Aug 13, 2014, 4:37 pm
Last edit by: beltway
With US joining OneWorld in early 2014, British Airways' mileage currency (Avios) offer a potentially advantageous option for redeeming for award tickets, especially on shorter flights.
What are the relevant characteristics/rules for redeeming Avios?
What are the mileage bands in the Avios award chart?
The full chart for redemptions until April 28, 2015 can be found here. Starting April 28, 2015, a new chart will apply.
One enterprising blogger has created interactive maps showing potential destinations reachable on US in each of the mileage bands from DCA, PHL, CLT, and PHX.
What's an example of Avios being better than booking an award on US using Dividend Miles?
Credit: Much of this wiki is based on post #1 by SanDiego1K.
What are the relevant characteristics/rules for redeeming Avios?
- Avios is charged per individual flight segment. The cost for a single connecting itinerary AAA-BBB-CCC is the same as the cost of two separate tickets for travel AAA-BBB & BBB-CCC.
- Avios uses a distance-based chart. (See below.)
- First-class travel costs 3x as many Avios as coach. Unfortunately, this generally makes domestic F redemption unattractive with Avios. In general, US front-cabin seats are treated as first-class for purposes of Avios redemption.
- Effective April 28, 2015, first-class awards will cost 4x the coach award price.
- Business class travel costs 2x Avios. Some North American airlines consider the front cabin to be business for Mexico and Central America routes.
- Effective April 28, 2015, business-class awards for segments >2000 miles long will cost 3x the coach award price.
- You can redeem one-way awards with Avios.
- Avios is region-agnostic. (That is, a given distance costs the same regardless of whether it traverses one or more world regions.) Thus, Avios can provide great value when flying to Hawaii for those who fly coach and can do so in one segment.
- There is no ticketing fee for online booking. If you call instead of booking online, there is a $25 ticketing fee. (Some people have success in getting this fee waived when an itinerary cannot be booked online, making a phone call unavoidable.)
- There is no close-in ticketing fee.
- BA charges $55 to cancel or change a ticket. However, if you cancel online, your cost is capped at the amount of taxes/TSA fees paid; for domestic itineraries on US, this will normally be much less than $55. (This workaround does not apply to changing a ticket online, which will incur the full $55 fee.) You must cancel one day in advance to get the Avios redeposited.
- 1-650 mile flight: 4,500 Avios
- 651-1151 mile flight: 7,500 Avios
- 1152-2000 mile flight: 10,000 Avios
- 2001-3000 mile flight: 12,500 Avios
The full chart for redemptions until April 28, 2015 can be found here. Starting April 28, 2015, a new chart will apply.
One enterprising blogger has created interactive maps showing potential destinations reachable on US in each of the mileage bands from DCA, PHL, CLT, and PHX.
Consider the cost to fly from San Diego to Phoenix, a route under 400 miles. US charges 25K miles R/T, plus $38 (includes $25 ticketing fee), plus a $75 close-in fee for any booking within 14 days of departure. BA will charge 9,000 Avios R/T plus the TSA security fee.
If you live in a gateway city and can fly to Hawaii nonstop, investigate whether booking with Avios is more attractive. Example:
PHX-HNL is 2917 miles. A R/T with Avios is 25K miles (12,500 each way). A R/T with US is 40K miles.
What's the process for redeeming Avios?If you live in a gateway city and can fly to Hawaii nonstop, investigate whether booking with Avios is more attractive. Example:
PHX-HNL is 2917 miles. A R/T with Avios is 25K miles (12,500 each way). A R/T with US is 40K miles.
Go to the Avios award search page; log in; and enter your desired itinerary.
Great! That sounds easy! What's the catch?Unfortunately, there are several practical restrictions on redeeming Avios for domestic travel on US, especially when attempting to book online.
OK, I managed to make an award booking despite all these pitfalls. How do I get my US FF# into the reservation in order to enjoy my US elite benefits?- Most importantly, US "low/saver" awards must be available. (You can confirm award availability at the lowest level by searching on the US site directly or by using a third-party service such as Expert Flyer.)
