Avios redemption value from the UK regions?

[HJ]

Happy New Year everyone,

I’m sitting on a fair amount of Avios points (~150k) as well as a recently earned 2-4-1 voucher, but really struggling to find anything of value for journeys starting from MAN (my local), GLA or EDI.

I think part of the problem is the direct non-BA alternatives we have available, so the stopover in London needs to be worthwhile. We generally prefer travelling to the usual tourist hotspots in the ME/Asia, and have a lap baby expiring (not literally) towards the end of this year, so trying to look for a good Business or Premium deal before then.

MAN>LHR>DXB in Business looked promising, but at 140k Avios (using 2-4-1) and £1500+ in taxes I’m not sure this is great value.

Does anyone have any tips or pointers, or am I simply wasting my time collecting Avios and holding a BAPP from Manchester?

Thanks
H

• This topic was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .

[Peter K]

There is value in long haul driving to Heathrow/Gatwick, maybe staying overnight before the flight.

Short haul is a bit of a lost cause admittedly, unless it’s medium haul then driving to London can make some sense.

Ignoring the 2-4-1, you can use Avios long haul on another airline (e.g Qatar) from the regions, but it’s peak pricing.

Overall, it’s a bit rubbish from the regions, but there are some things that can be worthwhile.

[NorthernLass]

MAN is also my local. Now the novelty of travelling CE via has worn off, we mainly use avios on expensive routes which aren’t served directly from MAN (e.g. several Caribbean islands and some US cities like MIA). I probably wouldn’t bother using avios for Dubai or anywhere that MAN serves directly. You are stuck with the high taxes, unfortunately, unless you are starting outside the UK which probably isn’t terribly convenient for you.

[cabal of rabid baboons]

HJ , looking at 3- 10 October it’s £1664 Man-Lhr-Dxb in Business and is the cheapest fare on that day.
I don’t consider £1500+ and 140K Avios to be too bad a value?

[HJ]

Yeah compared to the cash price I suppose it isn’t too bad, I probably wouldn’t pay £1600 per ticket as cash equivalent though! Bear in mind I’m using the 2-4-1 voucher too, so factoring in the £250 cost for the BAPP credit card and it’s not much better than 1p per point…