British Airways Eliminating 4,500 Avios Point Short-Haul North America Award Flights

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Thanks to Million Mile Secrets reader Lana for letting us know that 1 of the best deals in travel will soon be less sweet.

Effective February 2, 2016, British Airways will no longer offer 1-way, short-haul (under 650 miles) coach award tickets on partner airlines in North America for 4,500 British Airways Avios points.

From that date, those flights will cost 7,500 British Airways Avios points each way.  Longer routes are NOT affected.

This applies to short-haul flights on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines which begin or end in the US.  Flights in other parts of the world are NOT changing price.

I’ll explain what the changes mean for you!

What’s Going On?

Link:   British Airways North America Award Flight Changes

Link:   My Series on British Airways Avios Points

Link:   Wandering Aramean British Airways Avios Point Map Tool

Link:   Chase British Airways Visa Signature Card – 100,000 Point Offer

British Airways sent an email to frequent flyer program members early this morning.  It states:

We’re going to be making a change to the Executive Club pricing structure for shorter reward flights originating or terminating within the United States of America.  From 2 February 2016, reward flights will start from 7,500 Avios, instead of 4,500 Avios, plus taxes, fees and carrier charges (“TFCs”) from $5.60 USD.

This was 1 of the best uses of British Airways Avios points!  Short-haul coach flights under 650 miles on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines currently cost only 4,500 British Airways Avios points each way.

On February 2, 2016, at 5:00 am Eastern Time, the price for these flights will increase to 7,500 British Airways Avios each way in coach.

Business and First Class short-haul flights are also increasing in price.  Here’s the new award chart:

The new pricing will affect routes like:

• Chicago to Atlanta, Detroit, Kansas City, Rochester, Toronto, Washington, DC
• Dallas – Fort Worth to Austin, Denver, Des Moines, Memphis, Mobile, Wichita
• Miami to Atlanta, Cancun, Cozumel, Montego Bay, Nassau, Turks & Caicos
• Seattle to Calgary, Edmonton, Portland, Reno, Sacramento, Vancouver
• New York to Boston, Charlotte, Cleveland, Montreal, Raleigh-Durham, Toronto, Washington, DC

Check out the Wandering Aramean Avios Tool to see which flights currently cost 4,500 British Airways Avios points from your home airport.

Note:   Current and new reservations made before February 2, 2016 (even if you travel after that date) are NOT affected.

Is This Still a Good Deal?

Yes.  It’s just not the amazing deal it used to be!

Paying 7,500 British Airways Avios points each way for a flight under 650 miles is still cheaper than what you’d pay using American Airlines miles or Alaska Airlines miles for similar flights.  They each charge 12,500 miles each way in coach within North America, and even more to the Caribbean and Mexico.

And United Airlines charges 10,000 United Airlines miles each way in coach for flights under 700 miles.

So British Airways Avios points are still the better deal.

That said, if you have plans to book short-haul American Airlines or Alaska Airlines flights using British Airways Avios points, it’s best to book them soon.  I’m sure many folks will be making reservations, and award seats might sell out quickly.

Even if your travel plans aren’t firm, you might consider booking anyway.  That’s because you can cancel most bookings online and have your miles redeposited for only the cost of the taxes and fees you paid.

Read my post on the cheap way to cancel award flights booked with British Airways Avios points!

Remember, if you need more British Airways Avios points, there are lots of ways to earn them!

Bottom Line

On February 2, 2016, at 5:00 am Eastern Time, British Airways will change the pricing on their cheapest short-haul coach award flights on partner airlines in North America

Currently, 1-way coach flights under 650 miles on partners Alaska Airlines and American Airlines cost only 4,500 British Airways Avios points.  Starting February 2, 2016, they’ll cost 7,500 British Airways Avios points.

Only short-haul (under 650 miles) flights in North America are changing price.  Longer flights, or flights elsewhere in the world, are NOT affected.

You can still book your award flights at the cheaper rate, even if your travel dates are after February 2, 2016.  I wouldn’t wait too long to book because award seats might sell out fast.

This isn’t good news, but short-haul partner flights using British Airways Avios points are still a good deal, even at 7,500 British Airways Avios points each way.

As always, our hobby is constantly changing.  That’s why it’s important to use your miles and not hoard them!  Good deals don’t always last.

Thanks for the heads-up, Lana!

Which routes will you most miss booking for only 4,500 British Airways Avios points?