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Which AMEX card

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  • WillPS
    WillPS Posts: 5,122 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Newshound! Name Dropper
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:

    If you dont like the idea of First/Business then MR probably arent for you, it's how you get a decent return on the points. If you use them to discount an economy ticket it will be at 0.5p/point and if you use them to book an economy ticket outside of BA Reward Flights it will be vastly less than that (if starting from the UK) but will be a flexible ticket.  With the higher tier flights you can comfortably achieve 2p/point and occasionally much more 


    It's not a "good return" unless it's something you would otherwise pay the full price for.
    If you are regularly paying cash prices for first class flights, then this should be the benchmark you value your points against.
    If not, you're opting out of saving money and instead spending money to get something you otherwise could not afford.
    Neither is objectively the right or wrong approach, but one is Money Saving and the other is the opposite.
    I normally don't fly business either, but a flight on BA to Europe is usually 9K Avios, which would be 9K Nectar points that worth 45 GBP... taking into account BA flies from Heathrow or London City and Avios tickets come with luggage allowance, it actually worth it in my view. Especially if you need to book at the last minute.

    Remember to factor the taxes and stuff, but yeah if you can get real value from it vs what you'd actually pay for a ticket (with any airline you'd possibly fly with) then that is genuine money saving. It certaintly isn't impossible but airmiles schemes in general are structured such that they focus the account-holders attention on how to get maximal value from their points, which is an entirely different equation from how they can best use their points to actually save them money. The Nectar conversion scheme is an unusual opportunity to get a real terms valuation; I suspect it has not gone at all as Avios/BA expected it would.

    Taxes and stuff are factored in. During the last couple of years I got a few flights from Heathrow to the continent for 50p + 9250 Avios.


    Sweet, and what's the (estimated) cost of the flight you'd actually booked if you didn't have the Avios?

    [Sounds very good value btw, just would like to conclude the point with a true representative value]
    Let us assume one wants to fly from London to Warsaw on the 21st of May, mid-day. This would be Wednesday before late May bank holiday. Avios Economy: 11750 + 50p =  59.25 GBP (base value). This includes fully flexible ticket and luggage. BA at 2pm from LHR. Business: 252GBP or 20000 Avios + 12.50GBP = 112.50 GBP. 
    BA cost: 131GBP economy basic (hand luggage only, not flexible); 178GBP checked-in luggage, 60GBP change fee; 224GBP semi-flex (changeable, not refundable); Business: 252GBP. 
    The nearest would be Wizzair from LTN at 15:05, 62GBP base fare + 11GBP flex + 46.50 GBP luggage + 31.50 GBP cabin bag = 151GBP. 
    Another option is LOT at 10am from LHR (assuming one can get there by 8am after a decent sleep) Economy Saver 92GBP, standard 118, fully flex 138; business semi-flex 180.
     

    Clearly good value can be had at this end, but interesting to note that on the bottom end, for someone who just wants to fly from London to Warsaw, on that date, doesn't care how they do it and only needs a carry-on bag - the low end Wizzair comparison cost leaves you at almost the same valuation as cashing out via Nectar, even with BA's nerfing of that rate.

    But either way if you fly regularly (with baggage) and would otherwise pay for the tickets I'm happy to reaffirm that genuine Money Saving value can be had so long as you keep an eye on the fares.

    Similarly if you fly very occasionally but take elevated classes when you do then extremely Money Saving value can be had.

    For all other Money Savers, there's the safe, no-brainer Nectar exit route. (While it lasts anyway!)
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 18,566 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    WillPS said:
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:

    If you dont like the idea of First/Business then MR probably arent for you, it's how you get a decent return on the points. If you use them to discount an economy ticket it will be at 0.5p/point and if you use them to book an economy ticket outside of BA Reward Flights it will be vastly less than that (if starting from the UK) but will be a flexible ticket.  With the higher tier flights you can comfortably achieve 2p/point and occasionally much more 


    It's not a "good return" unless it's something you would otherwise pay the full price for.
    If you are regularly paying cash prices for first class flights, then this should be the benchmark you value your points against.
    If not, you're opting out of saving money and instead spending money to get something you otherwise could not afford.
    Neither is objectively the right or wrong approach, but one is Money Saving and the other is the opposite.
    I normally don't fly business either, but a flight on BA to Europe is usually 9K Avios, which would be 9K Nectar points that worth 45 GBP... taking into account BA flies from Heathrow or London City and Avios tickets come with luggage allowance, it actually worth it in my view. Especially if you need to book at the last minute.

    Remember to factor the taxes and stuff, but yeah if you can get real value from it vs what you'd actually pay for a ticket (with any airline you'd possibly fly with) then that is genuine money saving. It certaintly isn't impossible but airmiles schemes in general are structured such that they focus the account-holders attention on how to get maximal value from their points, which is an entirely different equation from how they can best use their points to actually save them money. The Nectar conversion scheme is an unusual opportunity to get a real terms valuation; I suspect it has not gone at all as Avios/BA expected it would.

    Taxes and stuff are factored in. During the last couple of years I got a few flights from Heathrow to the continent for 50p + 9250 Avios.


