British Airways halves surcharges to award tickets, but raises ticket cost
Those who often read TFC are aware that Avios points are perhaps the currency we love most, they are best [...]
Those who often read TFC are aware that Avios points are perhaps the currency we love most, they are better even than Flying Blue points.
In this article:
The only, minor or major flaw, depending on your point of view is that BA intercontinental award tickets are charged really crazy fees and surcharges, especially if you start from London and England in general.
In fact with today's change BA has brought the same policy of award tickets on short to medium haul to those on long haul. To get an idea, it is possible to fly business class from Milan to London by paying 50 cents At one euro surcharge in addition to avios.
What changes with Saver tickets
Starting today, British Airways Executive Club members can book a Saver award flight (RFS) to all destinations in the airline's global network
- In an effort to unlock more value and reward for its members, British Airways announced today that it has doubled the number of long-haul destinations available for RFS bookings with Avios
- RFS flights now include Club World (long-haul business class) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy) seats for every long-haul flight
- In addition, for the first time ever, the ability to book RFS flights is also extended to U.S.-based Executive Club members
The news in detail
The Saver Prize Ticket (RFS) Is available exclusively on British Airways flights For members of the airline's Executive Club.
Members can travel to and from Europe from £1 plus 18,500 Avios, or to a long-haul destination, such as New York, from £100 plus 50,000 Avios.
Until now, RFS was only available in Club Europe (short-haul business class), Euro Traveller (short-haul economy) and World Traveller (long-haul economy) cabins. This option has been extended to British Airways' long-haul premium cabins.
It is important to remember that British Airways has also made public the minimum available award seats for each flight, and they are not few.
- Eight in Euro/World Traveller (i.e., in economy)
- Two in World Traveller Plus (the premium economy)
- Four in the Europe/World Club (the business class)
What changes for us Italians
A round-trip ticket to New York, business class from Milan now costs 190 thousand avios and just under 660 euro surcharge, while before the cost was well above 1000€.
In conclusion
BA award ticket costs are really high compared to other programs, of course spending less in taxes is good, but the overall cost is still very high. To go to the US using Avios much better to go for Iberia which costs half in terms of points or almost. Or aim for Finnair which has fees of a few tens of euros.