Buying 100,000 avios
Jan 10, 2013, 11:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1
Buying 100,000 avios
First post here. I have the opportunity to purchase 100,000 avios for £1000. Trying to understand/get my head round if this is a deal I shouldn't pass up.
I do use lots of reward flight to short haul european destinations mainly and my current points are almost used up.
So my question is - is buying BA Avios worth it - especially as this price?
I do use lots of reward flight to short haul european destinations mainly and my current points are almost used up.
So my question is - is buying BA Avios worth it - especially as this price?
Jan 10, 2013, 12:00 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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1p/Avios is probably a reasonable price point, but only if you're buying from a legitimate source.
Jan 10, 2013, 12:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Buying 100,000 avios
You can only buy 19k I think per year.
So it would suggest its from someone who doesn't want to use them ? Maybe a chase card holder ?
Anyway, that's neither here nor there, welcome to the BA board.
cs
So it would suggest its from someone who doesn't want to use them ? Maybe a chase card holder ?
Anyway, that's neither here nor there, welcome to the BA board.
cs
Jan 10, 2013, 12:29 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Welcome to FT.
Be aware that redemptions on British Airways attract fees and surcharges.
The best use of Avios on BA is to UUA (Upgrade Using Avios), from WTP to CW or CW to F, or to redeem within Europe and pay a fixed fee per flight.
So the question really is, what do you intend to use the 100,000 Avios for? That will determine their value.
Be aware that redemptions on British Airways attract fees and surcharges.
The best use of Avios on BA is to UUA (Upgrade Using Avios), from WTP to CW or CW to F, or to redeem within Europe and pay a fixed fee per flight.
So the question really is, what do you intend to use the 100,000 Avios for? That will determine their value.
Jan 10, 2013, 12:34 pm
#5
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Offer them £300, then up it to £500 if you have to 
Jan 10, 2013, 12:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
Welcome to FT!
My gut feeling is very divided as to whether I would buy it at this price or not - so I guess it is a fair price. But as Swiss Tony has said - careful where you're buying from, this may be in violation of the T&Cs in which case you could end up with £1000 less in the bank and no avios in the EC.
My gut feeling is very divided as to whether I would buy it at this price or not - so I guess it is a fair price. But as Swiss Tony has said - careful where you're buying from, this may be in violation of the T&Cs in which case you could end up with £1000 less in the bank and no avios in the EC.
Jan 10, 2013, 8:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: LAX
Posts: 226
Too expensive. I'd say they are worth $1000 USD, not £.
Jan 10, 2013, 10:02 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I wouldn't hesitate to purchase 100 000 Avios for £1000. A long haul F costs 75000 Avios 
Jan 11, 2013, 12:29 am
#9
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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I thought it was against the BAEC/Avios T&C to buy/sell them (except for buying them from BAEC/Avios)?
Jan 11, 2013, 1:53 am
#10
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For bog standard Club World redemptions, they are worth £750 max.
Take NYC, 80000 Avios plus £500 in taxes. You could buy that seat in a sale for £1199 or less, so well under 1p per Avios. And the cash ticket earns Avios back.
Use them with a 241 or to upgrade WTP tickets? Yes, you'll get over 1p. EU short haul? You will just about get 1p, but would be better paying cash of course as availability is not restricted.
If you want to use them in the US where there are no taxes, 1p is a decent deal.
Take NYC, 80000 Avios plus £500 in taxes. You could buy that seat in a sale for £1199 or less, so well under 1p per Avios. And the cash ticket earns Avios back.
Use them with a 241 or to upgrade WTP tickets? Yes, you'll get over 1p. EU short haul? You will just about get 1p, but would be better paying cash of course as availability is not restricted.
If you want to use them in the US where there are no taxes, 1p is a decent deal.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:10 am
#11
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
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For bog standard Club World redemptions, they are worth £750 max.
Take NYC, 80000 Avios plus £500 in taxes. You could buy that seat in a sale for £1199 or less, so well under 1p per Avios. And the cash ticket earns Avios back.
Use them with a 241 or to upgrade WTP tickets? Yes, you'll get over 1p. EU short haul? You will just about get 1p, but would be better paying cash of course as availability is not restricted.
If you want to use them in the US where there are no taxes, 1p is a decent deal.
Take NYC, 80000 Avios plus £500 in taxes. You could buy that seat in a sale for £1199 or less, so well under 1p per Avios. And the cash ticket earns Avios back.
Use them with a 241 or to upgrade WTP tickets? Yes, you'll get over 1p. EU short haul? You will just about get 1p, but would be better paying cash of course as availability is not restricted.
If you want to use them in the US where there are no taxes, 1p is a decent deal.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:17 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2009
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It's really down to when you want to / have to travel as to their cost.
Sure you can pick up a £1200 CW seat in a sale, but you might be travellling out of the period and seats are £2k+ minimum.
I'm flying to BOS in 2 weeks on a £460 Y ticket as WT+ was over £1800 that week (£768 the following week). If there were any CW redemption availabilty, £1345 for the Avios and taxes would be a bargain so to speak.
