Earning Avios through credit cards is one of the fastest ways to accumulate enough points to book amazing flights. Whether you want to book flight with Avios for a quick weekend getaway or save up for a luxurious first-class experience, the right credit card can help you get there much faster. In this guide, we'll explore the best credit cards for earning Avios and how you can maximize them to book flights with Avios for less.
Why Use Credit Cards to Earn Avios?
Credit cards offer one of the most efficient ways to earn Avios because they allow you to accumulate points on your everyday spending. Many Avios-earning cards come with generous welcome bonuses that can give you enough points to book your first reward flight right away. Additionally, these cards often provide extra benefits like companion vouchers, airport lounge access, and travel insurance - all while helping you avios booking flight after flight.
The key advantage is that you can earn Avios much faster through credit card spending than through flying alone. This means you could potentially book flights with Avios several times per year just by using the right credit cards strategically.
Best Credit Cards for Earning Avios
1. British Airways Visa Signature Card
The British Airways Visa Signature Card is one of the most popular options for those looking to avios book flights. This card offers a substantial welcome bonus (typically 50,000-100,000 Avios after meeting minimum spending requirements) and continues to earn:
3 Avios per $1 on British Airways purchases
2 Avios per $1 on hotel accommodations
1 Avios per $1 on all other purchases
One of the best features is the Travel Together Ticket companion voucher you earn after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. This allows you to book a second ticket for just taxes and fees when you avios book flight, effectively doubling the value of your points.
2. Iberia Visa Signature Card
The Iberia Visa Signature Card is excellent for those who frequently fly to Spain or want to avios book flights with Iberia. It offers similar earning rates to the British Airways card:
3 Avios per $1 on Iberia purchases
2 Avios per $1 on hotels
1 Avios per $1 on other purchases
What makes this card special is that Iberia often has lower taxes and fees when you book flights with Avios compared to British Airways, especially for flights to Europe. The card also comes with a welcome bonus that can get you started with enough Avios for a roundtrip to Europe.
3. American Express® Gold Card
While not an Avios-specific card, the American Express Gold Card is incredibly valuable for those looking to book flights with Avios. This card earns Membership Rewards points that transfer to Avios at a 1:1 ratio. The earning structure is excellent:
4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide
4 points per
1atU.S.supermarkets(upto
1atU.S.supermarkets(upto25,000 per year)
3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines
1 point per $1 on other purchases
The flexibility of Membership Rewards means you can transfer to Avios when you're ready to avios book flight, or choose another airline program if you find better value elsewhere.
4. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is another fantastic option for earning points that transfer to Avios. Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio. The card offers:
5 points per $1 on travel booked through Chase
3 points per $1 on dining
2 points per $1 on other travel
1 point per $1 on other purchases
With a strong welcome bonus and flexible rewards, this card helps you accumulate points quickly that you can then use to book flights with Avios.
How to Maximize Your Avios Earnings
Now that you know which cards can help you avios book flight, here are some strategies to maximize your earnings:
1. Combine Cards for Maximum Benefits
Many travelers use multiple cards to optimize their Avios earnings. For example, you might use the American Express Gold Card for dining and groceries, then use the British Airways Visa for actual BA purchases. This way, you're always earning the maximum points possible in every spending category.
2. Time Your Applications Right
Credit card welcome bonuses often fluctuate throughout the year. Wait for when the offers are at their highest before applying. This could mean the difference between getting 50,000 Avios or 100,000 Avios as a welcome bonus when you're ready to book flights with Avios.
3. Use Shopping Portals
Many airlines have online shopping portals that offer bonus Avios when you shop through them. Combine this with your credit card spending to earn Avios on both the purchase and the payment method. This double-dipping approach helps you avios book flight faster.
4. Pay Attention to Transfer Bonuses
American Express and Chase occasionally offer transfer bonuses to Avios programs. During these promotions, you might get 20-30% more Avios when you transfer points. Waiting for these bonuses can significantly increase your Avios balance when you want to avios book flights.
Best Ways to Redeem Your Avios
Once you've earned enough Avios, here's how to get the most value when you book flight with Avios:
1. Focus on Short-Haul Flights
Avios are particularly valuable for short-haul flights where the cash price might be high but the Avios cost remains low. For example, domestic U.S. flights or European hops can be incredible values when you book flights with Avios.
2. Look for Off-Peak Awards
British Airways and Iberia offer off-peak pricing on certain routes. You might find that the same flight costs 30-40% fewer Avios during these periods, allowing you to stretch your points further when you avios book flight.
3. Use the Avios + Cash Option
If you're short on Avios, many programs let you use a combination of points and cash to book flights with Avios. This can be a great way to still get value from your partial Avios balance.
4. Book Through Partner Airlines
Sometimes you'll find better availability or lower fees by booking through different Avios programs. For example, a flight that's expensive through British Airways might be cheaper through Iberia, even though they use the same currency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While earning and redeeming Avios through credit cards is relatively straightforward, there are some pitfalls to watch out for:
1. Paying High Annual Fees Without Using Benefits
Many Avios-earning cards have annual fees. Make sure you're using enough of the card's benefits to justify the cost, especially if you're holding multiple cards.
2. Letting Avios Expire
Avios typically expire after 36 months of inactivity. Make sure to earn or redeem at least once every three years to keep your balance active if you want to continue to avios book flight.
3. Overlooking Transfer Times
Some point transfers can take a few days to process. Don't wait until the last minute if you need to transfer points to book flights with Avios.
4. Ignoring Taxes and Fees
While you might have enough Avios for a "free" flight, don't forget to account for taxes and carrier charges which can sometimes be substantial.
Final Thoughts
The right credit card strategy can help you accumulate Avios quickly and book incredible flights for much less than the cash price. Whether you choose a co-branded Avios card or a flexible points card that transfers to Avios, you'll be well on your way to booking your dream trips.
Remember that the best card for you depends on your travel patterns and spending habits. Take time to evaluate which card aligns best with how you want to book flight with Avios, and soon you'll be jetting off to exciting destinations while paying very little out of pocket.
Start your Avios journey today, and before you know it, you'll be an expert at how to book flights with Avios like a pro!
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