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]
Oct 5, 2013, 4:35 pm
#796
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Does this page help? http://www.britishairways.com/travel...r/public/en_gb
Oct 5, 2013, 7:36 pm
#797
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
Does this page help? http://www.britishairways.com/travel...r/public/en_gb
Oct 5, 2013, 8:24 pm
#798
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 42
I am planning to book a flight using avios that looks to be 1151 miles (as per the published schedule)
Any chance there is some type of buffer that will allow this to price at 7,500 avios rather than 10,000?
Seems a shame as it is 2 miles over the cutoff!
Thanks for any insight!
Any chance there is some type of buffer that will allow this to price at 7,500 avios rather than 10,000?
Seems a shame as it is 2 miles over the cutoff!
Thanks for any insight!
Oct 6, 2013, 4:24 am
#799
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
There is a table showing flight distance and how many avios are required.
ORD-DUB is 40,000 in J
ORD-MAD, ORD-CDG, ORD-FCO are all 50,000 in J
I am planning to book a flight using avios that looks to be 1151 miles (as per the published schedule)
Any chance there is some type of buffer that will allow this to price at 7,500 avios rather than 10,000?
Seems a shame as it is 2 miles over the cutoff!
Thanks for any insight!
Any chance there is some type of buffer that will allow this to price at 7,500 avios rather than 10,000?
Seems a shame as it is 2 miles over the cutoff!
Thanks for any insight!
It works both ways however, flights just over 2,000mi in J earn 140 TP's rather than 40 for instance, whether it is 1mi over or 100mi.
Oct 6, 2013, 1:18 pm
#800
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
Read the first page of this thread.
There is a table showing flight distance and how many avios are required.
ORD-DUB is 40,000 in J
ORD-MAD, ORD-CDG, ORD-FCO are all 50,000 in J
No, if BA's distance is 1151mi then thats what it is.
It works both ways however, flights just over 2,000mi in J earn 140 TP's rather than 40 for instance, whether it is 1mi over or 100mi.
There is a table showing flight distance and how many avios are required.
ORD-DUB is 40,000 in J
ORD-MAD, ORD-CDG, ORD-FCO are all 50,000 in J
No, if BA's distance is 1151mi then thats what it is.
It works both ways however, flights just over 2,000mi in J earn 140 TP's rather than 40 for instance, whether it is 1mi over or 100mi.
This causes me great grief. I must go from 62500 Avios up to...100k at worst. I might just have to transfer some SPG points over to get me there. Can you fly on AA from ORD to LHR and avoid paying taxes? That would allow me to go ORD-FCO and then LHR-ORD for 90k. AA flight 110 (ORD-FCO) should have low/no taxes, and then AA flight 91 going LHR to ORD would be...high taxes? Or what?
Oct 6, 2013, 1:31 pm
#801
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
This causes me great grief. I must go from 62500 Avios up to...100k at worst. I might just have to transfer some SPG points over to get me there. Can you fly on AA from ORD to LHR and avoid paying taxes? That would allow me to go ORD-FCO and then LHR-ORD for 90k. AA flight 110 (ORD-FCO) should have low/no taxes, and then AA flight 91 going LHR to ORD would be...high taxes? Or what?
Oct 6, 2013, 2:40 pm
#802
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
Hi there, I am trying to book Intra Argentina flights BUE/MDZ and possibly MDZ or BUE to MVD in late October or early November. Online and calling BA does not help either. They are valid LAN routings. I have read a few bloggers stated this may be an issue but there should be some sort of work around. Any courtesy would be appreciated. Thanks and Safe Travels
Oct 8, 2013, 2:24 pm
#803
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BAEC Silver, L'Accor Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 328
Looking for some advice on availability for a cash and Avios upgrade booking. I want 2 WT+ into CW seats LHR to Tokyo for next September. Current availability is almost zilch (couple of mid-week days but my travelling companion is restricted to weekend departure).
Looking back on the calendar I see that there's a lot of availability back in June and May, including on weekends. Is it normal for availability to improve a couple of months after booking opens (i.e. if I keep checking over the next 2 months or so will I be more likely to find weekend seats) or is September a peak time for redemption bookings? (I'd assumed it wouldn't be because it's after the schools start again but maybe I'm wrong)?
Thanks for any help - this is kind of a special trip for me so I'm looking to maximise (and unfortunately don't have the cash or Avios to CW into F).
1F
Looking back on the calendar I see that there's a lot of availability back in June and May, including on weekends. Is it normal for availability to improve a couple of months after booking opens (i.e. if I keep checking over the next 2 months or so will I be more likely to find weekend seats) or is September a peak time for redemption bookings? (I'd assumed it wouldn't be because it's after the schools start again but maybe I'm wrong)?
Thanks for any help - this is kind of a special trip for me so I'm looking to maximise (and unfortunately don't have the cash or Avios to CW into F).
1F
Oct 8, 2013, 9:11 pm
#804
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Singapore
Programs: BAEC Gold, Le Club Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold, M&C Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 561
Hi All,
I've been looking to use my stash of avios to upgrade from WTP+ to CW on the SIN-LHR route but as per the previous post availability is poor, especially for the July dates I'm looking for. I do have the option of going via BKK instead which is much better for availability but is it possible to get a redemption on Cathay for the SIN-BKK (econ) then the upgrade from BKK-LHR all in the same booking?
I've been looking to use my stash of avios to upgrade from WTP+ to CW on the SIN-LHR route but as per the previous post availability is poor, especially for the July dates I'm looking for. I do have the option of going via BKK instead which is much better for availability but is it possible to get a redemption on Cathay for the SIN-BKK (econ) then the upgrade from BKK-LHR all in the same booking?
Oct 8, 2013, 9:43 pm
#805
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Unless you want to spend a few days in HK, that would be a really sill redemption because you'd end up paying 2*10k miles and flying way out of the way.
Oct 8, 2013, 10:57 pm
#806
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Singapore
Programs: BAEC Gold, Le Club Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold, M&C Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 561
Oct 9, 2013, 1:23 am
#807
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Oct 9, 2013, 1:38 am
#808
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Singapore
Programs: BAEC Gold, Le Club Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold, M&C Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 561
Oct 9, 2013, 3:31 am
#809
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Wimbledon, UK
Programs: Budding BA Bronze, MPC Gold
Posts: 370
When I have been looking recently I've seen a bit more availability on avios.com rather than through ba.com. Although I'm not sure of the availability between classes as only been looking for WT+.
Oct 9, 2013, 4:02 am
#810
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
BAEC has extra economy availability to BA Gold's.