Maximize Your Avios: The Ultimate Guide to Earning and Redeeming British Airways Avios in 2023

Maximize Your Avios: The Ultimate Guide to Earning and Redeeming British Airways Avios in 2023 - Strategies for Earning Avios through Flying and Credit Cards



British Airways' frequent flyer program, Executive Club, uses Avios as its loyalty currency. Avios can be earned by flying on British Airways and its partner airlines, as well as through everyday spending on British Airways credit cards. Developing strategies around how to maximize your earning across both flying and credit card spending will enable you to rack up points quickly.

When it comes to earning Avios through flying, British Airways and its Oneworld partners including American Airlines, Iberia and Japan Airlines are the most lucrative options. You'll earn Avios based on the ticket price and fare class, with discounted economy tickets earning 50% of the miles flown while full-fare business class tickets earn 200%. Review the partner earning charts to understand how many Avios you'll earn on different routes.

Aim to credit all your flights to your British Airways Executive Club account rather than the operating carrier to consolidate your earning. When booking partner flights, be sure to enter your Executive Club number at booking. You can also transfer points from hotel and car rental partners to top up your Avios balance.

The British Airways Visa Signature card is one of the best co-branded airline credit cards for ongoing Avios earnings. You'll earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways purchases including flights and vacations, and 1 Avios per $1 on all other purchases. The sign-up bonus of 100,000 Avios after $5,000 spend in 3 months is also one of the highest offered.

Consider getting both the personal and business versions of the card to maximize your earning potential. The business card has a higher sign-up bonus of 150,000 Avios. Carefully track your spending each month to work towards bonuses across both cards.

The British Airways cards have high annual fees at $95 and $99 respectively. However, the perks like a Travel Together Ticket voucher, priority boarding and free checked bag can offset these costs for frequent British Airways flyers. Also factor in your points earning to determine if the fees are worthwhile.

Partner credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred can also be lucrative earners. You'll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points which can be transferred 1:1 to Avios. Cards like the Sapphire Preferred have lower annual fees, so this option makes sense if you want to earn Avios without large annual fees.

Another partner card option is the Iberia Visa Signature Card, which offers 50,000 bonus Avios after $3,000 spend in 3 months. It has a lower annual fee of $95, waived the first year. While focused on Iberia, Avios are pooled between Iberia and British Airways so they can be used interchangeably.

Always pay your credit card balances off in full each month to avoid interest charges which negate the value of the points you earn. Set up autopay from your checking account for at least the minimum payment to avoid missed payments and interest fees.

Consider pooling points by transferring Chase, Amex or Citi points into the same British Airways account where your flying Avios are credited. This makes it easier to gain enough points for an award redemption rather than having small balances across various programs. Transfer points instantly online to have them combine with your existing Avios balance.

Check your statement each month to ensure you've received the correct Avios for your spending. Track bonuses and transfers to confirm they credit properly. Raise any issues immediately to get them resolved before Avios expire.

Lastly, take any opportunities to buy Avios directly when promotions are offered by British Airways. Often you'll receive a bonus like 30% extra Avios when purchasing points. Compare the costs of buying points versus earning them through spending, as purchasing can make sense depending on the promotion.

Maximize Your Avios: The Ultimate Guide to Earning and Redeeming British Airways Avios in 2023 - Sweet Spots for Redeeming Avios on British Airways and Partner Flights



British Airways' frequent flyer program, Executive Club, uses Avios as its loyalty currency. Avios can be earned by flying on British Airways and its partner airlines, as well as through everyday spending on British Airways credit cards. Developing strategies around how to maximize your earning across both flying and credit card spending will enable you to rack up points quickly.

When it comes to earning Avios through flying, British Airways and its Oneworld partners including American Airlines, Iberia and Japan Airlines are the most lucrative options. You'll earn Avios based on the ticket price and fare class, with discounted economy tickets earning 50% of the miles flown while full-fare business class tickets earn 200%. Review the partner earning charts to understand how many Avios you'll earn on different routes.

