Please be gentle. I'm a BD redemption virgin.

We've a weekend stay in Manchester coming up, but how to get there from London? The obvious way is to use the train, except that train service can be unreliable (and unacceptable) on Sundays. I don't particularly want to drive. What's left?

Since the hotel stay is on points (thanks PCR PointBreaks ^), why not use miles and have a 'free' weekend? I have DC miles, BA Miles, Air Miles and Nectar points.

DC want 18,000 miles and £82.40 for the two of us;
BA want 9,000 miles (50% offer) and £156.40 ;
Air Miles want 1,500 Air Miles all in for BD or BA flights;
Nectar (e-bookers) want 10,400 points + £91.40 for BD flights or 14,400 points + £156.60 for BA flights.

Revenue flights are £164.40 with BD or £197.60 with BA, both for two. Using Raffles's valuation of BD miles of 7p IIRC, the Air Miles redemption is worth £105.

As BD gold, I have lounge access and whatever catering there may be. As BA peasant, I have no access to lounges (except for T1/T2 in MAN, but not T3 with Priority Pass).

It seems like a no-brainer to me – fly BD using Air Miles. Apart from the lack of OLCI, is there anything I'm missing? Thanks for your advice.