How to earn Avios points in Australia?

[Pele]

Gday

BAEC is a pretty useful program but i am at a loss on how to accrue points in this program from Australia. I have a hatful of credit cards but none transfer to BAEC. Short of flying BA or partners(which i dont do) has anyone got any tips?

Thanks.

Pele.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Gday

BAEC is a pretty useful program but i am at a loss on how to accrue points in this program from Australia. I have a hatful of credit cards but none transfer to BAEC. Short of flying BA or partners(which i dont do) has anyone got any tips?

Thanks.

Pele.

I'm by no means an expert, in fact very wet behind the ears with this but you can transfer Amex MR and Diners Club via SPG to Avios.
I also credit my car hire to my BAEC account.

 

[serfty]

You are not even 'allowed' to be a member of BAEC if you live in Australia ... dream on about any CC earn.

If desperate, you can transfer Amex MR (or Diners points -[good luck]) to SPG and then into Avios. (I know a few Austr(al)ians with avios accounts.

 

[TonyHancock]

Diners is the most efficient means of earn via credit card. 3 points per $ which when converted via SPG in batches of 20k delivers 1.8 Avios per $. (SPG Gives a 20% bonus.) The MasterCard that comes with DC gives an earn of 0.8 Avios per $.

 

[codash1099]

You are not even 'allowed' to be a member of BAEC if you live in Australia ... dream on about any CC earn.

If desperate, you can transfer Amex MR (or Diners points -[good luck]) to SPG and then into Avios. (I know a few Austr(al)ians with avios accounts.

I understand Iberia also awards Avios. Are they the same thing?

 

[TonyHancock]

I understand Iberia also awards Avios. Are they the same thing?

it is possible to transfer Avios from Iberia to BA, providing you have a BA account obviously.

 

[andye]

BA has an online shopping portal called Gate 365. Quite a few shops ship to Aus.

If you are serious about Avios, headforpoints.co.uk will keep you abreast of earning opportunities. I try to cross post Aus-relevant ones on AFF

 

[codash1099]

it is possible to transfer Avios from Iberia to BA, providing you have a BA account obviously.

Ah, thought they may all be in the one pool. So no shortcut there.

 

[dajop]

Ah, thought they may all be in the one pool. So no shortcut there.

You can move them back and forth instantaneously between IB and BA accounts, and there is no penalty (1:1 transfers) or minimum transfer, so they effectively act as the same pool of points, you just need to make the transfer when you need to. I've done this several times to my advantage - moving some BA points to IB to take advantage of lower points/taxes on domestic redemption within spain and from MAD to ZRH - and also they other way, using IB for hotel stays when they earn more than BA, then moving to BA as soon as they credit.

Just need to ensure the names and contact details (including email address) match on the two accounts.

 

[burmans]

it is possible to transfer Avios from Iberia to BA, providing you have a BA account obviously.

There is a restriction on this, from memory both have to have been in existence for 90 days.

While I agree it is difficult the value is such that I do seek out opportunities for Avios. Like andye, would suggest you start at headforpoints, most opportunities end up on there.

 

[marki]

Last night opened a BAEC account and yes quite instantaneously got knocked back due to the address being geographically in Australia. Some lateral thinking and got me registered under a European address that I have access to. Later I will try and change it over to Oz, but not yet.
When booking the flight it did give me the options of using a FF no. of the other one world carriers.

 

[dajop]

Last night opened a BAEC account and yes quite instantaneously got knocked back due to the address being geographically in Australia. Some lateral thinking and got me registered under a European address that I have access to. Later I will try and change it over to Oz, but not yet. .

You can't change to an Australian address as the program is not open to members in SW Pacific. When I initially set the account up I accidentally mistyped Australia - leaving out a couple of letters - and oddly enough the mail out via snail mail actually did reach me.

 

[burmans]

You can't change to an Australian address as the program is not open to members in SW Pacific. When I initially set the account up I accidentally mistyped Australia - leaving out a couple of letters - and oddly enough the mail out via snail mail actually did reach me.

Well that's the thing, in an electronic world who really needs snail mail?

 

[andye]

The only 'need' for a 'real' address is if you reach a status level and they send the card. Even then the card is on the app.
There is a third avios account (avios.co.uk) that is interchangeable with the BAEC and IB ones. If you order air tickets through them, they send them by snail mail to the address on file. Easily avoided by booking through BAEC

 

[Franky]

Given the number of subscribers who have said you cannot have a BAEC account in Australia, I did a quick check of mine to make sure I had entered the correct info. Sure enough, all is as it should be, and I have been using their award search function frequently, as well as receiving emails from them probably weekly. What have I done wrong?, and please don't pass this on to BA...

 

[andye]

For those with mothers in the UK, Interflora are offering 24 Avios/GBP via gate365 (UK Mothering Sunday this weekend)

 

[alieninperth]

For those with mothers in the UK, Interflora are offering 24 Avios/GBP via gate365 (UK Mothering Sunday this weekend)

Thanks for reminding me, *opens another browser to order flowers*

 

[k3nnis]

Hmm the earn rate on the diners seems good, but what are the burning rates for BA like? Is it like CX or SQ which is way better than QFF?

And what is availability like compared to QFF? i.e. for 2XJ or even 3X J? I know on QFF to do this it's virtually impossible.

Thanks.

 

[TonyHancock]

Hmm the earn rate on the diners seems good, but what are the burning rates for BA like? Is it like CX or SQ which is way better than QFF?

And what is availability like compared to QFF? i.e. for 2XJ or even 3X J? I know on QFF to do this it's virtually impossible.

Thanks.

There is plenty of angst about availability over on Flyertalk, and it appears very difficult to get long haul flights on BA metal, but slightly less less difficult on QR, MH or CX using Avios - providing you are booking a fair way out. The long haul burn rates are similar to QF and BA has off peak and standard rates. There is also the ability to change the co pay and reduce points. I have used points for long haul but it is not a great use of them IMO. It came in at 250k + $1.2k for SYD-LHR-SYD in J. (I then used a Gold upgrade voucher to book into F, but that is another story.)

Short haul rates are decent - MEL-BNE, one way, in J is 15k Avios + $15 compared to 24k QF points and $33. MEL-PER, one way, is 20k Avios + $18 compared with 36k QF points and $34. The trigger point is flights over 2000 miles, so SYD-PER, one way, comes in at 37.5k Avios and $18 whereas QF is pretty much the same as MEL-PER.

I'm not a great user of redemptions, other than short haul within Europe, but my overall feel is that BA is probably not the airline of choice if long haul redemptions are the aim. BA scores highly if you are getting to GGL level. You get the ability to force award availability open to use upgrades earned at the 2500 and 3500 TP level. I have two Y+ SYD-LHR returns where I have been able to use "gold upgrade" and "jokers" to secure J seats. These upgrades and jokers can also be used with redemption flights. Unlike QF you get certainty when you book.

Personally I think the Diners earn rate is terrific for my needs.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for the reply. Ok then it seems it's only of use with J domestic redemptions. May not bother chasing Avios then.