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29 Best Ways To Redeem British Airways Avios for Max Value [2023]

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Alex Miller

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Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business...
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When shopping for international flights, you may have seen the exorbitant fees and fuel surcharges that accompany a British Airways ticket.

You could end up spending hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars on these additional fees, not to mention any money you already spent on the ticket.

Even if you use your British Airways Avios, these charges could negate any value you’d get from redeeming the miles in the first place.

Luckily, it is possible to redeem Avios for reward travel without having to pay these ridiculously high fees. You’ll avoid high taxes and fuel surcharges when you focus on flights operated by British Airways’ airline partners.

Let’s explore the best ways to redeem your British Airways Avios for maximum value!

British Airways Credit Card and Airline Partners

It’s possible to earn Avios directly with the British Airways Visa Signature® Card. You’ll earn 3x Avios for all flight purchases through British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level, 2x Avios on hotel accommodations, and 1x Avios for everything else.

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is great for British Airways frequent flyers, and traveling couples will find great value in the Travel Together Ticket.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

This card is great for British Airways frequent flyers, and traveling couples will find great value in the Travel Together Ticket.
Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
75,000 Avios
$937
$95
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is a stellar option for travelers who regularly travel with the airline. From all of the Avios the card helps you earn, to a 10% discount off cash tickets, and the award flight statement credits, you can get tons of value out of the card each year.

Pros

  • 3x Avios per $1 on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL purchases
  • 2x Avios per $1 on hotel accommodations purchased directly through hotels
  • 1x Avios per $1 on all other purchases
  • 10% off British Airways flights starting in the U.S. (when booking through the designated website)
  • Travel Together Ticket after $30,000 in card spend in a calendar year
  • Up to $600 in award flight statement credits each year
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Lost luggage insurance
  • Purchase protection
  • Extended warranty protection

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • Does not earn transferable rewards
  • Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
  • Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
  • Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. Plus earn 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
  • Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
  • Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
  • Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It's fast, easy and secure!
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

British Airways Executive Club

<ul><li><a href="/travel/airlines/how-to-earn-british-airways-avios/">Best Ways To Earn British Airways Avios</a></li><li><a href="/travel/airlines/how-to-redeem-british-airways-avios/">Best Ways To Redeem British Airways Avios</a></li><li><a href="/travel/airlines/best-ways-to-use-10000-british-airways-avios/">The Best Ways to Use 10,000 British Airways Avios</a></li><li><a href="/travel/airlines/using-british-airways-avios-without-huge-fuel-surcharges/">Ways to Use British Airways Avios Without Huge Fuel Surcharges</a></li></ul>

You can also transfer points to British Airways Executive Club from Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Several frequent flyer programs use Avios as their currency, so you can transfer British Airways Avios to those programs to book flights, or you can keep them within Executive Club and book BA flights.

You’ll achieve the greatest value when you transfer Avios or use them to book flights operated by partner airlines, including those in the Oneworld alliance. And, because British Airways is a member of Oneworld, you’ll be able to earn Avios (if you so choose) when you fly paid tickets with its alliance partners.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards

Collecting Ultimate Rewards points by using a Chase credit card is one of the best ways to earn British Airways Avios because Chase Ultimate Rewards points are very easy to earn and British Airways is a Chase transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
  • $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
  • Excellent travel and car rental insurance
  • 10% annual bonus points
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
  • Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

  • 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
  • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
  • 5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
  • Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
  • Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

  • $550 annual fee
  • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Business owner? See our list of the best Chase business credit cards.

American Express Membership Rewards Credit Cards

You can also earn British Airways Avios since the program is an American Express transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio.

You can consider any of the cards mentioned below to start earning Membership Rewards points and then transfer them.

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Platinum Card® from American Express

This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

American Express® Gold Card

This is the go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Gold Card is definitely a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are a number of other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

  • 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
  • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Amex business credit cards.

Capital One Miles Credit Cards

Miles earned with Capital One transfer to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio.

Recommended Capital One Miles Cards

TOP PICK
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$395
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Excellent (740-840)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros

  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
  • Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
  • Add authorized users for no additional annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees

 

Cons

  • $395 annual fee
  • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

 

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more – you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
20.99% - 28.99% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

As a frequent traveler with excellent credit, you’re always on the lookout for a credit card that comes with all the bells and whistles. And the easier it is to understand, the better!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great sign-up bonus, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Pros

  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge or Plaza Premium Lounges each year
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • Limited elite benefits
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from our Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99% - 28.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$360
$0
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, the no-annual-fee version of the more popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Ability to use transfer partners
  • Access to Capital One Dining

Cons

  • Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
  • No luxury travel or elite benefits
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Capital One Miles

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points with its co-branded credit cards and transfer those to British Airways at a 3:1 ratio. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive a bonus of 5,000 additional Avios.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
30,000 points
$210
$0
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Pros

  • Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
  • 2x points per $1 on travel purchases
  • 15 Elite Night Credits each year (automatically gives you Silver Elite status)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
  • Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
  • Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase®!
  • Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card.
  • 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
  • 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status. Restrictions apply.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
Earn 3 Free Nights after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases (each night valued up to 50,000 points) within the first 3 months from account opening.
Up to 3 Free Nights
$1,050
$95
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros

  • Earn big when you use your card at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
  • New benefit to earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
  • Automatic Silver Elite Status
  • 1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (up to 35,000 points)
  • DoorDash DashPass subscription
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • Marriott Silver status is the lowest status tier
  • Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
  • Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
  • Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
  • 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
  • Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
  • Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
125,000 points
$875
$250
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

Pros

  • 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
  • 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
  • 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
  • Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • 15 Elite Night Credits per year
  • 1,000 bonus points per paid stay
  • 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $250 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
  • Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
  • Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
  • Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
  • With complimentary Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
  • Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months.
Two 85K Free Night Awards
$1,190
$650
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros

  • 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
  • 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
  • 25 Elite Night Credits each year
  • Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
  • Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
  • Complimentary Platinum Elite status

Cons

  • Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months. Each award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Card Members could enjoy a value of up to $1,200 when redeeming each reward. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/1/2023.
  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card at restaurants worldwide.
  • With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Marriott Brilliant Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
  • Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
  • With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

For more details, you can read our article on transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to partners.

The 29 Best Ways To Redeem Your British Airways Avios

Now it’s time for the fun part: looking at all the best ways to redeem your British Airways Avios for maximum value!

1. U.S. Short-haul Nonstop Flights for 9,000 Avios (American/Alaska)

Use your British Airways miles to fly short flights within the U.S. for just a few miles! Image Credit: Kunertus via Shutterstock

Nonstop domestic flights within the U.S. under 1,150 miles on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines cost only 9,000 Avios. Even better, only a $5.60 tax is added to the flight — quite a bargain!

Using American Airlines AAdvantage miles or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for these flights would cost you 12,500 miles with either airline’s frequent flyer program.

