Have I paid too much Avios / taxes?

[ross]

Hi

Using AMEX 2-4-1
Two passengers flying Club World to Buenos Aires
With a charge for change fee.

Total Avios = 153,671

Total Taxes and Charges = £1,714.02

Thanks.

[JDB]

You appear to have chosen a lower Avios / higher cash option. The ‘base’ rate is 200k off peak or 220k peak return plus £600 TFC per person.

[AJA]

I think youve done ok.

If you value Avios at 1p then in total you’ve paid £1,536.71 + £1,714.02 = £3,250.73 for 2 passengers or £1,625 each which seems hood for Club World. I am not sure you can buy a cash ticket for that.

Using @JDB’s off-peak figure it works out at £2,000 + £1,200 = £3,200 so only marginally cheaper.

[JDB]

@ross – the extra good news is that the ‘blue’ £ rate in Argentina is currently about 900 (vs official rate of c. 450) after the recent primary elections. On the MEP credit card rate you will get around 800. This works on US$ quoted hotel rates as well, since at the hotel they convert the $ amount into pesos at the official rate, but on your card you will, after a few days, receive a credit as if it had been converted at the MEP rate.