Using Avios Points

S

StevenH72

Veteran
My girlfriend and I are flying to Singapore at the end of March. We've purchased World Traveller+ (Econony+) seats but would like to upgrade to Club World (Business) using my avios points.

When I phoned BA earlier today I was told there is no reward seat availability at present on the flight, but to check regularly as any outstanding seats may be given reward flight availability closer to the time.

I know finding reward flight availability can be a real pain, but is it likely that reward flights will become available if I keep checking? Is reward flight availability more likely to be granted to higher status BAEC members? I'm a lowly silver member.

Does anybody have any tips for the best time to check, or any tricks? I know there are some keen Avios users on here, so I'm hoping to borrow your knowledge :wink:
 
I agree, it's a nightmare sometimes to try and use them...

the best way I found was to actually start dating one of their stewardesses.... not solely for that reason mind you, but found it helped a lot...

this could be a bit over the top for your needs, sorry it can't be of more help... lol
 
StevenH72 said:
My girlfriend and I are flying to Singapore at the end of March. We've purchased World Traveller+ (Econony+) seats but would like to upgrade to Club World (Business) using my avios points.

When I phoned BA earlier today I was told there is no reward seat availability at present on the flight, but to check regularly as any outstanding seats may be given reward flight availability closer to the time.

I know finding reward flight availability can be a real pain, but is it likely that reward flights will become available if I keep checking? Is reward flight availability more likely to be granted to higher status BAEC members? I'm a lowly silver member.

Does anybody have any tips for the best time to check, or any tricks? I know there are some keen Avios users on here, so I'm hoping to borrow your knowledge :wink:
Click to expand...


On popular routes such as that, J class availability will often open up at the last minute (within days of travel) so definitely keep checking and more regularly in the last few days.

Status makes no difference to reward availability (well in this case), I'm a lowly Silver too :wink:

On that route you may get POUG offers nearer the time or at check in for as low as few hundred, but depends how much you want to spend.

On the plus side WT+ is the best cabin to be in for op-ups but not something to rely on, actually did pretty well last year myself but never something to expect...
 
My trick for both limited availability airline & hotel spaces was to complain about the lack of availability.

Although I'd stipulate that I was flexible in where/when I went, and that I'd been trying unsuccessfully since the first possible moment to book a seat/room, and could they tell me how many rooms were available on any specific flight/hotel.

Can't remember if it was Hilton or Marriott that changed there's so that you simply booked a room as normal and then told them that you'd like to pay with points. So they were effectively as good as cash.

The best one every was with Shire hotels in the 90s, where you got 1 point for every £10 spent, and then you could use that 1 point (or was it 10?) as £1 off your bill. I used to save mine up (as the bill was paid by the client) and then buy 24-48 bottles of whatever fine wine the restaurant was at 'end of bin' stage with.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll keep checking and keep my fingers crossed.

An Op-Up would be ideal.

I'd settle for 48 bottles of wine though :wink:
 
you can only go up one class - so if you are economy, they will normally only let you go prem econ

I never got an upgrade - whenever i wanted them they were never available or i had bought too cheap a ticket

i did just book a 5 star hotel in portugal using avios, and got a 100% bonus, so that i was able to book 4 adults and 3 kids for 11 nights - and that was 420 000 avios

I do like the wine that BA offer for Avios, its a good selection and seems decent value, i think from memory, 15k avios gets a case of wine ... next xmas I think i will get lots of my wine from avios
 
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