Can You Use British Airways Avios For US Airways Flights?

TPG reader Patrick tweeted me this week to ask the following:

"Can you use Oneworld partner British Airways to redeem for US Airways flights?"

Recently American Airlines and US Airways announced that you be able to redeem frequent flyer miles in each others programs. So, TPG reader Patrick tweeted me this week to find out if if you could use Oneworld partner British Airways to redeem for US Airways flights now that American and US Airways' partnership extends to mileage earning/redeeming on both airlines.

Unfortunately, you cannot redeem miles from Oneworld alliance airlines (except for American Airlines) for US Airways flight just yet. US Airways is still part of Star Alliance until March 30, 2014. However, starting March 31, 2014 they will be a member of the Oneworld alliance and then you will be able use your British Airways Avios to redeem for US Airways flights.

This could come in handy for people who live on the East Coast, as US Airways has many short-haul flights out of airports such as Washington National DCA that can be quite expensive. Avios are amazing for short- and medium-haul flights since the program's awards are calculated based on distance, and there are no last-minute award ticketing fees. So, for instance, this roundtrip ticket from DCA to Raleigh Durham that would cost over $426, would only require 9,000 Avios for a roundtrip award.

That's a good 4.7 cent-per-Avios value, and I'm sure there are some even better redemptions in store once US Airways' entire route map is opened up to Oneworld redemptions.

So, in conclusion you will have to wait until March 31, 2014, but hopefully it will be worth the wait and you will have a lot more options when you do redeem those Avios.

Let me know if you have any other questions by messaging me on Facebook, Tweeting me or emailing me at info@thepointsguy.com.
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