Is part paying with Avios a complete waste

[Lochroy]

Just looking at some BA flights and it isn't possible to pay in full with points (no availability), but I'm offered the chance to part pay which I've never looked into before.

There's a really odd sliding scale which seems to mean that the more money you take off, it costs you disproportionately more in points. See pic of my desktop calcs where I had to check what it was saying!

So would I be right in thinking that given I can afford the cash price, I might as well pay cash in full and save the points for when I can pay in full for a flight with points?

From what I’ve seen it’s pretty rare to find a flight you can pay for in full. I used a load recently to make sure I didn’t lose them, make sure yours don’t expire

I bought six bottles of red wine with Avios during lockdown to keep mine active - it was the cheapest thing I could get 🤣

I didn't know they expired!!!

Wine sounds like a good plan 🍷

I think you just need to collect or spend one Avios in 3 years. So no need to use them, just buy something through the BA store to collect - even a bottle of shampoo will get you avios. You don’t need to buy something with the Avios. Just collect them, v easy if linked to a credit card purchase.

Same, good job they emailed me! www.britishairways.com/en-us/executive-club/collecting-avios/avios-expiry-rules

I paid £172 for three of us to fly to Ireland (and back!) recently - would’ve been £543. But yeah, just over 100,000 Avios. In my head there are still £50 flights there. But there aren’t!

Use the Avios to pay for specific seats or for other extras if you need to use them. Or wait for Avios sales when they double the value. Full redemption flights are available but you're recommended to book as soon as they come into range.

This is a good article
www.headforpoints.com/2020/04/06/how-do-you-book-flights-using-avios-points/

It's terrible value. Save them for something special and be prepared to pounce on the flights you want at midnight 355 days prior to travel. It takes some practice but can be done.