Ultimate Guide to Earning Avios and Booking Cheaper BA Reward Flights
With smart use of Avios points, you can stretch your travel budget further than ever.
Reward Flight Finder (RFF) team has created this beginner-friendly guide to growing your Avios balance quickly. Airline rewards look daunting at first, but they're straightforward once you know the basics. Follow our tips to earn points effortlessly and redeem them for low-cost flights.
We'll start with key questions on Avios upgrades and rewards, then share proven strategies to turn points into your next dream getaway.
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Commonly Asked Questions
Why Collect Avios?
Frequent flyer programmes feel like extra work if you rarely fly, but Avios stands out. Use a BA Avios Calculator to plan reward seats, and earn points on everyday spending – no flights required.
Demand for BA reward flights stays high amid rising travel costs. Schemes like British Airways Club let you offset expenses by earning Avios on groceries, shopping, and more, slashing cash needed for reward flights.
What Are Avios Points?
Avios is a flexible rewards currency, similar to retailer loyalty points but redeemable mainly for flights.
Multiple airlines share the Avios system, including British Airways Club, Iberia Plus, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Aer Lingus AerClub. UK-based travellers should join at least one (all free, multiple OK) to collect points. This guide focuses on British Airways Club as the top choice for most Heathrow users and UK flyers.
Is Avios the same as Air Miles?
No, Avios replaced Air Miles in the UK. The original Air Miles UK programme closed in 2011, relaunched briefly as Avios until July 2018, then fully integrated into British Airways Club. British Airways and partners now use Avios as the standard rewards currency.
Tier Points vs Avios: What's the Difference?
British Airways Club awards two currencies when flying BA or Oneworld partners: Avios for redemptions (earned via flights, spending, transfers) and Tier Points for elite status.
Tier Points – earned only from eligible flights – determine your level: Blue (entry), Bronze (300 TP), Silver (600 TP), Gold (1,500 TP), plus invite-only tiers. Higher tiers unlock perks like lounge access, extra bags, and priority services. This guide prioritizes Avios earning and spending.
How to Earn Avios Points
Earn Avios flying British Airways or Oneworld partners, plus non-flight partners: car rentals, hotels, credit cards, and everyday spending. Convert loyalty points like Nectar (400 Nectar = 250 Avios).
What Can You Spend Avios On?
Reward flights offer the highest value: book BA and Oneworld partner seats where available, paying Avios + taxes/surcharges. Use part-payment to top up cash fares.
Other redemptions: seat upgrades, extra baggage, inflight buys, hotels, experiences, and gifts. Flights typically yield 1-1.5p per Avios vs. 0.5p elsewhere.
Can I Fly for Free with Avios?
No true free flights – you'll always pay taxes, APD, and fees. Unlike old Air Miles vouchers, Avios covers only the base fare. Good news: Reward Flight Saver caps cash at a low fixed fee (from £1 Europe return) on BA short-haul to Europe/southern Africa, with BA covering rest – if you've earned 1+ Avios in last 12 months. Best value for short trips.
Reward Flight Saver now offers flexible cash options: pay more Avios for fees as low as £1 return (Europe/southern Africa), or stick to classic £35/£50 rates with Companion Vouchers. Choose ~£30 cash for optimal point value – lower fees dilute Avios worth.
How Much Are Avios Points Worth?
Avios value ranges from 0.5p (non-flights like hotels) to 1.5-1.7p+ (peak long-haul reward flights). Part-pay averages 0.5-0.8p; pure reward flights hit highest returns on business/first class.
True worth depends on your goals – enabling premium travel you couldn't otherwise afford. Use RFF tools to maximise.
Do Avios Points Expire?
Avios last 36 months from last activity (earn, spend, buy, share, transfer). Complete one transaction every 3 years to keep your balance active indefinitely.
Can I Upgrade Flights with Avios?
Yes – but with rules. Avios upgrades exclude basic economy (G, O, Q fares, often "non-refundable").
Upgrade Rules: Next Cabin Only
BA long-haul cabins: World Traveller (economy) → World Traveller Plus (premium economy) → Club World (business) → First. No skipping cabins (e.g., no economy direct to business).
Check fare class via "Manage Booking." Package deals often ineligible.
Travel agent & company bookings: Yes – upgrade that red-eye economy seat (call BA if needed).
Cash tickets only – not existing reward flights (promo exceptions rare).
