UK travellers just can’t get enough of Europe — and honestly, who can blame us? I’m the same. With so many incredible cities only a couple of hours away, it feels like the continent was made for spontaneous escapes. One weekend you’re wandering through Renaissance galleries in Florence, the next you’re dancing until sunrise in Berlin. Add in those sun-drenched beaches in Spain, Greece, or Portugal (the perfect antidote to our endless grey skies), and you’ve got a playground that never runs out of surprises.

The beauty of Europe is how familiar and yet how different every trip feels. You can stretch your pennies with smart hotel deals, find food and culture that feels both fresh and comforting, and still be home in time for Monday. Honestly? It’s the ultimate win-win.

But here’s the big question Avios collectors ask: is it worth spending your points on British Airways reward seats to Europe? Or should you hold out for those long-haul business class dream trips?

Top tips for short-haul reward seat redemptions

The absolute best Avios points value will always come from long-haul business class. That’s where you can turn points into thousands of pounds’ worth of BA reward flights — and it feels fantastic. I’ve done it, and the savings are game-changing. But honestly, it’s unlikely you’re going to be spending your points pot on only long haul premium seats, especially if you’re travelling as a family or you’re in the mood for a quick weekend city break. 

You should typically aim for a cash value of 1p per 1 Avios when booking British Airways reward seats. Although it’s harder to achieve this ratio with short haul, there are some ways to maximise your booking.

If you opt for off-peak travel days you’ll save on the Avios points cost of your flight. But if you’re limited to peak travel times don’t worry, booking British Airways reward seats can achieve some great cash savings when you look at the cash fare of your flight on BA (think typical summer holiday price hikes). 

Another way to keep your Avios points spend lower is by checking your home airport. Flying from London vs another UK city can change both the Avios needed and the taxes/fees, making a short haul redemption more attractive. 

One of my favourite things about short haul redemptions is the taxes/fees, which British Airways typically limits to 50p per leg – £1 for a return trip! 

My favourite British Airways destinations in Europe

Some Avios collectors refuse to even consider short haul British Airways reward seat redemptions. They prefer to save their points to splash out on long haul flights in premium cabins, for a luxury experience at the most valuable redemption rate. 

Personally, there are lots of times when short haul European reward seat bookings work best for me. As a busy mum of school aged kids I’m usually bound by term times. I also travel most often with my entire clan, so we need between 4 and 6 seats on our holiday bookings. Any Avios collector worth their salt knows that’s a hard ask for business class, especially on popular routes such as Tokyo, the Maldives, Caribbean islands or Bangkok – even when you set reward seat Alerts. 

That being said, here are some of my favourite short haul European redemptions for your British Airways Avios points: 

Greece

British Airways flies to loads of Greek destinations from London, including Athens, Crete, Corfu, Kefalonia, Kos, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, Skiathos and Zante. Reward seats start from 27,500 Avios plus £1 per person for off-peak Economy flights. On the whole, you can find some pretty good reward seat availability to Greece, because BA has a great flight network and frequency to the islands – I’d definitely recommend setting up reward seat Alerts for peak holiday times, such as summer and half term holidays however. 

History buffs will adore Athens. Step back in time at the Acropolis and ancient ruins, then enjoy buzzing neighbourhoods, rooftop bars, and vibrant street life. Athens blends world-class heritage with cosmopolitan energy. 

Famous for turquoise waters, caves, and dramatic cliffs, Kefalonia is both rugged and relaxing. It’s the setting of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, adding a touch of romance to its natural splendour. 

Kos offers long sandy beaches alongside fascinating ruins, including a Roman Odeon and the Asklepion. It’s great for combining relaxation with history. Then there’s Rhodes. One of Greece’s sunniest islands, Rhodes combines golden beaches with a UNESCO-listed Old Town full of cobbled streets and medieval architecture. 

