Newbie to Nectar / Avios

RedBalloon

Hi, I realise the scheme can be quite complex so I would love some advice please.

I have a flight to book for September to Singapore with BA from Heathrow. I haven't booked it yet because I suddenly realised that my Nectar points (a lifetime of points - 44,632 - LOL) might make my £600 return flight cheaper?

I'm not sure how it works. I use Sainsburys all the time, so if it's not great value, will stick with using the points at Sainbsurys. But what are the options? Can I partially pay with Avios if I convert them? Upgrades? What is the 'business companion' thing about? 

Essentially £600 is a big cost for me so I'd love to get some value out of my nectar points and get a discount.  I will be travelling with a friend and we need to book soon.

mdann52

You can transfer nectar to avios yes, so you'll have around 27.5k avios.

You have two options - you can book and part-pay with Avios (works regardless of how many "avios seats" are remaining, and you still get Tier Points on the booking), look for a reward seat (HERE, no loyalty benefits earnt), or you can book a standard class seat and upgrade to the next class up (HERE).

Looking at the map, there's very few reward seats left for September (unless you are flying out on the first week or on a Sunday, there is pretty much nothing!), and nothing really in your price range. Paying avios+money doesn't always give you the best value, but it should give you a healthy discount!

It might also be worth looking at BA Holidays or flying starting outside the UK, as both of these can save money. Without knowing dates, it's difficult to calculate the best value option unfortunately.

The points are often worth more at Sainsbury's than using on a long-haul redemption unfortunately, especially at this "late stage" (avios seats are released 12 months before and the cheapest buckets usually go within hours to popular destinations such as SIN)

RedBalloon

Thank you so much for your considered reply!
I'm looking for around the middle of September so it sounds like a reward seat it's not an option on this occasion (even if I had enough points). I don't think I've ever booked a flight one year in advance in my life.

So I'd be looking at using them for a discount. Is there any way to work out what sort of discount I'd get vs the money I'd save in Sainburys (which I already know).

mdann52

This site has some examples of the rates - these are dynamic though, and you can't see them unless you have the relevant amounts of avios available! 
I would still advise looking at the reward seat finder and the upgrade tool, just in case your dates become avalible. There are some odd dates here and there with avalibility.

RedBalloon

Thank you - I was hoping to find out more without converting my points (then only to find it isn't suitable and lose value when I convert back to Nectar)  
Edited to add - looks like I'm better off with £220 in Sainsburys as I can't be flexible with dates.

jonnyb

One word of caution. I had £500 of Nectar points. They were stolen. Luckily after I complained to Nectar they were re-instated. But I then researched the issue, and it's very common and very easy. So be careful holding large Nectar balances.

jimi_man

RedBalloon said:

Thank you - I was hoping to find out more without converting my points (then only to find it isn't suitable and lose value when I convert back to Nectar)  
Edited to add - looks like I'm better off with £220 in Sainsburys as I can't be flexible with dates.

Just go online and do a dummy booking. Or ask and someone on here can do it with the relevant dates

jimi_man

Just realised that you can’t do a dummy booking without any Avios! I’m sure one of us can help if you really want to know. Just be advised that it’s a very poor use of Avios. 

claireandrichard

I am looking at booking a flight to miami for 4 in december. Ba are already more expensive without avios. I have 25000 nectar points. I dont understand rewards flights and/or reducing the cost of airfare with my avios points.

One other thing be warned people avios to nectar value is changing for mid march so it will be avios to nectar 400 points both way.

Any help on my above problem would be appreciated.  How much money am i likely to save on this flight?

bagand96

As advised above, using Avios towards economy flights gives you poor value.  To get a Reward economy return LHR-SIN in September is around 100,000 Avios (and will still cost £420 in taxes and charges).  Using Avios to upgrade on that route is around 45,000 so both options are more than you'd have.

You can use Avios to get a discount on cash bookings.  Just searched for return flights to Singapore with BA for September.  Cash price £564.19.  "Save with Avios" rates:

- £20 off with 2000 Avios
- £40 off with 6100 Avios
- £70 off with 12900 Avios
- £110 off with 22800 Avios

Given that your 44,000 Nectar will be worth around 27,000 Avios you are indeed better off using the Nectar points for £220 in Sainsbury's rather than £110 off a BA flight!

WillPS

RedBalloon said:

Thank you - I was hoping to find out more without converting my points (then only to find it isn't suitable and lose value when I convert back to Nectar)  
Edited to add - looks like I'm better off with £220 in Sainsburys as I can't be flexible with dates.

Highly likely this will be the case with most economy redemptions, the value in Nectar points at face value is almost always greater than the amount of discount they'll generate when turned in to Avios - and that's before you build in the 'BA premium' you're stuck with if you might consider flying with other/cheaper airlines.

There is value to be had if you're flying in a higher class, but of course then you're not money saving...