Need to kickstart your Avios point-building routine and strategy to get that British Airways Reward Flight? We’ll get you started on racking up as many as you can within a year.
Even if you don’t plan to travel right now, there are still a great number of ways you can start preparing for an upcoming trip. There are a surprising number of ways to earn Avios every day—here we’ll cover a few so you can take off sooner on a BA Reward Flight.
Don’t forget, British Airways American Express cardholders can earn a BA Companion Voucher, letting you take a companion on the same Reward Flight for the Avios cost of just one seat (plus taxes, fees and carrier charges for both). Check the BA Companion Voucher rules to discover how your voucher works.
Avios are typically earned through flights taken on BA and other Oneworld airlines, although they can also be earned by spending on hotels, car rentals and shopping.
You can earn Avios using the right credit cards for your everyday spend. Nectar points, American Express Membership Rewards points and points earned through several hotel loyalty schemes can also be converted into Avios.
Nectar Credit Card
The Nectar Credit Card is a straightforward way to collect Nectar points on everyday spending, while also boosting your balance when you shop with Nectar partners.
You earn 2 Nectar points for every full £1 spent on the Card. When you use the card with your Nectar loyalty account at participating partners, you can collect a minimum of 3 points per £1 spent.
The card also comes with up to 5 complimentary Supplementary Cards, so you can help the whole household collect points faster.
Annual Fee: £30
Welcome Offer: Earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. Your first year’s Cardmembership fee of £30 is on us.
Representative Example: Based on a credit limit of £1,200 charged at 29.1% variable per annum for purchases. Fee of £30 applies. Representative 35.8% APR variable.
Purchase rate: 29.1% variable.
Cash Advance APR: 36.3% annually.
Fees: Foreign transaction fee 2.99%; cash advance fee 3%; late fee £12; return payment fee £12; minimum payment due £25.
If you are a money-saving pro, you may have come across cashback websites that give you rewards when you buy by going through their portal, instead of heading directly to the retailer's website. British Airways has its own one, called the Avios eStore and it's worth considering if you want to grow your Avios balance. Read our full guide on racking up Avios through online shopping.
In many instances, all you need to do to earn Avios is to log in on the BA eStore, then click through to the website you would have bought from anyway! Partners include Lego, ASOS, B&Q, Just Eat, Reiss, Disney, AO and many others.
Choose The Right Airlines
If you are planning a flight it's worth checking which airlines you can earn Avios with. Naturally, you will earn them on BA but you can also earn Avios on its sister airlines, Aer Lingus and Iberia. BA is a member of the Oneworld airline alliance, which means that you can also earn Avios when you fly with Oneworld partners such as Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Finnair, Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. There are even some low-cost fares you might earn Avios on, such as routes flown by Vueling.
You don't need to join these other airlines' frequent flier programmes to earn Avios, just use your British Airways Club membership number when you make the reservation. When you fly on Oneworld airlines you will also earn Tier Points, gain enough of these and you will progress to one of the elite tiers in the BA Club: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Members on these tiers earn even more Avios, each time they fly. Curious about how British Airways Tier Points work? You can find a full breakdown on our dedicated page here.
Whilst it generally makes sense to keep your Avios within one airline loyalty scheme, a savvy move can be to open a free Aer Lingus AerClub account, alongside your existing BA Club membership. AerClub members can easily transfer points between different Avios schemes at Avios.com and this can open up a wider range of reward flight redemptions to choose from too, such as North American routes flown by the Irish carrier, that may require fewer points than their BA equivalent.
If another airline has a far cheaper fare than one of BA's partners, it might not make sense to fly for the Avios, but always check to see if you can pay with a card that will earn you points that you can put towards your next BA Reward Flight.
Earn Points On Hotel Stays
Most of the big international hotel groups have their own loyalty programmes which reward you with points when you stay at their hotels, drink at their bars or eat in their restaurants.
Some of these hotel programmes, like Hilton Honors, let you convert your hotel points to Avios. If your hotel points are about to expire and you aren't going to use them anytime soon, this is definitely worth considering. However, the transfer rates are usually poor and the cash equivalent value you'll receive in Avios might be as low as 10% of the value of your hotel points. It's always worth having a look at what offers are available, in particular, Marriott and BA have been known to run some interesting joint promotions.
But our top tip is to use an online travel agent or hotel booking site, via the BA Avios eStore. Start your booking at shopping.ba.com and you can earn Avios when you book with Booking.com, Hotels.com, Agoda or on the websites of IHG, Marriott, Accor and Radisson. In short, there aren't many hotels where you won't be able to earn Avios in this way. You might not be able to earn hotel loyalty points at the same time, but that would be the case anyway on most bookings through online travel agents. The eStore often has promotions too.