    Sweet, and what's the (estimated) cost of the flight you'd actually booked if you didn't have the Avios?

    [Sounds very good value btw, just would like to conclude the point with a true representative value]
    Let us assume one wants to fly from London to Warsaw on the 21st of May, mid-day. This would be Wednesday before late May bank holiday. Avios Economy: 11750 + 50p =  59.25 GBP (base value). This includes fully flexible ticket and luggage. BA at 2pm from LHR. Business: 252GBP or 20000 Avios + 12.50GBP = 112.50 GBP. 
    BA cost: 131GBP economy basic (hand luggage only, not flexible); 178GBP checked-in luggage, 60GBP change fee; 224GBP semi-flex (changeable, not refundable); Business: 252GBP. 
    The nearest would be Wizzair from LTN at 15:05, 62GBP base fare + 11GBP flex + 46.50 GBP luggage + 31.50 GBP cabin bag = 151GBP. 
    Another option is LOT at 10am from LHR (assuming one can get there by 8am after a decent sleep) Economy Saver 92GBP, standard 118, fully flex 138; business semi-flex 180.
     

    Clearly good value can be had at this end, but interesting to note that on the bottom end, for someone who just wants to fly from London to Warsaw, on that date, doesn't care how they do it and only needs a carry-on bag - the low end Wizzair comparison cost leaves you at almost the same valuation as cashing out via Nectar, even with BA's nerfing of that rate.
    By carry on you are talking about something that has to go under the seat in front of you. Want a normal cabin bag to put in the bins above the seat and its another £31.50 with Wizz or more with Vueling
  • WillPS
    WillPS Posts: 5,122 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Newshound! Name Dropper
    WillPS said:
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:
    Emily_Joy said:
    WillPS said:

    If you dont like the idea of First/Business then MR probably arent for you, it's how you get a decent return on the points. If you use them to discount an economy ticket it will be at 0.5p/point and if you use them to book an economy ticket outside of BA Reward Flights it will be vastly less than that (if starting from the UK) but will be a flexible ticket.  With the higher tier flights you can comfortably achieve 2p/point and occasionally much more 


    It's not a "good return" unless it's something you would otherwise pay the full price for.
    If you are regularly paying cash prices for first class flights, then this should be the benchmark you value your points against.
    If not, you're opting out of saving money and instead spending money to get something you otherwise could not afford.
    Neither is objectively the right or wrong approach, but one is Money Saving and the other is the opposite.
    I normally don't fly business either, but a flight on BA to Europe is usually 9K Avios, which would be 9K Nectar points that worth 45 GBP... taking into account BA flies from Heathrow or London City and Avios tickets come with luggage allowance, it actually worth it in my view. Especially if you need to book at the last minute.

    Remember to factor the taxes and stuff, but yeah if you can get real value from it vs what you'd actually pay for a ticket (with any airline you'd possibly fly with) then that is genuine money saving. It certaintly isn't impossible but airmiles schemes in general are structured such that they focus the account-holders attention on how to get maximal value from their points, which is an entirely different equation from how they can best use their points to actually save them money. The Nectar conversion scheme is an unusual opportunity to get a real terms valuation; I suspect it has not gone at all as Avios/BA expected it would.

    Taxes and stuff are factored in. During the last couple of years I got a few flights from Heathrow to the continent for 50p + 9250 Avios.


    Sweet, and what's the (estimated) cost of the flight you'd actually booked if you didn't have the Avios?

    [Sounds very good value btw, just would like to conclude the point with a true representative value]
    Let us assume one wants to fly from London to Warsaw on the 21st of May, mid-day. This would be Wednesday before late May bank holiday. Avios Economy: 11750 + 50p =  59.25 GBP (base value). This includes fully flexible ticket and luggage. BA at 2pm from LHR. Business: 252GBP or 20000 Avios + 12.50GBP = 112.50 GBP. 
    BA cost: 131GBP economy basic (hand luggage only, not flexible); 178GBP checked-in luggage, 60GBP change fee; 224GBP semi-flex (changeable, not refundable); Business: 252GBP. 
    The nearest would be Wizzair from LTN at 15:05, 62GBP base fare + 11GBP flex + 46.50 GBP luggage + 31.50 GBP cabin bag = 151GBP. 
    Another option is LOT at 10am from LHR (assuming one can get there by 8am after a decent sleep) Economy Saver 92GBP, standard 118, fully flex 138; business semi-flex 180.
     

    Clearly good value can be had at this end, but interesting to note that on the bottom end, for someone who just wants to fly from London to Warsaw, on that date, doesn't care how they do it and only needs a carry-on bag - the low end Wizzair comparison cost leaves you at almost the same valuation as cashing out via Nectar, even with BA's nerfing of that rate.
    By carry on you are talking about something that has to go under the seat in front of you. Want a normal cabin bag to put in the bins above the seat and its another £31.50 with Wizz or more with Vueling
    Yep, that's why I said carry-on bag rather than cabin bag ;) 

    But in any case I would cordially suggest this is all waaaay off topic since the OP hinted and then made clear that it is not airmiles schemes they are interested in. 
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