Flying 1,150 miles gets you halfway across the country. For example, you could fly between the following city pairs and stay within the 1,150-mile threshold:

  • Miami (MIA) and Dallas (DFW)
  • New York (JFK) and Chicago (ORD)
  • Palm Springs (PSP) and Austin (AUS)

Hot Tip: To maximize U.S. domestic Avios awards, look for nonstop flights from American Airlines and Alaska Airlines hubs in Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), and Seattle (SEA).

2. Lie-flat First: New York to San Francisco or Los Angeles for 51,500 Avios (American)

Cross the U.S. in style on American Airlines’ transcontinental service. Image Credit: Stephen Au

American Airlines operates specially configured, 3-cabin Airbus A321 aircraft on its most premium domestic routes between New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco. Generally, award space is hard to find in first class, and AA has been experimenting with variable award pricing in its own program that will send tickets soaring way north of the 51,500 miles required to book a seat through British Airways.

If you can find availability, 51,500 frequent flyer miles is a bargain for this celebrity-heavy route, which can be longer than some transatlantic flights! Business class will cost you 38,750 Avios each way.

Note that when you fly in business or first class, you can access American’s priority check-in lanes, which are much quicker than using the self-service kiosks.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? See our step-by-step guide for booking American Airlines first class.

3. New York to Toronto or Montréal for 9,000 Avios (American)

Spending Avios for short-haul international flights is a steal! American Airlines offers multiple daily flights between New York (JFK) and Toronto (YYZ) and Montréal (YUL).

From the U.S., these are 9,000 Avios + $5.60 in taxes. The taxes are much higher flying from Canada, so compare to the price of cash tickets.

4. Los Angeles to Vancouver for 9,000 Avios (American)

If you’re based on the West Coast, American Airlines offers nonstop flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Vancouver (YVR). If you’re departing from the U.S., you can score a ticket for just 9,000 Avios and $5.60 in taxes and fees.

Hot Tip: Avios award tickets on American give you Priority Access, which offers priority security and boarding privileges. You can also get these with credit cards like CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®. If you have the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® you can even get Admirals Club access.

5. Miami to the Caribbean for 9,000 Avios (American)

American Airlines operates a large hub in Miami, from which it serves many Caribbean islands. You can book a nonstop ticket to any of the islands the airline serves for just 9,000 Avios + $5.60.

Similar to flights departing Canada, flights departing from the Caribbean have higher taxes, so you’ll want to compare prices before you book anything.

6. Miami to Bogotá or Quito From 11,000 Avios (American)

For just 11,000 Avios, you can fly American Airlines between Miami (MIA) and Bogotá, Colombia (BOG) or Quito, Ecuador (UIO) — a pretty great deal if you ask us! And, for just 2,000 additional Avios, you could get to Lima, Peru (LIM).

7. Dallas to Mexico City for 9,000 Avios (American)

You can spend just 9,000 Avios to fly nonstop between Dallas (DFW) and Mexico City (MEX). Alternatively, you can spend just 11,000 Avios to fly nonstop to Mexico City from Los Angeles (LAX) and Phoenix (PHX).

Hot Tip: Find out what else you can do with 10,000 (or fewer) British Airways Avios

8. U.S. West Coast to Hawaii for 13,000 Avios (American/Alaska)

Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth — and you can use Avios to get there! Image Credit: SergiyN via Shutterstock

Spending Avios on a one-way nonstop flight from the West Coast to Hawaii on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines is one of the least expensive ways to get to Hawaii. Because these flights are typically between 2,001 and 3,000 miles in total distance, it’ll only cost 13,000 Avios each way for a seat in economy.

Most of these routes are operated by normally configured aircraft, so don’t expect a lie-flat seat up front. Consider splurging for business class to other destinations instead.

9. Los Angeles to Tokyo for 25,750 Avios (American/Japan Airlines)

Japan Airlines offers a very nice first class experience, and you won’t need to pay excessive taxes and surcharges when you book with British Airways Avios! Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

In general, booking with Avios isn’t the best value for long-haul flights, but the program provides pretty good value on the Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (NRT) route. Plus, Tokyo is a fantastic destination to cross off your bucket list.

First class will cost 103,000 Avios each way with taxes and fees of around $117. The same route in business class is around 77,250 Avios, while economy is just 25,750 Avios each way.

While these aren’t the lowest rates for first or business class around (especially if you want to connect to a further destination because British Airways charges separately for each flight segment), it’s not a bad option if you want to experience Japan Airlines first or business class or American Airlines first or business class.

Hot Tip: Read our in-depth reviews of JAL’s Boeing 777 in business class and first class.

10. Off-peak U.S. East Coast to Ireland for 13,000 Avios and No Fuel Surcharges (Aer Lingus)

British Airways employs peak and off-peak pricing for Aer Lingus awards. The award costs are the same as they are for British Airways flights, however, the peak and off-peak dates are different. And, you’ll save big on fees compared to British Airways flights.

Aer Lingus Award Chart
Zone (Distance)
EconomyBusiness
Off-PeakPeakOff-PeakPeak
Zone 1 (1 to 650 miles)$4,750$5,250$8,500$9,750
Zone 2 (651 to 1,151 miles)$7,250$8,250$13,500$15,750
Zone 3 (1,152 to 2,000 miles)$9,250$10,750$17,750$20,750
Zone 4 (2,001 to 3,000 miles)$10,000$12,500$31,250$37,500
Zone 5 (3,001 to 4,000 miles)$13,000$20,000$50,000$60,000
Zone 6 (4,001 to 5,500 miles)$16,250$25,000$62,500$75,000

For example, you can fly from the East Coast cities or Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Ireland for just 13,000 Avios.

You can search for Aer Lingus award availability directly on British Airways’s website, which is arguably the most user-friendly option of the various different websites (including Qatar Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus).

11. Off-peak Florida and U.S. West Coast to Ireland for 16,250 Avios and No Fuel Surcharges (Aer Lingus)

Aer Lingus’ U.S. network extends to Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO), and San Francisco (SFO). Off-peak flights from all these cities to Dublin (DUB) cost 16,250 Avios in economy, while business class awards are steep at 62,500 Avios one-way.

12. Off-peak Boston, Chicago, or New York to Madrid for 17,000 Avios (Iberia)

On peak dates, you’ll pay 20,000 Avios each way for economy flights between Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), or New York (JFK) to Madrid (MAD), but you can shave 3,000 Avios off that rate by booking in off-peak dates. Economy tickets add about $93 in total fees. Business class tickets cost only 34,000 Avios each way, and you’ll need to pay about $125 in taxes and fees.

13. Off-peak Miami to Madrid for 21,250 Avios (Iberia)

You’ll pay 25,000 Avios for one-way economy flights between Miami (MIA) and Madrid (MAD), plus around $93 in fees, during peak dates. However, during off-peak dates, you can save 3,750 Avios each way. Business class is just 42,500 Avios one-way, with taxes and fees of about $125.

