Avios Points Boosting guide discussion

credit_crunch

Evening everyone.
I am trying to save up enough air miles to fly first class for a big birthday trip in a few years.
We put the majority of our wedding costs on a tesco credit card, our honeymoon on BA Amex card to take advantage of bonus miles etc.
we have reached 50k so far.
we are hoping to put a new kitchen in before the summer & along spend a few days in London as a birthday trip so will be spending then.

Just wondering if anyone knew the best card for miles at the minute? Don't fancy a fee paying card. Will have a nosey round the site shortly.

Happy new year everyone :beer:

malkie76

Stick with the BA Amex until you trigger the 2-4-1, which the best and easiest way to get double value for your miles.

Gold Amex always has a big sign up bonus, and I think currently they are waiving the yearly fee.

JPears

The biggest problem with collecting all these points is trying to spend them.
Thought we had our summer holiday flights all booked beforr xmas from Leeds to marseill then BA changed the flights. twice in 6 weeks (without telling us)
Have looked extensively on avios site and NO flights to anywhere over Feb 2014 half term.
I think the whole thing is a bit of scam really. We have only ever managed to spend points sucessfully once with a weekend break to Rome. Last minute booking. Its hopeless if you book in advance.
Anybody else had problems actually finding flights they want?

callum9999

JPears wrote: »

The biggest problem with collecting all these points is trying to spend them.
Thought we had our summer holiday flights all booked beforr xmas from Leeds to marseill then BA changed the flights. twice in 6 weeks (without telling us)
Have looked extensively on avios site and NO flights to anywhere over Feb 2014 half term.
I think the whole thing is a bit of scam really. We have only ever managed to spend points sucessfully once with a weekend break to Rome. Last minute booking. Its hopeless if you book in advance.
Anybody else had problems actually finding flights they want?

I think you are ridiculously overreacting. There are flights during the February half term. I just choose Madrid at random and there are several each day. There will be loads more added a bit closer to the time - you are booking too far out (there is a rather large middle-ground between either booking 11 months in advance or last minute...).

I've never had problems finding flights I want and have saved hundreds upon hundreds of pounds (my last trip booked was 9000 avios + £2 taxes or £300 cash).

jpsartre

JPears wrote: »

Anybody else had problems actually finding flights they want?

I manage to use my points all the time. That's not to say I always get to use them exactly when I want though. If you're locked into specific dates and destinations and only travel once or twice a year then the risk of disappointment is higher.

Mint1955

I collect points through my tesco club card.
All shopping/petrol etc done on tesco credit card.
Eon power points awarded to tesco club card

We usually get two free return trips to Cyprus a year for £15 per person per flight taxes.

The flight times have been a little more restrictive this year but its a small price to pay for a nearly free ticket.

JPears

Over reacting? OK here is an example I looked with intention of booking:
Monarch return flight Leeds/Bradford to Grenoble 1/2/14- 8/2/14 for skiing:
Direct from Monarch £95.98
Same flight through Avios 9000 points, +£80.50
No flights at all thru Avios at Half term. Direct from Monarch £203.
Scam

Caz3121

JPears wrote: »

Over reacting? OK here is an example I looked with intention of booking:
Monarch return flight Leeds/Bradford to Grenoble 1/2/14- 8/2/14 for skiing:
Direct from Monarch £95.98
Same flight through Avios 9000 points, +£80.50
No flights at all thru Avios at Half term. Direct from Monarch £203.
Scam

Not scam because you are not comparing like with like. Avios booking should be compared to fully flexible/refundable fares
Reward Flight savers to Lyon would be 9,000 Avios and £30 return and the flights can be cancelled/refunded unlike the Monarch flights.
The Avios fare will also include baggage and check-in which is additional to the Monarch fare.
To do a straight comparison you need to get the fare for a flexible ticket with baggage and checkin then see how that compares to 9,000 Avios + £30

jpsartre

JPears wrote: »

Over reacting? OK here is an example I looked with intention of booking:
Monarch return flight Leeds/Bradford to Grenoble 1/2/14- 8/2/14 for skiing:
Direct from Monarch £95.98
Same flight through Avios 9000 points, +£80.50
No flights at all thru Avios at Half term. Direct from Monarch £203.
Scam

Good to see that the word 'scam' continues to be the most misused word in here (though 'rip-off' is a close contender).

JPears

Caz - the above flights are identical - one is booked directly thru Monarch, the other is exactly the same identical Monarch flights booked thru Avios. Not BA flights.
I doubt these are anymore refundable through Avios than direct thru Monarch. The trouble I had getting a refund from Avios cos BA changed our flights twice was unbelievable and shocking.
Unfortunately the Avios website is poorly maintained so I can't actually view what I get for my 9000 Avios points.

And has anybody actually found and "purchased" any Aurigny flights to/from Channel Islands thru Avios?
Or is this another example of International Airlines Group "clever" (deceitful) marketing ploy?
Call me a cynic, but its experiance that makes me so...