With its iconic whitewashed houses, blue domes, and stunning sunsets over the caldera, Santorini is a bucket-list destination for romance and unforgettable views. Skiathos is famous for its abundance of sandy beaches (over 60 of them) and lively nightlife. A perfect choice for sunseekers and party-lovers alike. Zante offers dramatic scenery and plenty of adventure. It’s home to the world-famous Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) and endangered loggerhead turtles. 

As for my very favourite Greek destinations, Mykonos is a cosmopolitan hotspot known for its windmills, chic beach clubs, and vibrant nightlife. It’s the go-to island for style, luxury, and energy. Crete, Greece’s largest island has it all: sandy beaches, dramatic mountains, charming villages, and archaeological wonders like Knossos. It’s ideal for travellers who want variety in one trip. And finally, green hills, olive groves, and pastel-coloured old towns make Corfu unique. Its Venetian influences, scenic coastline, and family-friendly resorts keep visitors coming back.

Italy and Sicily

British Airways flies to a whopping 17 destinations in Italy and Sicily from London, including Bologna, Florence, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Perugia, Venice and Rome. Reward seats start from 23,500 Avios plus £1 per person for off-peak Economy flights. Generally speaking, because British Airways serves such an expansive list of destinations and flights are frequent – particularly over the warmer months, you can often find some pretty good availability. If you’re considering one of the more popular routes though, such as Venice or Rome, set an Alert for your most ideal reward seats. 

Home to tagliatelle al ragù, mortadella, and tortellini, Bologna is a dream for food lovers. Its medieval towers, porticoed streets, and vibrant university atmosphere add plenty of character. Milan is Italy’s fashion capital. Sleek, cosmopolitan, and buzzing. Beyond shopping, you’ll find the Gothic Duomo, da Vinci’s Last Supper, and a thriving dining and nightlife scene. Perugia is known for its medieval streets, student energy, and famous chocolate festival. It’s a less-touristy gem in the heart of Italy. With its canals, gondolas, and historic palaces, Venice is one of the world’s most enchanting cities. Every corner feels like a living postcard.

My absolute favourite Italian destination is Florence. The city dazzles with world-famous art and architecture: the Duomo, Michelangelo’s David, and the Uffizi Gallery. Add Tuscan cuisine and nearby vineyards, and you’ve got culture and indulgence in one trip. Naples is the birthplace of pizza. It’s also raw, energetic, and authentic. It’s the perfect base for exploring Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, and the Amalfi Coast. Palermo, Sicily’s capital, blends Arab, Norman, and Baroque influences. Expect bustling markets, golden churches, street food delights, and easy access to stunning Mediterranean beaches. And finally, there’s Rome. From the Colosseum to the Vatican, Rome is history and grandeur at every turn. Add lively piazzas, gelato, and a buzzing café culture, and you’ll see why it’s a perennial favourite.

Portugal  

British Airways flies to 5 Portuguese airports from London – Faro, Funchal, Lisbon, Ponto Delgada and Porto to be exact. Reward seats start from 23,500 Avios plus £1 per person for off-peak Economy flights. Because it’s a really popular holiday destination, and also has a large UK expat population, flights can be busy and get quickly booked up – particularly in summer and winter. I usually set reward seat Alerts for this one when travelling in a group. 

With its charming old town, cobbled streets, and easy access to golden beaches, Faro is both a relaxing destination and the perfect base for exploring the Algarve’s coast. Meanwhile, Funchal, nestled between mountains and the Atlantic, combines subtropical gardens, fresh seafood, and famous Madeira wine. It’s also a hub for outdoor adventures, from hiking to whale watching.

Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is colourful, historic, and full of character. Think yellow trams, tiled facades, fado music, and sweeping views from hilltop miradouros. Plus, it’s just a short trip to beaches and palaces in nearby Cascais and Sintra. On São Miguel Island, Ponta Delgada offers volcanic landscapes, hot springs, crater lakes, and whale watching. It’s a paradise for nature lovers and those looking for something different from the typical city break. As for Porto, it’s famous for Port wine and the stunning Douro River. This place is enchanting with its colourful Ribeira district, dramatic bridges, and lively food scene. It’s a city where history and modern culture blend seamlessly.

