Reward flights using BA Avios

beautifulbella1

I've been collecting Avios on my Amex card for years. I now have 400k plus. Never tried to use them before. Wanting to use them to get reward flights now that travel is opening up. But finding seats proving difficult on BA website. Any suggestions? 

Caz3121

this can be a useful site as a starter https://rewardflightfinder.com/ 
also worth having a read on the BA forum on FlyerTalk for best value for usage

beautifulbella1

Caz3121- thanks. Am new to forum, did not expect such a quick response. Just checked the site out and it looks perfect. Signed up for the top plan. Good reviews on TrustPilot. Lots of happy punters & I can see why. It allows you to see reward seat availability for 355 days ahead. If your date is not available, you set up an alert giving departure and destination points, cabin class and number of seats and the site checks your alert once daily for free, or more frequently for a fee. For £3 per month they search hourly, for £10 per month (currently there is a £4.99 sale) they search constantly. Seats are released by the airlines at any time, day or night, and you are notified as soon as your seat becomes available. This will save me loads of time. Hopefully I can find seats for next Christmas. 

Caz3121

I've never actually paid to use it, just useful for checking out possibilities that then still need to be verified on the BA site. BA guarantee to release 4 economy (terrible use of Avios) and 2 x business seats on every flight at midnight (or 1am depending if BST or not) 355 days before travel. Additional seats and other classes may be released then or at other times.
https://www.headforpoints.com/2019/01/02/when-does-british-airways-release-avios-reward-flights/

HHarry

And it’s always worth checking cash prices, especially during sales.  The taxes & fee’s can be quite pricey, and so the ‘value’ you get for your Avios can be lower.

 I appreciate the Avios were free, but we all prefer a bargain!