avios - when to buy flights

pinky28

Hi

I'm looking for a couple of return flights using avios points. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about the availability.
Currently only later flights are available but the earlier flight is still available in cash only. Just wondering if avios seats are released early first come first serve. Or if they are released nearer the time.

Looking for end sept if that makes a difference

steve1500

It depends where you are hoping to go to. Are you flexible with Airlines

pinky28

I think its only BA that go? Rome from heathrow

callum9999

pinky28 wrote: »

I think its only BA that go? Rome from heathrow

Well if you're particularly fussed there are a few other options for indirect flights but yes, BA is the only feasible one.

Flights being available for cash mean nothing, there are only a handful of avios seats available on each plane. What date are you looking for? If it's soon I'd imagine it's unlikely to appear as an avios seat, but they do sometimes load more last minute.

pinky28

September. So essentially the longer I leave it the more of a gamble it is?

callum9999

pinky28 wrote: »

September. So essentially the longer I leave it the more of a gamble it is?

That's the general rule yes. They normally release seats just under a year before, then maybe again a few days before (though anecdotally they seem to be doing less of that now). But as with anything to do with airline tickets, that's only a general rule and not gospel!

Though having looked at BA.com, they have lots of seats available every single day apart from the 12th - so I'm not sure why exactly you're having trouble finding seats?

If it's a timing thing then avios.com has a few more options, but with flights available pretty much every morning, afternoon and evening I really cannot see what the problem is!

pinky28

End of Sept im looking for 21st onwards.

Can u take a screen shot?

Im looking on BA directly so maybe that's the issue

PeacefulWaters

There's 8 flights out on the 21st September that I can see via BAEC.

Mainly LHR with one from LGW.

pinky28

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

There's 8 flights out on the 21st September that I can see via BAEC.

Mainly LHR with one from LGW.

That is so strange. I can only see 1! Gets you in for 21.55

No doubt if I phone them they will find a way to charge me...

steve1500

Have you tried using Avios's website. ? There appear to be loads of availability to Rome

callum9999

pinky28 wrote: »

That is so strange. I can only see 1! Gets you in for 21.55

No doubt if I phone them they will find a way to charge me...

There's definitely 8 - 6 in economy and 8 in business.

I have no idea why you're only seeing 1, are you doing it right? Try avios.com.