Finding new ways to collect Avios always feels great, and one method that often flies under the radar is the potential to collect Avios on hotel bookings. Surprisingly, many people are still unaware about this possibility.
Hotel bookings are a perfect complement to collecting Avios through flights. And with a wide selection of participating hotels globally, your next trip could be significantly cheaper or even free, thanks to a smart collection strategy. In this blog, we’ve outlined the top methods through which you can earn Avios on hotel bookings.
Method 1: Direct Booking through Avios Hotels
One of the most straightforward ways to collect Avios is by booking your hotel stay directly through Avios Hotels via the BA Club. This offers one of the highest Avios per £1 spent ratios available. For every £1 spent, up to 10 Avios fly straight into your account. For example, a £150 hotel booking nets you a cool 1,500 points. Extend that to a 5-night stay at £125 a night, and you're looking at 6,250 points. It’s an effective way to boost your balance, and all it takes is a few clicks through your BA Club account.
Here’s how to do it:
- Log into your BA Club account, previously known as the British Airways Executive Club.
- Navigate to 'Collect Avios' in the Discover menu.
- Select 'Hotels & Accommodation.'
- Find Avios Hotels and hit 'Book Now.'
- Choose from thousands of hotels globally.
- Book your preferred stay.
Method 2: Booking with Online Platforms
Booking with online platforms can give you more opportunities to collect Avios beyond the British Airways ecosystem. Online booking platforms allow you to earn points on stays at thousands of properties worldwide. Each platform has its unique perks and processes, but every booking brings you closer to your next BA reward flight or upgrade. Here are the top online booking partners you can earn Avios with:
- Hotels.com: Hotel.com offers up to 4 Avios per £1 spent, with promotional periods bumping this up to 12 Avios. Its free cancellation policy and reward night stamps make it a flexible choice.
- Booking.com: Booking.com also offers 4 Avios per £1 spent and boasts a broad range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to cosy B&Bs.
- Agoda: Agoda offers 8 Avios per £1 spent, doubling down on the value of every booking you make. With its expansive selection, you’ll never run out of options to choose from.
- Hostelworld: Hostelworld offers a whopping 25 Avios per £1 spent. As the name suggests, the platform specialises in budget-friendly hostel accommodations, making it ideal for those looking to book their travels without stretching their wallet.
Here's a guide to earning Avios with these hotel booking partners, applicable to all:
- Sign in: Access your BA Club account to start.
- Navigate: Head over to 'Collect Avios' in the Discover menu, then choose 'Shopping.'
- Search: Use the Avios eStore link to find your preferred partner.
- Shop: Click on 'Shop Now' under the hotel partner's logo to be redirected to their site and make your booking.
Method 3: Booking with Accommodation Partners
In addition to booking platforms that provide thousands of hotel options, you can also earn Avios directly through British Airways’ accommodation partners. Here's a list of the airline’s current partners:
- Accor: Accor provides a wide range of properties from luxury to economy, and you can accumulate 2.5 Avios for every €2 spent at their hotels. For enjoying the upscale environment of Sofitel as much as the budget-friendly comfort of ibis, your stay will be both pleasant and rewarding.
- Airbnb: Perfect for those seeking a home away from home, Airbnb allows you to collect 2 Avios for every £1/€1/$1 spent. You can choose from a vast selection of unique lodgings, so that your travel accommodations are as memorable as the trip itself.
- Vrbo: Vrbo offers 2 Avios per £1 spent and is known for its variety of holiday rentals, from beachfront bungalows to city apartments.
- IHG: Stay at any of IHG’s hotels and resorts worldwide, which include familiar brands like Holiday Inn and InterContinental, and earn up to 2 Avios for every dollar spent.
- Marriott International: Spanning a portfolio of luxury and boutique to family-friendly accommodations, you can collect up to 2 Avios for every dollar spent at Marriott International hotels.
- Hilton: With Hilton's expansive network ranging from sleek city hotels to beachfront resorts, you can soak in comfort while racking up 4 Avios for every £1 spent.
To earn points with these accommodation partners, you can use the same method to book your stay as outlined in the previous step.
Method 4: Make sure to Double Dip with American Express
Using an American Express Avios credit card is another great way to level up your BA reward flights strategy. With each purchase made using the card, you’ll accumulate Avios—even when booking hotels through third-party platforms. The free British Airways American Express Credit Card offers 1 Avios per £1 spent, while the Premium Plus Card offers up to 3 Avios per £1 spent on British Airways purchases. Simply use your Amex to pay, and the points will be automatically added to your balance.
But here’s a smart travel hack: pair your Avios credit card with Wise. Wise is a multi-currency account and debit card that allows you to spend abroad using the real exchange rate, with low and transparent foreign transaction fees. While your Amex card helps you collect Avios, Wise helps you reduce the cost of those purchases, particularly at hotels abroad or on international travel expenses where Amex isn’t accepted.
Here’s how to combine the two effectively:
Use your Amex card for hotel bookings on platforms that accept it to earn Avios.
Use your Wise card for restaurants, transport, and non-Amex-friendly locations to save money while still travelling smart.
This strategy helps you collect more Avios and spend less—a win-win for frequent flyers.
Maximising Your Avios Earnings
Look Out for Promotions: Direct bookings through Avios Hotels often yield the highest Avios per £1 spent with up to 10 Avios for every £1. However, hotel partners like Hotels.com and Booking.com introduce their own perks. For example, there are times when Hotels.com might offer up to 12 Avios per £1.
Reward Night Stamps: Platforms like Hotels.com offer reward night stamps alongside Avios earnings. This dual benefit means you're not only collecting Avios but also working towards free night stays.
Flexibility and Free Cancellation: Consider the cancellation policies. Avios Hotels might offer more Avios, but partners like Booking.com often have more flexible cancellation policies, which would be a better option if your plans are subject to change.
Compare Rates: Take out your Avios Calculator and compare rates between Avios Hotels and hotel partner sites to see which option works best for your needs. Sometimes, paying slightly more for a booking through Avios Hotels can be worth the extra points earned. However, don't overlook the value offered by partner sites.
Plan and Be Flexible: Advanced planning can uncover opportunities for higher Avios earnings, especially when you're flexible with your travel dates. Booking during off-peak times or adjusting your stay to coincide with promotional periods can significantly boost your balance.
Wrapping Up
Collecting Avios through hotel stays is a smart way to make every trip count towards something bigger, like getting that free flight or upgrade you've been eyeing. By including hotel bookings in your Avios collection strategy, you can turn every stay into a step closer to your next trip away. So, the next time you're booking a hotel, think about how it can contribute to your future travel plans. And don't forget to use our handy Avios Calculator for an accurate tally of how many Avios you’ll need for your next trip.
Turn hotel nights into flights
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