I am currently at the Residence Inn Chicago O’Hare hotel property, as I am starting my $200 round trip fare to Ireland from Chicago O’Hare International Airport via Delta Air Lines through a reservation with Air France.
Starting My $200 Round Trip Fare to Ireland From Chicago
Positioning myself from Atlanta was not difficult. I paid a total of $44.96 round trip between Atlanta and Chicago on Frontier Airlines. Because I took advantage of a deal last year of obtaining what was then known as Frontier Elite 20K Status for only $80.00, I was able to get a seat near the front of the airplane with extra leg room, a seat assignment, and no worrying about the bags I was carrying aboard the airplane with me. I eventually received an offer to upgrade further to the elite status I currently have, which is Elite Platinum Status with Frontier Airlines.
The suite at the hotel property cost me a total of $134.52 to stay overnight because I had no idea if the flight that was operated by Frontier Airlines would be on time; so I traveled the night before the trip to Dublin. At first, no rooms were available when I arrived at the hotel property — except for a room with no climate control but a window was open — but they managed to find a room for me after all.
This means that including positioning myself from Atlanta to Chicago, the total cost of the flights and the hotel room is $379.48, which includes all taxes and fees. That is not a bad deal considering that I am also earning miles and points…
…and this stay also assured me that I will have Gold Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy membership program through February of 2026.
I stopped off with my Priority Pass card at The Club ATL airport lounge in Atlanta. I was expecting the same old tired offerings that they usually have had year after year — but the experience was worse than ever. First, I was placed on a wait list and waited approximately 35 minutes before I was invited in to the lounge. Then, the food offerings were abysmal: Greek inspired pasta with a load of unnecessary green peppers, Georgia chicken pasta that looked like an Alfredo gone wrong; canned peaches; watermelon chunks; sandwiches with cold cuts and mayonnaise; vegetable soup, salad greens and carrots with two choices of dressings; and assorted snacks. Neither bread nor rolls were available; and no crackers were available for the soup. None of this bizarre selection of food really went well with each other or anything else.
The flight that was operated by Frontier Airlines did generally depart on time. After the airplane landed, it cruised the airport for 21 minutes before finally arriving at gate M40 in Chicago.
M40. That was the furthest gate possible in Terminal 5. I must have walked at least a mile with no exaggeration. Despite very few airplanes departing at the hour when I arrived, the moving walkways operated in the opposite direction. How efficient. Oh, well — I could always use the exercise.
Final Boarding Call
Although this trip did not start off perfectly, it could have been much worse. I am grateful for having what I need to help this trip be easier for me.
How I found out about the $200.00 round-trip airfare between Chicago and Dublin was through my Premium membership with Thrifty Traveler, as they sent a text to me that read the following:
TT Mistake Fare: Dublin for $200 or less RT! Wide-open from Chicago Sept-Oct, limited from MSP in June. Search on AirFrance.com, book ASAP! Email to follow.
Unfortunately, this airfare is no longer available, as it did not last long — but you may want to consider subscribing as a member of Thrifty Traveler to be advised of future offers that may appeal to you…
All photographs ©2017 and ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
