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]
Sep 24, 2013, 7:49 am
#781
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Sep 24, 2013, 8:26 am
#783
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Sep 24, 2013, 9:02 am
#784
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,106
Is there anyway to know what the fees will be? I'm trying to do a US to Canada flight soon and it's still cheap, but way more than $2.50. Just under $30/person each way.
Sep 25, 2013, 1:33 am
#785
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: FRA
Posts: 614
Kind of strange, isnt it!?
Will there be some Space opening up? Or is that all we get?
Sep 25, 2013, 7:03 am
#786
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LGA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 147
can you change destination?
Hi,
Just wondering if you can change the destination/cabin class once a ticket is booked (I know you can't online, but maybe over the phone?)
My situation is this:
Want to book ARN-LHR-NYC but right now only ARN-LHR is available. I am very confident that some LHR-NYC in F will open up within 5days of departure, but at that point ARN-LHR may not be available.
So can I book ARN-LHR now and then when LHR-NYC opens up before departure call BA and add on the transatlantic segment, get them to recalc the taxes/fees/Avios required and re-ticket?
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Just wondering if you can change the destination/cabin class once a ticket is booked (I know you can't online, but maybe over the phone?)
My situation is this:
Want to book ARN-LHR-NYC but right now only ARN-LHR is available. I am very confident that some LHR-NYC in F will open up within 5days of departure, but at that point ARN-LHR may not be available.
So can I book ARN-LHR now and then when LHR-NYC opens up before departure call BA and add on the transatlantic segment, get them to recalc the taxes/fees/Avios required and re-ticket?
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Sep 25, 2013, 2:25 pm
#787
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA LT PLT 3.2MM, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 117
Yes, I just booked Miami-Lima and return. I am not sure about flights internal to Peru. I would say that ba.com seems to be undergoing a lot of updates and site performance may not be consistent from day to day.
However, I was unable to book DFW-Miami-Lima. Sometimes Lima-Miami-DFW would appear and then disappear a few minutes later.
However, I was unable to book DFW-Miami-Lima. Sometimes Lima-Miami-DFW would appear and then disappear a few minutes later.
Last edited by olddallas; Sep 25, 2013 at 2:28 pm Reason: more information
Sep 26, 2013, 2:18 pm
#788
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BOS, LAX
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 804
Sorry if this question has already been answered, but I was unable to find it here.
I would like to do Upgrading using Avios (UuA) on BA metal. Can I earn AA miles for the booked class instead of Avios? I have some Avios in the household account and the rest can be transferred from Platinum AmEx, but I'd rather earn AA miles for the trip.
I would like to do Upgrading using Avios (UuA) on BA metal. Can I earn AA miles for the booked class instead of Avios? I have some Avios in the household account and the rest can be transferred from Platinum AmEx, but I'd rather earn AA miles for the trip.
Sep 26, 2013, 6:54 pm
#789
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BOS, LAX
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 804
Sorry if this question has already been answered, but I was unable to find it here.
I would like to do Upgrading using Avios (UuA) on BA metal. Can I earn AA miles for the booked class instead of Avios? I have some Avios in the household account and the rest can be transferred from Platinum AmEx, but I'd rather earn AA miles for the trip.
I would like to do Upgrading using Avios (UuA) on BA metal. Can I earn AA miles for the booked class instead of Avios? I have some Avios in the household account and the rest can be transferred from Platinum AmEx, but I'd rather earn AA miles for the trip.
Oct 1, 2013, 5:11 pm
#790
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Question: is there a difference between what BA can book and what AA can book if I'm booking an award on AS? I'm trying to make an Avios booking YVR-SEA-MSO- AA shows it available but the BA agent can't see it when I call in to try and make the booking.
I feel like I've asked the question before and got an answer of "no", but this issue seems to keep coming up for me.
I feel like I've asked the question before and got an answer of "no", but this issue seems to keep coming up for me.
Oct 4, 2013, 10:33 pm
#791
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,822
Question: is there a difference between what BA can book and what AA can book if I'm booking an award on AS? I'm trying to make an Avios booking YVR-SEA-MSO- AA shows it available but the BA agent can't see it when I call in to try and make the booking.
I feel like I've asked the question before and got an answer of "no", but this issue seems to keep coming up for me.
I feel like I've asked the question before and got an answer of "no", but this issue seems to keep coming up for me.
Oct 4, 2013, 11:13 pm
#792
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
(and with BA it would be two, but 4500+4500 is still less than 12500)
Oct 5, 2013, 12:30 am
#793
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,822
YVR-SEA-MSO on November 11th, out of YVR just before 5PM and arriving at MSO around 11:35PM. I already successfully ticketed it on AA just because I was afraid of waiting too long and losing it entirely (it's a holiday), but I am curious.
(and with BA it would be two, but 4500+4500 is still less than 12500)
(and with BA it would be two, but 4500+4500 is still less than 12500)
AS2233 YVR-SEA dep455p arr546
connecting to
AS2340 SEA-MSO dep935 arr1156
I would probably HUACA and make sure whoever you talk to next searches for the two segments individually.
Oct 5, 2013, 9:07 am
#794
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Asking for SEA-MSO separately results in nothing from two separate agents. So I'm really wondering what they're doing. And if they're blocking like UA used to do with certain partners.
Oct 5, 2013, 4:15 pm
#795
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
Is it 80k Avios round trip to fly from ORD - CDG in biz on American? Does anyone know what kind of taxes there are?
I know ORD-DUB is 80k on Aer Lingus (and like $80 in taxes), and ORD-MAD is 80k on Ibera (and I think like $300ish in taxes).
But I am trying to think of other ways to get to Europe and looking at other routes and saw this ORD-CDG route and wondered about BA redemption in biz on American.
I know ORD-DUB is 80k on Aer Lingus (and like $80 in taxes), and ORD-MAD is 80k on Ibera (and I think like $300ish in taxes).
But I am trying to think of other ways to get to Europe and looking at other routes and saw this ORD-CDG route and wondered about BA redemption in biz on American.