Originally Posted by
likethis
I currently have:
- ~680,000 avios
- a companion voucher
- a "premium plus" companion voucher.
- Gold status until April
Apart from the odd cash reduction for Avios on shorthaul, I've never been able to use them for the dream flight: a long-haul BA first or BA club suite.
The main issue I think is that as my partner is a hospital doctor, he works shifts and can't book anything more than a few months in advance. Anything we do find is a less-than-desirable location or is out of season.
I've considered using "double points", but just for one return flight to, say, LAX, I think this nearly blow away all my Avios in one go. But perhaps that's really my only option, and just give up on the vouchers?
Other than your partner changing from his unscrupulous employer, you may wish to look at somewhere like Mexico City or Dallas, Seattle or Atlanta. These second tier US cities often have First availability at a few months notice and while they may not offer exactly what you're looking for, they can be a starting point for a road trip, or a flight to an onward destination.