Where has all British Airways First Class Avios flight availability gone?

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• Jimbob says:

  2 Apr2 April 10:27

  Just have to go to Barbados instead on New York next year.
  Every cloud and silver lining, and all that!

• Ben says:

  2 Apr2 April 10:42

  I’ve been screwed by this. Been holding off using my 2-4-1 for weeks as F availability was great (outbound to TYO and returning from HKG/SIN/KUL). Suddenly it all disappeared. I’ve now booked the outbound a week before Christmas but not sure when/where we’ll get back from. I’m not interested in flying in CW – I’d rather just do an ex-EU with a decent airline.

  I know it is my fault for stalling. Stupid really.

  • roberto says:

    2 Apr2 April 10:51

    @Ben , however, I have been monitoring First Awards between LHR and SIN/KUL for availability since the 1st of Jan and there has been hardly any so dont be so hard on yourself. I have not seen any SIN in either direction and only the odd smattering to/from KUL.

    Luckily I did manage to bag F out to KUL for the 14th of Feb and will have to slum in in CW back from SIN. I guess it means the CCR will be quiet if nothing else.

    • Dan says:

      2 Apr2 April 11:18

      A few weeks back I used two 2-4-1 vouchers to bag 4 First seats (plus infant on lap) out to Jo’burg on Feb 14, so may we’ll see you in the CCR!

    • Dan says:

      2 Apr2 April 11:18

      A few weeks back I used two 2-4-1 vouchers to bag 4 First seats (plus infant on lap) out to Jo’burg on Feb 14, so may well see you in the CCR!

    • Polly says:

      2 Apr2 April 13:29

      Me too, managed to bag out to HKG and back from KUL in F using our 241. That would finish us too, as we enjoy is the F trip in winter. There’s something weird going on. After all there’s only 8 in the cabin, so not as if the lounges are swamped with F pax.

      • Ben says:

        2 Apr2 April 15:58

        We actually were willing to return from TYO, PEK or PVG – which had wide open availability. Taxes for us look to be ~£1400 for a return – if you consider that I can get an ex-EU on sale for less than a grand more (plus earn Avios and TPs) why would I bother!?

        The only reason I’ve been sitting on my Avios is for using my 2-4-1 in F. Without that option, I’ll blow my balance on something else (maybe a decent J product!). I’d move away from BAEC totally but my weekly commute is much more comfortable with access to the First Wing/Lounge.

      • Leo says:

        2 Apr2 April 19:14

        Agree Ben. I may just blow the last 241 on a CE flight somewhere and then cash out the rest of the avios on Cathay or QR. I’ve been moving more over to VS anyway in the hope that the Flying Blue changes and new Virgin CC might be of interest.

• Davide says:

  2 Apr2 April 10:46

  If First goes, like many else on here I am done with BAEC. This is due to the following reasons:

  1) Service is a joke and too inconsistent on the majority of their planes
  2) Alex Cruz is driving the premium side of the business into the ground
  3) J class is so far behind the rest of the game it is now lauaghable

  To be honest, the only reason I am/was still so invested was due to the 241, however as BA J is such a joke, I would rather spend the money on Qatar and go to Oslo/Stockholm etc. My only problem will be that I have around 350k avios and a 241 still…….

• Andrew S says:

  2 Apr2 April 10:51

  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… Cruz is a disaster, he won’t be happy until he has completely destroyed this once great airline. Willie Walsh must be SO proud of his legacy.
  🙁

  • Clive says:

    2 Apr2 April 11:31

    Re legacy: Given that WW is Cruz’ boss, it’s implausible that he isn’t happy with and aware of everything AC is doing.

• Dave says:

  2 Apr2 April 10:51

  I’m waiting to book F with a 241 voucher in April/May of next year. I will be most irritated if BA do any nonsense making that not do-able.

  Goodbye BAPP card.

• Tilly says:

  2 Apr2 April 10:54

  If what everyone fears becomes reality then I am so glad i have at least managed to get one F 241 redemption in ……..as long as we’re not downgraded when we fly next month. F outbound from T5 but return in CW. Really looking forward to checking out the Concorde room.

