Originally Posted by
lsquare
Where are you going, bro?
Pretty much anywhere in Europe but especially to the South of France where I fly often. Although there often are very cheap tickets to my most frequent European destination (MRS), that is not always the case, especially in summer.
Originally Posted by
GM1985
I think much of it comes down to your own outlook on things. There is some received wisdom around these parts that if you're not using Avios to fly First class to SYD for the whole family, you're doing it wrong. Fair enough, if your primary aim is to extract every last ounce of value out of Avios.
As you say, it depends on one's perspective. Value is relative notion. For instance, I would not normally use avios for an F redemption on BA as I do not find the BA F product exciting. If I redeem long-haul on BA, it is more likely to be in CW as the value equation works better for me at that level. But each to their own on these things.
One of the main reasons, though, why I tend to use avios less on long-haul is because the avios scheme is not noticeably better than the other schemes I am a member of for long-haul redemptions whereas it is usually better value than other schemes for intra-European flights (at least for someone based in London with access to direct flights to their destination). As a result, I tend to use my FF miles in other schemes for long-haul redemptions and avios for short-haul/intra-European.
Originally Posted by
catandmouse
I don't use Avios frequently for intra-European flights because the fees and taxes just don't make it worth while. The last time was when my mother died and I flew back to the UK the same day, and had no idea when the return flight might be. Trying to book such flights for cash just comes up with silly numbers. Booking with Avios gave me flexibility and was much more reasonable priced.
The beauty of intra-Europe avios redemptions is precisely that there are no fees and taxes in the traditional sense to pay (assuming that you are eligible for RFS redemptions) and that the RFS fee is very reasonable that makes avios redemptions in Europe an attractive proposition..
Originally Posted by
flarmip
Whereas the starting point of RFS taxes and fees is 50p, or more realistically for the better value options, between £10-25.
Indeed. Unless it is a very speculative booking which has a high chance of being cancelled, the 50p level is rarely good value. As you say, the sweet spot is normally somewhere in the mid-range among the various possible fee-avios combinations.