Finnair Avios bookings

[Simey]

Hi,

Is there a limit in which my Finnair account needs to be active by or any other criteria before making an Avios booking?

I just made mine last week, but never used them before. Can link my BAEC to it.

Or should I just do it from BA.com, as the same flights show up at the same Avios and fees?

[zapato1060]

Buy through BA. Cheaper taxes and fees too than on Finnair site.

[kevinchoi]

Simey wrote:

Or should I just do it from BA.com, as the same flights show up at the same Avios and fees?

If it’s the same Avios and taxes, then buy through BA, as refund costs are lower on BA if you ever decide to cancel them

zapato1060 wrote:

Buy through BA. Cheaper taxes and fees too than on Finnair site.

Finnais has better Oneworld partner availability on some routes, and can also be cheaper in Avios and fees in some cases

[Alex G]

I confirm that reward flights are sometimes cheaper booked through AY. They are sometimes cheaper booked through BA. There is no consistency. Always check both options.

If you have a long layover between flights in HEL, consider splitting your outbound ticket to save APD.

If your flight to HEL is on a narrow body, consider flying Y on this sector. You still get lounge access at LHR if you are flying onward in J from HEL the same day.

If prices are the same at BA and AY, then as Kevin says book through BA for cheaper amendment fees (£35 instead of €50). And if you have a BAPP, you will earn a few more Avios paying BA.

[Simey]

Thanks for the replies.

Prices (avios + fees) are the same on BA and Finnair site at the moment.

It’s a one-way for 2 PAX coming back from Tokyo / Osaka to Helsinki in biz, then buying cash economy ticket from Helsinki to Dublin.

It’s my plan B if I fail to get Iberia tickets in a few days.

[kevinchoi]

Sounds like you’re trying to make a booking a year in advance when it first becomes available?

Have you tried looking at JAL availability? They also fly Tokyo to Helsinki (and London too), and is bookable via Avios as it’s part of OneWorld. From my previous research, they consistently release 2 biz seats on the Tokyo-London route every day. Since JAL opens up availability T-360 compared to BA’s T-355, you can book them via Qatar or Finnair’s website when it becomes available, rather than through BA 5 days later as it will probably have snapped up by then. Caveat is that you can’t use the Amex 2-4-1 voucher on JAL, if that’s what you were planning to use.

[Gary]

When does Finnair release its guaranteed Avios seats & at what time?

Is it actually at T-360 (like BA at T-355) as not seeing any seats one way from HKG, SIN, TYO back to HEL being released in all cabin classes from approx 28 Mar 26 onwards? Or maybe all being booked up already?

ps Plenty of JAL seats available in case of any interest to anyone.

[marcolau]

Gary wrote:

When does Finnair release its guaranteed Avios seats & at what time?

Is it actually at T-360 (like BA at T-355) as not seeing any seats one way from HKG, SIN, TYO back to HEL being released in all cabin classes from approx 28 Mar 26 onwards? Or maybe all being booked up already?

ps Plenty of JAL seats available in case of any interest to anyone.

Schedules beyond 28 Mar 2026 have just opened a few hours ago. Check the availablity on Finnair account first, then call BA to have them issued. I have just snagged a seat for just before Easter 2026.