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40,000 points · 3 months timeline

How to Visit Dublin, Ireland for Free with Credit Card Points

Quick Answer

Flying to Dublin, Ireland costs 40,000 points for economy or 110,000 points for business class (round-trip). The best route is Aer Lingus via BA Avios. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (60,000 bonus after $4,000 in 3 months) and reach your goal in 3 months.

Point Cost Breakdown

CategoryPoints RequiredEst. Cash ValueBest Program
Flights (Economy RT)40,000$700–$1000Aer Lingus via BA Avios
Flights (Business RT)110,000$2800+Aer Lingus via BA Avios
Hotels (per night)15,000$200–$400HYATT (Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin)

Fastest Path: 3 months to Dublin, Ireland

Timeline: 3 months
  1. 1Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and spend $4,000 in 3 months to earn 60,000 bonus points
  2. 2Transfer your points to British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
  3. 3Search for award space on Aer Lingus via BA Avios
  4. 4Book your flights — 40,000 points for economy RT, 110,000 for business class
  5. 5Book Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin using HYATT points (15,000 points/night)

Why Chase Sapphire Preferred + BA Avios Is the Best Route

British Airways Executive Club uses a distance-based award chart, which makes it highly efficient for short-to-medium transatlantic routes. Dublin, Ireland falls into a distance zone that makes BA Avios one of the cheapest ways to get there from the US. Avios transfer from Chase, Amex, and Capital One, and the program books flights on both British Airways and its partner Aer Lingus for Ireland-bound travel.

BA Avios bookings work through the British Airways website under 'Reward Flights'. The distance-based chart means the shorter the flight, the fewer Avios needed. For US-Dublin, Ireland travel, book off-peak dates (January–March, October–November) when Avios rates drop by 10–20%. Important caveat: British Airways charges fuel surcharges on long-haul flights, sometimes adding $200–$400 even on award bookings. If surcharges feel high, compare with American Airlines AAdvantage (transfers from Citi and Barclay), which often books the same BA flights with lower fees.

The bottom line: Dublin, Ireland requires approximately 40,000 points for economy or 110,000 for business class. With Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (60,000 bonus points), you can reach this goal in 3 months. The points value delivered — compared to cash fares of $600–$1000+ for economy — makes this one of the most powerful travel strategies available.

Where to Stay Free in Dublin, Ireland

Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin

HYATT · Best hotel redemption in Dublin, Ireland

15,000 pts
per night

Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin offers an exceptional points redemption in Dublin, Ireland. At 15,000 HYATT points per night, you're getting outstanding value compared to cash rates in the area. Hyatt Centric is a great value at 12-15K/night. Central location. Transfer your credit card points to HYATT and book directly at hyatt.com — award availability for most properties in Dublin, Ireland is generally strong outside peak holiday periods.

Book Hyatt Centric The Liberties DublinRedeem HYATTpoints →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need to fly to Dublin for free?

A round-trip economy flight to Dublin (DUB) costs approximately 40,000 British Airways Avios — one of the most affordable transatlantic destinations. Aer Lingus is part of the IAG group (same as BA), so BA Avios books Aer Lingus nonstop flights from multiple US cities at competitive rates.

What's the best credit card for Dublin flights?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred (60,000-point bonus) is ideal for Dublin — the 60K bonus far exceeds the 40,000 needed, giving you surplus for hotels. Transfer to British Airways Executive Club, then book Aer Lingus. Off-peak (January–March, October–November) can be as low as 26,000 Avios round-trip.

How do I book Aer Lingus flights with BA Avios?

Transfer Chase points to British Airways Executive Club, then search for Aer Lingus flights at britishairways.com/exec-club using 'Reward Flight Finder'. Filter for Aer Lingus-operated flights to DUB. Aer Lingus nonstop US service departs from JFK, BOS, ORD, LAX, and other major hubs.

Is Dublin worth the 40,000 points or should I pay cash?

Dublin is one of the better transatlantic point values. Economy cash fares run $400–$700, giving 1–1.75¢ per point — decent but not exceptional. The real value: Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin at 12,000–15,000 points/night saves $150–$300/night in a central location. Combining flight and hotel points saves $700–$1,000+ total.

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