Thankfully, there are a few ways to avoid these costly carrier-imposed fees and surcharges. This guide includes the most effective and up-to-date strategies that allow you to avoid British Airways' fuel surcharges when redeeming Avios.<\/p>\n
Page Contents<\/p>
- Just How Bad Are British Airways Fuel Surcharges?<\/a><\/li>
- How to Avoid British Airways Fuel Surcharges When Redeeming Avios<\/a>
- Use the statement credits on the British Airways Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a><\/li>
- Redeem Avios for transatlantic flights on Aer Lingus<\/a><\/li>
- Redeem Avios for transatlantic awards on Iberia<\/a><\/li>
- Redeem Avios for British Airways flights within Europe for a flat fee<\/a><\/li>
- Completely avoid fuel surcharges within the Americas (including Hawaii)<\/a><\/li>
- Redeem Avios for Qantas flights within Australia<\/a><\/li>
- Book domestic awards within Japan on JAL<\/a><\/li>
- Depart from a destination that limits fuel surcharges<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Getting to London Without Paying British Airways Surcharges<\/a>
- Step 1: Book an award flight to a non-U.K. destination<\/a><\/li>
- Step 2: Book a flight from mainland Europe to the United Kingdom<\/a><\/li>
- Step 3: Calculate your savings<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Earning Avios<\/a><\/li>
- Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Just How Bad Are British Airways Fuel Surcharges?<\/span><\/h2>\n
The UK's flag carrier \u2013 British Airways \u2014 is notorious for its hefty carrier-imposed surcharges on award travel. These high fees are especially common on flights across the Atlantic. While British Airways reduced fuel surcharges<\/a> on some partner awards, fuel surcharges on its own routes remain quite high.<\/p>\n
British Airways recently raised Avios across the board<\/a>. Currently, you'll have to pay $508 out-of-pocket for a one-way business class award to London from the West Coast of the United States. That's on top of the already steep 99,000 Avios you need to book this 0ff-peak award flight.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Screenshot of British Airways<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Booking British Airways business class award flights through BA, you'll pay at least $1,000 roundtrip in carrier-imposed surcharges and fees, in addition to the Avios cost.<\/p>\n
There are a few additional solutions to avoid fuel surcharges when booking with Avios.\u00a0As a founding partner of the oneworld Alliance<\/a>, British Airways partners with numerous airlines that don't pass along these atrocious fees. When redeeming Avios with certain partner airlines, award tickets come with significantly lower surcharges. In some cases, British Airways partners<\/a> levy no surcharges whatsoever.<\/p>\n
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Booking British Airways Avios Award Flights<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
How to Avoid British Airways Fuel Surcharges When Redeeming Avios<\/span><\/h2>\n
Here are some of the top ways to reduce the out-of-pocket costs or avoid fuel surcharges entirely (also known as “carrier-imposed surcharges”) when redeeming Avios.<\/p>\n
Here are some of the best ways to redeem Avios without incurring insane fuel surcharges. Credit: British Airways<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Use the statement credits on the British Airways Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/span><\/h3>\n
The British Airways Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> offers one of the only tools that directly offsets the airline's high surcharges. Cardholders can receive up to $600 each year in statement credits<\/a> to help cover taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges on flights operated by British Airways. This is one of the card's best benefits as these statement credits can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expenses that come with the card year-over-year.<\/p>\n
Cardholders can take advantage of this benefit on up to three bookings per year. The amount a cardholder receives in statement credits on a booking depends on the cabin booked. Here's how the British Airways Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> awards this statement credit by cabin:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Get a $100 credit for economy (World Traveler).<\/li>\n
- Get a $100 credit for premium economy (World Traveler Plus).<\/li>\n
- Get a $200 credit for business class (Club World).<\/li>\n
- Get a $200 credit for First Class.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can learn more about this cardholder benefit in our detailed guide here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
In addition to offering cardholders up to $600 in statement credits annually, the British Airways Visa Card also comes with a solid welcome bonus and additional benefits.<\/p>\n
\n\n\nBritish Airways Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\nRates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\nWelcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n British Airways Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/strong>\nWelcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$95<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>The British Airways Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Card is a great option for frequent flyers of British Airways and its partners. Cardholders earn 3 Avios per $1 on eligible British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and LEVEL purchases, 2 Avios per $1 on hotel accommodations, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. A standout feature is the Travel Together Ticket, received after spending $30,000 annually, which offers a two-for-one deal on Avios bookings, or a 50% discount for solo travel. Additionally, the card offers up to $600 in reward flight statement credits per year, no foreign transaction fees, and 10% off British Airways flights from the US.<\/div>\n\n\n- Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.<\/li>
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.<\/li>
- Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.<\/li>
- 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.<\/li>
- Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you'll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.<\/li>
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.<\/li>
- Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It's fast, easy and secure!<\/li>
- Member FDIC<\/li><\/ul><\/body><\/html>\n<\/div>
- Step 2: Book a flight from mainland Europe to the United Kingdom<\/a><\/li>
- Redeem Avios for transatlantic flights on Aer Lingus<\/a><\/li>
- How to Avoid British Airways Fuel Surcharges When Redeeming Avios<\/a>
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