Flying to London on Points: What It Costs

The points price is only one part of an award fare to London. Carrier-imposed surcharges can add a substantial cash cost, so it is useful to compare the full price before transferring points.

Here are two award fares available as of 18 September 2026.

New York to London

45,000 points through Alaska Atmos, transferred from Bilt, on a British Airways flight departing 23 November. Nonstop, seven hours, and nine fares were showing.

Los Angeles to London

70,000 points through the same airline program, departing 9 November. Nonstop, ten and a half hours.

The longer Los Angeles route costs more points in this comparison.

Both fares include a substantial surcharge

Each fare carries a four-figure surcharge. These are carrier-imposed charges paid in cash in addition to the points, rather than ordinary taxes alone.

That cash requirement materially changes the total cost. The 45,000-point New York fare may look inexpensive at first, but it still requires the surcharge at booking.

Compare the award fare with other ways to book

An award fare can still make sense on a long, expensive route. Before choosing one, compare its points and cash costs with the cash fare and with any airline programs that may impose lower surcharges.

The Los Angeles-to-Paris example in how many points you need to fly to Paris carried almost no surcharge, illustrating how much the cash portion can vary by fare.

Review the total before transferring points

Check both the points price and the surcharge, then see whether another airline program offers the same flight with lower charges. If your first search is empty, why an award search may show nothing explains what to try next.

Both fares were available when we looked and may not be now.