Avios Cost Calculator

British Airways often shows several pricing options for the same flight — cash-only, or various Avios + cash combinations. Enter what BA is offering you and this calculator tells you which one is actually cheapest.

Compare redemption options

Set your Avios value, enter each pricing option BA showed you, and see which wins.

Enter every option in this same currency — the calculator doesn't convert between currencies.

Option 1 — cash only

Total cost: —

Option 2 — Avios + cash

Total cost: —

Enter cash and/or Avios amounts to compare.

How this calculator works

British Airways frequently offers more than one way to book the same flight — pay full cash, or redeem Avios plus a smaller cash top-up (sometimes several Avios+cash combinations on the same fare). Which one is the better deal depends entirely on what your Avios are worth to you. This calculator converts every option into a single cash-equivalent total — cash paid + (Avios used × your Avios value) — so you can compare them directly and see which is genuinely cheapest.

What Avios value should I use?

Award Travel Finder's baseline valuation for BA Avios is 1.5¢ per Avios, based on real-world redemption data. If you're unsure, start there — the quick-select chips above jump straight to 1.0¢, 1.2¢, 1.5¢ and 2.0¢. Using a lower value makes cash options look relatively more attractive; a higher value favors spending Avios.

Why does BA show multiple pricing options?

BA's "Avios + cash" pricing tiers (dynamic on many routes) let you trade off Avios for cash at different ratios. The published Avios rate isn't always the best deal — sometimes a smaller Avios+cash option delivers a much better cents-per-Avios return than redeeming the full amount, or vice versa. Comparing them side by side, at your own valuation, is the only way to know which to pick.

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Frequently asked questions

How is the "total cost" calculated for each option?

Total cost = cash amount + (Avios used × your Avios value ÷ 100). A cash-only option just uses the cash amount; an Avios-only option uses only the converted Avios value. Whichever option has the lowest total wins.

Should I always pick the option with the lowest total cost?

Almost always, yes — assuming the Avios value you entered reflects what you'd realistically do with those Avios otherwise. If you have far more Avios than you'll ever use, it can be rational to accept a lower cents-per-Avios return just to burn the balance.

Does this work for partner airlines booked through ba.com?

Yes — enter whatever cash and Avios amounts ba.com shows you for the booking, regardless of which airline is operating the flight.