Originally Posted by
guv1976
With the recent reduction of BA surcharges in Economy from the U.S. to Europe, last-minute redemptions in Economy Class can be a good deal -- especially if you travel on a BA off-peak date: Just 13,000 BA Avios (that's 9,300 transferred Amex MR points with the current 40% transfer bonus) plus about $95 in surcharges and taxes from the U.S. Northeast to LHR.
This year I frequently encounter TATL roundtrip economy class ticket prices on the legacy majors that have been sold in the (USD) $280-375 range all-in. So that sort of makes even the 26k BA points+$195+ award tickets not look like all that good value. And at times this year I have been see this kind of thing even for next-day TATL travel when originating the roundtrip ticket in Europe. This is part of why I am still not willing to transfer Amex points into Avios of any sort.