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]
Aug 21, 2012, 4:47 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: BA Exec Blue, IHG Spire, HHonor Gold, Accor Platinum.
Posts: 966
Excellent post-I've been looking for this onfo since transferring from BD
One (dumb?) Q
UuA cancellations
I assume as it's a base fare paid for by cash-if you cancel then you'll lose the cash if it was a non-refundable ticket?
Tx
One (dumb?) Q
UuA cancellations
I assume as it's a base fare paid for by cash-if you cancel then you'll lose the cash if it was a non-refundable ticket?
Tx
Aug 21, 2012, 5:34 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,024
Extremely helpful and very written. Thanks very much indeed for this.
Aug 21, 2012, 6:12 am
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Her Majesty's United Kingdom
Programs: BA Gold, BA Lounge Rats, BA Audit Survivors, CW Kitchen Defender, CX Noodle Connoisseurs Club
Posts: 5,955
Nice work!, how about adding a section on OJs? 
Explain the rules, examples of what you can/can't do?
Explain the rules, examples of what you can/can't do?
Aug 21, 2012, 9:36 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,077
Thank you for this very useful resource.
Aug 21, 2012, 10:29 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,952
HOWEVER, with A+M, the ticket is treated as an award in the sense that it is flexible like a standard award.
This is a key distinction.
Aug 21, 2012, 11:06 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: BA Exec Blue, IHG Spire, HHonor Gold, Accor Platinum.
Posts: 966
Thought as much-may be worth putting that in the guide?
Aug 21, 2012, 12:57 pm
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,212
I have to say I've been looking through this guide and have found it extremely useful....one of the best yet. ^
Thanks to all those who gave up their time to put it together.
Aug 21, 2012, 1:36 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ireland
Programs: Skywards
Posts: 313
This is excellent, thank you! Everything in one place. I've been trying to get my head round all this for some time now. ^^
Aug 21, 2012, 2:40 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: CX gold
Posts: 209
Great job, as per usual guys!!!!
Aug 22, 2012, 1:06 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA Gold, Ex-Hertz 5* PC, Ex-HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,062
A useful thread, and perfectly in time for me as I'm just about to try my first MFU booking. Could I ask for clarification on the following:
I just had a call with an agent who said you could only upgrade once on an MFU, which is kind of hinted by
As I understood you could do the following, in the same transaction (even if it meant the agent had to do some fiddling):
Book WTP+ (Base fare), upgrade to Club, and then from Club to First
The agent gave me a response that indicated the "Club to First" booking would not be possible, not sure if this is a HUCA or a real restriction?
Threads seem to indicate the agent was correct, so you might want to make it explicit (doh!)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...o-classes.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-wt-first.html
Thinking about it: In this scenario can you book a Club outbound and a WTP return and do therefore the one-class only upgrade whilst not over-paying? (I suspect in this case one is better booking from Amsterdam, making a MFU impossible)
Originally Posted by 1
You can only upgrade one class at a time
Originally Posted by 2
You can only upgrade one cabin
Book WTP+ (Base fare), upgrade to Club, and then from Club to First
The agent gave me a response that indicated the "Club to First" booking would not be possible, not sure if this is a HUCA or a real restriction?
Threads seem to indicate the agent was correct, so you might want to make it explicit (doh!)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...o-classes.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-wt-first.html
Thinking about it: In this scenario can you book a Club outbound and a WTP return and do therefore the one-class only upgrade whilst not over-paying? (I suspect in this case one is better booking from Amsterdam, making a MFU impossible)
Last edited by littlevoices; Aug 22, 2012 at 1:20 am
Aug 22, 2012, 3:29 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,522
You can only upgrade one cabin using avios. Anything else is false.
Once you have upgraded, there can be POUG offers to the next cabin, but you will still get avios and TP for the original revenue cabin, or zero if it was a full redemption base fare.
It is possible to book WT+ one way and CW the other, meaning that one can upgrade to CW one way and F one way, assuming there is availability.
Once you have upgraded, there can be POUG offers to the next cabin, but you will still get avios and TP for the original revenue cabin, or zero if it was a full redemption base fare.
It is possible to book WT+ one way and CW the other, meaning that one can upgrade to CW one way and F one way, assuming there is availability.
Aug 22, 2012, 5:26 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: 64K or 2A
Programs: BA LT Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 785
Excellent resource, thank you.
One suggestion which I don't think is covered so far (apologies if I missed it); under the additional benefits for Gold the fact that an Amex 2-4-1 can be used in conjunction with a GUF2 could be added? If one is so inclined it does have the potential to save shedloads of Avios.
One suggestion which I don't think is covered so far (apologies if I missed it); under the additional benefits for Gold the fact that an Amex 2-4-1 can be used in conjunction with a GUF2 could be added? If one is so inclined it does have the potential to save shedloads of Avios.
Aug 22, 2012, 1:25 pm
#28
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,861
Excellent resource, thank you.
One suggestion which I don't think is covered so far (apologies if I missed it); under the additional benefits for Gold the fact that an Amex 2-4-1 can be used in conjunction with a GUF2 could be added? If one is so inclined it does have the potential to save shedloads of Avios.
One suggestion which I don't think is covered so far (apologies if I missed it); under the additional benefits for Gold the fact that an Amex 2-4-1 can be used in conjunction with a GUF2 could be added? If one is so inclined it does have the potential to save shedloads of Avios.
Aug 23, 2012, 9:21 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, LH Miles & More, HHonours, Starwood Corporate
Posts: 60
Hi All, I've just joined the forum and used Avios to upgrade from WT+ to CW on a return flight from the US. I have what may appear to be an elementary question to most but would like to know if the upgrade now attracts enhanced Avios as well as associated tier-points or do they remain the same as my original WT+ booking? Thanks in advance for any guidance. SF
Aug 23, 2012, 9:30 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, LH Miles & More, HHonours, Starwood Corporate
Posts: 60
Hi All, I've just joined the forum and used Avios to upgrade from WT+ to CW on a return flight from the US. I have what may appear to be an elementary question to most but would like to know if the upgrade now attracts enhanced Avios as well as associated tier-points or do they remain the same as my original WT+ booking? Thanks in advance for any guidance. SF