Miami

All the chat on other threads has got me in the mood for trip planning 8D

I have just received my first BA Amex companion voucher and have enough Avios for BA First flights. This has been dream for a long time so I am keen to get something booked. But I do realise that availability can be limited and figure forward planning will improve my chances of getting flight tickets.

It was my plan to go to South Africa but the OH is not keen, largely due to safety issues, and I have to respect that. And I don't wish to go alone!! So I thought Miami may be a good trip instead with the Everglades and the Keys as a road trip.

So my post is to ask if anyone has any top tips on getting the BA flights (I am thinking November/December 2015- ages away I know but I figure forward planning is needed. Is it a matter of trawling the BA website daily for reward tickets from whatever date they release tickets? Or is it best to telephone BA Sales (I find calling is best with VS).

And has anyone done this trip? Florida theme parks and Orlando would not be of much interest to us but we would like Sea World and Cape Canaveral and going to the Everglades would be fantastic.

I appreciate CW tickets may be easier to obtain but the First flights are almost as important as the destination for me as it is something I have dreamt of trying but would never spend the money on them myself (even if I had that sort of money!). So this may be my only chance ^)

If you don't mind connecting you should have much more luck looking at availability to JFK or BOS (then paying to connect on another airline).

BA release award seats the same as VS, randomly! Though they do seem to do it around 2am UK time. Just frequently check the BA website like you would on VS. If you find availability online, it is very easy to book and use the voucher.

Also, if there are two seats out and none back, you can book the one way out with the voucher, and add on the return if/when they are released, you just need to phone up to add on the flights. Avios tickets are cancellable unto 24hrs before, with the voucher returned. Remember the voucher must be used for flights departing before it expires!

Obviously flights will only show up around 11 months before I think. In the past BA have often released lots of Z class at T-2 weeks! (not saying none are available beforehand though!)

This is a useful tool for finding BA reward availability: http://www.baredemptionfinder.com/

You'll see, however, that availability to Miami is scarce to say the least (for 2 people, there are only 6 available dates each way in the next year). So you'll need a lot of flexibility and/or a lot of luck.

This is a useful tool for finding BA reward availability: http://www.baredemptionfinder.com/

That is handy, but need to remember that is for Avios.com, and reward availability can be different on BA.com.

Flexibility is key and as previously mentioned you could go via NYC or there is usually good availibilty on the Dallas and Houston routes with connections on AA so you can earn tier points and Avios. Also Atlanta can have good availability and it's not that bad a drive or you could do the music cities from there such as Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans and then recouperate at the Florisa pan handle beaches. Just done that trip and it was well worth seeing

you could do the music cities from there such as Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans and then recouperate at the Florisa pan handle beaches. Just done that trip and it was well worth seeing

That sounds like a trip worth investigating.

Thanks. Dallas and Houston appear to have better availability so may be a goer for a return or an open jaw ticket.