Your guide to spending Avios | 2019 edition
May 9, 2019, 1:46 pm
#181
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 88
Using the companion voucher are the Taxes, fees and charges the same for every USA destination in First Thanks
May 10, 2019, 3:46 am
#182
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,977
Yes but I don't think the variation is that great across the US - possibly a bit more to the west coast than the east coast. i don't think there are any "sweet spots" if that's what you are after.
May 10, 2019, 12:10 pm
#183
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 88
Thank you, it's just I thought they were high for Houston, £667.22 per person.
May 11, 2019, 10:36 am
#184
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
Exactly the same charge for LAX and JFK, two of the longest and shortest respectively. A whopping £400 of that is the evil YQ fuel surcharge. That said, having checked, AF charge £390 and their total tax (starting from LON) is the same. APD for all journeys is £172.
May 12, 2019, 3:17 pm
#185
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SFO, BRU, ADB
Programs: UA Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 707
Is anyone having issues booking AA reward flights?
I get "Sorry, we have been unable to complete your transaction at this time." after I submit my credit card details.
I get "Sorry, we have been unable to complete your transaction at this time." after I submit my credit card details.
May 12, 2019, 3:51 pm
#186
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC - Silver, Virgin Flying Club, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 229
Question - I need two qualifying flights, partner needs 4, by 8 June. We are planning to go to RAK, either 3 or 4 June to 7 or 8 June. There is little room for error here, so before I booked anything I wanted to check with the hive mind 
I found flights on Google Flights for £336 each in business, LHR-RAK via MAD, the segments to and from MAD on the widebodies - BA on the 777 and IB on the 346 - with IB both ways to MAD-RAK. However, I can only book these on Expedia - BA keeps defaulting me through LGW and on Iberia the price spikes to double. If I book through Expedia do they still count as the four segments needed or is this an instance where " agency or industry discounted bookings do not qualify" as per the rules? All flights are either BA or IB flight numbers and metal.
Thank you!
I found flights on Google Flights for £336 each in business, LHR-RAK via MAD, the segments to and from MAD on the widebodies - BA on the 777 and IB on the 346 - with IB both ways to MAD-RAK. However, I can only book these on Expedia - BA keeps defaulting me through LGW and on Iberia the price spikes to double. If I book through Expedia do they still count as the four segments needed or is this an instance where " agency or industry discounted bookings do not qualify" as per the rules? All flights are either BA or IB flight numbers and metal.
Thank you!
May 12, 2019, 3:57 pm
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,130
They count as normal.
May 12, 2019, 4:00 pm
#188
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC - Silver, Virgin Flying Club, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 229
Great - thank you for responding so quickly!
May 14, 2019, 4:33 am
#189
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 133
Is it possible to Pay for Premium (and upgrade to Club) but fly back in Economy? I sleep the same in both classes, so would rather save a few hundred to spend on the holiday given there are a few of us .
I can't see how on the website - I haven't tried to phone. Thanks!
. I can't see how on the website - I haven't tried to phone. Thanks!
May 14, 2019, 4:47 am
#190
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,977
You can do a cash booking for premium out and economy back on ba.com if it’s a simple return. Then you can call to upgrade with avios for the outbound up to club , subject to reward availability.
May 14, 2019, 9:55 am
#191
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Or you can just call to book the whole thing in one go.
May 14, 2019, 3:23 pm
#192
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: London
Programs: AAdvantage, and BAEC in name only
Posts: 803
(i think) I'm sure that departing from JER or INV on Biz redemptions used to result in a significant reduction in overall charges due to the lack of APD.
But looking at some flights today it seems BA have increased their own charges to negate this saving?
i.e. BA charges from LHR £306, from JER or INV almost £100 more for the same destination.
Is this new to have variable BA fees?
But looking at some flights today it seems BA have increased their own charges to negate this saving?
i.e. BA charges from LHR £306, from JER or INV almost £100 more for the same destination.
Is this new to have variable BA fees?
May 15, 2019, 3:59 pm
#193
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 5,120
Could anyone advise when Cathay release award availability to BA?
May 16, 2019, 1:31 am
#194
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 78
Apologies for cutting in here. Please can someone correct me if I'm wrong with regards to avios upgrades:
- I check that there is reward availability on the days I wish to travel
- If yes, I then purchase my flight on BA.com in the cabin below the one I wish to travel in
- Then I upgrade using my avios (online?)
May 16, 2019, 2:14 am
#195
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,977
Apologies for cutting in here. Please can someone correct me if I'm wrong with regards to avios upgrades:
- I check that there is reward availability on the days I wish to travel
- If yes, I then purchase my flight on BA.com in the cabin below the one I wish to travel in
- Then I upgrade using my avios (online?)