Planning an Avios trip shouldn't feel like advanced calculus. Let's make it easy. We've asked our resident "Points Professor," Alisha Collins, to share her top tips on what to avoid when planning your trip. These insights will help you avoid common pitfalls and make the most of your points.
Here are her top things not to do when planning an Avios trip:
Think There’s a Magic Time to Book a Reward Seat
When it comes to booking an Avios flight redemption, many people mistakenly believe that there's a "magic time" to snag the best deals. In some cases, looking for seats in the late evening hours seems to get better results. However, the truth is that BA can release reward seats at any time, day or night - as they see fit.
British Airways guarantees at least 12- 14 reward seats on every flight, distributed across different cabins. Beyond these guaranteed seats, the release of additional reward seats is influenced by cash fare bookings and demand predictions. If a flight is underbooked, BA might release more reward seats at any moment to fill the plane.
Given this unpredictability, it’s best to remain vigilant and flexible. This is where Reward Flight Finder (RFF) Alerts come into play. Setting up RFF Alerts allows you to be notified as soon as reward seats become available. These alerts work by monitoring BA’s reward seat releases and sending you notifications when most updates hit the system. By leveraging RFF Alerts and the BA Avios Calculator, you can maximise your chances of booking the seats you want without constantly monitoring the website.
Overlook Considering All Airports
Many travellers tend to focus only on their primary airport, but widening your search can improve your chances of finding better Avios flight redemption options. For example, British Airways operates several routes from both Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Popular destinations such as New York, Sydney, and Palma de Mallorca often have flights departing from both hubs. The availability of flights can vary between the two airports, and you might find better options or more convenient flight times by considering both. To help in your planning, don’t forget to use the BA Avios Calculator to calculate the number of points needed for flights from different airports.
Looking at alternative airports can also be beneficial for overly popular destinations. Take Florida as an example: many travellers heading to Disney World naturally aim for Orlando. However, Orlando is a heavily booked destination. By considering nearby Tampa as an alternative arrival airport, you might find better availability for reward seats from London. Tampa is just a short drive from Orlando and often a less crowded alternative. It’s a simple strategy that can make a big difference.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for an Upgrade
Airlines and hotels often have a degree of flexibility when it comes to assigning upgrades, especially if the booking isn’t full. Being proactive and politely inquiring about upgrade possibilities can sometimes result in a pleasant surprise.
Politeness goes a long way. A friendly demeanour and a genuine smile can improve your chances of receiving a favourable response. Even if an upgrade isn't possible, building a positive rapport with the staff can lead to other benefits, such as better service or small perks.
But keep in mind that these upgrades are cash-only transactions and cannot be processed using Avios. Therefore, it’s wise to consider whether the potential cost aligns with your budget and whether the experience is worth the additional expenditure.
Travel Without Insurance
One of the cardinal rules of planning any trip is to never travel without insurance. Travel insurance can protect you from a wide range of unforeseen events, from medical emergencies and trip cancellations to lost luggage and flight delays. Despite its importance, many travellers neglect to organise insurance, often to their detriment.
Travel insurance cost is relatively low — typically about the same as a cup of coffee per day. This small investment can save you from significant financial losses if something goes wrong while you're abroad.
To find the best travel insurance deal, start by checking comparison websites such as comparethemarket.com or moneysupermarket.com. Many credit cards also offer built-in travel insurance when you use the card to purchase your trip. It's worth reviewing your card's benefits to see if this applies to you.
For added convenience, you can also purchase travel insurance directly through BA.com when booking your flight. British Airways offers tailored insurance options that can be easily added to your booking, so you're covered without any extra hassle.
Neglect Geotagging Luggage
One thing you should never overlook is geotagging your luggage. Geotagging involves placing a small GPS tracker in your luggage, which allows you to monitor its location in real-time via a smartphone app.
Firstly, this gives you the ability to track your luggage throughout your journey. You’ll know exactly where your bag is at all times, whether it's safely on the plane or still sitting on the tarmac.
If your luggage does get lost, you can provide the airline with precise information about its location, speeding up the retrieval process. Instead of relying solely on the airline's tracking system, which can sometimes be slow and inaccurate, you have the power to assist in the search and recovery of your belongings. Knowing the exact location of your bags also provides a sense of security and control.