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Go Off Peak
For your points to take you further, redeem your Avios for off-peak flights and you'll spend less of your hard-earned points to get you where you want to go. Off-peak redemptions are typically available for flights taken outside of school holiday times. However, on some routes, there can be options when school's out too.
To get a comprehensive view of the peak versus off-peak point pricing for reward flights, Search for flights to your chosen destination on Reward Flight Finder (RFF), you can then toggle between off-peak and peak flights, to see how many Avios you'll save through choosing the best available dates.
Look For Reward Flight Savers
Reward flights are tickets where you pay the entire airfare using points and the only cash you have to pay is for the taxes and surcharges. One of the downsides of redeeming Avios for Reward Flights can be the high levels of air passenger duty (APD) levied by the UK government on departures from British airports. However, with BA Reward Flight Saver flights, you pay a fixed fee to BA and they cover the taxes and fees. The fixed fee can be as low as £1 each-way on short-haul European routes.
BA Reward Flight Savers were originally available mainly to European destinations. They have since been expanded to long-haul routes as well. Travel to Europe from 10,000 Avios + £1 each-way, or from just 55,000 Avios + £120 return for destinations further afield.
To be eligible for a Reward Flight Saver you must have earned at least one Avios in the 12 months prior to booking, but as this guide shows, that's not hard to do without even setting foot in an airport!
Because credit card issuers compete fiercely for new business, it's possible to rack up Avios at an incredible pace by taking advantage of the hefty sign-up incentives they offer. Always do some research and find the best credit card and welcome bonus scheme for you.
Never rack up additional debt or incur interest charges just to earn points! But, for those able to pay for their regular shopping by credit card and clear their balance each month, there are some terrific points earning opportunities when you sign up for a new card.
If you are aiming to earn points for a BA Reward Flight, look for cards offering one of the following: A sign-up bonus in Avios (BA Amex cards are the most likely to offer this), a signup bonus in Nectar points (these can be converted to Avios) or American Express Membership Rewards points bonuses. Amex Membership Rewards can be exchanged one-to-one for Avios.
Read our guide to Avios Balance Boost, the cheapest way to buy Avios if you have eligible recent earnings.
We don't normally recommend buying Avios as it's rarely an inexpensive way to achieve your points goals. Yet, in some situations, it can be worth it to buy Avios directly from the BA website. Look out for offers from BA when you get bonus Avios with each purchase.
If you buy the points with a card that earns you extra Avios on the transaction, and the total points get you over the line for ticket redemption, it can make sense. Other times it might be worth buying points to qualify for card welcome bonuses, for BA Reward Flight Saver redemptions and to double-dip on qualifying spend and Avios towards an Amex 2-4-1 BA Companion Voucher. For further reading, see our guide to the BA Companion Voucher rules.
AMEX Avios Earning Credit Cards
A British Airways co-branded American Express credit card is one of the easiest and quickest methods to acquire Avios, The Club's loyalty currency. Check out the available BA credit cards for boosting your Avios.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card
One of the most cost-effective ways to build your Avios balance and earn Companion Vouchers.
With the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card, you earn 1.25 Avios per eligible £1 spent, including purchases with British Airways and BA Holidays.
Adjust the card-spend part of your annual Avios target for October. As at 8 September 2026, Premium Plus earns 1.5 Avios per eligible £1 on general purchases and 3 Avios per eligible £1 with British Airways or BA Holidays. From 7 October 2026, both rates fall to 1.25 Avios per eligible £1. Calculate any shopping-portal rewards or eligible welcome bonus separately, rather than assuming all the Avios in your plan come from the card's ongoing rate.
Spend £15,000 in each Cardmembership year and you’ll receive a Companion Voucher, which you can use to bring someone with you on the same flight and in the same cabin, or to get 50% off the Avios price if you’re travelling solo. Vouchers can be used on British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus Reward Flights in any cabin, and British Airways American Express Premium Plus Cardmembers also have access to additional Club World Reward Flight seats when booking with a Companion Voucher, subject to availability. Taxes, fees and carrier charges apply per person.
Annual Fee: £300
Welcome Bonus: Collect 30,000 bonus Avios when you spend £6,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership.
Travel Protection: Travel accident and travel inconvenience insurance.
Supplementary Cards: Add family members or a partner to your account and collect Avios faster.
Other ways to use Avios: Use Avios for flight upgrades, including part-payment of a fare or upgrading to business or first class.
Representative Example: Based on a credit limit of £1,200 charged at 29.1% variable per annum for purchases, with a £300 annual fee. Representative 135.7% APR variable.
This is the free version of the BA Amex card. It has no annual fee and lets you earn Avios on everyday purchases, with a Companion Voucher available once you hit the spend target.