You can log into your Executive Club account to check for off-peak dates.

14. Intra-Caribbean Flights for as Few as 4,750 Avios (British Airways)

Use your British Airways Avios to jump between Caribbean islands for just 4,750 miles. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Looking for an affordable way to explore multiple Caribbean islands? British Airways’ short-haul award pricing is an excellent option.

Fly from Nassau (NAS) to Grand Cayman (GCM) or Providenciales (PLS) on British Airways for just 7,500 Avios one-way on off-peak dates. You can also book other nonstop flights, such as those between St. Lucia (UVF) and Granada (GND) or Port of Spain (POS). BA also operates nonstop flights from Antigua (ANU) to Tobago (TAB) or St. Kitts (SKB).

Better yet, all of these routes are flown on a wide-body aircraft that features lie-flat seats for those who want to spring for a business class ticket.

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth review of British Airways’ Boeing 777-200 Club World from St. Lucia (UVF) to Grenada (GND).

15. Experience British Airways Concorde Room at London Heathrow for 42,500 Avios (British Airways)

Enjoy the Concorde Room at LHR. Image Credit: British Airways

British Airways’ most exclusive product on the ground is called the Concorde Room, which is a hush-hush space reserved for first class passengers offering the most serene airport lounge experience the airline offers, complete with white tablecloth dining and waiter service.

And starting from just 42,500 Avios during off-peak dates and 50,000 Avios during peak dates, you can book a regional first class flight on British Airways, as long as the flight distance is not greater than 3,000 miles.

Even though British Airways first class is typically reserved only for long-haul flights, the airline does offer a first class product on a couple of shorter routes, including:

  • London-Heathrow (LHR) – Abuja (ABV) 
  • London-Heathrow (LHR) – Kuwait City (KWI)

If you’re willing to shell out more Avios for a long-haul flight in first class, here are some routes that range from 3,001 miles to 4,000 miles — meaning they’re bookable for 68,000 Avios during off-peak dates and 80,000 Avios during peak dates:

  • London Heathrow (LHR) – Boston (BOS)
  • London Heathrow (LHR) – Chicago (ORD)
  • London Heathrow (LHR) – Dubai (DXB)
  • London Heathrow (LHR) – Lagos (LOS)
  • London Heathrow (LHR) – Newark (EWR)
  • London Heathrow (LHR) – New York (JFK)
  • London Heathrow (LHR) – Riyadh (RUH)
  • London Heathrow (LHR) – Washington, D.C. (IAD)

If you book one of these flights, be sure to show up at the airport early so you can savor the entirety of the Concorde Room experience!

16. Fly British Airways First Class and Use Travel Together To Save Even More! (British Airways)

Fly British Airways first class with a companion without paying more miles using the Travel Together Ticket earned via spending on its co-branded credit card. Image Credit: Alex Miller

Fuel surcharges will be significant if you want to fly British Airways in first class, but using your miles is still a great way to book a ticket that would otherwise cost $5,000 or more one-way.

This is especially true if you can pair your redemption with a Travel Together Ticket, which is earned by spending on a British Airways co-branded credit card.

A one-way award ticket from London (LHR) to Chicago (ORD) will cost between 68,000 and 80,000 Avios (depending on whether you travel on peak or off-peak dates). You can expect the fuel surcharges and taxes to be around $650 to $900 in each direction.

Now, about that companion ticket. You’ll first need to get the British Airways Visa card and spend $30,000 in a year to earn the Travel Together Ticket, which is good for 2 years.

It’s not an upgrade voucher but rather a buy-one-get-one-free award ticket. Once earned, the Travel Together Ticket will allow you to take a companion on any British Airways mainline flight originating in and returning to the U.S. that you’ve booked with miles.

The companion will be booked in the same class as the original ticket (yes, even first!) and will only need to pay taxes, fees, and carrier charges.

Need help booking? Read our in-depth guide on booking British Airways first class or business class using points.

17. Hop Around Europe From 6,000 Avios (Finnair)

Short-haul, nonstop flights up to 650 miles on Finnair flights from Helsinki (HEL) cost only 6,000 Avios each. Unfortunately, cash surcharges are high.

Flights between 651 and 1,151 miles are 9,000 Avios, which will cover much of Europe.

18. Sauna in the Finnair Lounge for 16,500 Avios (Finnair)

Finnair’s international lounge in Helsinki (HEL) has an all-day sauna, great design, and tasty food. To access it, you’ll need to be on a non-Schengen area flight, such as London, which can be booked for 16,500 Avios + $30.

British Airways has its own lounge in Helsinki, so if you are flying BA you can only access the Finnair Lounge if you have Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status.

19. Helsinki to Tokyo for 25,750 Avios (JAL)

Both Finnair and Japan Airlines fly between Helsinki (HEL) and Tokyo (HND/NRT) — you can book an economy ticket on either airline for 25,750 Avios each way. Taxes and fees amount to about $165 with either airline.

20. Off-peak Madrid to Tel Aviv for 12,500 Avios (Iberia)

You can fly between Madrid (MAD) and Tel Aviv (TLV) on Iberia for just 11,000 Avios off-peak, or 12,500 Avios throughout the rest of the year.

21. Off-peak Madrid to Dakar, Senegal for 10,000 Avios (Iberia)

A flight between Madrid (MAD) to Dakar (DSS) on Iberia costs just 10,000 Avios off-peak, and 11,000 Avios throughout the rest of the year. Africa flights can be really expensive, so this can be a fantastic value.

22. Russia Flights With No Fuel Surcharges (S7)

British Airways partner S7 operates flights around Russia. There are no fuel surcharges, so every Russian domestic flight will only cost you $6.99 out of pocket in addition to the number of Avios you redeem. Russia is a huge country, so some flights cost a lot of Avios, but, for example, Moscow (DME) to St. Petersburg (LED) is only 6,000 Avios + $6.99.

Even better: you won’t have to pay any surcharges, taxes, or fees on some international flights! S7 operates flights from around Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia to Russia.

Hot Tip: S7 has been temporarily suspended from the Oneworld alliance.

23. Experience the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge for 21,000 Avios (Qatar)

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge at DOH. Image Credit: Qatar Airways

One of the many things we love about Qatar Airways is that short-haul flights are booked as first class tickets instead of business class tickets, enabling you to access the Al Safwa First Lounge without booking a long-haul flight.

Note that Avios award tickets are not eligible for the 96-hour free Qatar transit program, since an eligible ticket must be issued directly by Qatar Airways. Regardless, many citizens of many countries are eligible for a Qatari visa on arrival if they want to visit Doha.

24. Hop Around the Middle East for 6,000 Avios (Royal Jordanian/Qatar)

Many Middle East destinations are fewer than 650 miles from Jordan or Qatar, meaning these flights will cost just 6,000 Avios in economy nonstop. Taxes and fees are usually under $100.