Forget to Take an Extra Bank Card and Credit Card
Having backup cards can protect you in case of loss, theft, or compromise of your primary card. The importance of this cannot be overstated, as finding yourself without access to funds abroad can quickly turn a dream holiday into a nightmare.
Imagine you're exploring a new city, and your wallet gets stolen. Without a backup card, you’re suddenly cut off from your money, making it difficult to pay for accommodations, food, transportation, and other essentials. Having a second card stored separately from your primary ones ensures a safety net.
Rather than carrying numerous cards around, you might find it easier to sign up to a tool like Curve Wallet, which allows you to link all your debit cards, credit cards, and your PayPal account to your Curve Wallet. Then, on your travels, all you have to do is select your payment card, tap and pay - simple. This way you remove the risk of losing one of your cards, and your foreign transactions are much easier than drawing cash from an ATM or exchanging currency.
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Use a Bank Card That Has a Foreign Transaction Fee
If you're serious about avoiding hidden charges and stretching your Avios trip budget, Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a game-changer. Wise is a multi-currency account that lets you spend abroad with the real exchange rate, meaning you don’t lose money to inflated rates or sneaky bank fees.
Wise offers a debit card that connects directly to your multi-currency wallet, allowing you to hold and convert over 40 currencies. You can pay like a local almost anywhere in the world, with low, transparent fees and no foreign transaction markups.
What makes Wise especially powerful for travellers is that it puts you in control:
You only convert money when you want to, so you can take advantage of better exchange rates ahead of time.
You can withdraw cash abroad with much lower fees than traditional banks.
And if you're travelling across multiple countries, Wise lets you spend in each local currency without needing to open a new bank account or carrying heaps of cash.
For Avios collectors planning complex, multi-destination trips—or just anyone who values their travel funds—Wise is one of the smartest ways to keep costs down and convenience up.
Forget to Make Extra Copies of Your Passport and Important Documents
A critical step that’s often overlooked is making extra copies of your passport and important documents. Having these copies can be a lifesaver if the originals are lost or stolen.
First and foremost, having physical copies of your passport, visa, travel insurance, and other essential documents ensures that you have a backup in case something happens to the originals. These copies can expedite the replacement process and help you prove your identity and travel plans to local authorities.
It’s also wise to email digital copies to yourself so you can access them from anywhere with an internet connection, even if you lose all your physical belongings. Store these copies in your email or a secure cloud storage service, and make sure they are easily retrievable in an emergency.
Miss Out on Discounts and Perks by Pre-Booking Your Tickets to Attractions, Activities, and Excursions Online
Firstly, many companies offer reduced prices for online bookings compared to purchasing tickets at the door. This can save you money, which you can then use to enjoy more experiences during your trip.
Many credit cards also provide purchase protection, so if there’s an issue with your booking, you may be able to get a refund or other assistance through your card provider. An added advantage is that you can collect loyalty points when using your credit card to make bookings.
Booking online also gives you the ability to skip long lines. Popular attractions often have extensive queues, and pre-booking allows you to bypass these and head straight to the entrance. For example, many major attractions like the Louvre in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome offer skip-the-line tickets for those who book in advance.
Lastly, pre-booking ensures that you don’t miss out on must-see activities. Many popular tours and attractions sell out quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. By securing your tickets ahead of time, you guarantee your spot and avoid the disappointment of finding something fully booked upon arrival.
Forget Your Phone Charger and Travel Adapter
It might seem obvious, but one of the most essential packing tips is to never forget your phone charger and travel adapter. It’s surprisingly common for travellers to overlook these basics, often realising too late that they’ve left them behind.
Your phone charger is indispensable, especially if you rely on your smartphone for navigation and communication. Without it, you could find yourself with a dead phone in an unfamiliar place, unable to access vital information or contact anyone. Always pack an extra charger, ideally in your carry-on bag, so it’s easily accessible.
Equally important is your travel adapter. Different countries have different types of electrical outlets, and forgetting your adapter can mean you’re unable to charge any of your devices. Investing in a universal travel adapter is a smart move to cover yourself no matter where your travels take you. A little pre-trip preparation can save you from unnecessary stress and keep your travels running smoothly.
