BA to increase the cost of Avios redemptions in the United States
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British Airways announced yesterday that it is to increase the cost of some Avios redemptions on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines flights in the US.
You can read the full announcement on ba.com here.
For US residents – and UK residents on holiday in the States – US domestic flight redemptions represent good value because of the minimal taxes ($6).
To be fair, the biggest benefit was felt by US residents. The major US frequent flyer schemes charge 25,000 miles for a domestic economy return flight, however far. This made short hops, such as New York to Boston, very unattractive.
When Avios was launched, with its distance-based redemptions, it was a dream come true for those in the US. The cost of a one-way flight from New York to Boston, costing 12,500 American Airlines miles, could now be had for just 4,500 Avios.
Given that the British Airways credit card in the US has an occasional sign-up bonus of 100,000 Avios, albeit with a substantial spend requirement, you can see why people were excited about this.
The changes are relatively simple. For flights under 650 miles:
Economy redemptions increase from 4,500 Avios one-way to 7,500 Avios
Business class redemptions increase from 9,000 Avios one-way to 15,000 Avios
First Class redemptions increase from 18,000 Avios one-way to 30,000 Avios
Pricing on routes over 650 miles remains the same.
The new First Class pricing is crazy. Many US flights on two-class aircraft are sold as First and Economy. (You also find this on Qatar flights around the Middle East.) This means that a ‘First Class’ seat from New York to Boston – which is effectively a slightly bigger seat and not much more – will cost 60,000 Avios return! These ‘First Class’ seats are nothing of the sort.
The Avios redemption chart is now beyond the understanding of the vast majority of members, to be honest.
We now have:
Off-peak and peak redemption pricing options
Different calendars for peak and off-peak between Iberia and British Airways
Non-linear multiples – on long-haul, business class is 3 x economy whilst on short-haul it is 2 x economy
Different redemption charts for Iberia and British Airways – there are some weird differences for long-haul redemptions which mean, for example, New York on Iberia requires far fewer Avios than New York on BA
Different airlines available for redemption depending on where you book, eg Aurigny / Air Malta via avios.com, Vueling / Royal Air Maroc etc via Iberia, Aer Lingus and Alaska via BA
And now, different redemption levels for US domestic flights under 650 miles
It is becoming a joke, if it wasn’t already. The bottom line is that, if you ask ‘How many Avios is an economy flight to New York on 2nd July?’, the answer would run to about 200 words ….
Full details on the US pricing changes are on ba.com here. Remember that you can book until 2nd February, for flights 355 days beyond that, at the current prices.
How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!
In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review
Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review
There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
25,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
British Airways American Express
5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review
You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review
Run your own business?
We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.
Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa
Huge 30,000 points bonus until 12th May 2024 Read our full review
You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.
British Airways Accelerating Business American Express
30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review
There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.
American Express Business Platinum
40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review
Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.
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