Hot Tip: Mixing Royal Jordanian and Qatar on the same ticket can be expensive due to multi-carrier pricing. Instead, book separate Avios tickets for each.

25. Experience Cathay Pacific’s The Pier and The Wing First Class Lounges for 24,000 Avios (Cathay Pacific)

Cathay Pacific’s The Pier, First, and The Wing, First lounges in Hong Kong (HKG) are understandably loved by travelers. First class passengers are ushered into exclusive sections.

On most regional flights, such as Hong Kong (HKG) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND), the aircraft do not have a first class cabin (just business). However, if you do some poking around, you can dates with flights operated by 3-class aircraft on which you can book first class for 44,000 Avios.

Otherwise, business costs only 22,000 Avios and gets you a seat at the Noodle Bar in The Wing, Business lounge.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? See our step-by-step guide for booking Cathay Pacific first class or business class.

26. Hop Around Southeast Asia From 2,100 Avios (Malaysian)

Nonstops on Malaysian Airlines start at 6,000 Avios in economy, and taxes and fees are usually small. The cheapest flights are domestic flights within Malaysia.

Malaysian does not have the kind of fantastic lounges that are a destination in and of themselves, so business or first for short flights may not be worth the extra cost here.

Flights in Southeast Asia are often so cheap that you always want to shop around, especially if there’s a nonstop flight you can take advantage of instead of connecting on Malaysian.

Once the flight crosses a distance threshold of 650 miles, the cost will increase to 9,000 Avios. For example, a nonstop flight from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Jakarta (CGK) is 9,000 Avios.

27. Sri Lanka to the Maldives for 6,000 Avios (SriLankan)

St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Image Credit: Marriott

Flights between Colombo (CMB) and Malé (MLE) in the Maldives cost 6,000 Avios + $155 in taxes and fees for economy class flights. There are plenty of cheap tickets from around the world to Colombo, and from there it’s just a short hop to the Maldives on SriLankan.

The lounge at Colombo is not fancy, but if you were to book business class, it’d cost 12,500 Avios + $155 in taxes and fees.

28. Experience Qantas Domestic Lounges and Business Class for 12,500 Avios (Qantas)

Qantas Business Lounge Sydney. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Qantas’ domestic business class is among the best in the world, and even on relatively short flights you often get a full meal service! Additionally, Qantas lounges are in many Australian cities, and they rival the best international business lounges.

A business class flight between Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL) will cost you just 12,500 Avios and about $27 in taxes and fees.

29. Qantas Domestic Lie-flat for 22,000 Avios (Qantas)

Qantas’ nonstop flights between Melbourne (MEL) and Perth (PER) are around 4 hours in duration and often see Airbus A330 or Boeing 787-9 aircraft operating the route, meaning there are lie-flat seats in business class.

You can book one of these seats for 22,000 Avios each way, while economy costs 11,000 Avios.

Be sure to select a flight with one of these plane types, as some flights are operated by Boeing 737s. Be aware that equipment swaps can happen due to operational needs and it is not required of Qantas to put you on the plane type you booked, though it may help out if you contact customer service.

Guide To Spending Avios on British Airways and Partners

Now that we’ve listed the best ways to use Avios, let’s talk about some other details. British Airways Executive Club is significantly different from other airline frequent flyer programs. By learning how spending Avios works, you can have fantastic travel experiences!

Traditional airline award charts are priced by geographic region, meaning that the rate in points/miles is fixed regardless of distance or flight connections in that region. This gives you the traditional 25,000-mile U.S. domestic round-trip award ticket familiar to many travelers.

British Airways has a distance- and segment-based award chart — understanding this is critical to getting value from flight awards.

Each Avios award redemption is priced by distance for each segment of a trip, and prices add up fast! New York (JFK) to Chicago (ORD) nonstop, for example, is 7,500 Avios. If no nonstop is available and you need to connect in Cleveland (CLE), the price doubles to 15,000 Avios since each segment is priced separately. New York (JFK) to Cleveland (CLE) is 7,500, and Cleveland (CLE) to Chicago (ORD) is another 7,500 — you’ll be charged for both flights!

How Much Do British Airways Avios Award Flights Cost?

British Airways no longer publishes an award chart. There are 4 criteria that factor into the total cost of an award, and each varies based on flight distance:

  1. British Airways flights have peak and off-peak prices
  2. Iberia flights have peak and off-peak prices and differ slightly from British Airways flights
  3. Single-partner awards are always at peak price
  4. Multi-partner awards are priced by total trip distance

List of Alliance and Non-alliance Airline Partners

British Airways partners with many different airline frequent flyer programs — the following table details the members of the Oneworld alliance, and BA also has non-alliance partner Aer Lingus.

Oneworld Partners
Alaska AirlinesMalaysia Airlines
American Airlines
Oman Air (joining in 2024)
British AirwaysQantas
Cathay PacificQatar Airways
Fiji Airways (Oneworld Connect Partner)Royal Air Maroc
FinnairRoyal Jordanian
IberiaS7 Airlines (temporarily suspended)
Japan AirlinesSriLankan Airlines

British Airways Avios Partner Award Chart

Zone
(Distance)
EconomyPremium EconomyBusinessFirst
Zone 1
(1 to 650 miles) (not available in North America)
6,0009,00012,50024,000
Zone 2
(651 to 1,151 miles)
9,00012,50016,50033,000
Zone 3
(1,152 to 2,000 miles)
11,00016,50022,00044,000
Zone 4
(2,001 to 3,000 miles)
13,00025,75038,75051,500
Zone 5
(3,001 to 4,000 miles)
20,75041,25062,00082,500
Zone 6
(4,001 to 5,500 miles)
25,75051,50077,250103,000
Zone 7
(5,501 to 6,500 miles)
31,00062,00092,750123,750
Zone 8
(6,501 to 7,000 miles)
36,25072,250108,250144,250
Zone 9
(7,001 to 100,000 miles)
51,500103,000154,500206,000

Note: Iberia flights are priced slightly differently.

First vs. Business Class

Not all airlines or flights have all classes of service.

Beware of domestic “first class” flights that are not worth the price! Compared to 7,500 Avios in economy, for example, 33,000 Avios for a short American Airlines flight in first class is certainly not worth it for what is mostly just a marginally better product.

In contrast, some of the coolest Avios awards are for short first or business class flights that grant you access to incredible airline lounges.

For example, this may be the cheapest way to experience Cathay Pacific’s The Wing in Hong Kong or the Qantas International First Lounge in Sydney.

Multi-carrier Award Flights

“Multi-carrier” means a combination of 2 airlines on a single ticket. These awards have their own chart.

These awards are expensive, and you’ll most likely do better by booking separate airlines on separate tickets.

The multi-carrier Avios price is the same regardless of connections, one-way, or round-trip: only total distance matters. However, taxes, fees, and carrier charges vary widely, so beware!

