Nov 17, 2012, 4:33 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
i Preface
If you are new to the British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) or a long term member but have not booked a redemption flight since the programme's relaunch in 2011, you may have realised by now that planning an Avios redemption calls for a shift in mindset, especially to those more used to redeeming miles for flights with North American frequent flyer programmes.
The purpose of this thread is to introduce you to how the BAEC works in terms of spending Avios and to share some tips will will assist you during the planning and booking stages. We'll also cover the options available to you, so you can make an informed decision on how best to maximise your Avios Points.
If you are seeking guidance on the changes to the Executive Club in relation to the programme's 2011 relaunch, the Q&A discussion serves as a very useful reference point.
The purpose of this thread is to introduce you to how the BAEC works in terms of spending Avios and to share some tips will will assist you during the planning and booking stages. We'll also cover the options available to you, so you can make an informed decision on how best to maximise your Avios Points.
If you are seeking guidance on the changes to the Executive Club in relation to the programme's 2011 relaunch, the Q&A discussion serves as a very useful reference point.
ii Contents
Introduction
Standard reward flights
Multi-Partner reward flights
Reward Flight Saver
Avios & Money
Upgrading using Avios
Using your companion vouchers
Additional Gold benefits
Hotel and car rental redemptions
Avios Part Payment
Standard reward flights
Multi-Partner reward flights
Reward Flight Saver
Avios & Money
Upgrading using Avios
Using your companion vouchers
Additional Gold benefits
Hotel and car rental redemptions
Avios Part Payment
iii Acknowledgments
This guide is a collaborative effort, and could not have been produced without the kind contributions from corporate-wage-slave, DWFI, LTN Phobia, Petrus, Prospero, and Stez.
Your guide to spending Avios [Beta]
Nov 22, 2012, 10:07 pm
#151
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
It won't let you register with a UK address, and it will try to charge you if you have an Australia/NZ address unless things changed recently.
Although with the earn rate, perhaps not.
Nov 25, 2012, 7:05 am
#152
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Gold, plat, diamond and more
Posts: 3,360
Nov 29, 2012, 4:20 am
#153
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 360
Just a quick question - I'm fairly sure I've read in the small print somewhere that you must carry your BAEC card when checkin-in for a redemption booking. Is this correct?
Whilst I have made plenty of flights on BA in the past, I rather naďvely didn't think that the miles/Avios we were worth collecting.
I've only started collecting this year, and I've made my first redemption through the Amex sign-up bonus. I guess if it's a necessity to have a card then I'll need to make a flight on BA somewhere before next May, when my redemption ticket is for.
Whilst I have made plenty of flights on BA in the past, I rather naďvely didn't think that the miles/Avios we were worth collecting.
I've only started collecting this year, and I've made my first redemption through the Amex sign-up bonus. I guess if it's a necessity to have a card then I'll need to make a flight on BA somewhere before next May, when my redemption ticket is for.
Nov 29, 2012, 5:44 am
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
However it is always good to carry your BAEC card for lounge access at certain airports.
Nov 29, 2012, 11:26 am
#155
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Creating your own personal map should be easy to do. Using a background map, plot your origin and three independent locations of equal distance from the origin. Then join the three dots with a circle. Well, that's the theory. In practice, longitudinal extremes do tend to warp the circle into an ellipse (taking into account the Earth's curvature).
Nov 29, 2012, 2:47 pm
#156
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 21
Question and maybe the answer is worth adding to the FAQ, is there any difference in booking 2 x single flights or one return when using Avios? I am looking to take my family away over Xmas next year, so with the flights being released 355 days in advance, it would make sense to book outward in Dec 2012, and return in Jan 2013.
Unless it is going to cost me more Avios
Thanks,
Greg
Unless it is going to cost me more Avios
Thanks,
Greg
Nov 29, 2012, 3:13 pm
#157
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Her Majesty's United Kingdom
Programs: BA Gold, BA Lounge Rats, BA Audit Survivors, CW Kitchen Defender, CX Noodle Connoisseurs Club
Posts: 5,955
Question and maybe the answer is worth adding to the FAQ, is there any difference in booking 2 x single flights or one return when using Avios? I am looking to take my family away over Xmas next year, so with the flights being released 355 days in advance, it would make sense to book outward in Dec 2012, and return in Jan 2013.
Unless it is going to cost me more Avios
Thanks,
Greg
Unless it is going to cost me more Avios
Thanks,
Greg
) so it's actually better to book 2 x 1 ways if you can, although that means you can't use a 241 voucher for both legs.For non reward flight saver redemptions, there may or may not be a slight increase in total taxes for 2x1 ways, check this before you book.
Nov 29, 2012, 4:03 pm
#158
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Question and maybe the answer is worth adding to the FAQ, is there any difference in booking 2 x single flights or one return when using Avios? I am looking to take my family away over Xmas next year, so with the flights being released 355 days in advance, it would make sense to book outward in Dec 2012, and return in Jan 2013.
Unless it is going to cost me more Avios
Thanks,
Greg
Unless it is going to cost me more Avios
Thanks,
Greg
Nov 29, 2012, 4:08 pm
#159
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 21
Hmm, ok, the plan is Manchester to Melbourne, but may have to settle with Sydney due to the Qantas alliance ending....
Nov 29, 2012, 4:53 pm
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Another difference, I think, is in the cost of changing or cancelling. You could pay double if you hold twice as many tickets because you've booked them as one-ways.
Nov 30, 2012, 2:28 am
#161
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wellington, NZ
Programs: NZ *Gold
Posts: 1,371
AFAIAA, Qantas have not said they are withdrawing from Oneworld, just the joint business venture with BA on the LHR to SYD route. It is still possible to book MEL with Avios
Nov 30, 2012, 5:50 am
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,209
Dec 4, 2012, 1:14 am
#163
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chicago IL
Programs: Aeroplan Elite; SPG Platinum; MR Gold
Posts: 50
Help - can't select more than 2 passengers
I have an Avios household account but when I click on “Spend Avios” and try to do an award booking search for 3 pax, it only lets me check up to 2 passengers (the 2 in my household). How can I search for 3 pax? Is this a bug in the BA user interface? Does anyone know a workaround for this (other than logging in under a different Avios account)?
Also — are all of the household Avios available to be spent automatically? Right now it is calculating as if I can only spend my Avios even though it is showing me the total household Avios information.
Also — are all of the household Avios available to be spent automatically? Right now it is calculating as if I can only spend my Avios even though it is showing me the total household Avios information.
Dec 4, 2012, 4:04 am
#164
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,327
I have an Avios household account but when I click on “Spend Avios” and try to do an award booking search for 3 pax, it only lets me check up to 2 passengers (the 2 in my household). How can I search for 3 pax? Is this a bug in the BA user interface? Does anyone know a workaround for this (other than logging in under a different Avios account)?
Also — are all of the household Avios available to be spent automatically? Right now it is calculating as if I can only spend my Avios even though it is showing me the total household Avios information.
Also — are all of the household Avios available to be spent automatically? Right now it is calculating as if I can only spend my Avios even though it is showing me the total household Avios information.
You'll have to add anyone you're looking to make a redemption booking for to your HHA.
Dec 4, 2012, 5:49 am
#165
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
If I will create a household account and want to discontinue it and separate all travelers, will it be possible?