How I Saved £1000 on a Return Flight from London to Athens Using AVIOS Points

We’ve decided to go to Athens - June 2026. We’ll need return flights from the UK to Athens, and hotel accommodation in Athens. This post walks through the process I follow to book flights, and highlights the advantages of AVIOS bookings.

We prefer to book well in advance to get best prices, the specific flight times that we want, and to include a free carry on bag. We find that British Airways flying from Heathrow is a good match for our requirements.

TL;DR

In this post I compare the CASH and AVIOS price for our chosen return flights between London to Athens - highlighting the benefit of having AVIOS points available to save on flights with British Airways and other airlines within the OneWorld alliance.

Let me share my process.

Google Flights

I start with google flights to get an initial price for comparison purposes. We wanted a lunchtime flight out and late afternoon flight back. Aegean came up at around £300 each - including bags. £600 total - that felt like expensive.

Establishing the Cash Price with British Airways

The search calculated the cost of our preferred flights;

Flight Price for Two = London to Athens with a Hold Bag Each

I wasn't prepared to pay that sum of money - even for a 4 hour flight to the wonderful destination of Athens - so looked at different options.

AVIOS Points to the rescue

I reran the search - but this time as an AVIOS Points search on the British Airways main page.

The search calculated the cost of our preferred flights;

Results from the AVIOS search

General consensus is to value a AVIOS point at approx 0.8p. So taking the 40000 AVIOS points and £70 pricing option.

The cost for 2 people for the same flights is (40000 * 0.8) +£70 = £390

That was a £998 saving.

In fact as I source my AVIOS through credit card bonuses the saving could be considered to be much greater.

Understanding AVIOS Points

AVIOS points are a loyalty currency earned through airlines, hotel stays, and even certain credit cards. You can redeem these points for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses. For my London to Athens trip, I had saved enough AVIOS points to secure my flight for a bunch of AVIOS and small fee of £35 per passenger instead of the high fare illustrated.

By using AVIOS points, I was able to significantly cut down on this cost, making my travel much more budget-friendly.

Additional Costs: Luggage and Taxes

My AVIOS ticket included both luggage and taxes. In addition - if I decide to cancel - its a £35 fee per person, and the AVIOS points are returned to my account.

Finalising the Trip

After reviewing my travel itinerary and confirming my flight selections, I finalised my booking. A confirmation email arrived shortly, with all my travel details.

By using AVIOS points wisely, I saved nearly £1000 compared to standard ticket prices.

Athens skyline featuring the Acropolis during sunset

Travel Tips for Using AVIOS Points

Maximise your savings with these tips when booking with AVIOS points:

1. Monitor Earning Promotions: Airlines and credit cards frequently offer promotions to earn AVIOS points. Keep an eye out for these opportunities. For instance, some airlines provide bonus points for signing up or booking during promotional periods.

   
   

2. Be Flexible: Being open to different dates or destinations can help you save significantly, especially during off-peak seasons.

   
   

3. Combine Points: Collaborate with friends or family who also have AVIOS points. By pooling them together, you can afford longer or more luxurious trips.

   
   

4. Have a Plan: Decide how you want to use your points in advance. A clear strategy helps you avoid wasting points and spend less on flights overall.

   
   

5. Stay Up-to-Date: Join aviation blogs and forums to keep yourself informed on the latest news regarding AVIOS points and smart travel tips.

   
   

Final Thoughts

Friends and family will tell me from time to time that there isn't any availability for AVIOS points spend. There is availability - by booking well in advance most flights will offer a minimum of 8 economy seats as AVIOS bookings. As illustrated by my initial AVIOS searches - there is masses of availability.

Booking well in advance that Using AVIOS points to book flights can lead to massive savings - allowing you to travel more.

Take the time to explore your own options with AVIOS points. You may find fantastic ways to see the world that won't strain your budget.

Happy travels!