Looking for advice – how to convert 400k Avios to a holiday

[JLI.93]

I’m wondering if there is a good way to move some/all of my points to be able to redeem them for a nice holiday. Booking flights through BA avios is OK, the conversion rate isn’t too bad, but when it comes to using them on a holiday through BA the conversion rate isn’t awful. It only values the 400k avois as £1,600 roughly.

Is there a trick I’m missing? Can I move some to a hotel loyalty scheme to get a better rate on a hotel.

Appreciate any tips, thanks.

[Froggee]

I don’t think you are missing much.

Rob wrote this for you:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/02/14/how-to-use-avios-to-book-hotel-rooms/

And this:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/02/01/what-is-the-best-use-of-avios-points-3/

A general rule is to try and get > 1p per Avios which can only really be done on flights.

So you may be better off converting your Avios to nectar points and either spending them in Sainsbury’s/Argos which gets 0.5p per Avios or investigate spending them at Nectar Hotels.

https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/12/31/is-nectar-hotels-good-value/

I think the above article is out of date on the exchange ratio however so the value now is only 0.5p per avios.

[NorthernLass]

You can use avios to upgrade the flights on a BA Holiday package. Using them to reduce the cash price is poor value, as you’ve already spotted.

Best use would be to use them for reward flights and book your accommodation separately though.

[JLI.93]

Thanks for your responses, I hadn’t seen the nectar hotels before.