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May 30 (tomorrow), the price of British Airways Avios awards flying all of the following partner airlines will increase in price:
- Alaska Airlines
- Air Italy
- American Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Japan Airlines
- LATAM
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- S7
- Sri Lankan
- Royal Jordanian Airlines
Award prices flying British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling will not change price as of now.
No one knows for sure exactly what the new partner award prices will be yet, as British Airways oddly hasn’t disclosed that information formally, but it’s speculated the major changes that will impact the most people will look like this:
| Flight Distance | Current Economy Price | May 30 Economy Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1: 1 - 650* | 4,500 | 6,000 | ||
| Zone 2: 651 - 1,151 | 7,500 | 9,000 | ||
| Zone 3: 1,152 - 2,000 | 10,000 | 11,000 | ||
| Zone 4: 2,001 - 3,000 | 12,500 | 13,000 |
*The 1 – 650 distance band pricing doesn’t apply to partner flights flown within, to, or from the United States. That rule will likely not change. Partner flights within, to, or from the US between 1 and 1,151 miles long all cost 7,500 Avios one way now, and will cost 9,000 Avios one way as of May 30.
For more details about this devaluation, read First Ever Ultimate Rewards Transfer Bonus on Cusp of Avios Devaluation.
30% Transfer Bonus: Ultimate Rewards to British Airways Avios
Also outlined in the linked post above are details about the current transfer bonus between Ultimate Rewards and British Airways Avios. Right now, and through June 16, 2019 at 11:59 pm ET, transfers from Chase’s reward currency to BA Avios garner 30% bonus Avios, so 1,000 Ultimate Rewards = 1,300 Avios. Depending on how highly you value Ultimate Rewards versus other points that transfer to Avios (Membership Rewards, Marriott Rewards), today may be the time to go ahead and initiate that transfer. Typically transfers between Ultimate Rewards and BA Avios are instant, so you shouldn’t have a problem making that transfer now and booking today.
Just get a move on.
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