Not a ticket that was already a reward flight. There can be some exceptions to this rule when BA runs upgrade promotions, but it isn’t the norm. Of course, you may choose to part pay a higher class of ticket, than you would normally buy, using Avios, but this isn’t an upgrade of an existing ticket.
Upgrading with points must be done before departure
Either at the time of booking, by phone or by using the “Manage My Booking” feature on the BA website and app. You can only do this if there is reward flight availability, in the cabin above, for Avios upgrades. You may also have to pay the difference, between the tax you paid and the higher tax charged for the higher class. If you are flying from the UK, this will be a certainty.
This situation can change day by day, so if you are interested in doing this, it is worth checking regularly. Your chances are higher if you have a World Traveller Plus ticket since BA aircraft often have a large Club World cabin, but World Traveller Plus and First tend to have fewer seats, in the first instance.
You can upgrade a single leg of your flight
Only if there is reward flight availability. For example, you can stick with your World Traveller Plus seat for your daytime outbound flight, but upgrade to Club World for the overnight return. What’s more, you can buy upgrades on American Airlines and Iberia flights, providing you booked them via BA.
So, how much does it cost to upgrade your ticket with Avios?
Under normal circumstances, assuming there isn’t a special upgrade offer running, the number of points required will be the difference in the points price for the cabin you had booked and the one you are upgrading to. Don’t forget, you may also have to pay more taxes, so check how much they will cost you too.
Upgrading with Avios can represent good value. You will earn more points on the flight you take and at a higher rate for your new, fancier seat.
In monetary terms, you will frequently get more value per point if you upgrade with Avios than with a full points redemption.
What is a British Airways Companion Voucher?
The BA Companion Voucher, sometimes known as a “two-for-one voucher” has become a thing of legend amongst frequent fliers. It allows you to “buy one get one free” on the Avios cost (not the cash price) of a round-trip British Airways reward flight redemption.
Currently, the only way to earn a Companion Voucher is with a British Airways American Express credit card.
With the Blue Card, which has no annual fee, you will earn a Companion Voucher if you spend £12,000 in a membership year, but you can only use it for Economy class redemptions.
With the Black Card, Premium Plus card, which has an annual fee of £250 you’ll need to spend £10,000 in a membership year to get your Companion Voucher, which will expire after two years. This voucher can be used in any cabin class on BA flights - including Business Class and First.
If you are likely to spend that kind of money in a year, the fee-paying card can represent better value, if you are planning a long-haul trip with a partner, especially if it means you can afford to fly in a premium cabin.
Of course, we can’t give you financial advice and you should always check to see if a credit card is suitable for your personal circumstances.
How do I Find the Best Reward Flights to Book?
We’re glad you asked!
Finding reward flights on the British Airways website isn’t always as easy as it could be. There is also limited availability of the best deals. So you need to know when they become available and be quick to take advantage of them.
That’s why we created Reward Flight Finder. It allows you to see all available dates with a simple search, get alerts whenever seats are released and discover availability when you are not sure where you want to go. You can also receive regular news on the latest deals, tips and advice for British Airways reward flight finder plus other airlines too.
Tips to Boost Your Avios Balance
Join British Airways Club
Free to join here, UK's premier Avios programme for most.
Create a Household Account
Link up to 6 accounts (same address) via BA Household Accounts to pool/share Avios for family bookings. Kids can earn/spend (adults 18+ otherwise required).
Each keeps individual status; perfect for couples/families but check rules first.
Earning Avios When Flying
Enter your BA Club number at booking (or have agent add it). Post-flight claims possible but avoid hassle.
Earn on most BA/Oneworld flights except reward tickets, promo deals (Expedia), or staff fares. Partners: Iberia, American Airlines, Qatar, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines. Rate by class/distance – see BA.com.
Earn Avios with Airbnb
Book via BA's Airbnb portal: 500 bonus for new accounts, then 3 Avios per £1 spent.
Hotel Stays for Avios
Partners include Accor, Best Western, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott + BA Holidays/Avios Hotels. Lesser-known: Earn via Agoda, Booking.com, Hotels.com through BA links.
Car Rental Avios Earnings
Avis: 3 Avios per €1 spent (500 min 1-2 days; 700 min 3+ days). BA credit card adds 250 bonus.
Budget (same group, cheaper rates): 2 Avios per £1 (250 min).
Maggiore (Italy): 2 Avios per €1 (500 min).
Zipcar (city car-share): 1,000 join bonus + 50 Avios per booking via BA link.
