I'm considering using FFmiles to get from MSP to AMS in June, but ultimately want to get to LUX. All inexpensive flights seem to route from AMS through London City to Lux via Air France. Is anyone familiar with this route? Trying to balance number of travel legs vs $$. Ultimately will be leaving from AMS to MSP in July. Any thoughts on getting to LUX? Thanks.

How about train from AMS?

Is there some reason you can't just do an open jaw award? MSP-xAMS-LUX//AMS-MSP? Then train, car or bus back to AMS from Luxembourg.

How about train from FRA or BRU?

Northwest miles? Travelocity shows MSP-CDG-LUX on NW and AF. Also MSP-AMS-LUX on NW and KLM.

When last I tried this, getting a train from Amsterdam to Luxembourg took about as long as crossing the Atlantic and meant changing (trains AND, using stairs, platforms) at Maastricht and Liege. From Schiphol, you'd need to change at Amsterdam Central too.

From both central Brussels and Frankfurt there were direct trains to Luxembourg - but from their airports, you need to get a train into town to change onto the inter-city train. Luxembourg's not terribly well served with trains or buses: most people fly, or drive themselves (or, if our political masters, get themselves driven)

So a plane connection via LCY - as long as it's at a time of year Luxembourg airport's not going to be fogbound (its favourite winter hobby) is probably a great deal less hassle than getting a train.

Since the UK's not in Schengen, you go through immigration only when you finally get to Luxembourg. Since there's currently extraordinary overcapacity between LCY and LUX, a delayed flight means little and LCY is overwhelmingly the most civilised airport in any major city.

Because AF/KLM have far more capacity between LCY and LUX than between CDG or AMS and LUX, the likelihood is they're putting low-yield travellers onto that link. I'd take it: two hours in Schiphol and LCY (though minimum connect time at LCY is about 15 mins, even with checked baggage) beat an hour in CDG or FRA any day of the week.

KLM flies non-stop between Amsterdam and Luxembourg. A one-way ticket is indeed expensive, but a round-trip ticket can be had for about €210.

Thanks to all for your replies. The train, while usually my most preferred option, seemed to have the potential whch flanneruk confirmed. And I'm just short of enough miles to do the MSP-AMS-LUX route. However, all this has pointed me in a new direction of flying into LHR instead of AMS and then catching an inexpensive flight out of LCY. My ears perked up at the description of LCY as a civilised airport.

Also thanks to rizzuto for reminding that a round trip can be less expensive than a one way. It's easy to forget that.

Still trying to figure out the grand mix and will look into all these suggestions. I'm trying to plug into spouse's bike tour itinerary. His flights are booked , but his route is still in flux so much is up in the air.

Thanks again, Lynnement

"new direction of flying into LHR instead of AMS and then catching an inexpensive flight out of LCY"

Eh??

If you want to spend time in London, fine. But getting from LHR to LCY is a two-hour, two changes, cross-conurbation tube trip. And that's AFTER you've got yourself through immigration and waited for your bags.

And don't rely on one-off flights out of LCY to be cheap. LCY's role in life is as a premium-priced airport for premium-priced flights: 100 yds from car park to plane and 10 min checkin times for international flights don't come cheap. There's always going to be exceptions - but generally expect to pay a lot more to AMS from LCY than from any other UK airport.

<i>And I'm just short of enough miles to do the MSP-AMS-LUX route.</i>

Are we talking about Delta/NW miles? Or are you talking about two awards, MSP-AMS followed by AMS-LUX? Usually awards are set up to cover anywhere in the USA (or North America) to anywhere in Europe, including destinations requiring transfers on either side of the Atlantic, so changing planes at AMS shouldn't add to the mileage requirement.

If you're short even so, have a look at buying some miles from the relevant airline; it may work out cheaper than trains, cars, extra days, etc.