You earn 1 Avios for every £1 spent on purchases. Spend £15,000 in each Cardmembership year and you’ll receive a Companion Voucher, which you can use to bring a companion on the same flight and cabin, or to get 50% off the Avios price if you’re travelling solo.
Vouchers can be used on British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus Reward Flights in Euro Traveller, World Traveller and economy class cabins only. Reward Flight and Companion Voucher bookings are subject to availability, and taxes, fees and carrier charges apply per person.
Annual Fee: £0
Welcome Bonus: Collect 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership.
Supplementary Cards: Add family members or a partner to your account and earn Avios faster.
Other ways to use Avios: Use Avios to part-pay for a flight or upgrade to business or first class.
Representative Example: Based on a credit limit of £1,200 charged at 29.1% variable per annum for purchases. Representative 29.1% APR variable.
American Express offers Membership Rewards points with a number of its payment cards, which can be exchanged for Avios on a 1:1 basis. These include the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card, Platinum Card, and other Membership Rewards-earning cards.
Amex has other airline partnerships too, including Virgin Atlantic, so they're a flexible rewards currency. Some Amex cards charge an annual fee and the sign-up bonuses can vary, so it's always worth checking which is the right card for you.
Another thing to consider is the perks that are bundled with some Amex cards, like travel insurance or lounge access.
When you do the maths, for frequent travellers, the Gold and Platinum cards can make sense, even taking into account the annual fees.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card
This is a popular sweet spot card for people who want flexible rewards, a strong welcome bonus and valuable travel perks. Membership Rewards points can be converted 1:1 to Avios and a range of other airline partners.
You earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every £1 spent on purchases, 2 points per £1 spent directly with airlines or in foreign currency, and 3 points per £1 spent at American Express Travel. There is no limit to how many points you can earn.
Spend £10,000 in each Cardmembership year and you’ll get 5,000 bonus Membership Rewards points, up to 10,000 points per year.
The card currently offers 4 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits each year, plus £5 back on eligible Deliveroo purchases twice a month. You can also add supplementary cards to help the household earn points faster.
Annual Fee: £0 in your first year, then £195
Welcome Bonus: Eligible new Cardmembers can earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points after spending £3,000 in their first three months of Cardmembership. This is the public offer checked on 5 October 2026. Terms and eligibility apply; check American Express for the offer available when you apply.
Representative Example: Based on a credit limit of £1,200 charged at 29.1% variable per annum for purchases. Representative 85.8% APR variable.
A simple no-annual-fee card for earning Membership Rewards points on everyday spending.
You earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every full £1 you spend on purchases, and you can redeem points with a range of partners including Amazon, Boots and Currys PC World.
The card also comes with travel and shopping protection, so you can shop with a little more confidence online, on the high street and when you travel.
Annual Fee: £0
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £2,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership.
Refer a Friend: Invite a friend and earn at least 4,000 points if they are approved, up to 90,000 points a year.
Representative Example: Based on a credit limit of £1,200 charged at 29.1% variable per annum for purchases. Representative 29.1% APR variable.
Purchase rate: 29.1% variable.
Cash Advance APR: 36.3% annually.
Fees: Foreign transaction fee 2.99%; cash advance fee 3%; late fee £12; return payment fee £12; minimum payment due £25.
This premium charge card offers extensive Membership Rewards points that transfer 1:1 to Avios, plus luxury travel perks like worldwide lounge access and hotel elite status.
You earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on all purchases. As a charge card, it has no preset spending limit, but you must pay your balance in full each month.
Benefits include complimentary access to over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide via the American Express Global Lounge Collection, Priority Pass with UK pre-booking entitlements (including 8 complimentary UK lounge pre-bookings per calendar year from 2026), worldwide travel insurance, hotel elite status and concierge service.
Annual Fee: £650
New Cardmember Offer: Eligible new Cardmembers can earn 50,000 Membership Rewards points after spending £6,000 in their first three months of Cardmembership. This is the public offer checked on 5 October 2026. Terms and eligibility apply; check American Express for the offer available when you apply.
Refer a Friend: Earn at least 12,000 Membership Rewards points if they are approved, up to 90,000 a year.
Representative Example: Based on a credit limit of £1,200 charged at 29.1% variable per annum for purchases. Fee of £650 per annum applies. Representative 685.3% APR variable.
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard enables you to convert HSBC Premier Reward points into Avios at a ratio of 2:1. Since Lloyds withdrew their Avios card, this remains one of the best non-Amex options for UK consumers – though you need to qualify for HSBC Premier banking.
Annual Fee: £290
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 HSBC points (30,000 Avios equivalent) when you spend £3,000 in first 90 days (offer ends May 2026).
Earning rate: 3 HSBC points per £1 GBP spend (1.5 Avios per £1); 4 points per £1 non-GBP (2 Avios per £1).
