There is no such thing as a 'free flight'. An award flight has a cost of both miles and a cash component, the amount of both depends on the award program used, route and airlines redeemed for. Miles have an opportunity cost and therefore a value (not 'free').

Did you do any research on how the BAEC award program works before starting to collect avios? Perhaps some bloggers have mislead you on what award travel costs?

Maybe start by reading this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...tart-here.html