Newbie to Nectar / Avios

jimi_man

WillPS said:

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...

No, actually you are money saving. Indeed, as you’ve outlined, that’s where the most value is to be had. Money saving isn’t buying the cheapest of everything regardless, it’s about getting the best deal for the things that you’d normally like to buy. So if you normally travel in Business or better (and lots of people do) then money saving is getting the best value from those flights. 

jimi_man

claireandrichard said:

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?

Just looked for you. 25000 Nectar points converts to around 15625 Avios. Basically for your flights 8000 Avios gives £80 off. Not the worst rate but you’re still better off keeping them in Nectar points - IMO. 

mdann52

claireandrichard said:

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.

Just to clarify, it's 400 each way but you don't get 400 out of it:

400 Nectar = 250 Avios
400 Avios = 400 Nectar

 The rate of buying avios is the same, it's only the rate to sell avios that is changing

RedBalloon

Thank you everyone. I will be sticking with Nectar points for Sainsburys then.
It will certainly help with my food shops in any case!