The challenge facing Lee_Again is, of course trying to redeem Miles on one of the most intensively used routes. BA can sell those seats any time, to anybody. It is not in BA's interest to give them away to scruffy MFU-ers like myself.

Lee ... let me offer you another perspective. Why not look at flying to somewhere else [less popular] and then taking an internal flight to FL? I know that's a PITA, but it slightly adds to the adventure of it all [OK, not for me, but then I'm old and lazy]. And that probably offers reward availability on the TATL. Consider IAH, DFW, ATL or whatever ... and with a OneWorld connection you earn more Miles. Just a thought - as cornishsimon said.

I defer to others on flying to FL ... but there are many other gateways that could enable you to use the Miles you've got.