Mix and match points/cash for return tickets

[dizzleyboy]

Hi, first timer. Looking to travel for 2, return MAN to YYC (Calgary) and I have 50,000 Avios + a companion voucher to spend.

Route choices are typically:
1) BA MAN-CDG, BA CDG-YVR, WestJet to YYC
2) BA MAN-LHR, WestJet LHR-YYC.
3) BA/AA MAN-LHR, LHR-FTW, FTW-YYC.
4) KLM MAN-AMS, KLM AMS-YYC.

(1) has max options for Avios, is medium duration, not offered as route on searches, but attractive.
(2) has some options for Avios, shortest duration.
(3) has good options for Avios, worst duration, cheap.
(4) no option for Avios, long duration, cheapest.

My head is spinning. Another option is using Avios for a Club World upgrade on the red eye YVR-CDG to get much needed rest. I’m happy to do the maths but…

Any advice appreciated. Thx.

[Froggee]

Hang about. Is option 1 four flights? And separate tickets? Crazy bonkers.

Option 2 I imagine would be separate tickets so you would need a big buffer between flights to the point regular MAN-LHR flyers would tell you to drive or go the night before.

3 doesn’t exactly look a bundle of laughs.

4 looks simplest but I’m guessing is an overnight layover.

What about option 5. Drive or train to Edinburgh and get the EDI-YYC flight or is it not available on the dates you need?

[NorthernLass]

Is the issue that BA doesn’t fly to Calgary?

50k avios also isn’t an awful lot. What sort of avios/cash options are you being given?

I can’t see where adding CDG to the mix helps! Which airline would YVR-CDG be on where you could upgrade with avios?

[Ihar]

How are you doing any of that with 50k Avios?? As much as I like a First/CS seat, the most I’d entertain is two legs. So much to go wrong, especially if you’re in Econ and don’t have access to lounges.

[Wally1976]

How about Aer Lingus MAN-JFK then WestJet JFK-YYC? Or Aer Lingus MAN-DUB then WestJet DUB-YYC?

https://www.flightconnections.com/ is your friend!

[Wally1976]

Another possible option is via Reykjavik

[dizzleyboy]

Thanks all –

I’d had to reregister as I had lost the original HfP account email. This post was manually moderated at the weekend so I had not seen it appear!
I was just casting about for any value in the points really, so I know some of the thoughts were complete rubbish. (Hangs head). The 2-4-1 disappears in March.

Froggee wrote:

…
4 looks simplest but I’m guessing is an overnight layover.

What about option 5. Drive or train to Edinburgh and get the EDI-YYC flight or is it not available on the dates you need?

(4) The MAN-AMS-YYS KLM route isn’t overnight but it is a slog. It’s the best price by far. I do know students who take it, but I’m an old guy…

I will look at EDI-YYC thanks.