Travel Extras for Avios
Heathrow Rewards (free): 10 points/£10 airport spend (parking included); double after £750/year + 100 signup bonus. Convert 250+ points to Avios.
Heathrow Express: Earn via official site/app or BA-specific portal (5 Avios/£1 advance; debit only, 3-month delay, name match required).
ParkVia: Avios on parking at Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen via BA ParkVia.
Credit Cards for Avios
Credit cards supercharge balances – confirm suitability first (personal circumstances vary).
Multi-Currency Cash Passport Mastercard: 1 Avios/£1 loaded (pre-paid, holds 10 currencies; fees apply).
Capital on Tap Business: 1 point/£1 = 1 Avios or 1p cashback (£99 fee; 10k bonus after £5k/3 months). Representative APR 34.96% (variable) as of Aug 2025 – check current.
BA American Express Cards
Free BA Amex: £0 fee; 5k Avios after £2k/3mo; 1 Avios/£1; Economy Companion Voucher after £15k/year (1-yr valid).
Premium Plus (£300 fee): 30k Avios after £6k/3mo; 1.5 Avios/£1 (3x BA/Holidays); any-cabin Companion Voucher after £15k/year (2-yr valid).
Business Accelerating: £210 fee; 1.5 Avios/£1 + On Business points; 30k bonus after £5k/3mo.
Cashback Cards (convertible to Avios via partners)
Amex Cashback Everyday: £0 fee; 5% cashback (max £125, 5mo); unlimited cashback; 29.1% APR rep.
Amex Cashback Credit Card: £25 fee; 5% cashback (max £125, 3mo); supplementary cards; 34.6% APR rep.
Membership Rewards Cards (1:1 Avios transfer after 1k pts)
Preferred Rewards Gold: £0 Y1 (£195 Y2+); 40k MR after £5k/6mo (to May 2026); 1/2/3x rates; Priority Pass 4x visits.
- 1 MR/£1 everyday
- 2 MR/£1 airlines/foreign spend
- 3 MR/£1 Amex Travel
Amex Platinum: £650 fee; 75k MR + £250 travel credit after £10k/6mo (to May 2026); lounge access (1,550+), hotel elite, insurance; no preset limit.
Amex Rewards Credit Card: £0 fee; 10k MR after £2k/3mo; 1 MR/£1; shopping/travel protection.
Marriott Bonvoy Amex: £95 fee; 20k Marriott pts after £3k/3mo; auto Silver + Gold path; free night after £25k; 15 elite credits.
Nectar Cards
Nectar Credit Card: £0 Y1 (£30 Y2+); 20k Nectar after £2k/3mo; 2 Nectar/£1 (3x partners); up to 5 free supplementary cards.
Convert Nectar → Avios (400:250) via BA tool.
Representative APRs 29-685% variable. Approval subject to status. Pay in full monthly; not financial advice.
Shop for Avios
BA Avios eStore: Up to 30 Avios/£1 across 1200+ retailers (John Lewis, M&S). Plus 2 Avios/£1 BA High Life Shop onboard.
Surveys for Avios
Join e-Rewards or Rewards for Thoughts – earn Avios per survey. Use separate email to control volume.
Off-Peak Saves Big
BA peak/off-peak pricing: 10-40% fewer Avios outside school holidays.
- LHR-MAD: 15k peak, 13k off-peak
- LHR-NYC: 40k/26k
- LHR-TYO: 60k/39k
- LHR-SYD: 100k/65k
RFF calendars show Avios + availability year-round.
Peak Avios Still Worth It
Reward Flight Saver + checked bags beat cheap cash fares (often hand-luggage only). Europe/South Africa: £31 + Avios vs. £300+ cash.
Long-Haul Value
Distance-based pricing + lower tax ratios make long-haul premium cabins shine. Use RFF for exact Avios/taxes by date/route.
Business Class Bargains
Avios x2-3 economy but cash fares x4-10. LHR-JNB example: Economy £800 cash vs Business £6,500; reward 32k+£460 vs 125k+£755 Avios.
Mix One-Way + Return
BA one-way Avios = half return; cash often >half. Compare budget carrier one-leg + BA Avios other. RFF shows all combos.
Start Earning Avios Today
Join RFF for tools + alerts matching your routes/dates.
Happy Reward Flying!
*Not financial advice. Confirm products suit your circumstances; seek professional guidance if needed. RFF reviews partner offers but is not a lender.*
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