I've also just spent 4500 Avios + £15 in tax on a MAN-LHR-AMS flight. Same flight was priced up at over £200 in Dom/ET and £500 in Dom/CE. Bargain there in my opinion.
Sure you can pick up a £1200 CW seat in a sale, but you might be travellling out of the period and seats are £2k+ minimum.
I'm flying to BOS in 2 weeks on a £460 Y ticket as WT+ was over £1800 that week (£768 the following week). If there were any CW redemption availabilty, £1345 for the Avios and taxes would be a bargain so to speak.
I've also just spent 4500 Avios + £15 in tax on a MAN-LHR-AMS flight. Same flight was priced up at over £200 in Dom/ET and £500 in Dom/CE. Bargain there in my opinion.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:21 am
#13
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
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19.1. Except as otherwise provided by British Airways and communicated to the Member, Avios points are not transferable (whether from person to person, account to account, statement to statement, card to card or otherwise) other than in accordance with the Conditions of Use relating to Transfer Avios and cannot be bequeathed, devised or otherwise transferred by operation of law.
19.2. Any purported purchase, sale, transfer, unauthorised use (including bartering), procurement or redemption of Avios Points issued or awarded to another person or any other use of Avios Points contrary to these Terms and Conditions will constitute a fundamental breach by the Member of these Terms and Conditions and the Conditions of Use relating to Purchase Avios and Transfer Avios and therefore the contract between British Airways and the Member.
19.3. Each Member acknowledges that a breach pursuant to Clause 19.2 above may also constitute an inducement to breach the contract between British Airways and the Member, intentional damage to the business of British Airways, conspiracy and criminal offences under applicable local or national law. Any breach pursuant to Clause 19.2 will constitute Fraud and/or Misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with Clause 21.
19.2. Any purported purchase, sale, transfer, unauthorised use (including bartering), procurement or redemption of Avios Points issued or awarded to another person or any other use of Avios Points contrary to these Terms and Conditions will constitute a fundamental breach by the Member of these Terms and Conditions and the Conditions of Use relating to Purchase Avios and Transfer Avios and therefore the contract between British Airways and the Member.
19.3. Each Member acknowledges that a breach pursuant to Clause 19.2 above may also constitute an inducement to breach the contract between British Airways and the Member, intentional damage to the business of British Airways, conspiracy and criminal offences under applicable local or national law. Any breach pursuant to Clause 19.2 will constitute Fraud and/or Misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with Clause 21.
Jan 11, 2013, 3:35 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, several other less interesting cards...
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It is against the rules. Described by the Executive Club as a "fundamental breach" of the T&C. Proceed at your peril
19.1. Except as otherwise provided by British Airways and communicated to the Member, Avios points are not transferable (whether from person to person, account to account, statement to statement, card to card or otherwise) other than in accordance with the Conditions of Use relating to Transfer Avios and cannot be bequeathed, devised or otherwise transferred by operation of law.
19.2. Any purported purchase, sale, transfer, unauthorised use (including bartering), procurement or redemption of Avios Points issued or awarded to another person or any other use of Avios Points contrary to these Terms and Conditions will constitute a fundamental breach by the Member of these Terms and Conditions and the Conditions of Use relating to Purchase Avios and Transfer Avios and therefore the contract between British Airways and the Member.
19.3. Each Member acknowledges that a breach pursuant to Clause 19.2 above may also constitute an inducement to breach the contract between British Airways and the Member, intentional damage to the business of British Airways, conspiracy and criminal offences under applicable local or national law. Any breach pursuant to Clause 19.2 will constitute Fraud and/or Misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with Clause 21.
19.2. Any purported purchase, sale, transfer, unauthorised use (including bartering), procurement or redemption of Avios Points issued or awarded to another person or any other use of Avios Points contrary to these Terms and Conditions will constitute a fundamental breach by the Member of these Terms and Conditions and the Conditions of Use relating to Purchase Avios and Transfer Avios and therefore the contract between British Airways and the Member.
19.3. Each Member acknowledges that a breach pursuant to Clause 19.2 above may also constitute an inducement to breach the contract between British Airways and the Member, intentional damage to the business of British Airways, conspiracy and criminal offences under applicable local or national law. Any breach pursuant to Clause 19.2 will constitute Fraud and/or Misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with Clause 21.
There will be no way to transfer these Avios into your account. The maximum you can buy from BA has been 35k during an offer. Personally I would not pay this sort of cash for something whose ownership could not be transferred to me.
Jan 11, 2013, 3:46 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 216
The Avios could be in their account at Avios.com, and you simply get their account details, perhaps change the password, and you book flights from this account for yourself/others as you wish.
Downside is you won't be able to transfer them into you BAEC (albeit the OP doesn't specifically say they want to do this, so the BA T&Cs are pretty irrelevant) and therefore no way to use the miles with a 2-4-1 voucher.
I wouldn't do the above with a stranger as you could still easily get screwed. But I might do the above with a friend if I had a good use for the Avios.