British Airways is offering 50% off long haul redemptions in any cabin and 25% off of short haul. Book by October 13 for travel through June 30, 2021. No registration is required, and this appears to be available to all members worldwide and isn’t restricted to particular routes.
BA shows they get it. Planes are empty, excess seats have no value once they take off, and this promotion isn’t causing them to operate additional flights. They’re providing real value to program members at very little marginal cost. Remember that reward pricing assumes some risk that isn’t zero that mileage passengers will displace paying passengers, even if the airline works to avoid that risk. And of course they’re picking up fuel surcharges still, which are a greater portion of a paid ticket when fares are low – but this can still make sense especially on a first class redemption.
For instance book New York – London for just 25,000 miles each way in business class, 34,000 miles each way in first. Or London – Los Angeles for 31,250 in business class, 42,500 in first class.
British Airways First Class
Key terms:
- Book by October 13 (presumably by midnight London time) for travel through June 30, 2021.
- 50% off long haul, 25% off short haul, and this applies both to peak and off peak travel dates and prices.
- To be eligible you have to have earned or spent at least 1 Avios in the past 12 months.
- Discount applies to direct flights only
- Discount shown after you’ve selected flights
British Airways Airbus A350 Business Class, Credit: British Airways
British Airways Avios balances are exceptionally easy to bulk up, since BA is a transfer partner of both Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards.
@Gary, you might want to update your article to mention the exceedingly high fees that BA charges on award tickets.
not on partner airlines such as American Airlines?
BA operated flights only. No discount on the outrageous YQ. Such dirty details are grossed over in the “Huge” shout out…
how to avoid the taxes
Why would you neglect to mention the huge fees payable on BA? Couldn’t be an oversight on your part…
@Al – I mention that fees aren’t discounted. I’ve covered BA fees extensively. I’ve RAILED AGAINST those fees extensively.
However for a first class redemption they can still make a lot of sense.
@ashley – book one ways, rather than roundtrips originating in the US… fly to/from low surcharge destinations (eg North Asia)
I’ve been needing to book a one way for my family, originating in the Middle East and the taxes and fees are much more manageable in that direction than originating in the US or UK. I know this deal won’t be great for most people, but for me it was incredible because I had already decided that BA would be the best option for my family but was only hesitating because I was hoping for some kind of transfer bonus.
I just book SFO to DUB and EDI-SFO on AA metal for 100k miles RT and none of those HATEFUL British fuel surcharges.
What is the cancellation policy? Are there any special COVID waivers?
Just searched DEN – LHR in May and RT is only $4700 in F. That seems crazy low for F.
@CO Joe – Right. Revenue tickets are at very low prices now. You also earn miles on a revenue tickets. Therefore even at 50% off on the Avios only, it is still not a hot deal when YQ is not discounted.
A month ago I transferred miles from BA Avios to Iberia Avios to book a cheap, on-sale transatlantic biz ticket for next year. Fingers crossed that borders open and I get to fly (who knows). But Iberia has much lower award fees. With BA’s very high award fees, I doubt this deal is valuable to most travellers in a world with closed borders and lower airfares.
@mia
not many of us have an extra 4700 lying around to pay cash
@al
@ashley
it has been well known for years that BA’s YQ is outrageous. Doesn’t change the fact that points redemption is half off and obviously a better all in deal. Throw in the 2 for 1 and it’s as good as it can get.
Does this apply to the Chase 241 “travel together” certificates?
Also presume Chase BA cardholders get a rebate on the exhorbitant fees.
@gary – can I transfer points into my account from Chase/Amex to get the qualifying activity one Avios in or out of my account?