Sorry if this is covered elsewhere but I haven't been able to find it.

I am looking for any tips for reducing the amount of cash I have to find for BA flights out of the UK as the taxes seem to now account for most of the cost of most of my flights (I tend to go to the US and Oz in economy).

I have been told that its possible to reduce the costs by flying from other places e.g. Amsterdam but this doesn't seem to work.

Are there really any good tips for reducing the cost of reward flights either by starting from odd places or by booking in different ways?

Any tips gratefully received.

I am hoping to use mainly avois and companion tickets.