BA wants 9k avios for a 63 miles flight?
Mar 23, 23, 11:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 260
BA wants 9k avios for a 63 miles flight?
I saw BA flies between St Kitts and Antigua on its way back to London. I thought it's a good way to use avios. But when I checked, it wants 9250 avios + $85 for off peak. Really? I thought even though there is no longer an award chart, it's at least somewhat distance based. And I'm sure the flight is always half empty on that leg since half of the passengers probably board at ANU. Even the $85 seems more than the tax and fees and I think there is surcharge tacked to it. Is this how BA avios operate these days?
Mar 23, 23, 12:15 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 1,971
I saw BA flies between St Kitts and Antigua on its way back to London. I thought it's a good way to use avios. But when I checked, it wants 9250 avios + $85 for off peak. Really? I thought even though there is no longer an award chart, it's at least somewhat distance based. And I'm sure the flight is always half empty on that leg since half of the passengers probably board at ANU. Even the $85 seems more than the tax and fees and I think there is surcharge tacked to it. Is this how BA avios operate these days?
Most airline award charts are similar, even if there is "no chart".
Just buy a cash ticket if you think 9,250 Avios is a lot.
Actually, having checked, economy SKB to ANU is shows $68 one way, but once you click through it prices as $179.80. It's similar enough to the Avios pricing.
Last edited by FlightDetective; Mar 23, 23 at 12:28 pm Reason: Checked pricing twice!
Mar 23, 23, 12:59 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,000
I think this pricing is incorrect.
RFS is not available on this sector and therefore pricing should be 4500 Avios plus full taxes, fees and charges. The 9500 is the "new" RFS price, which should accompany reduced TFC. BA have here taken both higher amounts.
RFS is not available on this sector and therefore pricing should be 4500 Avios plus full taxes, fees and charges. The 9500 is the "new" RFS price, which should accompany reduced TFC. BA have here taken both higher amounts.
Mar 23, 23, 1:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 626
Actually you can get RFS on this route. I just checked and it has the symbol which indicates as such.
Mar 23, 23, 1:20 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 260
What's so edge about it? Or do you just mean that BA prices 90% of the flights based on distance, and the other 10% when people are not noticing, just whatever it wants?
That's a given.
Exactly, I was expecting something like 4500 avios. Also even on such a short flight, tacking on some surcharge which I think $85 includes seems unscrupulous.
That's a given.
Exactly, I was expecting something like 4500 avios. Also even on such a short flight, tacking on some surcharge which I think $85 includes seems unscrupulous.
Mar 23, 23, 1:28 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 260
So if one assigns at least 1c for each avios, does that mean every short haul will cost at least $185 in value? What's the point of redeeming avios in RFS in this case?
Mar 23, 23, 1:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 626
The taxes and fees on a one way fare on that route is $111.80. If your account qualifies for RFS then you can go to the next page and see the other options, including the regular price option.
Mar 23, 23, 1:36 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
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I see that RFS is offered in Economy, Premium and Business. All for Avios and a nominal fee.
Last edited by Tafflyer; Mar 23, 23 at 1:46 pm
Mar 23, 23, 1:37 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Isle of Man/East Palo Alto
Programs: AA - CK/Airpass
Posts: 974
Not all expenses for a flight are variable with distance - Id expect there to be some base amount of ticket cost that a flight costs, irrespective of distance.
Mar 23, 23, 1:41 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 1,971
Same cash component on each.
Mar 23, 23, 1:48 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
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Yes, I just edited my post. In fact economy, premium and business is offered. Given the high taxes and charges on that route, an Avios redemption doesn't look bad value at all.
Mar 23, 23, 1:57 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 260
That sounds more reasonable. So it's 9250 for one way RFS and 18500 for round trip, right?
Mar 23, 23, 1:58 pm
#14
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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These are the RFS prices I am seeing - you need to have qualified for RFS by earning some Avios in the last 12 months as explained on BA.com
And the cash fare on this date in World Traveller (economy) is US$180, which isn't an unusual in that part of the world. So the best option is the RFS option for 5250 Avios, which I value at a UK penny each, thus 70, and a great use of Avios even in economy.
And the cash fare on this date in World Traveller (economy) is US$180, which isn't an unusual in that part of the world. So the best option is the RFS option for 5250 Avios, which I value at a UK penny each, thus 70, and a great use of Avios even in economy.