Multi-carrier Award Flights
Miles in Your JourneyAvios for Economy
0 to 1,50030,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges
1,501 to 4,00035,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges
4,001 to 9,00060,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges
9,001 to 10,00070,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges
10,001 to 14,00090,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges
14,001 to 20,000100,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges
20,001 to 25,000120,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges
25,001 to 35,000140,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges
35,001 to 50,000160,000 + taxes, fees, and carrier charges

As a general rule, premium economy costs 1.5 times the economy price. Business costs 2 times economy, and first class costs 3 times economy.

What Is Reward Flight Saver?

The British Airways Reward Flight Saver can save you cash on British Airways Europe flights and Comair flights. Your account must have earned Avios in the past 12 months to be eligible for Reward Flight Saver.

With Reward Flight Saver, award flights on British Airways within Europe and Comair flights in Africa are charged reduced, flat fees instead of other taxes and surcharges.

Reward Flight Saver is automatically applied to qualifying itineraries.

What Is Avios and Cash?

British Airways and some partner flights may have several payment options that allow you to use a combination of Avios and cash.

If you want to use fewer Avios or don’t have enough, you can choose an option that includes more cash.

Here are the Avios and cash options for a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) for 2 passengers in British Airways first class as an example:

British Airways Avios and cash gives you options to save Avios or save cash. Image Credit: British Airways

Where To Search for British Airways Avios Award Flights

You can search for British Airways flights and many airline partners on British Airways’ website:

AirlineWebsite To Search
Alaska Airlinesaa.com
Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Comair, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7, Sri Lankanba.com

Hot Tip: Be cautious when searching for awards directly on partner airline websites. Some awards may only be available to their own members, not to partners. For American Airlines, you can only use Avios to book what American shows as MileSAAver awards, not AAnytime awards.

Start 355 Days in Advance

Awards are available up to 355 days before departure, and there are no award holds or waitlists. With British Airways, you can access awards 25 days before American Airlines members can!

How To Book A British Airways Reward

Log in to My Executive Club and search using Book with Avios.

When the search screen says You can break your journey with stopovers, select, No, I want to continue without stopovers.

This will search partner flights in addition to British Airways flights.

When searching British Airways rewards flights, opt for no stopover unless you want to visit London. Image Credit: British Airways

Flights may not display on British Airways’ website for various reasons:

  • Certain partner airlines are not searched
  • Route unavailable means the website is not programmed for that route
  • Multi-connection flight options are not searched

Online Booking Problems? Call and Waive the Fee

Even if you can’t find an award on the website, you can call to have British Airways agents book it if it’s indeed available.

Ask the agent to waive the $25 phone booking fee since the flight is unavailable online. They will usually do so if you ask.

Bottom Line: Many award flights are available online. If not, call to book and ask to waive the $25 booking fee since it is not available online!

How To Get a Free London Stopover

When flying British Airways, you have the option of a free stopover in London.

When the award search screen says, You can break your journey with stopovers, select, I want to break my journey and choose my stopovers.

Your London stopover can be a few days or even several months. Image Credit: British Airways

Free stopover pricing is different from other Avios awards. The whole stopover trip is priced by the distance as if it were 1 flight, rather than pricing each segment separately.

Bottom Line: To minimize fees, the best London stopover value is between 2 U.K. or European cities near London rather than long-haul flights.

Beware of Surcharges on British Airways Flights

Extremely high fees are added to the Avios award price of many British Airways flights. Exceptions are flights within Europe that qualify for Reward Flight Saver.

It is not unheard of for the cash component of a British Airways award redemption to be as much as directly buying a cash ticket!

The fees on transatlantic flights are especially shocking when you fly on British Airways. Consider Aer Lingus, or transfer your Avios to Iberia Plus and book Iberia flights.

Bottom Line: As a general rule of thumb, short-distance, nonstop flights on partner airlines offer the best value for your Avios.

Use British Airways Executive Club Household Accounts To Pool Avios

You can form a British Airways Executive Club Household Account. This means you and up to 7 people at the same address can become a Household to pool Avios.

Awards are deducted proportionally from the Household common pool of Avios, and each household member earns Avios and British Airways status on their own.

A British Airways Executive Club Household Account is useful for families to pool their Avios. Image Credit: British Airways

The key limitation is that once you are in a Household, you can only redeem Avios for members of the Household (same address) or up to 5 Family and Friends (different addresses).

Family and Friends have their own Avios that are not pooled with the Household. Any individual must stay on the Family and Friends list for at least 6 months.

Without a Household account, British Airways charges huge fees to transfer Avios to another member (Gold members can transfer for free). The maximum you can transfer in a year is 162,000 Avios, and it’s capped at 27,000 Avios per recipient. At $290 per 27,000 Avios transfer, that is absurd!

Low Cancellation Fees Equals Flexibility

Avios award tickets have some of the lowest booking fees among major airlines.

There are no last-minute ticketing fees with Executive Club. In contrast, some frequent flyer programs like United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles charge higher redemption prices on last-minute tickets.

Change or cancellation fees are relatively low at $55. If the cash portion of your Avios award ticket is less than $55, then you only forfeit the cash amount you paid. You don’t pay the full $55 unless your ticket’s fees were $55 or more.

Note that the phone fee is an extra $25 if you don’t change or cancel online.

Hot Tip: A U.S. domestic nonstop flight on American Airlines comes with taxes and fees of just $5.60. If you cancel down the line, you only lose $5.60 — a small price to pay for flexibility!

Quick Guide to Iberia Avios

See our best ways to redeem Iberia Plus Avios for a detailed look at the intricacies of Iberia’s Plus program.

For now, here’s a quick introduction:

In 2010, Spanish airline Iberia merged with British Airways, giving flyers another way to avoid British Airways’ fuel surcharges.

You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Iberia, and you can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways and then to Iberia.

If you want to transfer your miles from BA to Iberia, sign up for an Iberia Plus account. To transfer, your Iberia account must be at least 90 days old and must have had points activity.

Try to transfer too soon, and you’ll get this error:

Your Iberia Plus account must be 3 months old and have earned Avios to make a successful transfer from British Airways. Image Credit: British Airways

There are various ways to earn Iberia Avios, such as transferring points.

After 90 days from opening your Iberia account, log in to your British Airways Executive Club account, click on Manage My Account and select Combine My Avios from the drop-down menu, and then again on the next page.

Select Iberia Plus from the list of programs and enter your Iberia Plus number and PIN.

From British Airways to Iberia, select Iberia Plus. Image Credit: British Airways

Please note that redemption restrictions are subject to change. This article will be updated periodically to reflect any changes to British Airways redemptions.

Final Thoughts

Now you know some of the best ways to use British Airways Avios. To get the best value out of British Airways Avios, look into redeeming them with British Airways’ partner airlines.

Short-haul flights in the U.S. on American and Alaska tend to be some of the best redemptions available.

Luxury travelers can experience the world’s premier airline lounges, such as Cathay Pacific and Qantas, for low prices.

