Nov 17, 2012, 4:33 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
i Preface
If you are new to the British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) or a long term member but have not booked a redemption flight since the programme's relaunch in 2011, you may have realised by now that planning an Avios redemption calls for a shift in mindset, especially to those more used to redeeming miles for flights with North American frequent flyer programmes.
The purpose of this thread is to introduce you to how the BAEC works in terms of spending Avios and to share some tips will will assist you during the planning and booking stages. We'll also cover the options available to you, so you can make an informed decision on how best to maximise your Avios Points.
If you are seeking guidance on the changes to the Executive Club in relation to the programme's 2011 relaunch, the Q&A discussion serves as a very useful reference point.
The purpose of this thread is to introduce you to how the BAEC works in terms of spending Avios and to share some tips will will assist you during the planning and booking stages. We'll also cover the options available to you, so you can make an informed decision on how best to maximise your Avios Points.
If you are seeking guidance on the changes to the Executive Club in relation to the programme's 2011 relaunch, the Q&A discussion serves as a very useful reference point.
ii Contents
Introduction
Standard reward flights
Multi-Partner reward flights
Reward Flight Saver
Avios & Money
Upgrading using Avios
Using your companion vouchers
Additional Gold benefits
Hotel and car rental redemptions
Avios Part Payment
Standard reward flights
Multi-Partner reward flights
Reward Flight Saver
Avios & Money
Upgrading using Avios
Using your companion vouchers
Additional Gold benefits
Hotel and car rental redemptions
Avios Part Payment
iii Acknowledgments
This guide is a collaborative effort, and could not have been produced without the kind contributions from corporate-wage-slave, DWFI, LTN Phobia, Petrus, Prospero, and Stez.
Your guide to spending Avios [Beta]
Dec 13, 2012, 4:58 pm
#181
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
You have to watch for yourself. Whether MMB will let you do the upgrade online is something which you'll just have to try if/when you see availability.
Dec 13, 2012, 5:14 pm
#182
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 181
Trying to get reward availability to Faro on 17th March returning on the 24th. Does anyone have any prior knowledge of whether this route is busy that time if year and if so are ba likely to release any reward seats?
Thanks
Thanks
Dec 14, 2012, 12:11 am
#183
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,328
Best bet is to very nicely ask someone with an EF subscription if they could check the loads for you. They'll need your flight numbers.
Dec 14, 2012, 7:55 am
#184
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 66
Yes, I do. Does a % come from there? And here I was thinking I get a nice fat discount 
Also, on what I guess is now a related issue, how can I see if household miles post correctly. Or do I assume if they go into the account holders account that they are included in the balance I see?
Also, on what I guess is now a related issue, how can I see if household miles post correctly. Or do I assume if they go into the account holders account that they are included in the balance I see?
Dec 14, 2012, 8:06 am
#185
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
Yes, I do. Does a % come from there? And here I was thinking I get a nice fat discount
Also, on what I guess is now a related issue, how can I see if household miles post correctly. Or do I assume if they go into the account holders account that they are included in the balance I see?
Also, on what I guess is now a related issue, how can I see if household miles post correctly. Or do I assume if they go into the account holders account that they are included in the balance I see?
The avios go in to the individual persons account. A HHA just pools them.
Dec 21, 2012, 3:33 am
#186
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 761
Instead of redeeming a round-trip HKG/LHR ticket for 60,000 miles, can I redeem HKG/LHR then LHR/BKK in one-way ticket with a stopover for just 50,000 miles, provided that I buy my own BKK/HKG ticket?
Dec 21, 2012, 7:31 am
#187
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sussex
Programs: QF BAEC [Gold]
Posts: 536
Sorry if this is already answered elsewhere - if so I've missed it.
From the sticky
Is this automatic if you are logged into your BAEC [as Gold] account, or only visible if you call up by phone ?
From the sticky
01 Additional Gold benefits
•Additional reward availability in economy (V class)
•Additional reward availability in economy (V class)
Is this automatic if you are logged into your BAEC [as Gold] account, or only visible if you call up by phone ?
Last edited by PWOZUK; Dec 21, 2012 at 6:19 pm Reason: spelling corrected
Dec 21, 2012, 2:20 pm
#188
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Gold Executive Club Member Benefit
Additional reward seats have been made available for you on 1 or more of the flights you have selected.
Additional reward seats have been made available for you on 1 or more of the flights you have selected.
Dec 27, 2012, 7:58 am
#189
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
HKG-LHR followed by LHR-BKK in economy is 30,000 + 30,000 = 60,000.
I don't know where you've got the 50,000 figure from. With a handful of exceptions (which are immaterial to your question), awards are now priced on a per-sector basis so stopovers are also irrelevant.
Jan 3, 2013, 10:01 am
#190
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 360
Apologies if this has been asked before, but could I please just double check that if you plan to do a London 'stopover' i.e. tag on a free Domestic flight to a Reward Saver booking, the European flight must be on BA and not a partner?
For example, I cannot fly DUS-STN on Air Berlin and then a LCY-IOM on BACX as the free Domestic leg?
For example, I cannot fly DUS-STN on Air Berlin and then a LCY-IOM on BACX as the free Domestic leg?
Jan 3, 2013, 3:42 pm
#191
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,214
Right answer, wrong question.
You cannot do a Reward Flight Saver on Air Berlin.
You cannot do a Reward Flight Saver on Air Berlin.
Jan 4, 2013, 7:58 am
#192
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 134
Avios.com - additional info?
I have previously petitioned for a separate board for the UK-only Avios (formerly Airmiles) scheme but did not receive the backing of those who know better than I. It is only fair and decent therefore that, denied our separate discussions, due consideration be given to Avios.com collectors and spenders here!
Avios (points) are freely moveable between the schemes in minutes but Avios.com often has greater redemption availability. The Avios.com website has serious issues - such as no availability in any class other than economy if there is a domestic connection. Avios.com is open to anyone with a UK address and these differences are relevant and important and ought to be entitled to an airing here.
Please may I therefore suggest an additional section setting out the differences and encouraging an open discussion of them?
Avios (points) are freely moveable between the schemes in minutes but Avios.com often has greater redemption availability. The Avios.com website has serious issues - such as no availability in any class other than economy if there is a domestic connection. Avios.com is open to anyone with a UK address and these differences are relevant and important and ought to be entitled to an airing here.
Please may I therefore suggest an additional section setting out the differences and encouraging an open discussion of them?
Jan 5, 2013, 3:52 am
#193
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: England
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 389
Quick question about one-way bookings using an Amex voucher. Does the booking have to be FROM the UK, or could I just book the inbound sector (eg DEN-LHR) using the companion voucher?
Jan 5, 2013, 5:46 am
#194
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,214
Must originate in the UK (assuming this is a UK Amex voucher).
Jan 5, 2013, 12:10 pm
#195
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: England
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 389
Thanks Stifle. Yes, it is a UK Amex voucher. What confused me was that the Ts & Cs state that travel must start AND end in the UK. I'm not clear as to how this fits in with the ability to use a voucher for a one-way booking. Unless the booking is a domestic one (a highly unlikely use for an Amex voucher) then a one-way booking will always conflict with this condition.
Is there any revised wording of the Ts&Cs to clarify this?
Is there any revised wording of the Ts&Cs to clarify this?