intransitmostlikely

Hi All,

I hope you can offer more some thoughts, advice or constructive criticism on my trip to Japan this December.

I have two flights in F booked for this December, LHR-HND, using the BA Amex Companion Voucher (the '2-4-1'). As this is peak dates, I had to pay 240,000 Avios for this. I purchased the majority of these, either via a BA deal or via Topcashback redemptions, at an average cost of 1.0633p/Avios. I paid approximately £1000 in tax for the two F tickets, and I value the Companion Voucher at the full £195 card fee, as I wouldn't have the BA Amex card otherwise.

With all of this, it means that my two F tickets LHR-HND are costing 240000*0.010633 + 195 + 1000 = £3747. If I only value the Avios I paid for rather than earned via bonuses, card spend, etc., (153,287) then the cost changes to 153287*0.010633+195+1000 = £2825.

If I look at BA Club World flights AMS-HND (via LHR) they are currently priced at £3924. I need to add on approx £150 for a couple of flights to AMS, and the cost of the J-F upgrade (£1,276) , but subtract the tax paid (-£1000), the cost of the voucher (-£195), the rebate of 240k avios (-£2,552), the Avios earned for the trip (-£430 given R class AMS-LHR-HND = 40322 Avios return) gives a total cost of £3924+150+1280-1000-195-2560=£1,174.

The only cash actually coming back to me would be the £1000, everything else is non-negotiable instruments (voucher, Avios). So my actual outlay for the purchased flight = £3924+150-1000 = £3074, but I'm left with a 241 voucher (value £195) and an Avios balance of around 160,000.

Getting to Amsterdam is about as convenient as getting to Heathrow - possibly easier in fact!

Any advice or guidance on what to do would be very welcome.

wb1969

I'm no expert but you should ask yourself if 160k Avios is sufficient to use on an alternative long haul trip before your voucher expires?

Bear in mind also, if you had to cancel the trip to Japan, you stand to lose a lot more by changing to a cash booking than you would do using your Avios.

lcylocal

What are you travel dates. There may be an ex-EU sale between now and then which changes the maths again.

Is the J-F upgrade the AUP cost or the price of the avios for UUA? Bear in mind neither may actually be available for your flights.

intransitmostlikely

Thanks for your reply, they're both good points.

I will continue to earn Avios, so could foresee building the balance up to 200k+ within a few months. The voucher is valid until July 2019.

I don't imagine having to cancel the trip. If something out of my control happened I would expect to be able to claim on travel insurance. But a good reminder nonetheless.

intransitmostlikely

Depart 15th Dec, return 22nd Dec. I calculated the cost of the J-F upgrade as being 2*(240,000-180,000) = 120,000 Avios at £0.010633/Avios = £1276.

I also take your point about an upgrade potentially not being available. That is a risk, just discussing with Mrs ITML whether it's a risk we're willing to take...

intransitmostlikely

Ultimately I decided to keep the flights we already have. The risk of missing out on F, and the fact that I would still have to pay the £1000 in tax for a future redemption means I may as well stick with what I have.

Thanks to those who responded with advice and help!