Can I use Avios for hotel bookings if my residence is not UK or USA
Nov 24, 2016, 5:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: RJ BA AF LH AC
Posts: 6
Can I use Avios for hotel bookings if my residence is not UK or USA
😊I have a BA EC bronze card with residence in Middle East. Could not use Avios points for *(Hotel) bookings, though I could use those points for Air travel BA tickets ;part cash payment . BUT NOT for booking *hotel rooms .Suggestions.
Am able to change my address to a Canadian address,I was told.The Avios points expire before end of December 2016.😊0
What's best thing I can do ''to benefit.?Thanks Raja
Am able to change my address to a Canadian address,I was told.The Avios points expire before end of December 2016.😊0
What's best thing I can do ''to benefit.?Thanks Raja
Nov 24, 2016, 7:06 pm
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
We have moved your query form the TalkBoard Topics forum to the British Airways | Executive Club forum for the best responses.
JDiver, Moderator
We have moved your query form the TalkBoard Topics forum to the British Airways | Executive Club forum for the best responses.
JDiver, Moderator
Nov 24, 2016, 11:57 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Programs: BA Oneworld
Posts: 582
A comparative non-UK/USA perspective from Brazil:
I have never tried to book hotels with avios but have just tried to, as an exercise in response to this question, and I am presented with this message:
Sorry, but you can only book flights online with Avios at the moment. To book hotels, cars or experiences please contact your local Executive Club Service Centre.
I can't say if ' at the moment' implies this is a temporary technical issue, or a permanent policy issue.
I have never tried to book hotels with avios but have just tried to, as an exercise in response to this question, and I am presented with this message:
Sorry, but you can only book flights online with Avios at the moment. To book hotels, cars or experiences please contact your local Executive Club Service Centre.
I can't say if ' at the moment' implies this is a temporary technical issue, or a permanent policy issue.
Nov 25, 2016, 2:08 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,042
First of all, your Avios won't expire if you do some kind of activity. Buy a few, transfer some hotel points, etc. It doesn't need to be a flight.
However, I have absolutely no idea how you could have a current Bronze card yet have Avios expiring, since status requires flights crediting to your account. Are you sure your Avios are expiring and not your status/tier points?
Second, spending Avios on hotel nights is rather poor value so I would recommend saving them for flights.
However, I have absolutely no idea how you could have a current Bronze card yet have Avios expiring, since status requires flights crediting to your account. Are you sure your Avios are expiring and not your status/tier points?
Second, spending Avios on hotel nights is rather poor value so I would recommend saving them for flights.
Nov 25, 2016, 2:42 am
#7
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,787
Welcome to Flyertalk and welcome to the BA forum Raja Halazon, I hope you will find it an interesting place. Please feel free to continue participating here, we do try to encourage new posters to come forward.
It is the case that if you have your address in the "wrong" place you can't use Avios for hotels, I know Latin America is another place so blocked, since an Argentinian poster has also complained about it. I would suggest you either buy a small amount of Avios, or perhaps credit a hotel stay or some such, to keep the Avios balance alive so you can do something useful with them.
[Random Question to others, I should know the answer, but I don't: Are there hotels where buying a meal gets a credit? I suspect not for Hiltons unless processed via the Front Desk but any other experiences?]
It is the case that if you have your address in the "wrong" place you can't use Avios for hotels, I know Latin America is another place so blocked, since an Argentinian poster has also complained about it. I would suggest you either buy a small amount of Avios, or perhaps credit a hotel stay or some such, to keep the Avios balance alive so you can do something useful with them.
[Random Question to others, I should know the answer, but I don't: Are there hotels where buying a meal gets a credit? I suspect not for Hiltons unless processed via the Front Desk but any other experiences?]
Nov 25, 2016, 4:05 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
I don't think it's possible to generalise on that point as I've had some excellent value against rack rates over the years. When comparing value you have to factor in the high charges associated with flight redemption which are mostly absent for hotels.
Nov 25, 2016, 4:13 am
#9
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,787
One key aspect to support this is that BA's hotels deals are more wide ranging than some other hotel contracts. In particular it is sometimes worth lobbing in the lowest level of Avios possible, and paying the rest in cash, to leverage a potentially good deal. DUB is a case in point, if the rates look high then it's sometimes worth checking out the Avios situation.
Nov 25, 2016, 4:15 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
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Raffles did a study awhile back. As I recall you could get around 0.6p of "value" against an often inflated cost of booking hotels via BA instead of direct or via another OTA. Sorry, but that's not good use of avios, no matter what surcharges you might pay for a flight.
Nov 25, 2016, 8:29 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
One key aspect to support this is that BA's hotels deals are more wide ranging than some other hotel contracts. In particular it is sometimes worth lobbing in the lowest level of Avios possible, and paying the rest in cash, to leverage a potentially good deal. DUB is a case in point, if the rates look high then it's sometimes worth checking out the Avios situation.
Raffles did a study awhile back. As I recall you could get around 0.6p of "value" against an often inflated cost of booking hotels via BA instead of direct or via another OTA. Sorry, but that's not good use of avios, no matter what surcharges you might pay for a flight.