Finally, another reason to book flights on partner airlines is to avoid the ridiculously high taxes and fuel surcharges British Airways charges on its own flights.

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Frequently Asked Questions

British Airways and partner airlines fly all over the world. To explore specific locations, use the interactive map.

You can get the British Airways Visa card to earn more Avios (3x per dollar on BA, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level flights) and some additional benefits to make your experience even better.

The British Airways Visa card has an especially great benefit: a companion ticket to be used for your significant other or friend to take a trip with you for free!

British Airways partners with several different reward points programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Bilt Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Any of the travel rewards cards that earn points in these programs will be able to transfer points to BA, although at different rates.

The recommended cards to use would be the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Amex Gold card.

Note that you need to have one of the Chase travel rewards cards (Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card) in order to transfer points to BA.

You can contact British Airways by dialing 800-452-1201 daily from within the U.S. between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST.

British Airways’ frequent flyer program is called Executive Club, which uses a currency known as “Avios.”

BA Executive Club Tier points allow people to reach Executive Club membership tiers that offer greater benefits. They are earned on British Airways flights, subsidiaries, and Oneworld airline partners.

World Traveller class is the name for British Airways’ full-service economy class seats on flights going outside Europe.

World Traveller Plus is the airline’s premium economy service that offers a few extra bonuses like wider seats and more legroom.

British Airways is a part of the Oneworld alliance.

Yes. Both British Airways and Qantas are part of the Oneworld alliance. Qantas is sometimes a great site to use to find award availability on Qantas or other partner airlines since the British Airways site does not always show partner award availability.

Yes, American Airlines and British Airways are part of the Oneworld alliance. American Airlines is another option if you’re searching for award tickets to book with Avios.

No. United Airlines is a part of the Star Alliance and British Airways is a part of the Oneworld alliance.

Reserved seats on British Airways flights are refundable for any of the following reasons:

  • The aircraft is changed or the flight is disrupted and British Airways cannot find you a seat on this new aircraft that you’re happy with.
  • You cannot sit in an exit row because of CAA safety regulations (you must contact British Airways and notify them about this at least 48 hours before your flight).
  • You pay to upgrade your seat, but do not wish to also pay for seat reselection in the cabin to which you upgrade.

Refunds are not given if you cancel your flight voluntarily, you’re upgraded by British Airways, you select the exit row seat and are not eligible to sit there, you cannot find an equivalent seat on a flight to which you change, or you booked on another carrier and change your flight.

About Alex Miller

Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.

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55 comments

Carol

March 26, 2018

Questions:
While this is an excellent post the complexities of Avios is baffeling! Could you please give more info on combining BA and Iberia accounts, such as can you still have a household account if moving Iberia Avios into a BA account? or can you transfer all the BA Avios in a household account into one person’s Iberia account? advantages or major disadvantages of doing this?
Thanks!

DaveS

May 01, 2018

Lots of good ideas here, but Air Berlin went out of business about seven months ago. You probably want to delete all references to that carrier.

Alex Miller

May 03, 2018

All those are removed!

Roger March

May 01, 2018

Fantastic site and info. However I do not see any comments flying on BA points out ov Vancouver, Canada. I have in the past used my RBC Avion card to accumulate points and then move them to BA when they have a 50% bonus. Info on flights out of YVR or SEA to asia or South Pacific using BA points would be helpful.
Roger

Isabel

May 28, 2018

Has this article been updated? I see surcharges for LAX to Tokyo cost additional $265 via JAL and LAX to Dublin with Air Lungus is around $319. Just trying to figure best way to redeem Avios points these days.

Michael McHugh

May 31, 2018

Hi Isabel

ITA Flight Matrix is showing the LAX-NRT route in JAL economy and business class one-way is $118 in taxes and fees. The LAX-DUB on Aer Lingus in economy and business one-way is $35.

Jimmy Webb

September 21, 2018

Really the best ways!!! Great post.

nate H

October 04, 2018

I would like to fly Chicago-Dublin using BA avios transferred from my Chase Saphire Preferred card. When doing this, to get an off-peak price, do I look at the Aer Lingus peak/off-peak schedule or BA schedule?
Also, as a sanity check, Chicago (ORD) to Dublin (DUB) is considered zone 5 and should be 26,000 avios (round trip) during off-peak times, correct?

Stephen Au

October 05, 2018

Hey Nate,

Keep in mind that Aer Lingus has their own off-peak/peak schedule you must refer to.

You are correct in that it will cost 26,000 Avios round-trip during off-peak times in Zone 5.

Jay Black

October 14, 2018

How do you redeem the avios points for flights on partner airlines? Do I use the British Airways portal? I’m trying to book a flight on AA that shows up on the AA portal, but not on the BA portal. Any ideas?

Stephen Au

October 15, 2018

Hey Jay,

if it doesn’t show up in the BA portal, you will need to call BA at 1 800 452 1201 from 7:30am-8:00pm EST

Zetty

October 15, 2018

“U.S. domestic nonstop flights under 1,150 miles on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines cost only 7,500 Avios”

Used to be the case, but now BA website lists this for partner airlines:
“0–1,500 30,000 + taxes, fees and carrier charges”
https://www.britishairways.com/travel/multi-carrier-avios-costs-zone/execclub/_gf/en_gb?

If that’s the case, it enormous jump and how can it be justified for the customers? If I have spent my avios before this I’d get 4 times more value, that’s outrageous!

Stephen Au

October 18, 2018

Hey Zetty,

The award chart you’re looking at is for multi-carrier flights involving 2 or more oneworld partners.

Please use this award calculator for U.S. domestic nonstop flights on 1 partner:

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/avios-calculator/execclub/_gf/en_gb

peter

November 11, 2018

Hi there, I tried to calculate the Avios needed for an Los Angeles-Tokyo flight, but it is showing up as 75000 Avios instead of the 50000 mentioned. Can you advise? Thank you.

Stephen Au

November 13, 2018

Hey Peter,

Unfortunately, British Airways Avios seems to devalue their miles frequently. We are in the process of updating this post to reflect the new mileage prices. Until then, please follow what the British Airways Reward Calculator says.

Also, if you’re thinking of transferring points with Chase Ultimate Rewards to British Airways Avios, please consider transferring to Virgin Atlantic. You can fly on ANA from Los Angeles to Tokyo round-trip for 100,000 miles in business class or 110,000 miles in first class!

If you’re thinking of transferring points with American Express, please consider transferring to ANA or Virgin Atlantic. They have much better mileage costs than British Airways for this redemption.

Rachel

November 24, 2018

Is Qatar still flying the DOH-DXB route for 18,000 Avios? Thought that route was cut due to political tensions since last year.

Stephen Au

November 25, 2018

Hey Rachel! Thanks for reading.

You bring up a great point. We’ve updated our post accordingly.

