Hi [cheapest Avios route to South East Asia]

[Tom Tom]

Hi

First time poster – excuse any mistakes!

Hopefully I am seeking advice in the right place.

I have around 100,000 Avios points. I’m looking to get to South East Asia as cheaply as possble. Would appreciate any advice on how to do so.

– I’ve read the various guides on the HFP website

– Happy travelling in economy

– Happy flying any airline

– Live in London however happy to depart from another European city if cheaper – and paying cash for a budget flight to that city

– Looking to travel Nov or Dec 24 (flexible)

I’ve seen a flight for 30,000 Avios and around £50 for a 1 way flight Helsinki to Bangkok on Finnair. Could it be done for less?

Thanks in advance

[travelmonkey]

Don’t forget to factor in the cost (and risk) of getting to another start city if you don’t fly from London. There’s no point saving £100 on the long haul flight if it costs you £150 to position for it, or you need an overnight hotel to make if work safely. It’s also not worth a small saving if you have a really risky connection between your positioning and long haul flights. Fly wise, not just cheap.

[zapato1060]

Fly wise, not cheap is brilliant statement. Economy tix can be had for £350 ish London to Asia with Finnair one way. What you should be thinking instead is using 62.5k Finnair business class Helsinki to Singapore/Bangkok/Phuket. Use your Avios effectively.

[can2]

Did you say Dec 2024? Aren’t we in 2024?
I recently booked my June 2025 redemption and that was risky a bit.
I must say you may be really late for a redemption. Who knows maybe someone may cancel.

[BBbetter]

OP is looking for economy, so still possible.

[Tom Tom]

Thanks everyone.

Yes, looking for economy. Flights in Nov and Dec this year are (still) coming up for 30,000 Avios + £50, one way, using Fin Air, Helsinki to Bangkok.

Just putting it out there to see if there are cheaper alternatives / getting more from my Avios points, for this trip, than booking it in this manner / using this airline, etc?

[can2]

Did you check the longer flight times from Helsinki to Asia due to Russian airspace being shut — in case it is a concern for you?

I’d triple check QR, too. I’m not an expert on QR, but others may chip in.

[Phloxy55]

A quick google suggests you could get there for sub £500 on a Chinese airline (I’d be reluctant) about £650 with a mix of BA direct and Qatar return, or £750 direct with EVA (which is a great airline).

A 6 AM Ryanair flight with no baggage (even cabin bag) looks like it’s £50 return, but you’d need to factor in cost of getting to stansted at a time of day where there’s no trains running, and the additional Ryanair taxes and charges.

If you value avios at 1p each, you’re essentially paying £600 avios plus £100 taxes return. PLUS whatever it takes you to get from the UK to Helsinki, so about £700.

Personally, I don’t think that’s good value. You’re paying almost as much as the most expensive cash fair for a more stressful and longer journey.

However, it depends what your plan is for the avios, and your wider financial circumstances. If you have no disposable cash, and will not be able to get to Southeast Asia without buying the ticket using avios you may think it’s worth it. If you don’t see yourself flying again in the next few years you may think it’s worth it. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to save up avios for a business-class flight in a few years time, and have the cash to buy tickets now, I suspect you’ll get more “pence per avios” that way.