16000 AVIOS - What can I do

mark55man

After a busy year last year doing a lot of UK to UK flying (mainly BA) at work I have 16000 Avios and 360 Lifetime tier points.

I know I am being dense but I cant quite see what these do for me. So if anyone could suggest how much they are worth (in savings) or what they would do - I would be grateful.

I am going to read the easy way to get extra points guides, so dont need suggestions on that - I just dont really know where I am starting

Thanks

theonlywayisup

If you don't want to save them up towards a reward flight, then have a look at this:

http://www.avios.com/gb/en_gb/spend if Avios or this if BAEC Avios http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/executive-club/spending-avios It would get you a case of rose wine (14,500) or a standard return on Eurostar.....depends what you want to do really.

16k isn't a lot, you may want to keep them, boost your saving (try HeadForPoints) and then redeem when you've enough to take a flight.

SW17

If you want to spend them on flights, one of the better uses of smaller amounts of Avios is using Reward Flight Savers on BA short haul routes. These have a fixed fee of £35 per person return in addition to the Avios required.

You can get a return flight to a number of short-haul destinations from 8000 Avios + £35 per person return, though these days they are only good value if you are within reach of London airports as a start point, the domestic connections are no longer free on redemptions.

Your lifetime tier points are of no great relevance until you get up to 35,000, though the number you earn within a membership year matter for status (300 in a membership year along with at least 2 eligible flights attaining the first level, BA Bronze).

mark55man

That's helpful - thanks. Short haul would be good - especially if that includes nearby European destinations - effectively it seems like a long weekend for £70 + whatever it costs over there. a good start anyway

PeacefulWaters

Prague, where you book flights for off peak dates, would be 16,000 Avios return for two. Milan too. Includes 23kg of hold luggage each.

Book as singles. Taxes on the return leg are often less than £17.50 when booked as a single.

If you have bronze status from your tier points then you can go down the business class queue when dropping off your bags and board the plane first. Oh, and prebook seats for free 7 days prior to departure.

blindman

mark88man wrote: »

That's helpful - thanks. Short haul would be good - especially if that includes nearby European destinations - effectively it seems like a long weekend for £70 + whatever it costs over there. a good start anyway

Headforpoints has an Avios University which covers Reward Flight Savers

I've flown to Moscow in First + Iceland in Y recently for very little Avios and cash.

Think outside the box.
You can use Avios on Inter state flights in the USA (+ South America) to name a couple of good bargains.

Headforpoints "university article cover these options.

budgetflyer

You can also use for cash off . I used 30k for £400 off 2 economy flights to Mumbai. If I remember, recently 30k got u £700 off business class

mark55man

Thanks all. will read these with interest. looks like it could be worth (or at least save) £100 quid or so

We can go off peak this year so that's useful (kids grown up) OH between jobs. really fancy Prague