I recently posted that I’ll be heading down to Miami for July 4th weekend after I had two successful BRG hotel claims (note: since that post, I managed to snag another successful BRG too!). Since it was cheaper [by far] to fly from EWR-MIA from Wednesday-Wednesday, I figured I’d block out a few days after July 4th and play around with some Avios redemptions to the Caribbean.
Personally, I am a huge fan of the British Airways Avios program for a number of reasons. The first reason is because the program is distance-based, meaning that award flights start at just 4,500 Avios each way if the distance in air miles is under 600. The second reason is that Avios are generally really easy to obtain via credit card sign-up bonuses. Lastly, I love using Avios for domestic redemptions because the taxes are only $2.50 each way on partner airline, American Airlines.
So far Avios have come to the rescue many times. Not only have I’ve found a number of last-minute flights in the $500+ range that I was able to book with Avios and just $2.50, but Dad and I also used 4,500 Avios each and $31 in taxes to get from Sydney to Melbourne on Oneworld partner, Qantas. Avios are definitely a staple in our household, and I generally transfer all of my American Express Membership Rewards points into the Avios program, especially when there is a transfer bonus.
So now that I have a few days to spare after meeting with friends in Miami, I started putting thought into where in the Caribbean I’d like to hop to from Miami. I’m sure most of you already know that getting to the Caribbean during the summer months, especially over a holiday weekend, can cost a fortune, so if you have Avios to spare this is an excellent redemption opportunity.
I’ve never been to Grand Cayman before, and knowing that the flight is only 4,500 Avios each way (or ~3400 Membership Rewards points with the current 35% transfer bonus) plenty of daily availability, I was pretty much sold. The price in Avios and taxes below reflects the total for two passengers.
That same one-way flight on American Airlines prices out for $504 for two passengers. The return from GCM-MIA came out to 4,500 Avios each plus $82.10 a piece in inevitable taxes. Still, not bad – $84.60 and 9,000 Avios per person for a round-trip flight to Grand Cayman during a peak travel time works for me.
Below is a quick sample guide of where in the Caribbean and Mexico you can go to with Avios. As always, you can always play around with the British Airways Avios Calculator like I did to find more options from your home airport.
From Miami
- 4,500 Avios Each Way – Grand Cayman (GCM), Nassau, The Bahamas (NAS), Turks & Caicos (PLS), Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ), Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
- 7,500 Avios Each Way – Aruba (AUA), Punta Cana (PUJ), Bermuda (BDA), San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), Belize City (BZE), Roatan (RTB), San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO), Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)
- 10,000 Avios Each Way – St Maarten (SXM), Barbados (BGI), Curacao, (CUR), St. Lucia (UVF), Trinidad and Tobago (POS), Martinique (FDF)
From New York
- 7,500 Avios Each Way – Bermuda (BDA)
- 10,000 Avios Each Way - Curacao, (CUR), San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
- 12,500 Avios Each Way -Â Barbados (BGI)
- *Any of the 4,500 Avios redemptions listed above from Miami are effectively 12,000 Avios each way from NY since NYC-Miami is 7,500 Avios each way.
From Los Angeles
- 7,500 Avios Each Way – Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD)
- 12,500 Avios Each Way – Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
So How Do You Get Avios?
The easiest and fastest way to get Avios is through credit card sign-up bonuses. The first one that obvious comes to mind is the British Airways Visa Signature Card, which comes with a sign-up bonus of 50,000 Avios after a low minimum spending requirement of only $2,000 within 3 months.
For even more Avios, keep in mind is that British Airways is a transfer partner in both the American Express Membership Rewards program and the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program.
Some other Chase cards that allow you to get Avios with 1:1 transfers are the Ink Plus, Ink Bold (both the Plus and the Bold earn 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in 3 months), or Sapphire Preferred (earn 40,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $3,000 in 3 months). All of them earn Ultimate Rewards, which can transfer instantly to British Airways Avios online.
Has anyone else recently redeemed Avios for a flight to the Caribbean or Mexico? If so, where did you go? Any other destinations I can add to the list?
Also, anyone have any recommendations for the Grand Cayman? I’ve already ironed out one night at the Westin Grand Cayman using Starpoints. Would love to hear feedback and recommendations from those who have visited before!
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Redeeming for MIA-MBJ for a dive/beach/relax trip for a buddy and I later today. Using companion pass to get to MIA. Not a bad deal considering DFW-MBJ itself is almost $700/person for next month.