Things to consider

Lots of Avios collectors enjoy short haul BA reward flights to Europe. Overall, there are two ways to look at these kinds of trips, the first being that any Avios redemption is a good one – it’s essentially a free flight from points earned on every day spending and activities. The second, if you’re more driven by maximising what you get from your Avios, you can benefit from some fabulous cash savings by booking British Airways reward seats. That being said, there are always things to consider. 

If you’re saving your Avios points for a long haul trip, I wouldn’t suggest splurging on short haul reward seats willy-nilly. Keep your longer term target in mind. You should also be aiming for as close to a redemption value of 1p per 1 Avios to make the most of your spend. I’d always suggest comparing the cash fare on BA to the Avios reward seat cost to see which option is cheaper at the time you want to book. 

British Airways Avios redemptions follow fixed rates, so you won’t see prices jump the way cash tickets do during school holidays or last-minute bookings. It’s a reliable way to lock in savings. And, if you can travel off-peak, you’ll need fewer Avios. But even on peak dates, using Avios points can still beat high cash fares, especially when demand surges.

In short: BA reward flights to Europe are a smart way to stretch your Avios. They offer predictable value, capped fees, and access to some of the continent’s best destinations. So if you’re dreaming of a quick city break, a sun-soaked family holiday, or just want to turn your points into memories instead of letting them gather dust — don’t hesitate. Europe’s waiting, and Avios makes it even easier to get there.

Avios are quickly becoming one of the most popular loyalty currencies in Europe — and worldwide.

While British Airways Club, Iberia Club and Aer Lingus AerClub have long used Avios as their loyalty currency, Loganair Loyalty and Finnair Plus are the most recent additions. Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Vueling Club are also part of the Avios program.

What is unique and valuable about Avios is that you can transfer your Avios between these programs in any direction at a 1:1 rate as often as you want.

Several cobranded credit cards are available from airlines that use Avios, and every major credit card program has at least one Avios program as a transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio.

So, with Avios so easy to earn, move around and redeem, what are the best cards for Avios redemptions?

While there isn’t a single best card that wins in every category, depending on your priorities, here are the best options.

You want to earn a large welcome bonus

There are plenty of great welcome bonuses available right now on many of our favorite cards. This includes the three Chase-issued Avios cards:

The information for the Aer Lingus Visa Signature and Iberia Visa Signature cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

With TPG’s September 2025 valuations of Avios at 1.4 cents each, these welcome bonuses are worth $1,190 each. That’s enough for a first-class flight to London (plus fees, taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges).

Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to earn a welcome bonus on one of these cards if you currently hold it or have earned a bonus on it in the past 24 months.

Related: Best Avios sweet spots: How to redeem for domestic and international award flights

You spend a lot on flights

If you earn and redeem Avios, you’re likely to make some purchases directly with airlines, whether it’s paying for the fees, taxes and surcharges associated with your redemption or boosting your Avios balance by purchasing cash fares.

If you mainly fly on Aer Lingus, British Airways or Iberia, adding one of these cobranded airline cards to your wallet makes sense. If you’re not loyal to one airline, though, consider the following options for your airline spending:

Related: British Airways Visa Signature credit card review: Earn flexible Avios — a must-have for frequent BA flyers

You want to maximize transfer bonuses

Occasionally, credit card issuers offer transfer bonuses for select airline and hotel partner programs. There is no certainty as to when these bonuses will occur, and the number of points and miles you can receive from the bonus can vary from as low as 10% to over 40%.

American Express generally comes out on top as far as the frequency of transfer bonuses is concerned. With that in mind, these are the best Amex card offers currently available:

• The Platinum Card from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership.
• American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.

