New Sweet Spots Post-BA Devaluation

Nobody likes a devaluation, and unfortunately one is coming at the end of the month for most partner flights booked with British Airways Avios. The full extent of the devaluation was initially kept a secret by British Airways, but Seat 31B figured out part of the new chart early by calling into British Airways agents. When he asked the right way, he discovered they had access to the new pricing and was able to build out an initial version of the award chart. The Points Guy filled in the gaps for longer flights (which are typically not good value) and built a fully comprehensive award chart. Since the charts match, there is a good chance that these will be the award levels going forward for partner flights booked with British Airways.

Existing Sweet Spots

British Airways Avios has a relatively expensive award chart for most flights. The exception is short-haul and some mid-haul flights in economy and business class, which are shown below:

Distance (miles)	Economy Peak	Economy Off-Peak (BA flights only, at off-peak times only)
1-650 (except North America)	4500	4000
651-1151 (1-1151 in North America)	7500	6500
1152-2,000	10000	8500
2,001-3000	12500	10000

Note that business class pricing is double the prices shown above. This has historically been a good deal for mid-haul flights on carriers offering a truly premium business class product (such as Cathay Pacific, JAL, Qantas and Malaysian). It’s historically been a much less good deal for intra-Europe business class on British Airways, which is just economy class seating with the middle seat blocked.

Other great sweet spots are intra-Japan flights, which are often under 650 miles and for which there are no surcharges (and less than $3 in tax per leg), mid-haul flights on American Airlines (such as from New York to Orlando or Chicago to Dallas), and mid-haul flights on Alaska Airlines (especially to and from Alaska and Hawaii). You still have until the 29^th of May to book these!

IAG Airline Sweet Spot

With this devaluation, British Airways is creating a two-tiered award chart. The current pricing isn’t changing for flights booked with Avios on the following airlines:

• British Airways
• Aer Lingus
• Iberia
• Vueling

Historically, redemptions for short-haul flights on these airlines have been poor value due to fuel surcharges and the relatively poor quality of product compared to partner flights. The fuel surcharges aren’t that much in dollar terms, but intra-European flights are so cheap that it’s not unusual for the cash cost of an award ticket to be the same (or more than) a paid flight. Recently, however, British Airways has been offering special fares where fuel surcharges are reduced. Accordingly, if you’re looking for an intra-Europe flight, it’s worth checking whether Avios represents good value.

Additionally, look at expensive routes. For these, it can make plenty of sense to use Avios, even with fuel surcharges. For example, Madrid-Dakar is under 2,000 miles. With Avios, the cost is only 10,000 miles and $40.70 in taxes and surcharges. The same flight can cost over $700 in cash!

New Partner Award Chart

The new award chart is more expensive for partner flights, so the sweet spots have changed:

Distance (miles)	Economy	Business	First
1-650 (except North America)	6000	12500	24000
651-1151 (1-1151 in North America)	9000	16500	33000
1152-2,000	11000	22000	44000
2,001-3000	13000	38750	51500

The biggest hits are short and mid-haul flights – particularly within North America, where a 129-mile flight between Seattle and Portland now costs a whopping 24,000 points in first class! And yes, you’d be billed the first class price, because Alaska Airlines (the British Airways partner operating this route) doesn’t operate a business class cabin. This is a terrible deal.

What’s Still a Good Deal?

Expensive, last-minute flights: British Airways doesn’t charge a close-in booking fee. Even at the new prices, these can still be a good deal. They’re just not as good a deal as before.

Intra-Japan flights in economy class: Even though the price is going up by 1/3, it can still be a relatively good deal to use Avios for flights within Japan, which are expensive even in economy class.

Mid-haul Intra-Asia flights in business class: At the 16,500 and 22,000 point levels, you can get a comfy ride up front in a lie-flat seat, which would otherwise cost thousands of dollars. This is still a great deal.

Flights to and from Russia on S7: These flights can be very expensive, but can still be a good deal with Avios.

Flights to the Maldives or Seychelles on SriLankan Airlines: Savvy travelers to South Asia often take advantage of low business class fares departing from Colombo. This is a great “back door” route to the Maldives or Seychelles when combined with an Avios award on SriLankan Airlines, which would otherwise be an expensive ticket.

Flights to Alaska and Hawaii from the West Coast in economy class: If you’re departing from the West Coast, flights to Alaska and Hawaii are expensive with cash and still relatively cheap with Avios. Use American Airlines or Alaska Airlines for these nonstop award flights, which can still be a good deal at 13,000 Avios.

Wrap-Up

For the most part, Avios are no longer a great deal to use for short and mid-haul flights within the US. They’re still not a great deal for use on British Airways. But they can still deliver good value when used creatively, and some of the most popular sweet spots are still in play.

 

[Image Source: British Airways]