I wish to use up my airmiles

[Halb]

I have 16,000 plus. Everytime I look at flights there seems to be nothing, but hotels seems easy enough to get. So I shall probably end up booking the hotel through my miles and then buying the flight.
Currently single so will be looking at just a single room, and wish to book my stuff before they get turned into avios whatever.
Cancun looks nice. What are the best times to go? Any experience of it?
Any other ideas of places to go for a single male, I want a beach holiday welcome.

[Puggit]

Would probably be best to clarify which scheme you have points saved up in? Air miles, BA miles (executive club/Avios), bmi Diamond Club?

[Halb]

Puggit said:

Would probably be best to clarify which scheme you have points saved up in? Air miles, BA miles (executive club/Avios), bmi Diamond Club?

It is Airmiles, not BA miles or BMI.
They are changing their name to Avios shortly and I wish to use mine up and then I shall stop collecting.
The website isn't very helpful, everytime I try for a flight it says none are available for my class (I'm only choosing economy or premium economy), it's very awkward to fine something suitable to spend them on.

[Puggit]

With any of the schemes it isn't as easy as picking a flight unfortunately. Very few giveaway flights are allocated on any individual flight, and they are soon snapped up by frequent fliers who know what they are doing. Typically the flights are allocated 330-360 days in advance, so if you're looking over the next few months you will stand little chance of finding freebies, although economy is a shed load easier than the better classes.

As a general rule though, the better classes are a far better value redemption than economy.

I'm not a BA or Airmiles wizard (but I am on bmi/Star Alliance), so I'll let someone else help you out there.

[oblio]

I always give them a ring it is so much easier. I'v had great service and communications that way

Also helps to be fairly flexible if possible.