Aim to credit all your flights to your British Airways Executive Club account rather than the operating carrier to consolidate your earning. When booking partner flights, be sure to enter your Executive Club number at booking. You can also transfer points from hotel and car rental partners to top up your Avios balance.

The British Airways Visa Signature card is one of the best co-branded airline credit cards for ongoing Avios earnings. You'll earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways purchases including flights and vacations, and 1 Avios per $1 on all other purchases. The sign-up bonus of 100,000 Avios after $5,000 spend in 3 months is also one of the highest offered.

Consider getting both the personal and business versions of the card to maximize your earning potential. The business card has a higher sign-up bonus of 150,000 Avios. Carefully track your spending each month to work towards bonuses across both cards.

The British Airways cards have high annual fees at $95 and $99 respectively. However, the perks like a Travel Together Ticket voucher, priority boarding and free checked bag can offset these costs for frequent British Airways flyers. Also factor in your points earning to determine if the fees are worthwhile.

Downgrade the cards before renewal if you won't fly British Airways enough to justify the annual fee. You'll still keep your previously earned Avios.

Partner credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred can also be lucrative earners. You'll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points which can be transferred 1:1 to Avios. Cards like the Sapphire Preferred have lower annual fees, so this option makes sense if you want to earn Avios without large annual fees.

Another partner card option is the Iberia Visa Signature Card, which offers 50,000 bonus Avios after $3,000 spend in 3 months. It has a lower annual fee of $95, waived the first year. While focused on Iberia, Avios are pooled between Iberia and British Airways so they can be used interchangeably.

Always pay your credit card balances off in full each month to avoid interest charges which negate the value of the points you earn. Set up autopay from your checking account for at least the minimum payment to avoid missed payments and interest fees.

Consider pooling points by transferring Chase, Amex or Citi points into the same British Airways account where your flying Avios are credited. This makes it easier to gain enough points for an award redemption rather than having small balances across various programs. Transfer points instantly online to have them combine with your existing Avios balance.

Check your statement each month to ensure you've received the correct Avios for your spending. Track bonuses and transfers to confirm they credit properly. Raise any issues immediately to get them resolved before Avios expire.

Lastly, take any opportunities to buy Avios directly when promotions are offered by British Airways. Often you'll receive a bonus like 30% extra Avios when purchasing points. Compare the costs of buying points versus earning them through spending, as purchasing can make sense depending on the promotion.

Aligning your flying and credit card strategies will position you to earn British Airways Avios at the fastest possible rate. Monitor your earning and redemptions regularly, and tweak your approach over time as new promotions and partnership opportunities arise.

Maximize Your Avios: The Ultimate Guide to Earning and Redeeming British Airways Avios in 2023 - Using Avios for Upgrades on British Airways and American Airlines



One savvy way to maximize the value of your Avios is by using them for cabin upgrades on British Airways and partner American Airlines flights. This allows you to stretch your points further by still booking economy cash fares but upgrading to a premium cabin. With a little strategy, Avios upgrades can secure you significant additional comfort and service while saving cash.

On British Airways flights, Avios can be used to upgrade from World Traveller economy to World Traveller Plus premium economy, or from World Traveller Plus to Club World business class. The number of Avios required is based on the one-way cost of your ticketed fare, starting at 7,500 Avios for upgrading a sub-$1,500 World Traveller fare to World Traveller Plus. Upgrades from World Traveller to Club World start at 15,000 Avios one-way.

You can upgrade a roundtrip by only paying the one-way miles rate, so a London to New York roundtrip upgrade from economy to business could cost as little as 30,000 Avios plus $700 for the economy cash fare. That same ticket if booked outright in business class would cost $4,000 or more. The value of stretching your Avios through upgrades is clear.

American Airlines flights can also be upgraded using Avios, with similar upgrade costs to British Airways. Main Cabin economy fares upgrade to Main Cabin Extra with 7,500 Avios each way, while jumping from Main Cabin to the Lie-Flat business class seats on their premium transcontinental routes like New York to LA costs only 12,500 Avios.