- The BA search tool cannot generate partner itineraries that include more than one connection. (You can still book each segment as an individual ticket, although doing so will create problems if you wish to check luggage all the way through and/or if you miss a connection owing to flight delays.)
- Even where US has low-level award availability, the Avios search tool will often fail to display it. This is especially true on routes with numerous flights in a single day (such as the DCA-LGA, LGA-BOS & DCA-BOS shuttles), but occurs regularly on numerous routes. There is no workaround except calling BA reservations.
- Recommendation: Always search for one-way awards. The BA search tool is known to display no availability in either direction on round-trip searches when awards are in fact available in one direction but not the other.
- The BA search engine will accept metropolitan area pseudo-codes (WAS, LON, PAR, NYC, etc.) as well as individual airport codes. For better results, try both (e.g., DCA, BWI & IAD as well as WAS).
The American Airlines Twitter team (@AmericanAir) can modify a reservation to enter your US or AA FF#.
Several FTers also report success using the Finnair website ("Choose manage booking and put in your BA confirmation code"). However, this method allows the FF# on a given itinerary to be changed only once; it will not allow subsequent changes.
I want to change my seat but the BA site never gave me a US record locator. What's the solution?Several FTers also report success using the Finnair website ("Choose manage booking and put in your BA confirmation code"). However, this method allows the FF# on a given itinerary to be changed only once; it will not allow subsequent changes.
Look up your reservation on the US site using the BA record locator.
How can I accumulate Avios?- Fly British Airways.
- Credit OneWorld flights to British Airways.
- Open a Chase British Airways credit card, ideally with a generous sign up bonus.
- Move Chase Ultimate Reward points (CSP, Ink Plus, Ink Bold) to your BA account.
- Move AMEX Membership Rewards points to your BA account, preferably during the 2-3 times a year when a bonus is offered.
- Move SPG points to your BA account. 20K SPG points yields 25K BA Avios, and bonuses have been offered once a year.
- Form a household account (see BA forum for discussion) so that miles can be pooled.
US Airways Award Bookings Using BA Avios, as low as 4,500 Avios one way
Mar 31, 2014, 12:17 pm
#16
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That is my experience as well; US has some last minute availability during slack periods (read: hard to fill up planes), primarily because they can ding folks with the usual fees AND a $75 fee on last-minute awards, which, in conjunction with taking 25,000 miles off the books, is better than an empty seat... but it's not like you're going to be seeing loads of availability. Those studies that show that US doesn't release a lot of award availability are flawed in a number of ways, but they do get that right.
So I think you have to look at Avios-US Airways as a "special treat" when you can find something that works for you, instead of a really-terrific-hop-on-a-plane-for-cheap-whenever-I-want-to opportunity. Sad, but that's what it is, except for those who are uber flexible in their travel plans.
Mar 31, 2014, 12:39 pm
#17
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I cede short haul availability knowledge to those who have posted. Still, the ability to book one way awards with BA is advantageous. I often book one way awards on one carrier and return on another. Or sometimes, I can't find an award one way so I pay one way and book the other.
Mar 31, 2014, 12:50 pm
#18
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I cede short haul availability knowledge to those who have posted. Still, the ability to book one way awards with BA is advantageous. I often book one way awards on one carrier and return on another. Or sometimes, I can't find an award one way so I pay one way and book the other.
Sadly, paying for one direction is rarely a good idea on US short haul routes unless you absolutely have to be at the destination and would otherwise have to pay the regular fare in both directions. US's one way short haul prices these days tend to be, um, "sky high," so having to pay one way will still likely dissuade you from short haul discretionary travel.
Mar 31, 2014, 1:32 pm
#19
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BA also runs 20% bonuses on transferring in hotel points, maybe once or twice a year. During these periods, 20,000 Starpoints = 31,250 Avios.
I've been looking at flights from several different markets and my observation is that it's a real PITA to find availability in both directions. If you're VERY flexible -- aka, retired, and you can fly anytime you want -- you'll find this a terrific opportunity. If you're trying to get away for the weekend, you'll undoubtedly be annoyed. If you find something you can use, take it -- because it's not going to be like you can hop on a plane anytime you want.
