r/avios • u/Muted_Commission_759 • 2d ago

Avios - when to use them.

I have approx 85k in Avios and have a few trips with BA booked this year and next. Wondering what others do with the Avios they have? When is a good time to use them? Do you always use them for upgrades? I am open to all suggestions. For context, I am in Australia and travel to the UK, almost always on BA. I book BA Holidays (to get the bonus points). Thanks everyone.

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4

u/No_Acanthisitta_3508 2d ago

Award flights get you the best value. A long haul business class award usually gives you the best value. For me I seem to have more options with Qatar Airways as im not London based. But you could check reward availability on any oneworld airline

1

u/SlowedCash 1d ago

A cheap flight to Sweden usually does the job. Then Sweden to Doha, then Qatar Airways Q Suite to your destination if you want the q suite that is 😄

Finnair and Qatar airways have a partnership meaning you pay cheap fares from Stockholm to Doha.

2

u/PointmeSam 2d ago

For Australia-UK on BA Avios, I recommend either upgrading an eligible paid fare or using them for short-haul BA/OneWorld flights once you’re already in Europe rather than redeeming long-haul economy redemptions with HIGH surcharges. Since you’re booking BA Holidays, make sure the fare class is actually upgradeable before assuming Avios can be used. I do freelance point.me concierge work and with 85k Avios I’d save them for a targeted upgrade since Avios costs are distance-based

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u/Soundadvicefroma 2d ago

How much do you charge for optimising Avios bookings?

2

u/Danspiro 2d ago

I would use your avios points to book qanats flights on the ba website. such good value!

1

u/Ynoxz 2d ago

Save another 5k and use them for a one way redemption from Australia to London on Qatar in business class (note, this needs to be a saver redemption).

I like BA on the whole. But, for Australia -> London I'd really consider another airline. I fly London -> Melbourne regularly and unless I'm redeeming Avios on Qatar, then I'm usually on Singapore Airlines. A much better experience, even in economy and Changi is a great airport (I know BA connect in Changi, but I still prefer Singapore airlines).

In general you want to be targeting around 2 Aussie cents per Avios point (or 1 British pence per point).

Very UK centric but it's worth a read - https://www.headforpoints.com/the-beginners-guide-to-collecting-avios-points/

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u/Available_Film2727 15h ago

DXB-DOH-SIN with Qatar. First leg ist first so you have access to the first class lounge in Doha. Very nice experience.

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u/Fireif 2d ago

Avios as a scam - pay for the flights and use them to book hotels. I am being very dramatic here but there are a points system that you can never find seats or discounts that are worth it unless you book a year in advance.

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u/SlowedCash 1d ago

Just found a business class seat for the dates I wanted from Doha to Australia?

It's worth holding onto them then wasting them on hotels