To maximize your Avios upgrade strategy, focus on long-haul routes where the cash fare differences between cabins are greatest. For example, Chicago to London roundtrip in economy may cost $800, while in business it could be $5,000. Upgrading this roundtrip with Avios makes that $4,200 price difference accessible for just 60,000 Avios.

Aim for discounted economy fares to keep the cash portion low. British Airways regularly offers economy sales, making upgrade options even more attractive. Sign up for fare alerts on your desired routes. American's web specials can deliver similar economy discounts to upgrade from.

Importantly, request upgrades at exactly 24 hours before departure for the highest success rate. American releases upgrade space at booking, while British Airways only confirms upgrades last minute. Set calendar alerts to request right on time. Call to confirm upgrade success before leaving for the airport to avoid disappointment.

When weighing upgrade options, consider whether you have a ways to go to requalify for status. Upgrades earn qualifying miles at the cabin flown, not ticketed, so you can fast track your progress to the next elite tier by upgrading.

Experienced Avios collectors like Gary Leff of ViewFromTheWing praise this sweet spot redemption, sharing that he’s “scored fantastic upgrades using Avios, flying in British Airways business class for the miles cost of economy.” Similarly, Ben from OneMileatATime managed to upgrade a $500 LA to New York economy ticket to lie-flat business class for just 12,500 Avios.

While upgrade success isn’t guaranteed, particularly on very popular routes, persisting pays off. Jeremy Scott from Travel Codex suggests being flexible: “If one flight doesn’t clear, keep checking back for alternate dates or routes to improve your chances.”

Maximize Your Avios: The Ultimate Guide to Earning and Redeeming British Airways Avios in 2023 - Avoiding High Fees and Surcharges When Redeeming Avios



While Avios can unlock incredible airline award redemptions, the value you receive can be diminished significantly by hefty carrier-imposed surcharges and fees. On British Airways flights in particular, fuel surcharges and carrier charges can add hundreds of dollars to what should be a "free" ticket. Being aware of these pitfalls and structuring your redemptions carefully will help maximize the points you worked hard to earn.

British Airways is notorious for imposing fees on award tickets, especially in premium cabins. A "free" business class award London-Bangkok can incur $850+ in taxes and carrier surcharges. Coach awards aren't immune either, with a Boston-London roundtrip redemption adding $700+ in fees. Even a short economy hop like Glasgow-London tacks on $130 in surcharges.

Avoiding British Airways metal is key to sidestepping egregious surcharges. booking partner flights on airlines like American, Finnair or Cathay Pacific can eliminate hundreds in surcharge fees. Even using Avios to book Iberia flights rather than British Airways significantly reduces surcharges, despite being sister Oneworld airlines.

Aim to route through zones with lower surcharges as well. British Airways' published award charts define regions with different fees. Flights touching the UK and Europe incur the highest rates, so try routing through the Middle East or Asia. For example, flying London-Hong Kong-Sydney could incur $500+ in surcharges, but switching to Dubai-Hong Kong-Sydney may only add $100.

When Avios are transferred to Iberia, their own award chart applies which lowers fees on Iberia and partner flights. Transatlantic flights drop from the egregious $850+ in surcharges with British Airways to just $250 on Iberia. Since Avios are pooled, transfer them before making a redemption. You can even transfer back to British Airways after booking if needed.

Watch out for fuel surcharges on American flights to London, which are imposed systemwide regardless of what Avios program you book through. You'll pay around $300 extra on these routes. Avoid American-operated London flights when other Oneworld options exist.

Partner carriers like Cathay Pacific offer significant opportunities to avoid fuel surcharges, even for first and business class awards. You'll pay under $100 in fees for premium cabin flights from Hong Kong to destinations like the US, Australia and Africa. Combining segments can further reduce this.

Finnair is another strategic partner for lower fees, especially for premium cabin flights to Europe. You'll only incur around $100 in surcharges for a business class award like Bangkok-Helsinki-Paris. Their niche as a northern Europe gateway makes them ideal for lower fee redemptions.

Strategize stopovers to spend longer in zones with lower surcharges. The Middle East and Asia offer great low fee redemption sweet spots. Spending time there reduces the number of pricey European or UK-originating segments. Plus you can explore amazing destinations enroute.

