Reply To: How I mis understood the benefits of using Avios on short haul European flights

[The real Swiss Tony]

I think the needle has shifted in terms of where redemption value lies. It certainly used to be long haul Club & First, but the taxes & fees became so outrageous that Club has to me looked marginal for a good long while and First redemptions are almost as rare as rocking horse poo now. (I did however last week book a Club reward to SA using my Amex 2-4-1 voucher to half the Avios, which was far better value than the cash fare).

You will see even more dramatic bargains in ultra peak times (Feb half term ski flights etc) where you might see a one way cash fare of £600 or the ability to drop a few avios to get the same seat…