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]
Jan 9, 2014, 1:27 pm
#976
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Is anyone else having trouble seeing JL flights on BA's website? When I searched for ORD-ICN before, it used to show JL routes (ORD-NRT-ICN), but now it does not show anything... Is there any other non-software based method to search for award availability using partner miles (namely BA and AA)?
Jan 9, 2014, 3:37 pm
#977
Used to be ' simz '
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Kolkata, India
Programs: Does it matter..??? It doesn't matter to them
Posts: 1,129
Is anyone else having trouble seeing JL flights on BA's website? When I searched for ORD-ICN before, it used to show JL routes (ORD-NRT-ICN), but now it does not show anything... Is there any other non-software based method to search for award availability using partner miles (namely BA and AA)?
Jan 9, 2014, 6:16 pm
#978
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Can I not search for one way awards on QF website? Do I have to do RT? Also, I can't seem to search for CX award on QF...
Jan 10, 2014, 1:49 am
#979
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
Hello again and thank you for the previous responses/help, we greatly appreciate it. So, again we had issues between booking online and over the phone. BA has different availabilities over the phone Vs. online. Long story short is my wife and I want to travel to LHR from SFO anytime between 11/21/2014 and 12/03/2014 in First Class using a combo of Avios and a "Travel Together Pass" that we have from our Chase Visa. I have booked and purchased (but have 24hrs to cancel) the only thing we could find which was departing on 11/25/2014 and returning 12/03/2014. The only issue is the return leg. The leg there is SFO-LHR First Class (Flight # 284). The leg back is LHR-ORD (Flight# 297) and then we are on our own to get back to SFO. Should I cancel this reservation and wait for something to become available in first that will get us there and back without ending in ORD or am I lucky to have this leg and should I keep it? I am not real familiar with reward travel so that I would put it out there to the community and see what the verdict is. Again, we truly appreciate all of your help and opinions.
If you wait, your outbound SFO-LHR will likely disappear.
Also search by segment, so if you are trying to find for example LHR-SIN on CX (via HKG) search for LHR-HKG and HKG-SIN individually.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:30 pm
#980
Used to be ' simz '
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Kolkata, India
Programs: Does it matter..??? It doesn't matter to them
Posts: 1,129
Someone help me please.. I am trying to book AUS-SFO for 17th Jan night using my Avios. I can see the availability on AA but not on BA.. I called BA customer care, but even they can't see the availability for that particular flight, but AA is still showing it.. the tax difference is HUGE, otherwise I would have booked with AA..
Is there anyway to solve this issue and book it through BA Avios..???
Is there anyway to solve this issue and book it through BA Avios..???
Jan 10, 2014, 8:38 pm
#981
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MAN
Programs: F
Posts: 2,898
Someone help me please.. I am trying to book AUS-SFO for 17th Jan night using my Avios. I can see the availability on AA but not on BA.. I called BA customer care, but even they can't see the availability for that particular flight, but AA is still showing it.. the tax difference is HUGE, otherwise I would have booked with AA..
Is there anyway to solve this issue and book it through BA Avios..???
Is there anyway to solve this issue and book it through BA Avios..???
Mind you, you could go ahead and book each segment individually on the website and AA should protect you if irrops occur as per their usual policy.
Jan 10, 2014, 10:01 pm
#982
Used to be ' simz '
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Kolkata, India
Programs: Does it matter..??? It doesn't matter to them
Posts: 1,129
Yes, phone. The AA availability is NOT for a direct flight. AA.com is showing one-stop routings e.g. AUS-DFW-SFO. Each segment is available via ba.com but only individually. If you phone they can link them together on the same PNR. You will probably have to pay the phone booking charge but could argue for them to waive it. You will pay in Avios on a per segment basis.
Mind you, you could go ahead and book each segment individually on the website and AA should protect you if irrops occur as per their usual policy.
Mind you, you could go ahead and book each segment individually on the website and AA should protect you if irrops occur as per their usual policy.
Jan 11, 2014, 9:18 am
#983
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 480
Didn't find it upon my search, so my apologies if this has been asked before.
Let's say I've made an award booking in J, as there was no F availability. But as the departure date gets closer, I notice that BA has opened up award availability in F.
To switch from J to F, other than the additional Avios needed, does BA charge any change/cancellation fees to make the switch?
Let's say I've made an award booking in J, as there was no F availability. But as the departure date gets closer, I notice that BA has opened up award availability in F.
To switch from J to F, other than the additional Avios needed, does BA charge any change/cancellation fees to make the switch?
Jan 12, 2014, 7:39 am
#984
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MAN
Programs: F
Posts: 2,898
Didn't find it upon my search, so my apologies if this has been asked before.
Let's say I've made an award booking in J, as there was no F availability. But as the departure date gets closer, I notice that BA has opened up award availability in F.
To switch from J to F, other than the additional Avios needed, does BA charge any change/cancellation fees to make the switch?
Let's say I've made an award booking in J, as there was no F availability. But as the departure date gets closer, I notice that BA has opened up award availability in F.
To switch from J to F, other than the additional Avios needed, does BA charge any change/cancellation fees to make the switch?
Jan 12, 2014, 7:53 am
#985
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 480
Jan 12, 2014, 8:11 am
#986
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
2014 Reboot
Please continue the discussion in the new digitally remastered http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...os-2014-a.html thread.
Thanks for your understanding
Prospero
Moderator: BA forum
Thanks for your understanding
Prospero
Moderator: BA forum