You want to enjoy elite status-like perks

Earning elite status in an airline loyalty program usually requires significant spending directly with the airline and/or on a cobranded credit card. Fortunately, if you wish to enjoy the perks of elite status, you can do so with the right Avios credit card.

The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card has a welcome offer of up to 50,000 Avios — 25,000 Avios after the first transaction and an additional 25,000 Avios and 150 Qpoints after spending $5,000 in the first three months of account opening. The card comes with a $499 annual fee.

The information for the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

While this welcome bonus is lower than the Chase Avios-earning cards, it also offers one year of complimentary Qatar Airways Privilege Club Gold status (equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire), which includes benefits like priority boarding, preferred seating, lounge access and a 75% bonus on earning Avios with eligible flights.

You can also receive worldwide lounge access through the right credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300-plus lounges, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required).

Lounge access changes are coming to Venture X cardholders starting Feb. 1, 2026. After this date, Venture X cardholders will no longer be able to bring complimentary guests with them to Priority Pass and Capital One lounges (unless they spend $75,000 in a year for the latter).

Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) cardholders get access to Chase Sapphire Lounges as well as access to Priority Pass lounges.

Finally, eligible Amex Platinum cardmembers can access the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion, Delta Sky Clubs*, Escape, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass and select Lufthansa lounges. Enrollment may be required.

*When traveling on same-day Delta flights, eligible Platinum Card members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

You want to save money on airfares and redemptions

While each of the three Chase Avios-earning cards offers a companion voucher or discount for spending $30,000 yearly on the card, the British Airways Visa Signature Card offers extra benefits when booking cash and Avios redemptions.

Each year, in addition to earning a companion voucher, you can:

• Get 10% off British Airways-operated revenue flights departing the U.S. to London and beyond, including fees, taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges (excluding excess baggage or seat selection fees) when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
• Get a $100 statement credit ($200 for business- and first-class seats) up to three times a year when you book a reward flight to London on British Airways and pay your taxes and fees with your card (up to $600 annually).
• Use Avios to pay for taxes, fees and carrier charges when you redeem a British Airways ticket, though this is not usually a good deal.

You spend in non-travel categories

While Avios enthusiasts may be directing plenty of credit card spending to airfare, if you spend a lot of money on other categories like dining, groceries and other travel, you can earn lots of rewards with increased earning rates in these categories with the following cards:

• The American Express Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
• The Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) earns 3 points per dollar spent at electrical vehicle charging and gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets.

You fly to Europe regularly

The British Airways Visa Signature Card has numerous discounts and statement credits when flying with British Airways for both cash fares and Avios redemptions.

With BA’s notorious carrier-imposed surcharges, you could save plenty of money on cash fares and Avios redemptions when you book multiple seats or flights each year.

Related: Quick Points: Here’s why you shouldn’t end your European trip in the UK

You want to travel in premium cabins with your family

You might want to earn lots of Avios quickly to redeem for luxury products like British Airways’ first class or Qatar Airways’ award-winning Qsuite business class. In that case, you’ll want a card with a high welcome bonus and generous category bonuses.

New cardholders of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. You can earn a higher welcome offer of 100,000 bonus points with the same spending requirements if you apply at a Citi branch in person.

The card also has impressive earning rates, allowing you to earn bonus points on travel booked via Citi Travel and on dining.

If you spend heavily in these categories, you can boost your balance quickly, giving you a solid stash of Avios to use for those high-end bookings.

Bottom line

Even if you don’t fly to Europe often, Avios is worth your consideration. Avios are easy to earn from many different credit cards and easy to redeem through the seven different programs that use the currency. You also have the unique flexibility of transferring Avios between each program at no cost at a 1:1 rate in any direction.

While there is no slam-dunk Avios or transferable points-earning credit card for every traveler, there are excellent options to help you book your next trip.

Related: New user-friendly tool lets you easily transfer Avios between all 7 airline programs

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.

