oneWorld awards using Finnair points
May 26, 2014, 1:22 am
#1
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
oneWorld awards using Finnair points
When it comes to burning points I'm a rookie. Maybe the oneWorld forum would be a better place to ask but I'll try here first:
- Where to search for OW award availability? (is there an easy trick like joining a certain FF-program just for the searches, or is paid services the best option?)
- Any routes/airports/airlines to favour or avoid, when it comes to taxes/fees and such?
May 26, 2014, 1:52 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 517
I have used ba.com Executive Club "Using Avios" search engine for checking availability. Year ago I booked HKG-ORD-HKG in CX F for some 213 € + 300k AY+ points (cx.com priced the same flights for around 19 k€. 
). More lately booked EWR-HKG-SIN-HKG-JFK in CX J, 242 € + 220k AY+ points.
Not a "real" oneworld award combining several OW carriers but something else than AY anyway.
). More lately booked EWR-HKG-SIN-HKG-JFK in CX J, 242 € + 220k AY+ points.Not a "real" oneworld award combining several OW carriers but something else than AY anyway.
May 26, 2014, 3:57 am
#3
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,268
Various FF booking engines plus expertflyer should give you a pretty good picture what is available. Booking with AY is easiest over the phone, have you rough plan with optional routes/dates available and you should be fine.
You can also put the booking on hold for few days before ticketing so you can plan further / do changes.
You can also put the booking on hold for few days before ticketing so you can plan further / do changes.
May 27, 2014, 7:19 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,598
Another OW rookie here. Above quote sounds like value, being F, compared to AY J award of 200/250k? Sounds like spending AY J may not be the best value/points option after all? Well, I just wonder about ex-HEL anywhere. Looks like I gotta do some studying next time redeeming long-haul.
May 27, 2014, 11:20 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, OZ Diamond, LH Silver
Posts: 553
Another OW rookie here. Above quote sounds like value, being F, compared to AY J award of 200/250k? Sounds like spending AY J may not be the best value/points option after all? Well, I just wonder about ex-HEL anywhere. Looks like I gotta do some studying next time redeeming long-haul.
Jun 30, 2014, 2:51 pm
#7
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
So I have had a look at this, and expertflyer does not show award availability on JL, BA, CX or QR. QF and AA is included, but AA is not really helpful for my pattern and QF mostly connects with Emirates, so I guess it will be difficult to find awards from here to asia/australasia with expertflyer.
From comments above I understand BAEC can find availability on BA and CX at least?
And it does allow me to search from an empty BAEC account?
From comments above I understand BAEC can find availability on BA and CX at least?
And it does allow me to search from an empty BAEC account?
Jun 30, 2014, 9:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
Is it worth burning points on OW rewards if you can use them on AY upgrades, whose availability can be checked before making a booking and can be done to any econ fare, even the cheapest one?
On SQ for instance you cannot check availability beforehand and you can only upgrade from expensive econ fares.
Of course it's a different story if you need to fly on a route not operated by AY...
On SQ for instance you cannot check availability beforehand and you can only upgrade from expensive econ fares.
Of course it's a different story if you need to fly on a route not operated by AY...
Jul 1, 2014, 1:21 am
#10
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
Is it worth burning points on OW rewards if you can use them on AY upgrades, whose availability can be checked before making a booking and can be done to any econ fare, even the cheapest one?
On SQ for instance you cannot check availability beforehand and you can only upgrade from expensive econ fares.
Of course it's a different story if you need to fly on a route not operated by AY...
On SQ for instance you cannot check availability beforehand and you can only upgrade from expensive econ fares.
Of course it's a different story if you need to fly on a route not operated by AY...
I hope I'm wrong, but if Finnair is changing the rules, I need to prepare a different strategy.
Jul 27, 2014, 6:29 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,042
I want/need to burn some of my X.XXX.XXX AY points, and I seek over and over again (on ba.com), just I don t find any awards in the next 12 month to an destination of my choice (US West Coast, Australia, South Africa or Buenos Aires). Can anybody point me the way?
Jul 27, 2014, 12:44 pm
#13
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,294
Jul 27, 2014, 1:17 pm
#14
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
So I'm doing +1 on Ed's question and asking where to search for avilability? (when expertflyer and ba.com is ruled out as per above)
Jul 27, 2014, 2:50 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CPH (Swedish side)
Programs: PC Platinum, Club Carlson Gold, GHA Black, A-Club Platinum, Hilton Silver, SPG Gold, Rica Gold, EBB
Posts: 194
Cx award with finnair plus points
Does anyone know how many Finnair plus points is needed to book a trip hong Kong- Taipei in first.
In avios it's 14500 avios one way.
Thanks!
In avios it's 14500 avios one way.
Thanks!