A Smart Way to Use Avios: Navigating British Airways’ Reward Flight Saver Redemptions

You can earn and redeem Avios, the rewards currency for the British Airways Executive Club (along with four other major airline loyalty programs), even if you never visit the UK.

However, a drawback of this rewards currency is that long-haul premium cabin redemptions via the Executive Club can incur hefty fees, taxes, and surcharges, which can diminish its perceived value.

On the bright side, Reward Flight Savers are a brilliant way to use Avios, allowing you to pay less than $1 in fees, taxes, and surcharges for short-haul flights. This is as close to free travel as it gets.

So, how do they function, and are they worth it in the end?

Overview of British Airways Reward Flight Saver

Reward Flight Savers can be utilized globally on all British Airways flights across every cabin class, excluding first class.

Reward Flight Savers are charged on a per-flight basis, not per journey. For instance, if you fly from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) with a stop at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on British Airways, the award cost is calculated based on each segment's distance. This means you’ll use more Avios due to the layover in London, so booking a direct flight with another airline or purchasing a ticket may offer greater convenience and value.

In addition to having Avios in your Executive Club account, you must earn at least 1 Avios in the 12 months prior to booking to qualify for Reward Flight Saver awards. Transferring Avios from another loyalty program, such as Qatar Airways Privilege Club, or converting credit card points to Executive Club will meet this earning requirement.

Reward Flight Savers are particularly advantageous for last-minute travel, as their fixed pricing keeps expenses manageable. I've often utilized Reward Flight Savers for short-haul flights operated by British Airways within Europe just days in advance when regular fares exceeded $250.

You can book Reward Flight Saver awards online just like standard redemptions. They are indicated by a blue starburst and a banknote icon next to the flight number.

Reward Flight Savers for short-haul journeys

Reward Flight Savers offer fantastic value for short-haul flights operated by British Airways to and from the U.K. and within the Caribbean.

For flights shorter than 2,000 miles, you’ll only need to pay 50 British pence (approximately 62 cents) plus Avios for each flight.

This is an excellent choice if you have a surplus of Avios. Keep in mind that all Avios redemptions come with free checked luggage. You can also enjoy elite benefits with Oneworld partner airlines like American Airlines.

If you prefer, you can opt to pay more cash and use fewer Avios, allowing you to conserve your rewards.

Reward Flight Savers for long-haul journeys

Standard Avios rates for long-haul flights with British Airways can enable you to fly to London in business class for as low as 50,000 Avios each way. The only downside is the steep carrier-imposed fuel surcharges, which can add over $1,000 to your premium cabin redemption. Additionally, keep in mind that U.K. Air Passenger Duty fees may also apply.

Opting for the Reward Flight Saver choice means you’ll spend more Avios but benefit from significantly lower surcharges.

Ultimately, the decision to use more cash or Avios rests with you.

Here’s a breakdown of the Reward Flight Saver pricing for two popular routes from the U.S. to Europe, including return flights on off-peak dates. The mentioned fees, taxes, and surcharges were accurate at the time of publication, but keep in mind that British Airways frequently updates these surcharges.

Should you use Avios for Reward Flight Savers?

On short-haul flights within Europe, particularly in Euro Traveller economy class during off-peak times, Reward Flight Saver redemptions often provide outstanding value and are arguably the best way to use Avios in the Executive Club program. Whether you opt to pay just 50 pence each way or my preferred amount of 17.50 British pounds for the fees, taxes, and surcharges, you’re likely to achieve TPG's October 2024 valuation of Avios at 1.4 cents each, or potentially even greater value.

Although British Airways Club Europe short-haul business class might not be thrilling due to its absence of proper premium seating, if you’ve never experienced a premium cabin before and appreciate the extra baggage, lounge access, and priority perks, it can be a nice treat for a few hours. The onboard catering from the award-winning company Do & Co is decent, and all drinks, including free-flowing Champagne, are complimentary.

For long-haul flights, justifying the value of Reward Flight Savers can be challenging. On off-peak dates, it’s often possible to find reasonable cash fares for the same routes. For instance, when considering the New York to London route, finding a cash fare of $500 or less would be a far better deal than redeeming 50,000 Avios plus $133.

In premium cabins, it's beneficial to have the option of using more Avios to lower surcharges. In the New York to London example, 80,000 Avios each way for business class is a competitive rate compared to other programs, although United MileagePlus offers similar Saver level pricing for these routes without any surcharges.

With current high cash fares in premium cabins, redeeming 160,000 Avios along with $500 in fees, taxes, and surcharges is a great deal compared to paying over $3,000 for nonstop business class fares to London. If you prefer to use fewer Avios and pay more in surcharges, 100,000 Avios plus approximately $1,000 in fees, taxes, and surcharges is still likely a better option than a cash fare.

Keep in mind, you can opt to use fewer Avios and pay more cash instead.

How to accumulate British Airways Avios

Applying for the British Airways Visa Signature® Card is an easy way to earn a substantial amount of Avios through everyday spending.

This card — issued by Chase and subject to the 5/24 rule — currently provides 85,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account. TPG values Avios at 1.4 cents each, making this bonus worth approximately $1,190.

The British Airways Visa Signature comes with a $95 annual fee and earns 3 Avios for every dollar spent on purchases made with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level. Additionally, you can earn 2 Avios per dollar spent on hotel stays when booked directly with the hotel. All other purchases earn 1 Avios per dollar spent.

TPG readers might recall that we recommend cards that earn transferable points for their added flexibility. This strategy is also applicable if you're aiming to accumulate Avios. British Airways is a transfer partner with Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Wells Fargo Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, making it one of the easiest currencies to earn.

Points and miles transfer from Chase, Wells Fargo, Capital One, Bilt, and Amex at a 1:1 ratio (plus occasional transfer bonuses of up to 40%). Meanwhile, Marriott Bonvoy points convert to Avios at a 3:1 ratio, and you receive a bonus of 5,000 Avios for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.

The following cards currently offer attractive welcome bonuses that can be easily converted to Avios:

• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Additionally, enjoy 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) during the first six months. Terms apply.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

You can also buy Avios, which occasionally go on sale.

In summary

British Airways has gained a negative reputation for its surcharges on redemptions across all classes. To address this, the airline allows Executive Club members to use more Avios to reduce surcharges via Reward Flight Savers.

For short-haul flights, paying less than a dollar plus Avios with a full-service airline across Europe is hard to beat.

For long-haul journeys, travelers with significant Avios balances might want to utilize this option to reduce the cash expenses of their upcoming redemption.