Avios- Is there a better alternative

blindman

holidaysforme wrote: »

Interesting thread. I've been collecting
Thanks for any hints/tips. I'm new to avios.

Look at Headforpoints and Flyertalk

zerog

holidaysforme wrote: »

Interesting thread. I've been collecting avios for a while and am hoping to use for flights for the first time this year for flights next year.
I'm thinking of trying to book reward flight saver flights to any of the canary islands for next February. Also, I'd like to book flights to Verona Milan or Bordeaux for july/ august for next year.

What are my chances of getting these? It would be for 2 adults and 1 teen. If I book the flights as soon as they are released will I have a good chance of getting them, and when will I know when they go on sale.
Is it normally 11months in advance, so I should be abe to look for feb next year soon?
Thanks for any hints/tips. I'm new to avios.

For European short-haul there is no need to book 11 months in advance, RFS availability is quite good even very close to the flight date (depends on destination and exact dates obviously). For cash tickets if BA says there is a sale then prices probably will be as low as they are going to get.

It's only on (premium) longhaul that you need to grab the seats as soon as they are released, or the day before the flight

holidaysforme

zerog wrote: »

For European short-haul there is no need to book 11 months in advance, RFS availability is quite good even very close to the flight date (depends on destination and exact dates obviously). For cash tickets if BA says there is a sale then prices probably will be as low as they are going to get.

It's only on (premium) longhaul that you need to grab the seats as soon as they are released, or the day before the flight

Thanks. Been looking at availability for the canaries and it would appear you have to grab them quickly( for any if the school hol dates) so I'll keep an eye out for when they become available for next February on the Avios website.
Should that be sometime soon?

holidaysforme

blindman wrote: »

Look at Headforpoints and Flyertalk

Have looked at these before, and don't find them that helpful tbh. I can never find answers to specific questions.
Both sites seem to be geared up for discussions around long haul primarily.

wilko116

I concur with the originator that the Avios sheme is not a patch on the old Air Miles especially for people living in or around London or Manchester. Are there any similar schemes thar can be used on Easy Jet flights

bettiemme

holidaysforme wrote: »

Have looked at these before, and don't find them that helpful tbh. I can never find answers to specific questions.
Both sites seem to be geared up for discussions around long haul primarily.

I agree .. completely!

blindman

holidaysforme wrote: »

Have looked at these before, and don't find them that helpful tbh. I can never find answers to specific questions.
Both sites seem to be geared up for discussions around long haul primarily.

I find that hard to believe for HfPoints.

Did you ask your specific questions there?

nono26_2

HopelessCase wrote: »

We collected Air Miles points and when it switched to the Avios scheme we continued collecting points slowly so we had enough for 2 return flights to Barcelona. We were aware that Avios was not nearly a good as Air Miles but wanted to reach our target. What amazed us was the lack of availablity of seats on the flights we wanted, plus the fact that taxes etc were added on. We have now bitten the bullet and booked our flights using our hard earned points. In fact we would neatly have been better offer not using our points and paying for the flights by Easy Jet. Is there an alternative to Avios to collect points for flights to Europe that would give a better return .At the moment we are using Tesco club card points and Lloyds duo card.

I wrote AVios to tell them a breakdown in a nutshell. expedia and Avios will give us the same flight Prices to the USA from Manchester UK with no value added
:mad:

nono26_2

nono26 wrote: »

I wrote AVios to tell them a breakdown in a nutshell. expedia and Avios will give us the same flight Prices to the USA from Manchester UK with no value added
:mad:

555 swissair to chicago from Manchester, Avios. 554 pound whats the point BA are really ripoffs!!!

PeacefulWaters

nono26 wrote: »

555 swissair to chicago from Manchester, Avios. 554 pound whats the point BA are really ripoffs!!!

I share the frustration, but it depends what you use them for.

9,000 points plus £35 including luggage to Europe return = good value.

40,000 points plus c£300 for a £1,500 Club fare transatlantic = great value.

Internal flights within the USA can get very good value too.

Hotels and car hire not so good value. Out of peak time transatlantic fares poor value.