Best way to use avios

k3lvc

bitsnbytes wrote: »

Thanks budgetflyer and dickydonkin
I was looking at CDG (France)
I can transfer some points from my amex card and see if that reduces the cost.
There don't happen to be any deals on the eurostar would they?

I normally drive to disneyland in paris and it works out around £250 including fuel, ferry etc. Not sure if the flights would save much as it would be £140 for the flights but then I'll have to cater for parking at the airport and then transfers from CDG to DLP. Might save a bit of time though I guess
Eurostar would be ideal I think as they have straight trains to DLP

Apologies for being a bit picky, but I just don't see the moneysaving aspect for regular folk such as me

As a random suggestion why not use the Avios for your accommodation instead ? I used to use them for flight redemptions but the fees/taxes became excessive and availability was sporadic so have switched my flying patterns to KLM/AirFrance and am now just using up accumulated Avios points on family nights away

genetic

I've found that RFS flights (ie, short haul flights to Europe) are generally the best deal. Long haul flights in economy are not worth using avios for unless you need to fly on a particularly expensive day and there are avios seats available. However, this combination is pretty unlikely!

PeacefulWaters

I just don't see the moneysaving aspect for regular folk such as me

I will, again, point the finger at Reward Flight Saver which is typically London to Europe. Ideal for the number of points you have.

We'll always show you the Reward Flight Saver fare when it's available - just make sure you have collected at least one Avios in the past 12 months.

With more points I wouldn't be suggesting money saving. I'd be suggesting treating yourself to a business class seat. Or paying for premium economy and upgrading with points.

I agree that there is something of a dark art to Avios use. But I named a couple of web sites in my previous post that, with a fair bit of reading and thinking, will open more options for you.

budgetflyer

bitsnbytes wrote: »

I normally drive to disneyland in paris and it works out around £250 including fuel, ferry etc. Not sure if the flights would save much as it would be £140 for the flights but then I'll have to cater for parking at the airport and then transfers from CDG to DLP. Might save a bit of time though I guess
Eurostar would be ideal I think as they have straight trains to DLP

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For you, considering the RFS's are costing u £140 then transfers etc, there.s no real value there for a trip u normally do for £250.

So as a rough rule, you can get 0.5p per Avios off ferries, Eurotunnel or Hotel stays. Thats £200 off! via Avios.com

My average "buy" cost is around 0.25p per Avios so even, for me 0.5p is a decent return.

dickydonkin

phatbear wrote: »

There are times when avios is the cheapest way to go longhaul in economy.

Consider a family friend of mine is getting married in new york this week and ive only just found out i could have gone so i look on ba to see how much the flights are and a return for me alone in economy is £1738 however if i book through avios, on the same flight i would need to spend 26000 miles and £360 in taxes etc, thus saving me almost £1400..

That fare to New York is excessive. I have just done a phantom booking (ex Heathrow) and I can get economy outbound and premium economy for the return sector for £565.00

Obviously there will be a cost to get to Heathrow, but 26,000 miles plus the cash element seems steep.

phatbear

dickydonkin wrote: »

That fare to New York is excessive. I have just done a phantom booking (ex Heathrow) and I can get economy outbound and premium economy for the return sector for £565.00

Obviously there will be a cost to get to Heathrow, but 26,000 miles plus the cash element seems steep.

And my price was doing a like for like comparison the same flights/days/seats on ba against avios and going out monday morning and coming back tuesday was £1738. I accept the fact that the likelihood of needing to be in new york for a day is slim but in my instance it was all the time i had free and i would have only been going to the wedding as i have to be at work wednesday.

PeacefulWaters

phatbear wrote: »

And my price was doing a like for like comparison the same flights/days/seats on ba against avios and going out monday morning and coming back tuesday was £1738. I accept the fact that the likelihood of needing to be in new york for a day is slim but in my instance it was all the time i had free and i would have only been going to the wedding as i have to be at work wednesday.

They do like a weekend stay to push the fare down.

annie42

Best value way by far of using points if you're going to Paris is Eurostar.