Maximize Your Points: Book Cheap American Airlines Flights with Avios

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Use British Airways Avios to Fly American Airlines
3. Step 1: Start with Google Flights
4. Step 2: Pre-Search Award Availability on Qantas
5. Step 3: Compare Award Availability with Google Flights
6. Step 4: Book the Flight on British Airways Avios
7. Step 5: Using Built Rewards to Find Alternative Options
8. Conclusion

Introduction

In this guide, I will walk you through the process of booking a flight using British Airways Avios to fly with American Airlines. I will provide step-by-step instructions using various tools and techniques to help you find the best award flight options. This guide is particularly useful if you are looking to fly to popular destinations like New York City. So, let's get started and discover how you can maximize the value of your points and book an incredible flight experience.

Why Use British Airways Avios to Fly American Airlines

Before we dive into the process, let's understand why we would choose to use British Airways Avios instead of other points programs like Chase, Capital One, or City aex. While most major banks' points do not directly transfer to American Airlines, British Airways Avios can be easily transferred to book American Airlines flights. By utilizing British Airways Avios, we can often obtain greater value and make the most of our points.

Pros:

• British Airways Avios allow easy transfers to American Airlines flights.
• Booking through British Airways can provide better value compared to other points programs.
• Increased flexibility in redeeming points for flights.

Cons:

• Limited availability of award flights during peak travel periods.
• British Airways may not offer the same level of service or benefits as American Airlines.

Step 1: Start with Google Flights

To begin the booking process, we will use Google Flights to search for available flights. Start by entering your departure and destination cities, such as Austin to New York. Apply filters to search for non-stop flights and limit the results to American Airlines. This helps us determine which dates have direct flights, as British Airways charges by distance and non-stop flights offer better value.

Pros:

• Google Flights provides a comprehensive search platform for finding flights.
• Filters allow us to narrow down the search to our preferred airline and non-stop flights.

Cons:

• Limited to the information provided by Google Flights, which may not include all available flights or fares.

Step 2: Pre-Search Award Availability on Qantas

After identifying potential dates with non-stop flights on Google Flights, we will use Qantas to pre-search award availability. Qantas is part of the One World Alliance, which includes British Airways and American Airlines. By using Qantas' award calendar, we can get an overview of available dates for award flights, saving us time and effort later.

Pros:

• Qantas' award calendar provides a visual representation of available dates for award flights.
• Allows us to determine which dates are worth checking for availability on British Airways.

Cons:

• Qantas' award calendar may not always show the most up-to-date availability.

Step 3: Compare Award Availability with Google Flights

Next, we will compare the award availability from Qantas with the non-stop flight dates identified on Google Flights. This step helps us decide on the specific dates we want to look for on British Airways for award availability. If there are no available award flights on a particular date, we can easily switch to alternative dates.

Pros:

• Ensures we choose dates with both non-stop flights and award availability.
• Saves time by focusing on specific dates for search, avoiding unnecessary searches.

Cons:

• Requires manual comparison between Qantas' award calendar and Google Flights.

Step 4: Book the Flight on British Airways Avios

Once we have the confirmed dates, we can proceed to book the flight using British Airways Avios. Create an account and log in on the British Airways website. Enter the flight details and select the desired non-stop flights. Be mindful of the departure and return times and whether there are any connecting flights. Finally, review the price in Avios and complete the booking process.

Pros:

• British Airways Avios provide a straightforward and streamlined booking process.
• Allows us to secure flights at a fixed rate, avoiding potential price fluctuations.

Cons:

• Limited availability of award flights, especially during peak travel periods.
• Pricing in Avios may vary depending on the flight and class of service.

Step 5: Using Built Rewards to Find Alternative Options

As an alternative method, we can utilize Built Rewards to search for flights and evaluate other possibilities. Built has its own credit card and transfer partners, which can provide additional options for booking flights. By using the Built Rewards website and transfer partners tool, we can explore various airlines and their respective award programs to find the best alternatives if British Airways Avios are not available.

Pros:

• Built Rewards provides access to a wide range of credit card transfer partners and award programs.
• Offers flexibility and alternatives in case British Airways Avios are not suitable.

Cons:

• Additional research and comparisons are required to find the most suitable alternative option.
• Built Rewards may not be as widely recognized or integrated as other points programs.

Conclusion

Booking a flight using British Airways Avios to fly with American Airlines is a strategic way to maximize the value of your points. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively search for award availability, find non-stop flights, and secure your desired travel dates. Remember to be flexible with your travel plans and explore alternative options using tools like Qantas and Built Rewards. With these strategies, you'll be able to enjoy a fantastic flight experience while making the most of your points.

Highlights

• Use British Airways Avios for booking American Airlines flights
• Google Flights helps find non-stop flights
• Qantas' award calendar helps identify available dates for awards
• Compare award availability with Google Flights to finalize travel dates
• Book flights using British Airways Avios and secure non-stop flights
• Explore alternative options using Built Rewards and its transfer partners

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I transfer points from other banks to British Airways Avios? A: Most major banks' points do not directly transfer to British Airways Avios. However, some exceptions like Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to British Airways Avios.

Q: Why is it preferable to book non-stop flights? A: British Airways charges by distance, so booking non-stop flights saves points compared to connecting flights. It is more cost-effective and convenient.

Q: Are there any limitations to using British Airways Avios for American Airlines flights? A: Availability of award flights may be limited, especially during peak travel periods. It's important to check for availability in advance and be flexible with travel dates.

Q: Can I use Built Rewards to search for alternative flights? A: Yes, Built Rewards offers a tool to search for flights and explore alternative options. It provides access to various credit card transfer partners and award programs.