There’s a peculiar satisfaction that comes from booking what most people call a “free ticket.” I put that in quotes because, as we all know, nothing is truly free—you’ve earned those miles somehow, whether through credit card spend, actual flying, or a combination of both. But here’s where it gets interesting, and why I’m writing this post: sometimes that “free” ticket is worth far more than the paid alternative, even when you factor in the miles you’re spending.
Let me walk you through a real example that perfectly illustrates this point.
The Booking
I recently booked two British Airways flights: London to Marseille, and later, Lyon back to London. Each leg cost me 15,000 Avios (BA’s mileage currency) plus $25 in taxes and fees. Business class. Both of them.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think “well, of course business class is better,” stay with me. This isn’t about the free champagne or the extra legroom—though those are nice. This is about the actual, quantifiable value proposition that most travelers completely overlook.
Let’s Do the Math
When you book a revenue ticket on a short-haul European flight, you’re typically looking at economy. Maybe premium economy if you’re feeling flush. But you’re paying for everything à la carte, and those charges add up faster than you might think.
Checked Baggage: One bag on British Airways? That’ll be £30, or roughly $40-50 depending on the exchange rate. My award ticket includes two checked bags. Right there, we’re looking at $80-100 in value if you need to check luggage. And let’s be honest—on a trip that involves multiple cities, you’re probably checking a bag.
Lounge Access: My business class award ticket gets me into the lounge. It’s the British Airways lounge, not the “buy your way in lounges” like the No. 1 Traveller Lounges. Want to buy your way into one of those on a paid economy ticket? That’s $35-40 USD. Every time.
Fast Track Security: Here’s where the value of time enters the equation. My ticket includes Fast Track through security. You can purchase this separately, but it’ll cost you £12.50. More importantly, there’s the time saved—and if you’ve ever been stuck in a security queue at Heathrow or Lyon, you know that time has real value. Miss your flight because you were stuck in line? That’s not just inconvenience; that’s real money to rebook.
So before we even talk about the actual seat, we’re at roughly $120-140 in ancillary value. For a ticket that cost me 15,000 miles and $25.
The Flexibility Factor
But here’s where it gets even better, and where the conventional wisdom about “cheap tickets” completely falls apart.
That paid economy ticket you found for £89? It’s probably non-refundable. Want to change it? That’ll be a hefty fee, assuming changes are even allowed. The cheapest tickets often aren’t changeable at all—you’re stuck with them or you’re buying a new ticket.
My award ticket? Changeable for free, or at most a very nominal fee. Plans change—especially when you’re traveling for business or trying to coordinate complex itineraries. The flexibility alone has tremendous value, even if it’s hard to quantify until you actually need it.
The Real Cost of “Cheap”
This is what the ultra-budget carriers have conditioned us to ignore: the total cost of travel. We see that £49 fare and think we’re getting a deal, but by the time we add a bag, a seat selection, priority boarding, and maybe some food that’s actually edible, we’re at £120 and we’re still in a middle seat in row 32.
Meanwhile, I’m in business class, with lounge access, two checked bags, Fast Track security, and complete flexibility to change my plans if needed. For 15,000 points and $25.
The Bigger Picture
Now, I can already hear the objections: “But Andy, you had to earn those miles!” True. And there’s an opportunity cost to using them—those 15,000 Avios could theoretically be saved for something else. But here’s the thing: miles depreciate. Airlines devalue their programs regularly. The miles you save for that “perfect redemption” might be worth significantly less by the time you use them.
More importantly, this is exactly the kind of redemption that makes sense. Short-haul business class in Europe is a sweet spot for British Airways Avios. The cash price for these business class tickets would be £200-300 or more. The economy fare might be £80-120 once you add in bags and seat selection. I’m getting the business class experience, with all its tangible benefits, for a fraction of either price.
The Takeaway
The next time you’re comparing a paid ticket to an award ticket, don’t just look at the sticker price. Add up everything:
- Baggage fees
- Lounge access
- Fast Track or TSA PreCheck equivalent
- Seat selection fees
- Change and cancellation flexibility
- The actual cabin experience
When you do the real math, that “free” ticket often isn’t just competitive with a paid fare—it’s dramatically better value. And in an era where airlines are unbundling everything and charging for services that used to be standard, understanding this math isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
So yes, I’ll take my 15,000-mile business class ticket with two bags, lounge access, and Fast Track security, thank you very much. And I’ll smile knowing that I’m not just traveling smarter—I’m traveling better, for less.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a lounge to visit.