RBC Avion Redemption Schedule Changes for April 1 09

[bluedcfive]

Will now require 5,000 extra points for US long haul travel tickets - no other changes (total 35,000 points required for long haul US travel now, max ticket price is 750).

What BS - I recall reading in the G&M how there are lots of points on peoples rewards cards; ie people prefer spending cash now since tickets are discounted, rather than "burn" their points. I guess this is how the rewards issuers are dealing with it. I would expect similar increases for other travel rewards programs.

[bilibulu]

I really don't care much about this!

Using the points to redeem this way is plain stupid. For economy class tickets, it's almost best to just buy them. I only use the RBC points to transfer to BA program and redeem Business class or First class tickets on OneWorld flights.

[tng11]

Using the points to redeem this way is plain stupid. For economy class tickets, it's almost best to just buy them. I only use the RBC points to transfer to BA program and redeem Business class or First class tickets on OneWorld flights.

Quoted for truth. :idea:

You're better off with a cashback card (like Cap One 2%) or better yet, the AMEX 2% if you have one and using the cash from that to redeem for flight awards. The only thing Avion is good for is the BA transfer.

[bilibulu]

Quoted for truth. :idea:

You're better off with a cashback card (like Cap One 2%) or better yet, the AMEX 2% if you have one and using the cash from that to redeem for flight awards. The only thing Avion is good for is the BA transfer.

Nah, a cashback card is only worth 2 pennies per dollar spent.

With the Avion card, I can book a YYZ-HKG Business card ticket with CX for 100K points. A J-class ticket YYZ-HKG is worth easily $4000 and up. That is 4 cents per dollar spent. With the 50% extra conversion bonus to BA points every year, the value becomes more than 6 pennies per dollar spent.

This is the main reason I use the RBC Avion.

Yes, I have aeroplan cards too and I am Air Canada Super Elite and can get ticket redemption regardless of seats availability. But I like to have the flexibility to redeem seats on One World airlines as well. Therefore the RBC Avion is very valuable for me.

[tng11]

Nah, a cashback card is only worth 2 pennies per dollar spent.


I know that! But I was speaking from a standpoint of your average person.

I also plan to use the Avion for BA 1.5 transfer to claim CX J and F awards. Just waiting for the next promotion to transfer them over. As for Aeroplan, just from churning cards and sign-up bonuses as well as some spending this year I already have a YYZ-HKG ticket in J booked for July.

You must understand that this is RFD and people here don't always fly J or F. I would never pay for either, but I claim all awards in J and F.

[bilibulu]

You must understand that this is RFD and people here don't always fly J or F. I would never pay for either, but I claim all awards in J and F.

My bad! :o I'm not an average person. I buy J and F all the time.

But I am reaping the benefits of this! If an average person would use their points like I do, the deal won't be this sweet any more! Maybe I should keep my mouth shut and not try to educate the mass about spending the points this way.:cheesygri:razz:

[Motoss]

Does anyone know when the avion BA 1.5x starts... i thought it was april?

[brew99]

Will now require 5,000 extra points for US long haul travel tickets - no other changes (total 35,000 points required for long haul US travel now, max ticket price is 750).

What BS - I recall reading in the G&M how there are lots of points on peoples rewards cards; ie people prefer spending cash now since tickets are discounted, rather than "burn" their points. I guess this is how the rewards issuers are dealing with it. I would expect similar increases for other travel rewards programs.

On my statement it says that the increase will take effect May 1, 2009, not April!

[mr_raider]

After recent experiences, you couldn't pay me to fly BA. Is Cathay any better?

[tng11]

After recent experiences, you couldn't pay me to fly BA. Is Cathay any better?

CX is not what it was in the early 2000s. The service is pretty average, and the seats are smaller than your typical NA airline (IMO). They are still my favourite airline next to SQ.

[Drew_W]

After recent experiences, you couldn't pay me to fly BA. Is Cathay any better?

Do tell do tell!

[saleen01]

Does anyone know when the avion BA 1.5x starts... i thought it was april?


I was waiting for April 1st also....anyone have any insight?

[circa76]

With the Avion card, I can book a YYZ-HKG Business card ticket with CX for 100K points. A J-class ticket YYZ-HKG is worth easily $4000 and up. That is 4 cents per dollar spent. With the 50% extra conversion bonus to BA points every year, the value becomes more than 6 pennies per dollar spent.

WHAT? Say again? 100K points was for an economy class ticket from YYZ to HKG. How did you get Business Class with CX for that few points, unless you're doing the three airline thing with CX, then I see you can get business class for 85K. But for direct its 145K asiamiles. Is there a 50% bonus that I'm not aware of?

[Breionlok]

I was waiting for April 1st also....anyone have any insight?

Same here, anyone know when avion is doing the bonus (1.5x or 2x) transfer for BA??

[HighFlyer]

WHAT? Say again? 100K points was for an economy class ticket from YYZ to HKG. How did you get Business Class with CX for that few points, unless you're doing the three airline thing with CX, then I see you can get business class for 85K. But for direct its 145K asiamiles. Is there a 50% bonus that I'm not aware of?
If you're using BA miles for CX flights, it's 50K for YYZ-HKG (or anywhere in Asia) in Y, or 100K for J, or 150K for F..... without any promo. Not sure about asia miles as I'm not a member of it.

[Drew_W]

WHAT? Say again? 100K points was for an economy class ticket from YYZ to HKG. How did you get Business Class with CX for that few points, unless you're doing the three airline thing with CX, then I see you can get business class for 85K. But for direct its 145K asiamiles. Is there a 50% bonus that I'm not aware of?

As HighFlyer just mentioned, you have to do it as a PARTNER reward (there's a separate chart for this), not a BA redemption directly. Partner means not BA metal.

[circa76]

If you're using BA miles for CX flights, it's 50K for YYZ-HKG (or anywhere in Asia) in Y, or 100K for J, or 150K for F..... without any promo. Not sure about asia miles as I'm not a member of it.

As HighFlyer just mentioned, you have to do it as a PARTNER reward (there's a separate chart for this), not a BA redemption directly. Partner means not BA metal.

Sweet, thanks guys. I just checked it out. So basically I have to become a BA member, and then transfer my avion points when the next 50% bonus comes in and the book through BA for a partner flight.

Nice.