British Airways (BA) reward seats are some of the most sought-after redemptions in the travel world—and for good reason. With over 15 million members in the British Airways Club loyalty programme, demand for Avios reward flights is fierce, particularly on long-haul routes in premium cabins, where you get the best value redemption for your points spend. 

But why are BA reward flights so popular? And which routes are the hardest to grab? Here’s what you need to know, including the top tips for securing those coveted seats.

Why are BA reward seats so popular?

Guaranteed reward availability

BA uniquely guarantees a minimum of 12/14 reward seats per flight (across all cabins), released 355 days in advance at midnight GMT. That includes at least:

• 4 seats in Club World (Business)
• 4 in World Traveller (Economy)
• 2 in World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)
• 2 in First (if the aircraft offers it)

This policy gives Avios collectors a fair opportunity to secure premium cabin seats on every flight—something few other airlines offer. 

Beyond the guaranteed number, British Airways are able to release further seats to book with points – which they frequently do. The amount of extra seats released depends on the amount of cash bookings and cancellations each particular scheduled flight has as it gets closer to fly day. For popular routes, Avios collectors often use tools to check seat availability on a regular basis, and even set Alerts to get notified when seats are released – so even when BA makes these extra seats available, competition to book them is strong. 

Massive Avios earning ecosystem

British Airways is part of the IAG Loyalty group and shares the Avios currency with airlines like Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, and more. You can also collect Avios through:

Credit cards (e.g. Amex, Barclays, HSBC) which also offer a number of high value perks including Companion Vouchers and Upgrade Vouchers.

Nectar points conversions which allow Avios collectors to convert Nectar points collected on their weekly food shop into Avios to book reward flights.

Hotel stays, car hire, and online shopping via the BA Shopping Portal – rewarding collectors with points when booking their travel and holidays.

This widespread earning potential means more people chasing the same seats—especially in peak travel periods when more people look to travel and cash prices typically rise, meaning you can make some great cash savings by booking even short haul reward seats. 

High-value premium cabin redemptions

Booking Club World or First Class seats with Avios can offer exceptional value, especially since cash prices for those cabins can run into the thousands. Using Avios makes luxury travel far more accessible.

Reward Flight Saver (RFS) pricing

BA’s RFS model caps taxes and surcharges. Instead of paying unpredictable carrier fees, you’ll pay a fixed cash amount (e.g. £100 + Avios long-haul, or £1 + Avios short-haul). This makes Avios redemptions more affordable and transparent.

Global reach

BA flies to over 200 destinations worldwide, including dream spots across Asia, Africa, the US, the Caribbean, and beyond. For bucket-list trips, family holidays, or luxury escapes, British Airways’ network is an Avios collector’s playground.

Peak season pressure

School holidays, Christmas, Easter, and summer breaks are when most travellers want to redeem Avios—and seats for these dates often disappear within hours of release. During these periods you’ll notice much lower availability in even Economy and Premium Economy, particularly on short haul routes which are attractive for families travelling with kids. I always use Alerts and reward seat notifications during these times of year. 

British Airways Club status (Silver and Gold in this case) adds value to reward bookings, offering perks such as free seat selection, extra baggage allowance, priority check in and lounge access—even on Avios flights!

The most in-demand BA reward routes in 2025

According to our most recent data, these are the British Airways routes with the highest reward seat demand this year:

London Heathrow – Cape Town

With daily flights, reward seats on this route cost from 95,000 + £355 (off-peak Premium Economy, return). 

Why it’s hot: Cape Town offers stunning landscapes—Table Mountain, Chapman’s Peak Drive, and the Twelve Apostles ridge—plus outdoor adventure, wine tours, and world-class dining at a fraction of European prices.

London Heathrow – Singapore

This route has multiple daily flights and Avios seat bookings cost from 110,000 + £455 (off-peak Premium Economy, return).

Why it’s hot: Clean, modern, and buzzing with culture, Singapore is perfect for first-time Asia explorers. Visit Gardens by the Bay, sample hawker food, or explore Sentosa’s family-friendly attractions.