Eatz Cafe across from the Westin is decent cheap (for GCM) food. Casual diner with a broad range of food choices. The chicken curry I had was decent, all the breakfasts we had there were good.
At the other end of the spectrum, Ripert’s Blue at the Ritz met expectations.
Staying at the Ritz, I wasn’t very impressed, it certainly wasn’t a good use of points, and I would stay at the Westin. Good choice.
Also, forgot to mention that wife and I did MIA-GCM last year the same way. Good deal for sure!
Great post. With a B-I-L in FLL, you’ve given me some good ideas for a side trip
Angelina, Good report. I have question about Alaska Air and Avios, Can they (Avios) be used to book Alaska flights. If so what do you think is best.
I fly Alaska to my home in Baja and get killed on miles and cost . The 700 mile flight (Lax to LTO)can easily be $700 plus round trip or 60000 to 70000 miles. Any suggestions on how to this for less miles?
Is there some guide for how to book with Avios? Last time I tried to use BA site I couldn’t get any flights to come up.
Thx for the list. Wish I lived closer to MIA instead of LAX.
When you go there you’ve got to go to Stingray Bay. The velvet like rays will swim around you as the boaters feed them. For an extra thrill feed them yourself then hold your empty hands close in front of yourself. They will slide up on you-a great photo op. If you don’ like that then have one of the guys hold one up behind you, the ray will be smiling! Have fun!!!
We took advantage of the AMEX transfer bonus to go to Cabo on Alaska Airlines. Just happened to look last week and saw SJC-SJD had 5+ seats for Labor Day Weekend (Thu outbound and Sun return). I booked 4 seats for myself, my wife, and another couple. Then looked again this week and there’s still 5 seats each way, so availability was great. 15k AMEX points per passenger was a steal. Unfortunately AS didn’t have the availability there for our trip to Puerto Vallarta in February so I had to use SkyMiles with a stop in LAX for 35k miles per person (low level, so still a good redemption on DL).
I’ve had a hard time trying to get flights with space to Cozumel from STL via MIA, DFW, etc.
I echo Papa Smurf’s request. I have yet to see a guide on actually redeeming Avios. When you search for partner flights on BA rarely does anything show up. Frustrating.
Is there some guide for how to book with Avios? Last time I tried to use BA site I couldn’t get any flights to come up
@papa smurf Here is a beginners guide from Travel Summary
http://travel-summary.com/beginners-guide-to-redeeming-points-british-airways-avios-and-oneworld-alliance/
You can also use AA.com to search reward flights. They will only show up on BA website if the flight you want is a mile saver reward flight on AA. If you see it on AA but not BA then you have to call BA to book the flight. Make sure you have the flight #s and destinations to tell them. They will waive the $25 fee if you tell them you couldn’t book it online. Hope this helps!
@DaninSTL you are going to have to search in pieces STL-DFW (economy) then DFW-CZM (1st class)which will cost more avios. There is practically no economy awards from DFW-CZM. When you do find all the pieces, you will have to call BA to make it one itinerary.
I’ve had a really hard time using Avios for anything other than booking hotels. The flights I want domestically are always not available whether I call or book online. If love some feedback on this.
I believe that NYC to Bermuda is only 4500 avios each way.
I love Avios, but don’t forget you can get to San Juan, PR (SJU) on Southwest this summer, too. I booked 4 seats non-stop from Baltimore (BWI) for just over 16k Rapid Reward points each RT ( really x 3 plus a companion seat) in late July. They fly direct from Orlando, too. I’m saving the Avios for Europe.
Donn – You can use Avios to book saver award level tickets on AS – but there are precious few dates available. Even if no round-trips are available, you can book one-ways to save some money. Look on alaskaair.com for the 17.5k awards that match your desired dates. Even booking with Avios, you’ll still pay the $45 in taxes and will have to try to get the $25 fee waived.
where’s your post about the BRG’s? I can’t seem to find it. Thanks!
@Eric: Here is the link to the post: http://justanotherpointstraveler.boardingarea.com/2013/05/01/two-successful-hotel-best-rate-guarantees-for-me-brg-tips-and-policies/
There are some other sweet 4,500 avios redemptions from MIA to the out islands of the Bahamas. North Eleuthera (ELH), Abaco (MHH), and Exuma (GGT) are all served by American Eagle and typically come out to around $50 in taxes RT. I love the out islands of the Bahamas because you can often have a world-class beach all to yourself. Of course, it’s no place for those looking for nightlife.