Inspired by
Raffles’ recent
article that identified interesting anomalies in Executive Club redemption pricing, whereby you can benefit from selecting your destination (or connections) that bring you very close to the edge of a distance band. So, I went forth and created a series of pricing band charts which illustrate the distance bands from a selection of origins, highlighting destinations located in the margins of each band. Indicated in green are the destinations that fall inside the distance band; those in red fall outside of the band. The coverage doesn’t reflect the full network, only those on the band margins.
For those in need of a recap, here is the current pricing table for standard (distance based) redemptions
Current rates for redemption flights
You will note that variable pricing applies to redemptions on British Airways, OpenSkies, and Iberia, dividing the calendar into peak and off-peak dates. For BA flights, peak rates generally apply to UK school holidays and the BAEC does appear to be reserving Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the year at the off-peak rate. There is now a separate tariff and calendar of peak/off peak dates for IB flights although BA and IB flights between LHR and MAD are charged per the BA flight table and calendar.
A 12 month forward view of BA and IB peak and off peak dates is published on BA.com. See
here and navigate to “Working out the cost”
Redemptions on
oneworld and partner airlines, including Flybe mainline (but excluding BE routes operated from London City) are priced at a single year round rates equivalent to BA's higher peak rates.
Important:
Redemption rates for travel on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and TAM will start at 7,500 Avios rather than 4,500 Avios, effectively pricing Distance Band 1 flights as Band 2.
Redemption rates for travel on American Airlines within the United States in First Class are calculated at Business Class providing the flight operates as a two class service
Certain routes such as LHR-LCA, LHR-JNB, LHR-CPT, LHR-MEX, LAX-HKG, and JFK-HKG have been adjusted at slightly lower rates than their true distance suggests. However, DUB-BOS on Aer Lingus is now priced as a Zone 5 redemption which is marginally greater than the true flight distance. BA's
Avios Calculator is the higher authority so we recommend you use it to check each flight.
Short haul redemption bands - origin London
The number of Avios displayed and applicable to each band are based on Peak rates
Long haul redemption bands - origin London
The number of Avios displayed and applicable to each band are based on Peak rates
Short haul redemption bands - origin Madrid
The number of Avios displayed and applicable to each band are based on Peak rates. Note, the redemption rates for Iberia flights differ slightly from the normal rates.
Long haul redemption bands - origin Madrid
The number of Avios displayed and applicable to each band are based on Peak rates
Long haul redemption bands - origin Dublin
Redemption bands - origin Doha
Redemption bands - origin Hong Kong
Redemption bands - origin Kuala Lumpur
Redemption bands - origin Tokyo
Redemption bands - origin Santiago
Redemption bands - origins DFW, MIA, NYC, and ORD
Finally, as many of us are using Avios to redeem on North American domestic flights, and since many of these trips involve connecting flights, the final series of diagrams illustrate the benefits some American Airlines hub have over others when planning your trip.