Last edited by paytonc; Mar 31, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Mar 31, 2014, 3:15 pm
#20
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http://www.britishairways.com/travel...s/public/en_us is the link and http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/...ing-avios.html is the earning chart. It seems there is no catch?
Mar 31, 2014, 3:29 pm
#21
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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I imagine you will all smile at the effusiveness of this, but over on the BA board we have a thread on using US Airways for BA passengers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...lub-guide.html
One other advantage of being at least oneworld Sapphire (BA Silver, equivalent the DM Gold/Platinum) is that you can then use US Airways Clubs on purely domestic flying in Economy.
Greetings to US Airways Flyers, welcome to oneworld.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...lub-guide.html
One other advantage of being at least oneworld Sapphire (BA Silver, equivalent the DM Gold/Platinum) is that you can then use US Airways Clubs on purely domestic flying in Economy.
Greetings to US Airways Flyers, welcome to oneworld.
Mar 31, 2014, 3:40 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2011
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I started this thread a few weeks ago when I saw that the big problem in using this otherwise terrific deal would be availability:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...ard-seats.html
I'm not sure we really need 2 threads on what will inevitably lead to the same discussion: the benefit is great, but good luck finding seats -- especially since you really need nonstop flights to make the Avios redemption worthwhile.
I've been looking at flights from several different markets and my observation is that it's a real PITA to find availability in both directions. If you're VERY flexible -- aka, retired, and you can fly anytime you want -- you'll find this a terrific opportunity. If you're trying to get away for the weekend, you'll undoubtedly be annoyed. If you find something you can use, take it -- because it's not going to be like you can hop on a plane anytime you want.
So far, my limited observation is that they don't load many additional seats. Like there's a 50-seat flight I've been looking at for this Friday that's still 1/3rd empty, but no additional award seats have been made available.
And then there are times when it will be essentially impossible to find award seats. Like good luck using Avios to get away for the Memorial Day weekend. I must have looked at 2 dozen routes, and just gave up. Of course, given that the US airline industry has become an oligopoly, it's not surprising that they want to sell all their seats at peak time (and CAN sell these seats), leaving zero for award travel.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...ard-seats.html
I'm not sure we really need 2 threads on what will inevitably lead to the same discussion: the benefit is great, but good luck finding seats -- especially since you really need nonstop flights to make the Avios redemption worthwhile.
I've been looking at flights from several different markets and my observation is that it's a real PITA to find availability in both directions. If you're VERY flexible -- aka, retired, and you can fly anytime you want -- you'll find this a terrific opportunity. If you're trying to get away for the weekend, you'll undoubtedly be annoyed. If you find something you can use, take it -- because it's not going to be like you can hop on a plane anytime you want.
So far, my limited observation is that they don't load many additional seats. Like there's a 50-seat flight I've been looking at for this Friday that's still 1/3rd empty, but no additional award seats have been made available.
And then there are times when it will be essentially impossible to find award seats. Like good luck using Avios to get away for the Memorial Day weekend. I must have looked at 2 dozen routes, and just gave up. Of course, given that the US airline industry has become an oligopoly, it's not surprising that they want to sell all their seats at peak time (and CAN sell these seats), leaving zero for award travel.
Mar 31, 2014, 3:44 pm
#23
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I imagine you will all smile at the effusiveness of this, but over on the BA board we have a thread on using US Airways for BA passengers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...lub-guide.html
One other advantage of being at least oneworld Sapphire (BA Silver, equivalent the DM Gold/Platinum) is that you can then use US Airways Clubs on purely domestic flying in Economy.
Greetings to US Airways Flyers, welcome to oneworld.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...lub-guide.html
One other advantage of being at least oneworld Sapphire (BA Silver, equivalent the DM Gold/Platinum) is that you can then use US Airways Clubs on purely domestic flying in Economy.
Greetings to US Airways Flyers, welcome to oneworld.
Of course, this means these award seats are going to be even harder to get.