You’ll be able to try out the Al Safwa First Class Lounge for the DOH-KWI flight to Kuwait City for only 18,000 Avios and 50 Euros. That’s another alternative if you’re interested in the first class lounge. Thanks again!

Luke Vader

December 15, 2018

Lots of great info and options for Avios holders to digest/consider for award redemptions. Great post, thanks!

Stephen Au

December 15, 2018

Hey Luke!

Thanks for reading! We appreciate your positive feedback.

LUKASZ

December 26, 2018

Hi, I see that HEL to NRT (Tokio) is now 106£ in taxes – 25000 Avios + £ 106.50

Stephen Au

December 27, 2018

Hey Lukasz,

Thanks for reading! We’ve updated the numbers to reflect that. Thanks again!

lukasz

December 26, 2018

Free London Stopovers (British Airways) – this option is not available anymore

Stephen Au

December 27, 2018

Hey Lukasz,

We’ve removed that method and updated our post accordingly. Thank you so much!

Ken

February 24, 2019

Please update this article to show that not all flights on Malaysian are 4,500 points. KUL-DPS for example is 10k Avios.

Stephen Au

February 24, 2019

Thanks for the tip! We’ve updated this article accordingly.

Sonny

May 11, 2019

What an AMAZING post!! Thank you very much pal!
One bad news is that you might have to update the post since BAEC will change the charts of WO award tickets since 30th May 2019.

Hope you can do it. But it will take a lot of time for sure.
thanks again for this great valued post

Stephen Au

May 21, 2019

Hey Sonny,

Thanks for the great feedback! Sadly, British Airways will be undergoing another devaluation, and we’ll do our best to keep our posts updated when the devaluation hits.

Miles

September 29, 2019

I thought taxes and surcharges increased to ~$200 one-way for flights from the U.S. to Japan?

Andrew Kunesh

October 01, 2019

Hey Miles, it looks like one-way economy JAL tickets from LAX to NRT/HND now have roughly $117 in taxes and fees when booked through British Airways. We’ve updated the post to reflect this—thanks!

MILES

October 06, 2019

Noticed that the taxes are cheaper if it is an AA flight Tokyo-LAX versus a JAL flight. Also, booking with AA miles allows the option to fly to commuter airports. For some reason, British Airways website does not recognize some smaller commuter airports.

RYAN

February 17, 2020

The new Chase British Airways Visa Signature card has the potentially game-changing possibility to use Avios to pay for those pesky BA taxes and fuel surcharges:
“Use Avios to save
Use your Avios to pay for your taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed charges for your reward tickets by calling the number on the back of your card. $5 USD minimum must be charged to your British Airways Visa Signature Card*.”
The fine print reads: “British Airways Visa Signature cardmembers can pay for the taxes, fees and carrier charges for flights using Avios. Cardmembers must make their reward booking via the British Airways Executive Club Contact Centre using the dedicated phone number found in the credit card welcome materials and on the back of the credit card. Avios can be used to reduce the cash price of taxes, fees and carrier charges on the reward booking down to a minimum of $5 USD. This $5 USD payment (or any other amount paid) must be paid by using the British Airways Visa Signature card issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Offer not available on ba.comOpens Overlay or via any other booking channel. Reward flights and cabin upgrades are subject to availability. Cash price of taxes, fees and carrier charges are approximately $682-$1,250 per adult in economy (World Traveller) or $1,250 in business (Club World) based on travel between Seattle and London. Avios prices for taxes, fees and carrier charges will be quoted by the British Airways Executive Club Contact Centre representative at time of redemption booking.”

The big question is: HOW WILL AVIOS CONVERT TO $$ WHEN PAYING TAXES AND FEES? WHAT WILL THE TOTAL AVIOS COST FOR A ROUND TRIP TO LONDON FROM US??

PLEASE UPDATE.

Stephen Au

February 18, 2020

Ryan,

The total round-trip cost will depend on your route. You can search for availability here:

https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/executive-club/spending-avios/reward-flights

Avios doesn’t convert to money. Avios is a separate currency that covers the flight except the taxes and fees. The surcharge credit is designed to offset the taxes and fees portion. It will not have any effect on the Avios you pay.

Heading for the door

March 15, 2020

Good summary, at any other time. Question now is how to get avios points out of BA before they go bust? Flying not an option.

J

February 17, 2021

Short hauls on AA or AS were changed from 7,500 to 9,000 avios a few years ago, correct? Your headline says 9,000 avios but the actual paragraph says 7,500 avios which is confusing.

Jarrod West

February 18, 2021

Hi J,

That is correct! Thank you for pointing out the typo. I’ve updated the post to show the accurate figure.

Rami K.

April 10, 2021

I have looked at Malaysian Airlines flights to spend my Avios. There you are able to find a great bargain but always only one seat available on business. Do you any idea why is that? Is there only one business seat reserved for BA customers on Malaysian Airlines flights?

Jarrod West

April 14, 2021

Hi Rami,

Yes, it could be the case that Malaysian Airlines only releases one award seat per flight when booking through BA.

D-Mac

June 04, 2021

Sorry, I’m a bit of a newbie with this stuff. To use the Avios points on an American Airlines flight, do you transfer points to American Airlines first, and then use them? Or do you book within the BA system?

Jarrod West

June 06, 2021

Hi D-Mac,

You will book the flight with your Avios directly through British Airways. The key is, you must be able to find MileSAAver American space in order to be able to book the American flight with Avios. So I like to start off searching on the AA website to find SAAVer space for the flight that I’m looking for, and once I do, I search for that exact flight on the British Airways website to make the booking with Avios.

Let me know if you need any other help with this!

Jennifer

June 22, 2023

How on earth does one do this? I have tried and tried and can’t seem to find ANY MileSAAver flights on American. Would love any advice!!

G Kinslow

July 21, 2021

I have more than 200K American Airlines Aadvantage Miles and can easily book a one-way Flagship Business 787 reward flight from SAT to ICN or return for as little as 65K Aadvantage Miles on the aa.com site, depending on the date.

But I also have more than 500K Chase Ultimate Rewards Points that I can transfer to Avios, so I accessed my Avios account to review AA flight availabilities using the same routing, with the idea of transferring some UR points to Avios to book the AA reward flights. I selected an entire month of possibilities from 15 September to 15 October, a period during which reward flights are available every day on the aa.com site, and came up with ZERO Avios availabilities for ANY American Airlines Flagship Business seats.

I finally found a AA Flagship Business availability with Avios on 19 February 2022 for 123,250 Avios plus $188.70 taxes and fees, but the identical flight on aa.com costs only 60,000 Aadvantage miles plus $5.60!

So, exactly where is the Avios value for me when trying to book a AA business class reward flight to Korea? I see no value at all. I acknowledge I haven’t a clue what is the Avios:Aadvantage Miles exchange rate, but unless I’m missing something, I would be a fool to book this flight with Avios.

