Air Italy, the new airline refurbished from former carrier Meridiana, allows travelers to book award flights using Avios through its partner British Airways at a very reasonable rate. Flights can be booked directly via ba.com at the following redemption rates:Flight Distance // Zone Economy Class Business ClassZone 1: 1-650 miles 4,500 9,000Zone 2: 651-1150 miles 7,500 15,000Zone 3: 1151-2000 miles 10,000 20,000Zone 4: 2001-3000 miles 12,500 37,500Zone 5: 3001-4000 miles 20,000 60,000Zone 6: 4001-5000 miles 25,000 75,000In the past, Air Italy-imposed surcharges per ticket were capped at $127 each way for flights between the US and Italy, regardless of fare class. This means that a Zone 6 Milan (MXP) to New York (JFK) flight in business class could cost just 75,000 Avios — worth $1,125 in TPG’s latest valuations — plus $127 in carrier-imposed surcharges. That’s less than half the cost of the same ticket if booked in cash.However, One Mile at a Time reports that Air Italy appears to have raised the surcharges on award tickets that originate from the US. For example, this one-way economy award ticket from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP) now costs 25,000 Avios and $205.40:While a one-way ticket in business class from JFK to Milan now costs 75,000 Avios and $548.40:Meanwhile, surcharges have remained flat regardless of fare class on award flights originating from non-US cities, although it’s no longer the $127 flat rate of days gone by. This one-way economy ticket from Milan to JFK still only costs 25,000 Avios, with $214.31 in surcharges:A one-way business class ticket from Milan to JFK costs 75,000 Avios and the same $214.31 in cash surcharges:Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.In conclusion, Air Italy award tickets booked with British Airways Avios can still be an easy way to get back from Europe for cheap. However, this US-targeted increased surcharge significantly drops the outbound value of these award tickets.
