A Turbulent Relationship: Airline Reward Schemes

For frequent travellers in London and beyond, British Airways’ Executive Club promises the dream—fly often, collect Avios points, and one day, redeem them for luxury flights or upgrades.

But as anyone who’s ever tried to book an Avios reward seat will tell you, reality doesn’t always match the promise. Why is it so hard to find Avios flights? Why do the “free” tickets come with such high taxes and fees? And most importantly—how do you make Avios work for you?

Let’s take a look.

The Appeal of Avios:

Avios, the currency of British Airways' loyalty programme, can be earned in a variety of ways:

• Flights – Avios are awarded when you fly with British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Oneworld partners. The number accrued depends on fare class, distance flown, and your Executive Club status.

• Credit Cards – The British Airways American Express card allows you to collect Avios on everyday spending.

• Shopping & Dining – Earn points through affiliated retailers, restaurants, and hotel stays.

Once you’ve built up a balance, Avios can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and even experiences. But actually finding availability for Avios flights when needed? That’s where it becomes frustrating.

Why Are Avios Reward Flights So Hard to Find?

One of the biggest frustrations with Avios redemption is availability.

• Limited Seats: British Airways releases a fixed number of reward seats per flight. On popular routes from London Heathrow, these disappear quickly—especially in premium cabins.

• High Taxes & Fees: Even if flights are available, long-haul redemptions still require a hefty payment for carrier surcharges, often running into the hundreds.

So, how do you maximise Avios and secure flights from London or beyond without the hassle?

Six Ways to Make the Most of Avios:

1. Plan (Way) Ahead

British Airways releases reward seats up to 355 days in advance. If booking a sought-after route, set a reminder for when seats become available.

2. Be Flexible with Dates & Routes

If your first choice isn’t available, try adjusting by a day or two. Checking partner airlines such as Qatar Airways, Finnair, or American Airlines can also open up more options.

3. Use SeatSpy to Track Availability

Instead of searching manually for Avios flights from London, let technology do the work. SeatSpy tracks Avios availability across multiple airlines, sending alerts when flights on preferred dates appear. If travel dates are flexible, SeatSpy also allows browsing for destinations where Avios can be used effectively.

4. Consider Upgrades Instead of Full Redemptions

Instead of using Avios for a full flight, consider booking a cash fare in Premium Economy and upgrading to Business Class. This often provides better value, particularly on long-haul routes from London Heathrow.

5. Don’t Overlook Partner Airlines

Avios can be redeemed beyond British Airways. Oneworld partners such as Qatar Airways (often a better deal for long-haul flights to Asia), American Airlines, or Iberia sometimes offer better availability and lower surcharges.

6. Maximise the BA Companion Voucher

The British Airways Companion Voucher, available through the BA Amex card, allows booking of a second ticket for no extra Avios. When used wisely, it unlocks huge savings on long-haul, premium cabin flights from London.

For solo travellers, BA now allows Companion Vouchers to be used for a 50% Avios discount on a single ticket.

What About Other Frequent Flyer Programmes?

While Avios is a popular choice for UK-based travellers, other frequent flyer schemes also offer valuable redemption opportunities. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, for example, provides alternative long-haul options from London, sometimes with lower taxes and fees. Meanwhile, Lufthansa Miles & More, Emirates Skywards, and American Airlines AAdvantage each have their own perks and redemption quirks.

Many travellers spread their loyalty across multiple programmes, using tools such as Point.Me or AwardWallet to track balances and maximise rewards across different airlines. If Avios availability isn’t working in your favour, it may be worth diversifying.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

For London-based travellers, Avios can unlock premium travel experiences when used effectively. With the right approach—planning ahead, tracking availability with tools such as SeatSpy, and making the most of Companion Vouchers—Avios become far more valuable.

Airline loyalty schemes are designed to make earning easy but redemption more challenging—but with these strategies, Avios can work in your favour.

Now, if only those taxes and fees were a little lower...

Consider it Done clients regularly ask the team to check available dates for their reward flights, making fantastic family trips possible that might not otherwise have happened.

If you’re ready to reclaim your time, stress less and elevate your life, Select a Day from the calendar below 👇to chat with our Founder, Sue about how we can make a game-changing difference for you and your family.