London Heathrow – Tokyo

British Airways offers multiple daily flights, where collectors will pay from 100,000 Avios + £405 (off-peak Premium Economy, return).

Why it’s hot: Tokyo blends ancient tradition with ultramodern vibes. Whether it’s temples, anime, street fashion, or sushi, this is a city that stuns with both contrast and consistency.

London Gatwick – Bangkok

With flights a few days a week, a reward seat on this route costs from 100,000 Avios + £405 (off-peak Premium Economy, return)

Why it’s hot: Grand temples, riverside serenity, 24-hour nightlife, and unbeatable street food make Bangkok a perennial favourite for both first-timers and return visitors.

London Heathrow – Maldives

You can book seats on flights several days a week, and a rewards seat will cost you from 95,000 + £355 (off-peak Premium Economy, return)

Why it’s hot: A dream destination of white sands and overwater villas, the Maldives delivers total luxury, privacy, and tranquility. Snorkel with turtles or just switch off in a hammock above crystal-clear waters.

How to snag the BA reward seats you want

Here are my top tips for booking the most desirable Avios redemptions:

1. Know when seats are released

Reward seats become available 355 days before departure at midnight GMT. For popular routes, this is your best chance to secure availability—especially in Club World. Use reward seat finder tools to track release dates and set availability alerts.

2. Book the outbound first, add return later

If your return flight isn’t available when you look, book the outbound at T–355. You can add the return later by calling BA—just pay the difference in Avios and fees.

3. Stay flexible on dates and airports

A bit of flexibility goes a long way! Search for flights from all London airports (LHR, LGW, LCY), rather than just one, and be open to flying midweek or off-season, departing from regional airports (e.g., Manchester, Edinburgh), and connecting via partner hubs (Madrid with Iberia, Doha with Qatar).

4. Use multi-city or open-jaw itineraries

If availability is tight, consider flying into one city and out of another. British Airways allows open-jaw bookings on Avios redemptions, which gives you more flexibility to find seats. It might feel a little less convenient than you’d like, but it’s definitely better than not getting Avios seats at all!

5. Book now, tweak later

One of my favourite points hacks is that BA lets you cancel Avios bookings for £35 per person or less (you may just forfeit your taxes if they’re lower). That means, for a minimal cost, if you spot availability—book it, then adjust or cancel if plans change. That’s certainly not the case with cash bookings – where you can lose the entire payment. 

Final thoughts

British Airways reward seats are popular for a reason: great value, fantastic destinations, and a loyalty programme that makes premium travel feel achievable. But with competition high and availability limited, knowing when and how to book makes all the difference.

Use my tips above—and a little forward planning—to make sure your Avios points take you exactly where you want to go in 2025 and beyond. 

If you’ve ever dreamed of flying for (almost) free, upgrading your Economy seats to the much fancier, Business Class, or treating yourself to a luxurious getaway without blowing your budget, learning how to collect Avios points is your ticket there — literally. 

Avios is the rewards currency of the British Airways Club (and other airline partners including Qatar Airways and Iberia), and with the right strategy, you can use the points you collect to book flights, upgrades, and more. 

Here, I’ll walk you through how to go about earning Avios points and how to use them to book elusive reward seats on British Airways flights.

What are Avios points?

Avios are the loyalty currency used by several airlines, including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways. If you’re a member of the British Airways Club, you’ll earn and spend Avios through their system. You can use your Avios points pot to book flights on British Airways and partner airlines, upgrade your cabin to enjoy a more exclusive travel experience, and pay for hotels, car hire, and other travel extras. If you want to go all in, you can even pay for your entire holiday using your points with BA Holidays

Personally, I find the beauty of Avios to be in their flexibility and reach—especially when you understand how to collect and redeem them smartly.

