Normally BA redemption are cheaper than AA redemption within BAEC. However, when flying on "Peak" days, AA and BA are the same price. Hence, if you are flying on a peak day, you can choose any Oneworld airline for the same price. During off peak redemptions, BA reduce the Avios cost for their own flights. So on LHR-JFK return, BA will charge 24,000 Avios on off-peak days. Meanwhile on peak days BA charges 40,000 Avios (as is the example in your requested flights. Oneworld partners are always charged at the peak rate.

I'll also point out to you, because it looks to be potentially relevent, that domestic add-ons to longhaul journeys are included in the price (avios wise). I.e. You could flying INV-LHR-JFK return, for the same Avios cost as LHR-JFK. Incidentally, if you begin in INV you save the Air Passenger Duty charge, which can be significant (especially if not flying in Y).

Nice and simple then.

Not always! I found an Avios seat when there was literally only horrendously expensive full Y (as in Y fare bucket) seat left on a long haul flight. That was probably the best value redemption ever

Whoever mentioned that the game was simple??

Indeed, one-way LH redemptions in Y have truly been excellent value for me! Speaking �150 vs �2,500.

Yes I would say much depends on your situation and the route you're flying. A one way redemption in Y from here to LHR can be as low 22,750 Avios and �170 which isn't bad for such a long distance.
I see them as something I got for nothing so tend not to squeeze as much value out of them as possible when redeeming them.

Surely we're glad it's not simple!!! Otherwise all the good reward seats would be grabbed by the uneducated regular flyers

What happens if I book a CW seat somewhere, then later. They don't let me upgrade to F with Avios? Can I assure I will be OK at time of booking?

As long as Reward Space opens in F and you have booked on BA.com / called and have a 125- ticket you will be able to upgrade into the F cabin paying the relevant amount of Avios.

What is difficult / pricey is if you decide to "un-upgrade" at a later date !!

Call the Exec Club and have them do both for you at the same time.

"I couldn't get the website to price up a CW ticket that I'd like to upgrade with Avios to First."

For long haul I generally redeem in F, or occasionally in J if forced, and I almost always have the flexibility to chose dates with availability. The system works well for me. In short haul I redeem in Y as the cash charges are fixed and I can almost always get an exit seat. I also make better sandwiches than M&S. I am about to regain Gold after several years which will make short haul even better as more seats are available for us BA frequent flyers (albeit that nearly all my tier points to achieve this have come from QR).

Off piste; cupsandsaucers, I wish you'd change your name to cupandsaucer! The final s drops down onto another line when displayed and I find it very irritating. It upsets my orderly view of the world.

HaHa! Happy for a mod to change it. Don't mind.

May 2019 half term holiday Avios availability should appear soon if you fancy snapping up some short haul RFS flights.

Not on my devices it doesn't. What are you using?

Sorry, we're not that powerful! Name change requests can only be made to the Community Director and need a reasonable reason. I'm not sure another member's OCD, much though I both sympathise and emphasise, will quite cut it .