Hi there,
The bottom line is that BAEC redepmtions are only of value in premium cabins and then really only as a full redemption in long haul J or F or to upgrade from W to J or J to F. Using airmiles in Y is not a good choice and this is well recognised. Avios will try to partly address this with fixed fees for short haul somight be a bit better.
At the end of the day you get something for nothing with BAEC miles/Avios etc so angry posts that you have to pay fees to use these are pretty fruitless to be honest.........
FD.