One of the nice beanies of the Avios/BA Scheme is the European (Zone 1 – Zone 3) flights costing a pittance.
Currently a one way flight (providing saver award availability exists) costs:
- EuroTraveller from 4500 Avios + £27 taxes and fees
- Club Europe from 9000 Avios + £34 taxes and fees
These prices head up as follows:
- Economy From £27 to £30 + Avios
- World Traveller Plus From £30 to £35 + Avios
- Club Europe/Club World From £34 to £40 + Avios
- First From £40 to £45 + Avios
World Traveller Plus and First avalible on London <> Moscow DME route only operated by BA. Reward saver flights fees on Comair remain as is.
This represents a rise of £3 to £6 depending on class of travel – with the blame being levelled on APD that went up earlier this year.
Reward saver can represent good value against bottom of the bucket Economy/Club Europe redemptions in terms of cost (least of all, by the time you bundle tax, fuel surcharge and APD together, it’s normally the majority of the fare with the actual fare costing a few pounds at most).
You’ve got until the 7th October to book at the old rates. From the 8th October, the new rates apply.
Avios.com has a breakdown on the possible savings.
To be honest, I’m surprised it has taken them this long to raise the prices. It’s still a bargain compared to the cost of some ET/CE flights though and shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand.
It is just the cash part changing, right? I’m much less worried if that’s the case.
Just the cash part. Avios part remains as it is – making it good value on tight constrained routes.
Another great “enhancement” courtesy of the wonderful British government! Thanks again! Not!
Tell me about it. Actually… don’t. The next APD rise will hit next year in line with inflation. Expect chaos.