How to earn Avios points

Flying with British Airways and Oneworld partners

Once you’ve joined the British Airways Club, whenever you fly with British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, or any Oneworld partner, you will earn Avios, which will be deposited in your BA Club account. The number of points you earn depends on your fare class, what you pay for your flight, and BA Club tier status. Unfortunately, you don’t earn Avios on any reward seat flight you book.

Tip: Whenever you’re booking a flight, always include your British Airways Club number to ensure you earn your points.

Credit card sign-ups and spending

One of the fastest ways I’ve managed to rack up Avios is by using a co-branded credit card. In the UK, that’s typically the British Airways American Express, or Avios Barclaycard credit cards:

British Airways American Express Credit card

This card has no annual fee, and offers a good Avios welcome bonus to new cardholders. You’ll collect 1 Avios per £1 spent, get extra Avios bonuses for card referrals and supplementary cardholders, and have the ability to earn a Companion Voucher (2 flights for the cost of 1 in Economy) if you spend £15,000 in a year on your card. This is a solid card to start out with if you’re new to Avios collection. I began with this card and my welcome bonus covered half the Avios cost of my first reward seat booking!

British Airways American Express Premium Plus card 

This is the next level up from the basic BA Amex card. It has a higher Avios earning rate of 1.5 Avios per £1 spent, and an exclusive earn-rate of 3 Avios for every £1 spent with British Airways and BA Holidays. The welcome bonuses are much bigger, plus you can earn a Companion Voucher when you spend £15,000 on the card in one year. The difference with this Companion Voucher is that you can use it in any cabin class – including Business or First, whereas with the basic BA Amex Companion Voucher, you can only use it in Economy.

Use your card for everyday spending—groceries, bills, travel—and watch the Avios add up. I make all my usual purchases each month using my card to earn as many points as I can. As far as I’m concerned, this is money I’d be spending anyway – so why not get rewarded for it?! Just remember to pay your bill in full every month, as the Avios earning value isn’t any good when you factor in interest. 

Shopping online

The British Airways eStore is a goldmine for Avios collectors. You’ll find over 2000 retailers that reward you with Avios for every pound spent. These include Apple (5 Avios per £), John Lewis (1), Samsung (5), Reiss (12), B&Q (4) and Dyson (8). Simply click through the BA eStore before making your purchase. 

You get these points on top of the points you earn on the BA Amex card – a double dip!

Bonus tip: I like to stack this with cashback sites for even more value.

Hotel and travel partners

Now, you might not be able to earn Avios on your reward seat flight booking, but you CAN earn them through your hotel stay. You can earn Avios when booking BA Holidays or the BA Avios store, as well as through Booking.com, Hotels.com, Accor, IHG, Marriott, and more. 

If you already collect hotel loyalty points, including Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, you’ll be happy to know that you can convert them into Avios.

If you need to hire a car during your trip, car rental companies like Avis and Budget also let you earn Avios on your bookings.

Dining, wine clubs and lifestyle offers

British Airways partners with lots of restaurants and lifestyle brands, including The Wine Flyer and subscription platforms like The Spectator or The Economist. If you’re already spending with these, it’s definitely worth it to check if you can earn Avios too.

If you shop at Sainsburys, or have a Nectar card, you can earn Nectar points and transfer them to Avios at a 400:250 rate. This one is great for topping up your pot. I changed my supermarket to Sainsburys when I started to collect Avios because we spend at least £150 a week on the family food shop – that’s an extra £600 of Nectar points (375 Avios) every month!

Buying Avios

If you’re short on points for a dream trip, but you don’t want to wait around to book it, you can buy Avios directly through the British Airways site. While this usually isn’t the best value, sales offering 30-50% bonus Avios can make it worthwhile. Just keep a look out. 

