Flying Fizzy to Costa Rica

Because it had been two years since we had had our last proper holiday, we knew we were definitely going to book flights with Avios in First or Business Class as we had accumulated a very healthy points balance during this time. We had BA Companion Vouchers to use too, to make it even cheaper points-wise. 

We used RFF to Search British Airways Avios reward flights to the specific quarantine free destinations on our travel list because you get a really quick result of available dates for a whole year instead of searching through each day on BA’s website. We’re Bronze members of RFF which gives us access to Search for multiple destinations. I’ve also previously set up Alerts for routes that we had already booked Business Class seats for, to receive Alerts when any First Class seats became available so we were able to snag them as an upgrade. 

On this occasion, our RFF search showed that BA London Gatwick Airport to San Jose had ideal availability for Club World (Business Class) Avios flight redemptions with a few dates each way in January and February. Costa Rica sounded like the perfect holiday destination for us. We really love walking, nature and animals. There were no testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers, the weather was great, and friends we asked had rave reviews! 

We booked two British Airways Business Class return seats to travel on 18 January, returning on 1 February costing 125,000 Avios + one Companion Voucher + £1276 in taxes and fees. The cash price for the flights was around £7,000. That’s definitely a bargain in my eyes, for a lie flat bed, lounge access and unlimited fizz!

You can also get a ‘free’ connection from a regional airport as part of your booking – at no extra Avios and nominal taxes.

The cost of the taxes and fees are a little more than when you pay for an Economy seat - the cash Economy price for this particular flight was around £450 return. However, the added perks and comfort you get by flying in Club World or First Class, especially for long haul flights, is worth the extra spend. Having access to the lounge before flying is a lot calmer (and cheaper) than wandering around the shops and trying to find seats in the main halls. Depending on the lounge you can have cocktails, a three-course meal, and a spa treatment! 

Having BA Bronze membership status meant that we could book seats free of charge one week before departure. When it came to booking our specific reward seats on the plane, we knew that older British Airways Club World cabins have a ‘middle’ set of two seats that are quite cosy together which we were really keen to snag for this trip. The other window pairs, newer Club Suite and First Class seats are all individual seats with more privacy, but we wanted to make the most of our time together. Luckily we were able to get the last middle pair!

Regardless of your BA status, I would always recommend setting a reminder to log in and get the best seats you can as soon as your tier allows. As a stroke of luck, even before the holiday all of the middle and window ‘pairs’ were taken for the journey back to London, but upon Check-In at San Jose, we were moved to the best two middle seats 4E and 4F. Tip:  you want the middle pair at the back of the Club World cabin so you don’t need to climb over anyone’s legs when you get out of your seat.

As a holiday destination, Costa Rica is incredibly green – visually and metaphorically – and a real treat for adventure and nature lovers. We actually managed to spot sloths, monkeys, coatis, and beautiful birds in the areas just by the roadside! Each town has a different feel and something different to offer. There are loads of outdoor activities, amazing scenery, thrilling zip lines in Arenal and Monteverde, boho vibes in chilled Montezuma, and lovely beaches in Manuel Antonio. 

For adrenaline junkies there are many aerial and water sports, ziplining, zip coaster-ing and lovely beaches in Manuel Antonio. hiking. A lot of hiking. We enjoy big walks and the hilly landscape made our legs ache. 

We chose to hire a car and travel to five different areas inland and along the Pacific coast. I would highly recommend if anyone is doing the same, you NEED to book a 4x4. The roads are mountainous, loose and narrow. Driving around was an adventure in itself.

You can visit Costa Rica on a budget, but we chose to splash out a little on some amazing, unique dining experiences and hotel stays. It’s a destination where you can create the exact experience you’re looking for.  The people are so incredibly friendly and we’d definitely recommend Costa Rica for a family trip. 

The ease of being able to find an Avios flight redemption so last minute on RFF made this holiday booking a no brainer for us and we are now planning a family Avios booking for next year!

Nothing here should be construed as financial advice, and it is your own responsibility to ensure that any product is right for your circumstances. You should seek separate specialist advice if unsure. Opinions are based primarily on the ability to earn Avios. RFF discusses products offered by lenders but is not a lender itself.