Originally Posted by
geo1005
I suppose it's better than nothing but the fact the award fee credit is only applicable for USA-departing flights stinks... the fees associated with ex-USA one-way awards are higher than the same routing reversed back into the USA.
Random example of one-way award bookings for Feb of 2020:
IAD-LHR-LIN (Milan) in WT carries $217 in fees ex-USA but only $184 for the opposite
IAD-LHR-LIN in WT+ carries $227 ex-USA, and $184 for the opposite
IAD-LHR-LIN in CW carries $642 ex-USA and $378 for the opposite
IAD-LHR-LIN in F carries $841 ex-USA and $378 for the opposite
Haven't the BA surcharges for US East Coast to LHR been significantly reduced? If so, booking IAD-LHR as one award, and LHR-LIN as a Reward Flight Saver as a second award might make sense -- if you're willing to deal with the risk of a mis-connection.