S#$@ happens. British Airways Avios to the Rescue!

Posted by Noob Master on Apr 27, 2012 in Avios, British Airways, Chase Bank, Credit Cards, Miles, Uncategorized | 9 comments

Life is busy. Life is crazy. S#$! happens.

In situations where you have to book a flight suddenly, it’s good to have some Avios miles handy. Most airlines charge you a hefty fee ($45-$75) to book an award flight within 20-30 days (close-in fee) of the flight, but British Airways doesn’t! Also, since the British Airways award chart is distance based, it’s ideal for last minute short hauls on their partner American Airlines. This makes last minute flights on British Airways a real deal.

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

Last year, I had to get a flight from Austin to Dallas (one way) in a matter of a day. I had an abundance of AAdvantage miles, so it made sense for me use them instead of paying for the ticket. BUT- I ended up paying 12,500 AA miles AND a $50 close-in booking fee! Not good, my friends. If I had British Airways miles, I could’ve flown for 4,500 Avios miles and $2.50. Man, do I feel foolish.

Tip: If you don’t have any Avios miles, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Reward Points into British Airways 1:1.

If I needed a roundtrip ticket, it would’ve been 9,000 Avios miles and a $2.50 fee. I would be flying the same American Airlines flight that I used my AAdvantage miles on. You can book American Airlines flights on the British Airways website. It’s so so easy.

Another example is flying from San Francisco to Los Angelas….Again, 4,500 Avios miles one way or 9,000 round-trip with a $2.50 or $5.00 fee!

Here’s another random example. Say you are grinding hard in DC and you just gotta get away, so you take an impromptu to Miami. Who doesn’t like a quick trip to Miami? Well, you could go one way for 7,500 Avios miles and $2.50, or 15,000 Avios round-trip and $5.00.

Life moves fast and if you need to get away quick, it’s a good thing to have a reserve of Avios miles. For those of you who have Ultimate Rewards Points, you can transfer into British Airways for these quick flights or to top off your Avios balance. However, I wouldn’t make a habit out of transferring UR points into BA, because UR are best used for international flights. And it’s just too easy to earn 50,000 Avios points by getting the British Airways card and using it once.

Save those American AAdvantage Miles for international or long flights and start using Avios miles for last minute and short haul flights!

Apply Now: British Airways Visa Signature® Card | I do receive a referral if you use my link; only use my link if you are satisfied with the service I provide.

p.s. Check out my Intro video and post on the British Airways Visa.

p.p.s. Check out my post on what 50,000 Avios mile can do for you.

— Noob Master