Originally Posted by
WaterTree
Are there cheaper/better options using a partner like BA?
In terms of award miles needed to fly, no. About the only reduction you'll see is for off-peak coach travel which would be 40K RT instead of 60K RT. With 100K, you have enough for two of those. That season runs Oct 15-May 15. If you don't want to fly in coach you'd have enough for one round-trip in business or two one-ways.
The big risk in using BA for award travel are their fuel surcharges which will run a couple hundred dollars across the Atlantic on a business class award. You want to stay on AA metal or with other partners that have a lower fuel surcharge (IB) or none at all (Air Berlin is one). If you have to book BA, the fuel surcharges would be much less from LHR to CDG than with a trans-Atlantic flight.