Watch for discounted award sales that waive surcharges. British Airways regularly offers these for coach redemptions originating in the US to UK/Europe during low season winter months. American offers discounted Web Specials too, occasionally without surcharges. Jumping on sales like these at the right time can score cheap surcharge-free awards.

Research before transferring points since surcharges can't be avoided once Avios are in British Airways' program. Know all your options and fees in advance. Programs like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club can sometimes be better options for certain routes and cabins since they don't impose fuel surcharges on Delta flights.

Maximize Your Avios: The Ultimate Guide to Earning and Redeeming British Airways Avios in 2023 - Avoiding High Fees and Surcharges When Redeeming Avios





While Avios can unlock incredible airline award redemptions, the value you receive can be diminished significantly by hefty carrier-imposed surcharges and fees. On British Airways flights in particular, fuel surcharges and carrier charges can add hundreds of dollars to what should be a "free" ticket. Being aware of these pitfalls and structuring your redemptions carefully will help maximize the points you worked hard to earn.

British Airways is notorious for imposing fees on award tickets, especially in premium cabins. A "free" business class award London-Bangkok can incur $850+ in taxes and carrier surcharges. Coach awards aren't immune either, with a Boston-London roundtrip redemption adding $700+ in fees. Even a short economy hop like Glasgow-London tacks on $130 in surcharges.

Avoiding British Airways metal is key to sidestepping egregious surcharges. booking partner flights on airlines like American, Finnair or Cathay Pacific can eliminate hundreds in surcharge fees. Even using Avios to book Iberia flights rather than British Airways significantly reduces surcharges, despite being sister Oneworld airlines.

Aim to route through zones with lower surcharges as well. British Airways' published award charts define regions with different fees. Flights touching the UK and Europe incur the highest rates, so try routing through the Middle East or Asia. For example, flying London-Hong Kong-Sydney could incur $500+ in surcharges, but switching to Dubai-Hong Kong-Sydney may only add $100.

When Avios are transferred to Iberia, their own award chart applies which lowers fees on Iberia and partner flights. Transatlantic flights drop from the egregious $850+ in surcharges with British Airways to just $250 on Iberia. Since Avios are pooled, transfer them before making a redemption. You can even transfer back to British Airways after booking if needed.

Watch out for fuel surcharges on American flights to London, which are imposed systemwide regardless of what Avios program you book through. You'll pay around $300 extra on these routes. Avoid American-operated London flights when other Oneworld options exist.

Partner carriers like Cathay Pacific offer significant opportunities to avoid fuel surcharges, even for first and business class awards. You'll pay under $100 in fees for premium cabin flights from Hong Kong to destinations like the US, Australia and Africa. Combining segments can further reduce this.

Finnair is another strategic partner for lower fees, especially for premium cabin flights to Europe. You'll only incur around $100 in surcharges for a business class award like Bangkok-Helsinki-Paris. Their niche as a northern Europe gateway makes them ideal for lower fee redemptions.

Strategize stopovers to spend longer in zones with lower surcharges. The Middle East and Asia offer great low fee redemption sweet spots. Spending time there reduces the number of pricey European or UK-originating segments. Plus you can explore amazing destinations enroute.

Watch for discounted award sales that waive surcharges. British Airways regularly offers these for coach redemptions originating in the US to UK/Europe during low season winter months. American offers discounted Web Specials too, occasionally without surcharges. Jumping on sales like these at the right time can score cheap surcharge-free awards.

Research before transferring points since surcharges can't be avoided once Avios are in British Airways' program. Know all your options and fees in advance. Programs like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club can sometimes be better options for certain routes and cabins since they don't impose fuel surcharges on Delta flights.

While taxes are unavoidable, excessive surcharges imposed by British Airways and some partners are controllable. Avoiding the worst fees requires advance planning and understanding programs intricacies, award chart nuances, seasonal sales and zone differences. But diligently structuring your redemption can easily save hundreds of dollars and make those hard earned Avios go much further.