Originally Posted by
SAN_Finn
I can't really agree. Especially when one way is required but also from many cities there are very good deals to be had. For example last minute travel from Helsinki to any southern Europe city is pretty much a good deal. Especially if any ticket flexibility is needed (cheap Finnair tickets are very very restricted). Obviously for a heavy short route like LHR-AMS its not a good deal.
For OP, take business if you needed it, in my experience Finnair almost never gives out more seats close to departure even on an empty flight. The business class is not a good value though. For searching. Experflyer's x class does not match AA very good at all. I've had better luck with BA's search.
I'm not entirely sure I follow your argument here, but if you're saying that awards are better value than revenue bookings out of HEL, I have no reason to disbelieve you. However, the OP is looking to fly 1,280 miles in a South-Westerly direction. Starting this journey by travelling 554 miles in a North-Easterly direction is not the most obvious starting point, especially as the OP won't be earning any credit for such a journey.
I have no first-hand experience of Vueling to share. The fare I quoted above was also a one-stop connection (via BCN). So I guess the question for the OP is whether her/his cash or miles are more valuable (the taxes via HEL seem to be about DKK230, which is fairly modest compared to the rates in another European country with which I am painfully familiar).