Question over AVIOS reward redemption cost
Jan 13, 2019, 6:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: BA
Posts: 4
Question over AVIOS reward redemption cost
Hi,
Over the last couple of years I have built up around 70,000 AVIOS points, so I thought I would see what they could get me. I was looking to go to Senegal (2 tickets), and the straight BA Economy price works out at around £1600 for the two returns, and £2450 for Business class.THis is mainly via IBERIA so a route through Madrid, which is fine.
Checking the "Book and upgrade" option on BA's site I'm presented with a whole different scenario. The Total cost is £3800 + 65,000 AVIOS! That not one or the other, that's both.
Am I missing something here?
Over the last couple of years I have built up around 70,000 AVIOS points, so I thought I would see what they could get me. I was looking to go to Senegal (2 tickets), and the straight BA Economy price works out at around £1600 for the two returns, and £2450 for Business class.THis is mainly via IBERIA so a route through Madrid, which is fine.
Checking the "Book and upgrade" option on BA's site I'm presented with a whole different scenario. The Total cost is £3800 + 65,000 AVIOS! That not one or the other, that's both.
Am I missing something here?
Jan 13, 2019, 8:06 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,129
Nope. You can only upgrade with Avios from the higher/highest Economy booking classes on Iberia (and AA) flights. So the underlying Y ticket is being pushed up to nearly £1900 pp. Then you need to factor in the higher J taxes (and APD if no stopover). Then the Avios for the privilege of upgrading.
Note that the Iberia MAD-DSS service is with a standard A321 - middle seat free Business class. You may want to consider Y in row 9 if that's available, and you are suitable for the exit row.
Note that the Iberia MAD-DSS service is with a standard A321 - middle seat free Business class. You may want to consider Y in row 9 if that's available, and you are suitable for the exit row.
Jan 14, 2019, 4:30 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: BA
Posts: 4
OMG. I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do with these AVIOS points in that case. I do not think this I would ever book a full priced Economy ticket, either for business or pleasure
. Especially at the prices seen above.
Jan 14, 2019, 4:38 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Programs: BA, IHG, 5C
Posts: 4,413
If you want a simple answer (and you'd fly from London) direct shorthaul BA flights will be your best use. The shortest flights are 4500 avios (less offpeak) and £17.50 each way; business is 9000 + £25. Go a bit further (e.g. much of Italy/Spain and its 7,500/15,000); and then southern-/eastern-most Europe is 10k/20k.
Jan 14, 2019, 4:43 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: ±38,000 feet
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, AF Plat, EK Plat
Posts: 6,428
On BA flights you can upgrade from almost any class (Bar O,Q,G I think) which means that within europe you only need to buy second or third cheapest option to be able to upgrade to business.
Jan 14, 2019, 4:55 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: BA
Posts: 4
I fly mainly from London for Business and have family near so often stay with them when flying personally (although I'm actually based in Wales, but neither Cardiff nor Bristol tend to have flights I want - and few/any One World airlines).
Thanks for the options. Am i right is saying that if I by a flight just with AVIOS, then I do NOT earn tier points?
Thanks for the options. Am i right is saying that if I by a flight just with AVIOS, then I do NOT earn tier points?
Jan 14, 2019, 4:57 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
I would say the best value for your Avios is to find Club World reward space and then see if you can book the best price World Traveller Plus and use your Avios to upgrade into those seats. Have a look through the excellent guide :
Your guide to spending Avios | 2019 edition
Jan 14, 2019, 4:59 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 28
My view on Avios has been quite positive, based on working to the following:
1. Using BA Amex 2 for 1 vouchers (double the value of Avios)
2. Being flexible with holidays on both location and dates. So far I've done JFK and back in F and have SFO and back in F in a few days, all for less than 500 GBP per person.
I have a couple of friends who have used avios for economy / premium economy flights, but my view is that this is a waste of the points. You still have to pay roughly the same amount of tax on both an economy flight and a flight in first to the USA so it only really makes sense for premium classes.
Jan 14, 2019, 5:16 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: BA
Posts: 4
I think the 2 for 1 voucher is a good option, unfortunately, I don't have these (I got the wrong BA Amex card, then couldn't change). At these prices for this flight, this doesn't seem sensible to me. I'll keep looking I guess.
Jan 14, 2019, 5:22 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
You can change to the paid Amex mid year and your spend still counts towards the £10k in order to trigger the magic voucher