AX to BA, then comparing BA to AA awards
 

I have come into some BA miles via cc deals and now I can swap AX points for BA miles at 1=1.5. I was inclined to jump on the bandwagon in a big way but then I started looking at BA award costs. (I live in North America).

I read it that using BA miles, on either BA or partner would be 180,000 FC, North America to Europe (2) or 150,000 to Japan. Either trip would only be 125,000 on AA metal/miles, or partner metal (BA, JL, etc).

Something tells me I'm missing something but can't figure it out. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,

BA is typically bad to Europe due to taxes. To Asia the 150k is more than AA but only costs 100k in Amex MR points with the bonus. And you get a free stopover in Asia (vs only in the North American gateway with AA).

However it is best if you can get to a gateway city if you want to fly CX F or else you have to use multiple partners (e.g. AA or AS then CX) which costs a lot more on BA.

and if you look at the South Pacific, the differences are really huge, 145k on AA miles vs. 240k on BA. I was thinking about enough for 2x NA to Europe and 2x NA to SoPac.

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You're not missing anything. Each FFP has its own redemption rates (even for travel on partner carriers), and rules. BA will be cheaper than AA for some trips, and more expensive for others. For example, take a look at a Business Class roundtrip between the U.S. and Easter Island. BA puts Easter Island in its South America zone; AA puts it in its South Pacific zone. If you can depart from a U.S. city served by LAN, a BA redemption will be much cheaper.

indeed, redemption value differ by route. first, we all know BA sux at any European taxes.

however, BA redemption for North America to South America is actually cheaper than saver redemption on AA. but i dont fly to S.A. much.

hence, literally, YMMV in terms of value....

BA can be very impactful if you know how to use their program well.

Here is a link to the best BA tutorial out there
http://thepointsguy.com/2011/04/how-...-miles-post-1/

Also don't forget that you can book those hard to get F/J seats from SYD to LAX (esp on A380) with BA miles 3 weeks before you can with AA; by the time the bookings open for AA FFs, the pickings are slim.
However, it will cost more BA miles than AA miles (except if you get your BA miles @ 1:1.5 with Amex)

(MIA-LAX-SFO)-LIM-SCL-IPC on BA 40K JC

IPC for AA is part of South Pacific, use 85K AA FC for IPC-South Pacific R/T

IPC-SCL-EZE-(MIA-LAX-SFO) on BA 40K JC

Total=80K BA (54K AX) and 85K AA in order to visit 4 countries ;)

BA is much better on some routes if you fly in J or Y class ^

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"(MIA-LAX-SFO)-LIM-SCL-IPC on BA 60K FC"

Does LAN even offer First Class?

A Couple Points I've Learned
 

BA's fees are much lower than AA. Example: Redeposit is $70 vs. $150 on AA.

To Hawaii BA is 35K year round vs. 35K in off-peak on AA plus you have the option of using Alaska and doing hub stopovers.

The BA computer system is awful for partners but I've had excellent luck with telephone.

I can't decide what to do
 

Hi my name is cruisr and i am a mile alcoholic. Chorus: Hi Cruisr.

We have 325k BA miles that would be combined in a family account for use. I have 165k in aa. They are all from cc offers. Our next big trip in march to NZ and we got star A seats for 110k each in J thru US airways using Using partners.

I am swimming in miles and not sure if I should do the transfer for BA. I'm still working and use my miles for J/F awards but only once or twice a year.

I mostly earn/fly star A. I like the thought of 50k free miles but not sure how long it would take to use them. I think I am addicted.

They don't, I edited my post few minutes before your post but I submitted after that
:D

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"Hi my name is cruisr and i am a mile alcoholic. Chorus: Hi Cruisr."

How many days has it been since you last acquired miles?

BA is better than AA for Asia and South America flights.

25K coach each way or 50K business class. each way. Takes are 190.00 for each regardless of class!

Using miles for Latin America is just 40K miles round trip coach on AA or LAN and taxes are like 80.00

I am flying B on Cathay Pacific SHANGHAI -- HKG --JFK with a free stop in Hong Kong.

American would require 70K for coach roundtrip. :-O

just call them (BA).