BA Balance Boost – has there been a hike to the buy rate?

[Hatty]

Hi, does anyone know if BA publish the buying rate for Balance Boost? I’ve made some top-up purchases previously and recall I was paying around 0.8p. However, just had a quick look and rate appears to be 0.96 for 1x Boost; 1.33 for 2xBoost; and 1.47 for 3xBoost. Has anyone bought any points recently, and at what rate? Many thanks for any feedback.

[marks7389]

Doesn’t seem to have changed for me:

1x 0.96p/Avios
2x 0.94p/Avios
3x 0.92p/Avios

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

Have you gone over the limit?

[zapato1060]

Have no idea if glitch is still active or not but after purchasing, return to previous tab. Will allow you to boost 2-3 times same amount, obvs with payment.

[Aston100]

BA Flyer IHG Stayer wrote:

Have you gone over the limit?

Has to be this.

[marks7389]

Aston100 wrote:

BA Flyer IHG Stayer wrote:

Have you gone over the limit?

Has to be this.

Or, more specifically, Hatty is looking at a transaction that would take them over the limit at 2x or 3x boost (hence the 1x rate is as expected, but the others are inflated).

[Hatty]

marks7389 wrote:

Aston100 wrote:

BA Flyer IHG Stayer wrote:

Have you gone over the limit?

Has to be this.

Or, more specifically, Hatty is looking at a transaction that would take them over the limit at 2x or 3x boost (hence the 1x rate is as expected, but the others are inflated).

Thank you, you’re right. I’m almost at the calendar limit, and had no idea. I’ve been topping up more than I thought. If I reduce the amount the buy rate is as expected. Need to cut down on the trips!

[marks7389]

Or maybe think about a subscription if you really need to buy that many to cover the trips you want to do.

[NorthernLass]

@Hatty – you may already be aware, but quite often using a higher ratio of cash on an award booking can be great value, if you can be bothered working out the different values! You can effectively be “buying” avios at 0.8p or even less.

[marks7389]

NorthernLass wrote:

@Hatty – you may already be aware, but quite often using a higher ratio of cash on an award booking can be great value, if you can be bothered working out the different values! You can effectively be “buying” avios at 0.8p or even less.

Yes, that tends to be true for short haul and long haul economy bookings. The opposite tends to be true for long haul business, especially when using a voucher.

[Hatty]

NorthernLass wrote:

@Hatty – you may already be aware, but quite often using a higher ratio of cash on an award booking can be great value, if you can be bothered working out the different values! You can effectively be “buying” avios at 0.8p or even less.

@NorthernLass I’ve also been using that method to stretch out the Avios pot, and agree there can be some good values. Also redeeming 241 on IB saves a good number of points. By contrast, Barclaycard upgrade vouchers eat up the points due the lack of cash options. Trying to build the pot for a planned QR trip to Oz, so on my Christmas wish list…241 validity on QR (not holding my breath)!

[YC]

The latest finnair buy promo is a good way to replenish your avios pot. Similar if not slightly better price if buying at 50%

[PJJ]

Just been on the BAEC Boost page and it now shows the maximum as ‘UNLIMITED’

Still showing 200k for ‘Buy’ and ‘Subscription’

[marks7389]

It still says up to 300,000 at our cheapest rates, otherwise it may be unlimited but you’ll pay a premium.