Mar 31, 2014, 4:52 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2007
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I was happy to book a PVD-PHL one way trip for 4500 Avios ^
I have no status with BA, but started stocking up with the CC pre-merger. Can I now put my US Air # on the reservation to get zone 1 boarding as a US Gold?
I have no status with BA, but started stocking up with the CC pre-merger. Can I now put my US Air # on the reservation to get zone 1 boarding as a US Gold?
Mar 31, 2014, 6:30 pm
#25
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US just doesn't believe its customers are "entitled" to short haul award seats at the standard level unless the flight is extremely empty. I'm seeing RJ flights this weekend that are 1/3rd empty and US isn't willing to "sell" those 500 mile roundtrips to their own customers for $108 and 25,000 miles. That's pretty sad to me.
Mar 31, 2014, 8:06 pm
#26
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You Can Now Book US Air Flights with BA Avios Points!
Sorry if this is a re-post but I know some of you have been waiting to see if one could book US Air short flights with BA Avios points -- which are very good deals, just like doing it with AA flights for years.
I did some speculative searches from PHL to a few non-stop close in cities on the BA Avios search engine and the US Air flights, do, indeed, now appear!
It was noted in the press release that they had hoped to have such bookings available on the start date of US Air's membership in OneWorld -- but there were no guarantees. Happy to report that this seems a go from the get-go!
I did some speculative searches from PHL to a few non-stop close in cities on the BA Avios search engine and the US Air flights, do, indeed, now appear!
It was noted in the press release that they had hoped to have such bookings available on the start date of US Air's membership in OneWorld -- but there were no guarantees. Happy to report that this seems a go from the get-go!
Mar 31, 2014, 8:46 pm
#27
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Given the 650 mile band for the 4500 point one-way, there are a ton of city pairs along the east coast that are just 18k RT using Avios instead of the 25k using DM or AA miles, primarily via CLT.
Apr 1, 2014, 12:48 am
#28
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Right. Folks in places like PHL, DCA and CLT are going to be VERY disappointed when they try to book "great" short haul routes. AA's short haul inventory isn't fantastic anymore either, but it's better than US's. We'll see what we wind up with when the two airlines fully merge.
So I think you have to look at Avios-US Airways as a "special treat" when you can find something that works for you, instead of a really-terrific-hop-on-a-plane-for-cheap-whenever-I-want-to opportunity. Sad, but that's what it is, except for those who are uber flexible in their travel plans.
So I think you have to look at Avios-US Airways as a "special treat" when you can find something that works for you, instead of a really-terrific-hop-on-a-plane-for-cheap-whenever-I-want-to opportunity. Sad, but that's what it is, except for those who are uber flexible in their travel plans.
I'm also impressed that the BA website is already setup to bring you to the US website and select your seats. I just booked a R/T DCA - BOS that I'd been waiting to grab with Avios and no hassle at all and able to change seats and everything. ^^
Apr 1, 2014, 2:14 am
#29
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US just doesn't believe its customers are "entitled" to short haul award seats at the standard level unless the flight is extremely empty. I'm seeing RJ flights this weekend that are 1/3rd empty and US isn't willing to "sell" those 500 mile roundtrips to their own customers for $108 and 25,000 miles. That's pretty sad to me.
Apr 1, 2014, 3:11 am
#30
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Sorry if this is a re-post but I know some of you have been waiting to see if one could book US Air short flights with BA Avios points -- which are very good deals, just like doing it with AA flights for years.
I did some speculative searches from PHL to a few non-stop close in cities on the BA Avios search engine and the US Air flights, do, indeed, now appear!
It was noted in the press release that they had hoped to have such bookings available on the start date of US Air's membership in OneWorld -- but there were no guarantees. Happy to report that this seems a go from the get-go!
I did some speculative searches from PHL to a few non-stop close in cities on the BA Avios search engine and the US Air flights, do, indeed, now appear!
It was noted in the press release that they had hoped to have such bookings available on the start date of US Air's membership in OneWorld -- but there were no guarantees. Happy to report that this seems a go from the get-go!
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