  As someone who can only afford to fly J (long haul …….. well actually I’m too tight to pay the extra so settle on WTP) or F with avios using a 241 I’m not sure what my plan would be. Maybe continue but just for long haul J redemptions. Neither of us fly for work so all our points come from Gate365, amex spend and cash bookings in WTP or ET/CE BA holidays. We can manage to get 2 x 241 vouchers a year on the BAPP plus all the bonuses from both of us getting the PRG then upgrade to plat. Will have to see what happens I guess then decide what our points earning strategy will be for some nicer more comfortable holidays. All I want when flying long haul is a flat bed …….then at the other end to be able to redeem for some hotel stays in Hilton brands.

• JamesR says:

  2 Apr2 April 11:07

  I flew F last year and it was nice but not sure if I would smash out 180,000 avios + £500 to do it again to Asia. The only reason I even continue to collect Avios is because of the one world partners and the ease of collecting them in the UK. If your using them for Cathay/Qantas etc the value is fantastic in my opinion.

  BA always say its because they have to compete with the low cost carriers that they have to cut the service so much but theres plenty of low cost airlines in other parts of the world that are home to fantastic airlines that sit side by side with great J products.

  • Ruth4325 says:

    2 Apr2 April 11:33

    Good point.

  • The Original Nick says:

    2 Apr2 April 12:38

    JamesR, I totally agree. I’ve blown 100’s of thousands of Avios on CX just to get out to SE Asia. I wouldn’t ever even consider blowing them on BA long haul. CX J is far more superior and J on AI. I’m flying out to Toronto from DUB in May on AI and on the return I have to fly BA as I needed to use a Lloyds upgrade voucher that was expiring. If I hadn’t of had the voucher I would of flown back with AI via DUB without a doubt.

• Doris Williams says:

  2 Apr2 April 11:21

  Just wondered as people are mentioning 2 for 1 with Avios, is this only available in economy? I was thinking about changing to BA miles is this better?

  • JPV says:

    2 Apr2 April 11:26

    The 2-for-1 is a voucher that can be used for any class where there’s availability (including first), but there are other restrictions. Rob’s article on it is at https://headforpoints.com/2017/01/23/how-to-use-ba-amex-2-4-1-voucher/

  • DavidK says:

    2 Apr2 April 11:29

    I don’t know what you are changing from so is this better is difficult to answer without knowledge of what you are doing but 2 for 1 is available in all classes. At the moment it is anyway!

  • Matt says:

    2 Apr2 April 11:30

    Hi Doris you get a 2-4-1 voucher for after spending £10k on the Amex BA premium plus credit card which costs £195/annum (there is an alternative route via the free BA Amex but you should ignore this option). The 2-4-1 voucher can be used on any BA plane (must be BA metal and not simply a BA flight number) where there is Avios availability and you must depart from the UK. You will have to pay taxes for both persons too which are circa £500 each for long haul J or F. The voucher makes most sense to use for long haul J or F to unlock enough value to compensate putting £10k through a credit card etc. You can also fly into and out of different airports in different classes i.e. LHR to Singapore in F, KL to LHR in J.

    • Doris Williams says:

      2 Apr2 April 11:38

      Thanks, I’m debating if I should change or not, I spend around 20k on my credit card, I have 214,000 Avios at the moment, could I transfer them? Will it still be Avios with the BA card or is it BA miles? Can I still do part miles part cash?

      • Matt says:

        2 Apr2 April 11:49

        So you already collect avios? BA’s currency is avios. If you have 214,000 avios already then that’s enough for say 2 x club world return to New York. If you are interested in travelling to Asia or South America then you should put £10k of your annual credit card spend onto a Amex BA premium plus card to earn the 2-4-1 and then book your J/F reward flight as you’ll have all the avios you need. I would then recommend you find an alternative credit card to put your other £10k worth of annual credit card spend through.

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