Your guide to spending Avios | 2021 edition
Jul 14, 2022, 6:13 pm
#436
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,822
Same Day Confirmed Change (SDC)
Jul 15, 2022, 6:46 pm
#437
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 133
Hey all, curious if someone might be able to help...
I see an award ticket from LHR to Pittsburgh on the date I want, and another CDG to Pittsburgh not on the day I want. The CDG is $300 less in fees while the same points/miles.
While I'll be in Paris, I wonder, are there any other cities in Europe (a train ride away?) that help keep those pesky fees down? Or, a way to tack it on manually?
I see an award ticket from LHR to Pittsburgh on the date I want, and another CDG to Pittsburgh not on the day I want. The CDG is $300 less in fees while the same points/miles.
While I'll be in Paris, I wonder, are there any other cities in Europe (a train ride away?) that help keep those pesky fees down? Or, a way to tack it on manually?
Jul 15, 2022, 7:03 pm
#438
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,606
Hey all, curious if someone might be able to help...
I see an award ticket from LHR to Pittsburgh on the date I want, and another CDG to Pittsburgh not on the day I want. The CDG is $300 less in fees while the same points/miles.
While I'll be in Paris, I wonder, are there any other cities in Europe (a train ride away?) that help keep those pesky fees down? Or, a way to tack it on manually?
I see an award ticket from LHR to Pittsburgh on the date I want, and another CDG to Pittsburgh not on the day I want. The CDG is $300 less in fees while the same points/miles.
While I'll be in Paris, I wonder, are there any other cities in Europe (a train ride away?) that help keep those pesky fees down? Or, a way to tack it on manually?
Jul 15, 2022, 7:23 pm
#440
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,606
It's also possible that the amount of BA's carrier surcharge will be less from different origination airports.
Jul 16, 2022, 6:55 am
#441
Join Date: Jul 2021
Programs: AP AS BA
Posts: 365
Several weeks ago, I was searching for a cash booking for LHR and AMS/CDG-LHR to Western Canada in Y. the total costs were all the same as BA has lower base fares for itineraries departing from the UK. No free lunch, I guess.
Jul 16, 2022, 9:59 am
#442
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 133
Looks like LUX-LHR is the way to go here, now the question is can I get to an 11:10AM flight out from Paris by train or not haha -- looks like it gets me to the airport at 10:20, cutting it a bit close maybe? Never been to the LUX airport though.
Jul 16, 2022, 12:50 pm
#443
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,606
That would be too close for (my) comfort. What is the cost of getting to LUX vs. getting to CDG? And what is the savings on the taxes/fees on an award ticket?
Jul 17, 2022, 6:19 am
#444
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 244
I want to use an Amex 2-4-1 voucher on part of an Avios booking. Is this possible on one booking or does it need to be two separate bookings?
More specifically, I want to book Dublin to Santiago (SCL), via London, to significantly reduce the Air Passenger Duty at Heathrow, as only in transit. I know I cannot book DUB-SCL using a voucher as flights have to originate in the UK. My thought, would be to book DUB-LHR without a voucher and LHR-SCL with a voucher and combine them as one booking. Is this something BA can/will do? Or is there any other way to reduce the APD?. (I have tried Jersey and Inverness before and whilst there are savings they do not appear to be as great as DUB).
More specifically, I want to book Dublin to Santiago (SCL), via London, to significantly reduce the Air Passenger Duty at Heathrow, as only in transit. I know I cannot book DUB-SCL using a voucher as flights have to originate in the UK. My thought, would be to book DUB-LHR without a voucher and LHR-SCL with a voucher and combine them as one booking. Is this something BA can/will do? Or is there any other way to reduce the APD?. (I have tried Jersey and Inverness before and whilst there are savings they do not appear to be as great as DUB).
Jul 17, 2022, 10:44 am
#445
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BAEC Bronze, Mucci recipient
Posts: 1,786
I want to use an Amex 2-4-1 voucher on part of an Avios booking. Is this possible on one booking or does it need to be two separate bookings?
More specifically, I want to book Dublin to Santiago (SCL), via London, to significantly reduce the Air Passenger Duty at Heathrow, as only in transit. I know I cannot book DUB-SCL using a voucher as flights have to originate in the UK. My thought, would be to book DUB-LHR without a voucher and LHR-SCL with a voucher and combine them as one booking. Is this something BA can/will do? Or is there any other way to reduce the APD?. (I have tried Jersey and Inverness before and whilst there are savings they do not appear to be as great as DUB).
More specifically, I want to book Dublin to Santiago (SCL), via London, to significantly reduce the Air Passenger Duty at Heathrow, as only in transit. I know I cannot book DUB-SCL using a voucher as flights have to originate in the UK. My thought, would be to book DUB-LHR without a voucher and LHR-SCL with a voucher and combine them as one booking. Is this something BA can/will do? Or is there any other way to reduce the APD?. (I have tried Jersey and Inverness before and whilst there are savings they do not appear to be as great as DUB).
I believe the new 2-4-1 vouchers issued after Sep2021 allow you to start outside the UK but it still haS to be on BA metal.
Jul 17, 2022, 11:12 am
#446
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
While it is possible to do two separate bookings ie DUB-LHR and then LHR-SCL they will always remain separate bookings, BA will never merge them in the way you want. This also means that you will have to collect luggage at LHR and then check it in again fir your second booking, BA will not allow baggage to be automatically transferred to the second booking.. So if you do go ahead leave plenty of time at LHR.
Jul 17, 2022, 1:37 pm
#447
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BA exec, KLM , Toon travel
Posts: 58
Hi,
I am just trying to rebook my flights to NYC using a companion voucher and Avios (for the 3rd time, covid and life getting in the way)
When I originally booked in NCL-LHR-JFK I am sure it cost me 100,000 Avios + taxes etc, however, when I try and book it now it is costing 110,000 Avios + taxes.
Is this a recent change upwards in Avios cost?. I am guessing no way around this? I have enough Avios but my brother flying on his own Avios doesn't, just over 100,000
I can fly from LHR-JFK and just make my own way down from Newcastle so it's no big deal but just wondering.
Thanks
Simon
I am just trying to rebook my flights to NYC using a companion voucher and Avios (for the 3rd time, covid and life getting in the way)
When I originally booked in NCL-LHR-JFK I am sure it cost me 100,000 Avios + taxes etc, however, when I try and book it now it is costing 110,000 Avios + taxes.
Is this a recent change upwards in Avios cost?. I am guessing no way around this? I have enough Avios but my brother flying on his own Avios doesn't, just over 100,000
I can fly from LHR-JFK and just make my own way down from Newcastle so it's no big deal but just wondering.
Thanks
Simon
Jul 17, 2022, 3:12 pm
#448
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,991
NYC is 50k avios in J for off peak dates and 60k avios in J for peak dates. Is it possible you booked off peak dates out and back last time, and this time have a combination of off peak and peak?
Jul 17, 2022, 3:19 pm
#449
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BA exec, KLM , Toon travel
Posts: 58
