Originally Posted by
tjk1976
You're not wrong about BA's award booking availability problems lately. Avios points were useful to have back when Cathay Pacific connected through YVR on its former HKG - JFK route. There was usually lots of availability for award bookings in Business and First and it was great to fly within North America on a wide body plane with an international class cabin configuration. Funnily enough, I've been using my Avios points for hotels too. I used some in Dublin in September for a completely cashless award stay (the hotel didn't even ask for a cc at check-in).
I've flown that CP flight YVR-JFK a few times, and i was devastated when they killed it. It was always so easy to get award tickets on that flight, and it was so convenient flying direct from YVR. Amazing service, too.
Now I use my Avios to fly direct (one segment only!) from SEA on AS. Availability is still decent. It's a long drive from YVR, but I like to make a fun trip of it and leave the day before and go shopping on my way down. But time constraints lately have me wanting to fly out of YVR again, and the value isn't there with Avios when you have to connect.