Booking reward seats on British Airways

Why use Avios to book reward flights

Avios collectors can make significant cash savings on flights by using points to pay for them. Some travellers have reported cash savings of around £7000 when booking a trip to Japan in Business Class, by paying with points and using their American Express Companion Voucher. I’d recommend valuing 1 Avios as 1p when considering savings. All you need to do is check the Avios cost of your trip and compare it to the equivalent cash fare on the BA website to show you how much you’re saving by utilising Avios to book seats. 

One of the lesser known ‘Avios hacks’, which is actually a particular favourite of mine, is that you can cancel a reward seat booking with BA for just £35 per person up to 24 hours before your flight. If you opt to do it, you also get your full Avios cost refunded, as well as taxes and fees – minus £35 a person. This is really handy if your plans change for whatever reason, and it’s an extra benefit when you’re deciding whether to book a particular cash fare or to use Avios points. Using this particular hack allows you to potentially book a number of destinations and flight times, then pick your best option. 

Understanding Reward Flight Saver

British Airways offers Reward Flight Saver fares, which let you book flights with a fixed low fee (taxes and charges) plus Avios. If you’re looking to spend the least cash possible on your flight booking, short-haul flights within Europe, often start from just 9,250 Avios + £1. Long haul flights have a higher cash cost – starting at around £40 – because taxes and charges are higher for those routes. 

How to find and book Avios seats

It’s really simple to actually book your reward seats. Just log on to the British Airways website or mobile app to search for “Book with Avios.”

Because BA releases a very limited number of reward seats per flight (14 across all cabins) availability can be limited, so plan and book early—BA releases reward seats 355 days in advance. There are currently around 40m Avios collectors across the world looking for reward seats, and when you remember that BA only releases 14 seats per flight, you probably want to do everything you can to get ahead of the crowd. In this case consider using an independent UK reward flight finder tool where you can track availability, see flight by flight information and set Alerts to get instantly notified when your ideal seats become available. I always use these tools – I set up to 10 Alerts for different routes that I want and wait to get Alerted. Then I let the tools do the work for me.

Pro tips

You’ll have better luck bagging reward seats if you’re flexible with dates and times for your flights – my only rules are that my flights must be in school holidays. I set my Alerts at least 6-8 months ahead. It’s also worth noting that if you’re short on Avios when you want to book, you can top up your fare with cash – so you use a mixture of Avios and cash to book your seats. All you need to do is use “Avios + Cash” options when you’re on the BA website.

Using Avios on partner airlines

Avios aren’t just for British Airways flights—you can redeem them on all Oneworld partners, including: Qatar Airways (who often have lower cash surcharges), Iberia (great for long-haul to the Americas with lower fees), American Airlines, Finnair, Japan Airlines, and more

Common mistakes to avoid

There are a few golden rules to always remember – NEVER let your Avios expire: They’re valid for 36 months, but any earning or spending resets the clock. Imagine how heartbroken you’d be if you’d saved points for all that time, only for them to vanish because you hadn’t used them! 

I’d also steer you away from using your Avios for poor-value flights. Always compare the cash price vs. the value of your points. I stick to the 1p per 1 Avios rule so I can compare the cash cost of a fare to what I would pay if I booked with Avios. I love doing this because it shows me how much money I’m saving compared to the cash seat booking – it’s a great motivator to keep on collecting.

Last but not least, don’t forget you’ll need to pay cash taxes and fees. This isn’t even worth thinking about when you’re booking a short haul flight in Europe that usually has a £1 fee, but some redemptions, especially long-haul in premium cabins, come with cash costs of up to around £600 for First Class. Don’t forget you’ll need to pay this when you book. 

Final thoughts

Collecting Avios isn’t just for frequent flyers or travel hackers—it’s for anyone who wants to make their money go further when traveling. I like it because I’m able to travel more with my family just by having a certain credit card, doing the weekly shop or paying a household bill. I even earn points while I’m on my holiday to use on the next one. With a bit of planning and a few everyday habits, you can be well on your way to a reward seat on a British Airways flight. If you spot me on the plane, be sure to say hello!

Have questions or your own Avios tips? Drop them in the comments.