Jarrod West

July 21, 2021

Hi G,

Where the big value lies with regards to using Avios to fly within American is booking short-haul awards, not international business awards. For instance, nonstop flights under 1,150 miles on American Airlines cost only 9,000 Avios plus $5.60, whereas if you booked with American you would pay 12,500 miles.

But yes, in your example you would be much better off using your AA miles for your trip. Safe travels!

G Kinslow

July 22, 2021

At our age, my wife and I are fortunate enough to fly Business or First rather than Economy, and frankly, given the trials associated with domestic Economy travel, we wouldn’t fly at all if that was the only option. Between us, we have more than 1M AA and Delta miles and 700K UR Points. That doesn’t mean we want to spend them unwisely, however, and we’ll always seek opportunities to maximize the value of our points.

That said, It appears that, for us, Avios is simply a poor means of exploiting AA award mile travel, even within the continental US. For example: we frequently fly between San Antonio and Seattle or San Antonio and Baltimore.

A one-way domestic AA reward miles 29 August First Class morning flight SAT-SEA on aa.com costs 25,000 Aadvantage miles plus $5.60, but the same flight with Avios will cost 33,000 Avios plus $5.60. However, booking this flight in Economy costs 18,500 Aadvantage miles plus $5.60 vs 18,000 Avios points plus $5.60.

A one-way domestic AA reward miles 28 August First Class flight SAT-BWI on aa.com costs 25,000 Aadvantage miles plus $5.60, but the identical booking with Avios will set us back 37,000 Avios plus $5.60. Avios offered no Economy seats at all, but changing the itinerary to SAT-DCA on 31 August yielded a cost of 7500 Aadvantage miles plus $5.60 vs 16,500 Avios plus $5.60!

It appears that, with rare exceptions, Avios isn’t the first choice for us regardless of the destination or class of service when booking on American Airlines.

Short of American Airlines becoming a Chase Ultimate Rewards partner, we need to find a different way of booking Aadvantage reward flights with UR points, because Avios doesn’t do it for us.

G Kinslow

July 22, 2021

I’m just going to state it. Avios is a ripoff for AA award flights, even using your criteria. Let’s use a real-world example rather than relying on mileage charts.

SAT (my current home) – HSV (my home town) is 770 non-stop air miles. Even calculating the air miles for connecting flights between SAT-DFW and DFW-HSV, the total is only 851 miles.

A single AA reward ticket, AA2342 SAT-DFW connecting to AA3076 DFW-HSV on 28 August using Aadvantage miles costs 6500 Aadvantage miles plus $5.60 for Economy or 16,500 Aadvantage miles plus $5.60 for First Class.

The same flight on the same day using Avios is 15,000 Avios Points plus $5.60 for Economy and 30,000 Avios points plus $5.60 for First Class, in both cases an exorbitant increase over the Aadvantage miles cost for a flight of only 851 total air miles between SAT and HSV.

So, let’s break the trip down into two separate non-stop flights, one for SAT-DFW and the second for DFW-HSV, necessitating that I pick up my baggage at DFW Arrivals and then taking them to DFW Departures for check in and loading onto the second leg, and by the way, requiring a second trip through TSA security screening. After all of that, here is what we get:

SAT-DFW AA2342 0610-0722 requires 6000 Aadvantage miles plus $5.60 for Economy or 16,000 Advantage miles plus $5.60 for First Class. Avios requires 7500 miles plus $5.60 for Economy and First Class is unavailable.

DFW-HSV AA3076 0857-1056 (very tight connection!) requires 14,000 Advantage miles plus $5.60 for Economy or 24,000 miles plus $5.60 for First Class. Avios Economy is unavailable and First Class requires 15,000 Avios points.

Now, if I lived in Dallas, I would be golden with a Avios First Class ticket to Huntsville for 15,000 Avios points compared 24,000 Advantage miles. But I don’t live in Dallas. And if I wanted to fly Economy, I’m out of luck because there are no Avios Economy seats available on my chosen flight.

It’s wholly unrealistic to compare trips by daisychaining individual non-stop flights from Point A to final destination Point B to justify using Avios Points, because very few people are going to want to endure that gauntlet, and even then, real world, Avios is still more costly (22,500 Avios points for a mixed class trip) than the single AA SAT-HSV award ticket at 6500 Aadvantage miles for Economy or 16,500 miles for First Class and no baggage retrieval and TSA hassle.

I think you may want to revisit your criteria, because, as I see it, using real world examples, unless one wants to spend hours searching for those very few flights that Avios may make worth the effort and bending my schedule to accommodate Avios availability, they are far more costly than Aadvantage miles for AA reward flights, regardless of domestic or international, regardless of distance, regardless of class of service, and transferring my Chase UR points to Avios for AA flights is simply wasteful.

Keenan Henry

October 09, 2021

Hello,

Quick question, My girlfriend booked a flight to London on British Airways. Is it possible for me to transfer points from Amex to BA and I personally upgrade our seats from World Traveler Plus to business class?

Thanks

Stephen Au

October 11, 2021

If you booked directly with British Airways, it should be possible. Click here for more info:

https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/executive-club/spending-avios/upgrading-with-avios

DaninMCI

March 28, 2022

There are some areas of the middle east that are short-haul but generate high surcharges like AMM-TLV on RJ. I believe there are some odd routes where BA has lower surcharges than Iberia or other partners where it’s usually the other way around.

Thompson

November 06, 2022

With my 126 000 Avios, I try to book Montréal to Paris. The offer was 65 000 Avios and cash higher than the cost without Avios with another company. Now I understand why. But I do not understand why BA did not tell me to try AA Montréal/JFK/Paris. Am I a patron of Avios or not? Cheap way to do business!

RNP

January 21, 2023

I try to look for one-way flight from MIA to LIM on August 10, 2023, but nothing was shown. In fact, none of the dates are shown for availability. Weird.

John Smith

June 16, 2023

I think #10 is out of date. Aer Lingus does appear to have fuel surcharges now. I just looked at 2 RT tickets from IAD to DUB in September and was shown 52,000 AVIOS + about $530 in taxes and fees.

Jarrod West

June 16, 2023

Hi John,

Was this booking through the British Airways website or Aer Lingus?

Jennifer

June 22, 2023

When I search for a flight from New York to Dublin using avios on ba.com, it only shows me non-direct flights with the first leg New York to London on British Airways, and then the second leg on Aer Lingus. I am trying to find a direct flight on Aer Lingus, to avoid the BA fees, but none show up. Is it possible to find direct Aer Lingus flights on the BA website? Thanks.

Jarrod West

June 23, 2023

Hi Jennifer,

Have you tried searching on the Aer Lingus website?

sami

September 04, 2023

You do not list the points needed for flights

Keri Stooksbury

September 04, 2023

Hi Sami – The Avios (points/miles) needed for each recommendation are listed in the numbered headers (for example: U.S. Short-haul Nonstop Flights for 9,000 Avios). Thanks for reading!

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