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 23, 2013, 1:22 am
#916
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: 14,217
The availability for companion tickets is precisely the same as availability for two straight redemptions. Use the Book with Avios link when logged into your executive club account as the explore availability tool is unreliable. Or use a third-party tool such as KVS (paid subscription).
Dec 23, 2013, 10:32 am
#917
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 280
Hi all,
BA newbie here. I googled this but couldn't find an answer. When you book domestic US AA flights with Avios, is the $75 close in booking fee (less than 21 days) waived?
Thanks!
BA newbie here. I googled this but couldn't find an answer. When you book domestic US AA flights with Avios, is the $75 close in booking fee (less than 21 days) waived?
Thanks!
Dec 23, 2013, 10:54 am
#918
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Dec 23, 2013, 10:55 am
#919
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 280
Wow! They need to advertise this. What an awesome benefit! My Avios that I got from MR are so much more useful now! Thanks!!
Dec 23, 2013, 11:10 am
#920
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Dec 23, 2013, 1:25 pm
#921
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 280
Maybe you're primarily non-US FFPs? All three US based ones charge $75 close in booking fee unless you have status, with I don't with AA...
Dec 24, 2013, 9:41 pm
#922
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 40
I am trying to book ORD-NRT. I selected AA flights, and it shows two tickets for 120000 Avios + $ 90.
After I click continue, it jumps to 120000 Avios + $ 1,327.10
I remember I used to fly JFK-NRT for 50000 avios + $60 tax
After I click continue, it jumps to 120000 Avios + $ 1,327.10
I remember I used to fly JFK-NRT for 50000 avios + $60 tax
Dec 24, 2013, 10:07 pm
#923
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
On JL, it comes to 25k+ $314, whereas on AA the initial quote is 25k+ $2, BUT $2 miraculously transforms to $314 after moving to the next screen.
I had heard this change was in the works, but thought it not possible in the absence of AA restructuring its fares.
CX's fees are modest by comparison. However, the only NA route that is shorter than 6500 miles is YVR-HKG. The others all cost a whopping 70k BA points in business class.
The short of it is that AA miles are for more useful than BA miles on pretty much every conceivable NA-Asia itinerary at present, even when accounting for close-in fees.
Dec 25, 2013, 7:43 am
#924
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
buggy BA software. I was seeing 8F JFK-HKG on 777 today...
Dec 27, 2013, 9:31 am
#925
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: TYS
Programs: AA/US/BA
Posts: 42
BA newbie here...
Trying to book a flight for my parents to Cancun in May on AA.
First problem: over the past two days I've only been able to login to BA once. Every other time it says there is a problem with the website, and I can't get to the Members area.
Second problem: the one time I could get in to quote ATL-MIA-CUN and back, it gave me 36k Avios (correct) + ~$150 in fees. Wanted to see if this was accurate as I thought Avios had zero to little fees. I believe the fees were international things with Mexico, but again I can't login right now to confirm so... :|
Appreciate any pointers.
Trying to book a flight for my parents to Cancun in May on AA.
First problem: over the past two days I've only been able to login to BA once. Every other time it says there is a problem with the website, and I can't get to the Members area.
Second problem: the one time I could get in to quote ATL-MIA-CUN and back, it gave me 36k Avios (correct) + ~$150 in fees. Wanted to see if this was accurate as I thought Avios had zero to little fees. I believe the fees were international things with Mexico, but again I can't login right now to confirm so... :|
Appreciate any pointers.
Dec 27, 2013, 9:57 am
#926
Used to be ' simz '
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Kolkata, India
Programs: Does it matter..??? It doesn't matter to them
Posts: 1,129
BA newbie here...
Trying to book a flight for my parents to Cancun in May on AA.
First problem: over the past two days I've only been able to login to BA once. Every other time it says there is a problem with the website, and I can't get to the Members area.
Second problem: the one time I could get in to quote ATL-MIA-CUN and back, it gave me 36k Avios (correct) + ~$150 in fees. Wanted to see if this was accurate as I thought Avios had zero to little fees. I believe the fees were international things with Mexico, but again I can't login right now to confirm so... :|
Appreciate any pointers.
Trying to book a flight for my parents to Cancun in May on AA.
First problem: over the past two days I've only been able to login to BA once. Every other time it says there is a problem with the website, and I can't get to the Members area.
Second problem: the one time I could get in to quote ATL-MIA-CUN and back, it gave me 36k Avios (correct) + ~$150 in fees. Wanted to see if this was accurate as I thought Avios had zero to little fees. I believe the fees were international things with Mexico, but again I can't login right now to confirm so... :|
Appreciate any pointers.
Dec 27, 2013, 10:04 am
#927
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,822
BA newbie here...
Trying to book a flight for my parents to Cancun in May on AA.
First problem: over the past two days I've only been able to login to BA once. Every other time it says there is a problem with the website, and I can't get to the Members area.
Second problem: the one time I could get in to quote ATL-MIA-CUN and back, it gave me 36k Avios (correct) + ~$150 in fees. Wanted to see if this was accurate as I thought Avios had zero to little fees. I believe the fees were international things with Mexico, but again I can't login right now to confirm so... :|
Appreciate any pointers.
Trying to book a flight for my parents to Cancun in May on AA.
First problem: over the past two days I've only been able to login to BA once. Every other time it says there is a problem with the website, and I can't get to the Members area.
Second problem: the one time I could get in to quote ATL-MIA-CUN and back, it gave me 36k Avios (correct) + ~$150 in fees. Wanted to see if this was accurate as I thought Avios had zero to little fees. I believe the fees were international things with Mexico, but again I can't login right now to confirm so... :|
Appreciate any pointers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ed-thread.html
Dec 27, 2013, 3:04 pm
#928
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New York
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 628
Newbie to using Avios here.
I have been trying to book n Air Berlin (NYC > DUS or TXL)flight on the BA website using Avios (transfered from AXP).
AA.com shows Saver availability on the the desired dates but nothing appears on BA.com no matter how I search.
Am I doing something wrong? Any possible solutions or tips?
I have been trying to book n Air Berlin (NYC > DUS or TXL)flight on the BA website using Avios (transfered from AXP).
AA.com shows Saver availability on the the desired dates but nothing appears on BA.com no matter how I search.
Am I doing something wrong? Any possible solutions or tips?
Dec 27, 2013, 6:55 pm
#929
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,822
Newbie to using Avios here.
I have been trying to book n Air Berlin (NYC > DUS or TXL)flight on the BA website using Avios (transfered from AXP).
AA.com shows Saver availability on the the desired dates but nothing appears on BA.com no matter how I search.
Am I doing something wrong? Any possible solutions or tips?
I have been trying to book n Air Berlin (NYC > DUS or TXL)flight on the BA website using Avios (transfered from AXP).
AA.com shows Saver availability on the the desired dates but nothing appears on BA.com no matter how I search.
Am I doing something wrong? Any possible solutions or tips?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...t-me-book.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...rds-issue.html
Dec 28, 2013, 12:06 pm
#930
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Credit Cards
Posts: 3,009
can I use 4,001 avios for a flight within the US without having to buy 1,000 for the 500 I am obviously missing when trying to book a short haul flight?