Avios - can you use them to buy tickets for other people

GingerBob_3

Scenario is I want to use some of my Avios miles to purchase tickets for two family members. I won't be travelling. I have a standard Avios account, not a household account.


Thanks, GB.

Caz3121

yes no problem, I have friends arriving tomorrow on flights I booked for them with my avios

caronoel

Yes, you can't use the Amex companion voucher though

GingerBob_3

Thanks. I thought that was the case but just wanted to confirm. However, just looked at pricing and per person return to New York costs 33,000 Avios PLUS! £318.


We're looking at other options now.

PeacefulWaters

GingerBob wrote: »

Thanks. I thought that was the case but just wanted to confirm. However, just looked at pricing and per person return to New York costs 33,000 Avios PLUS! £318.


We're looking at other options now.

Long haul economy redemptions from the uk are rarely good value (although they are a flexible ticket, so not the same as the cheapest cash tickets).

They can be good value on internal flights within USA or for higher class tickets out of the UK.

Also, see if there is any availability on Air Berlin flights from (I think) Düsseldorf or Berlin. It'll need a positioning flight but may offer better value. 40,000 points plus £61 plus positioning costs.

silvercar

GingerBob wrote: »

Thanks. I thought that was the case but just wanted to confirm. However, just looked at pricing and per person return to New York costs 33,000 Avios PLUS! £318.


We're looking at other options now.

Try going via DUB (Dublin) ie Book DUB-JFK using Avios and then a separate ticket to DUB.

budgetflyer

Or buy cheapest BA econ ticket and "part pay with Avios" sometimes offers a bit of value.

Sidenote. "Value" is dependant on how you "earned" your Avios in the first place and whether you are Avios rich, cash poor, or visa versa.
As a rule, anything saving me 0.4p per Avios or more, for me I would consider "VALUE" as my acquisition cost is under 0.3p
Of course it is quite possible to get 2p upwards with certain redemptions, typically business or first class long haul

GingerBob_3

Thanks to all for the advice. Finally we did take the BA Avios option. Overall, nothing else came close, pricewise, when luggage charges on the cheaper airlines were taken into account. And the BA flight was more convenient in terms of departure airport, dates and times.

holidaysforme

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Long haul economy redemptions from the uk are rarely good value (although they are a flexible ticket, so not the same as the cheapest cash tickets).

They can be good value on internal flights within USA or for higher class tickets out of the UK.

Also, see if there is any availability on Air Berlin flights from (I think) Düsseldorf or Berlin. It'll need a positioning flight but may offer better value. 40,000 points plus £61 plus positioning costs.

How do you search for reward flights with Air Berlin please? Waiting to book for next Christmas, and have a number of options available including using Avios, but balking a bit at the BA taxes:eek:
I know if you travel Aer Lingus using avios via Dublin you have to ring up BAEC to book.

Caz3121

>> How do you search for reward flights with Air Berlin please? <<
in the book a reward flight choose a route that AB fly...eg TXL-JFK...it will show available flights (economy pricing 40,000 avios + £60)

holidaysforme

Caz3121 wrote: »

>> How do you search for reward flights with Air Berlin please? <<
in the book a reward flight choose a route that AB fly...eg TXL-JFK...it will show available flights (economy pricing 40,000 avios + £60)

Thanks. At least I know how to search now. However despite putting in loads of random dates for next year there is not one direct flight from .berlin. They are all routed through London:(
I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if there is just no avaivibility.