Avios customers looking to redeem flights on BA and Iberia using the Reward Flight Saver option will see rates increase for both economy and business class redemptions from October 8.
Reward Flight Saver redemptions are available for flights within zones 1-3, for those members who have earned at least one Avios in the preceeding 12 months, and currently offer a flat rate fee (covering the taxes and charges portion of the fare) of £27 in economy, and £34 in business class.
These rates will increase to £30 in economy and £40 in business class from October 8. Avios says that the increase reflects the latest hike in air passenger duty rates (which took effect in April 2012), and rises in fuel prices.
The scheme says that even with the rate increase, members redeeming with the Reward Flight Saver option will still save more money on average than before the introduction of Avios (in November 2011), and has published a table, shown below, to illustrate why.
For instance it says that the average taxes, fees and charges on an economy flight to Barcelona would be £90 when booked and paid for in cash, compared with a flat rate charge of £30 when redeemed with Avios after October 8.
It's worth noting though, that while redemptions for BA Executive Club and Iberia Plus members were always subject to taxes and charges before the introduction of Avios, members of the Airmiles scheme (which was replaced by Avios) were previously able to redeem miles on the whole of their fare, including taxes and charges. For more details on the introduction of Avios last year, click here.
For more information visit avios.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
