreb vs. Split on Kayak and on Auto Europe's website and see if there's a huge difference in price. Somehow I doubt it. I wouldn't fly to Zagreb unless you really want to start there, though, anyway.
FYI, it can be fairly inexpensive to fly between Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb via Croatia Airlines if that helps you out at all.
I'd just check out renting the car in Zagreb vs. Split on Kayak and on Auto Europe's website and see if there's a huge difference in price. Somehow I doubt it. I wouldn't fly to Zagreb unless you really want to start there, though, anyway.
FYI, it can be fairly inexpensive to fly between Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb via Croatia Airlines if that helps you out at all.
Aug 2nd, 2010, 07:55 AM
#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try looking for prices at www.itasoftware.com you can include a month-long view if you wish.
and yet another "budget" flight sight is www.skyscanner.net
and yet another "budget" flight sight is www.skyscanner.net
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MaggieOB
Air Travel
9
Jun 2nd, 2009 02:53 PM
