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The latest British Airways Avios devaluation hit on May 27, where the cash component increased by ~15% when redeeming on British Airways metal. What I want to draw your attention to here is that the devaluation matters less than you might think because the best way to book flights on British Airways is to use Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, anyway (most of the time).
As a recap, the best way to earn Avios is transferring Amex MR or RBC Avion at a 1:1 ratio with occasional 30% transfer bonuses from each. RBC’s transfer bonuses are more predictable, usually twice a year in the spring and fall.
The best way to earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is to transfer Amex MR or RBC Avion points, though Amex transfers at a 1:0.75 ratio, while RBC keeps a stronger 1:1 ratio. There are occasional 15% transfer bonuses as well.
Avios vs. Asia Miles: Toronto–London
First off, let’s take a look at today’s Avios prices, since the cash component has increased. For a one-way flight from Toronto to London, British Airways is charging 88,000 Avios plus $499 CAD in business class.
88,000 Avios + $499 is steep for a 7-hour transatlantic flight
Interestingly, British Airways charges the same 88,000 Avios + $499 in the reverse direction, despite the UK APD normally making London departures much more expensive.
Same price for reverse direction despite UK APD being charged
Now, let’s take a look at the same flights, but booked with Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. In the Toronto–London direction, Cathay is charging 63,000 Asia Miles + ~$377 CAD.
Book YYZ-LHR on BA J for 63,000 Asia Miles
In the opposite direction, taxes and fees increase significantly because the UK charges Air Passenger Duty (APD), which varies based on flight length and cabin class. Here, you’ll pay 63,000 Asia Miles + $852 CAD.
Asia Miles charges higher fees in this direction
In the Toronto–London direction, booking with Asia Miles is a no-brainer as you’re paying 25,000 fewer points and $122 less in fees. Even taking into account a 30% transfer bonus to Avios, 88,000 Avios still require 68,000 Avion points, which is more than the 63,000 required by Cathay at a 1:1 transfer ratio.
The London–Toronto direction is more nuanced, since British Avios rolls the UK APD into the “Reward Flight Saver” fare and keeps the taxes at $499. With Asia Miles, you’re paying 25,000 fewer points in exchange for paying $353 more. Depending on how you value your points, this one is definitely a toss-up with no definitive correct choice. If you can acquire the Avios with a 30% bonus, that’s the right move.
Avios vs. Asia Miles: Vancouver–London
Presumably due to the longer distance, British Airways charges significantly more Avios on its Vancouver route compared to Toronto.
99,000 Avios for Vancouver-London
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles also uses a distance-based award chart for partners, but keeps Toronto and Vancouver in the same distance band. Paying 63,000 miles + ~$340 CAD is a spectacular deal for a flight to Europe from the West Coast.
Vancouver is an even better deal than Toronto on Asia Miles
In the reverse direction, let’s consider an additional factor: British Airways has a peak/off-peak calendar, where select dates cost more Avios (“peak” dates). However, these surge-pricing dates are not passed on to partners, making it an even better deal than usual to use Asia Miles instead.
110,000 Avios is sky-high pricing for a transatlantic award
Of course, Cathay will pass on the UK APD fees, but unlike Toronto, this one is entirely worth it.
Redeem 63,000 Asia Miles instead of 110,000 Avios
Cathay is charging 63,000 Asia Miles, but $963 in taxes and fees. Compared to British Airways, you’re paying an extra $364 in exchange for paying 47,000 fewer points, which is worth it in all scenarios. If you can transfer Avios with a 30% transfer bonus, maybe Avios is better.
If it’s not peak season, British Airways charges 95,000 Avios, which is much more palatable given the lower fees compared to Asia Miles.
Avios vs. Asia Miles: British Airways First Class
As usual, an outbound flight departing North America is a case where Asia Miles comes out ahead.
Don’t pay Avios for British Airways first class
Based on these prices, there’s no reason to spend 110,000 Avios + $2,093 on British Airways first class when you can alternatively spend 100,000 Asia Miles + ~$547.
Pay Asia Miles instead for British Airways first class
For this Houston–London flight, it may look like just 10,000 points less, but the taxes/fees are basically 75% off if paying Asia Miles instead of Avios.
In the other direction, British Airways Avios actually wins handily here, where the price in points and taxes are both lower. Ironically, because of “Reward Flight Saver”, the business class price is actually higher at 99,000 Avios (with $599 in taxes/fees).
This actually beats Asia Miles
You’ll see Cathay Pacific is charging 100,000 Asia Miles + ~$1,073 for the same flight.
Use Avios for this redemption instead
The Secret: Use Asia Miles for Connecting Flights
In nearly all of the cases above, flights departing from London were a very good deal and sometimes better than Asia Miles because of how “Reward Flight Saver” works with British Airways Avios. When the UK APD is rolled into existing taxes/fees, it’s often a better deal to use Avios.
However, say you’re not returning to North America from Europe, and therefore need to connect in London to fly British Airways. Well, Avios charges per segment, so you’ll pay more Avios to book an extra flight. British Airways will charge 128,000 Avios (up from 110,000 Avios) when you add a flight from Amsterdam.
Adding an Amsterdam–London flight costs additional Avios
Cathay Pacific, on the other hand, charges the same amount of Asia Miles no matter how many flights there are as long as you’re still within the same distance band. Therefore, that flight from Amsterdam all the way to Vancouver still costs just 63,000 Asia Miles.
Add an Amsterdam–London for no additional miles
Because UK APD is not levied when you’re simply connecting rather than originating in London, Cathay’s surcharges drop to ~$495. Needless to say, paying 63,000 Asia Miles + $495 is much better deal than 128,000 Avios + $408 in every scenario.
For flights up to a cumulative 5,000 miles in distance (AMS–LON–YVR barely squeezes in), you’ll pay 63,000 Asia Miles for British Airways business class and 100,000 miles for first class. Above 5,000 and up to 7,500 miles in distance, the price jumps to 93,000 miles in business class and 135,000 miles in first class.
Takeaway
For flights departing North America, Asia Miles is the better choice. You’ll often pay fewer points, lower surcharges, or both, with the advantage becoming even more pronounced on West Coast routes and in first class. Asia Miles also excels for connecting itineraries, since adding a connection often doesn’t increase the mileage cost, whereas Avios prices each segment separately.
The main scenario in which Avios can come out ahead is on flights departing from London. Thanks to Reward Flight Saver, the notoriously expensive UK Air Passenger Duty is effectively baked into the Avios pricing, making British Airways Executive Club the more attractive option in that specific circumstance.
Featured Image Credit: British Airways
