Just letting off steam

[Lyn]

I checked prices on BA this morning for 2 people travelling Jan.13 Economy came in at £987.52. Economy out and Prem.Economy back came in at £1321.52. Right I thought I could go out Economy and come back Prem.Econamy using Avios for the upgrade. I would have thought that would have been £987.52 + Avios, no, it came in at £1357.52 + 25000 Avios, that's more expensive than paying cash for it, how can that be right. I thought I would give them a ring to check it out, after listening to music and going through a number of options was told "we are experiencing a high level of calls and the wait time is 45 minutes" So not booked yet!!

[Snapper]

But your call *is* important to them [msnwink]

[Jill]

But your call *is* important to them [msnwink]

Of course it is they would not have you think anything else!

[Katys Grandad]

Unfortunately, the figures are probably right because only certain economy fare classes are upgradeable with Avios so what you're seeing is the economy fare element rising when you request the upgrade.

A much better deal would be to buy the WT outbound with the WT+ return with cash and use the 25k Avios to upgrade to Club. Unlike economy fares, all WT+ classes are upgradeable.

[Lyn]

A much better deal would be to buy the WT outbound with the WT+ return with cash and use the 25k Avios to upgrade to Club. Unlike economy fares, all WT+ classes are upgradeable.

Now theres a plan. Back to BAs I go.

[bargainqueen]

Unfortunately, the figures are probably right because only certain economy fare classes are upgradeable with Avios so what you're seeing is the economy fare element rising when you request the upgrade.

A much better deal would be to buy the WT outbound with the WT+ return with cash and use the 25k Avios to upgrade to Club. Unlike economy fares, all WT+ classes are upgradeable.

We would like to book for Febuary next year and use our 26k+ Avios points from 2 previous Club flights to get cheaper price. Can we still do that by booking WT+ in a sale or has it changed since the move over to Avios. Can we do this on-line or do we have to do it via phone?

[Katys Grandad]

Sorry to be thick, are you referring to upgrading or using Avios plus cash?

[syrup]

Avios is very strange. When it was Airmiles I used it to subsidise flights at good rates. Now it's just not worth it.

I looked at using my miles for car hire this year. I could have used all my miles to get one, or one option was 9,000 miles + £300. Hello I can get one direct for £250 so why would I waste 9000 miles and £50.

I've decided Avios just isn't worth it for me.



Keith

[Katys Grandad]

I think you have to put some time in on understanding the ins and outs to get the most from it. Used wisely, you can save thousands of pounds a year but it requires commitment and knowledge. It's much the same for all the Frequent Flyer programmes although you really have to do the miles to get those benefits.

At a conservative estimate, I'll spend around £20k less this year than I would otherwise have to do on travel because of programmes like Avios. I say "spend less" rather than "save" because I wouldn't actually spend the full amount if that was the only option.

[syrup]

I think you have to put some time in on understanding the ins and outs to get the most from it.

I think you are right. I've just realised that no matter what time of year you go the charge is the same i.e. booking with B/A is more expensive in August because of the school holidays than say October. With Avios it's the same.

Am I correct?



Keith