Annual Bonus: Additional points for high spenders – check current terms.
Capital On Tap Business Rewards Credit Card
There are business versions of the BA Amex cards and Membership Rewards-earning Amex cards. However, for small businesses and freelancers, Capital On Tap offers a strong alternative.
The Capital On Tap Business Rewards Credit Card (Pro tier) earns 1 point per £1 spent, redeemable 1:1 for Avios. No foreign transaction fees and credit limits up to £250,000.
10,000 bonus points (10,000 Avios) when you spend £5,000 in first 3 months
1% rewards rate on all spend (1.25% on pre-loaded spend)
For those who prefer straightforward cashback over points, the Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card offers a no-annual-fee option with solid introductory rewards. While it doesn't earn Avios directly, the cashback can help fund your BA flights or offset travel costs. Apply here
Key features (as of April 2026):
Welcome bonus: 5% cashback on purchases (up to £125) for first 5 months
Ongoing cashback: 0.5% up to £10,000/year; 1% thereafter (min £3,000 spend to qualify, no cap)
Annual fee: £0
Representative APR: 29.1% variable (based on £1,200 credit limit)
Cash Advance APR: 36.3% variable
Purchase rate: 29.1% variable
Foreign transaction fee: 2.99%
Cash Advance fee: 3%
This card suits disciplined spenders who clear their balance monthly. The cashback provides flexibility to save for Reward Flight taxes/fees or everyday expenses, complementing your Avios-earning strategy.
Note: Always pay in full to avoid high APR. Cashback earned here works alongside Avios cards for diversified rewards. Minimum £3,000 annual spend required for ongoing cashback.
Amex® Cashback Credit Card
For higher spenders who prefer cashback over points, the Amex® Cashback Credit Card offers superior ongoing rates. While it doesn't earn Avios directly, the cashback can fund your BA Reward Flights or offset taxes/fees. Apply here
Key features (as of April 2026):
Welcome bonus: 5% cashback on purchases (up to £125) for first 3 months
Ongoing cashback: 1.25% up to £10,000/year; 2% thereafter (no minimum spend, no cap)
Annual fee: £25
Representative APR: 34.6% variable (based on £1,200 credit limit)
Cash Advance APR: 36.3% variable
Purchase rate: 29.1% variable
Foreign transaction fee: 2.99%
Cash Advance fee: 3%
This premium cashback card suits disciplined spenders who clear their balance monthly and spend £10,000+ annually to justify the fee. Earn cashback faster with complimentary supplementary cards for family/partners.
Note: Always pay in full to avoid high APR. Higher cashback rates make this ideal alongside Avios-earning cards for diversified rewards.
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card
For Marriott loyalists building Avios via hotel transfers, the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card offers strong hotel rewards. Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to Avios (3:1 ratio, 60k Marriott = 25k Avios). Apply here
Key features (as of April 2026):
Welcome bonus: 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend £3,000 in first 3 months
Annual fee: £95
Elite status: Automatic Silver status; Gold when you spend £15,000/year
Free Night Award: After £25,000 spend (25k point properties)
Perfect for hotel stays plus occasional Avios top-ups. Silver status + 15 Elite Nights help climb Marriott ladder faster.
Note: Always pay in full to avoid high APR. Marriott Bonvoy → Avios transfers best during 5k bonus (every 60k Marriott = 25k Avios).
Conclusion
Understanding the Avios earning opportunities out there can help you take off on a BA Reward Flight faster than you might expect. Choosing the right payment card, one that suits your earning and spending habits without incurring unnecessary fees and interest, will allow you to build your Avios balance on a daily basis, getting you closer to the points you need for a Reward Flight. Use the Nectar programme too, and you'll soon be double-dipping for points on everyday purchases.
It always pays to set Avios earning and spending goals for yourself. If you know how much your ideal flights will cost in terms of Avios, versus the cash price, you can then work out how to earn enough Avios, spending less than the alternative cash outlay – whether you have a BA Companion Voucher or not.
Reward flight availability is limited so you'll probably need to book well ahead of your departure date to use your Avios effectively. The best way to discover reward flights in advance is to use RFF.
With RFF you can see available reward flights for a whole year ahead!
Nothing here should be construed as financial advice, and it is your own responsibility to ensure that any product is right for your circumstances. You should seek separate specialist advice if unsure. Opinions are based primarily on the ability to earn Avios. RFF discusses products offered by lenders but is not a lender itself.
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RFF may receive a commission if you apply for and are approved for an American Express® Card through links on this page. This does not affect the products we feature or how they are presented. We aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information; however, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of all content. You should always check the official American Express website for the latest terms, fees, and eligibility criteria before applying. American Express approval is subject to status, and terms and conditions apply. You should consider whether a credit card is suitable for your financial circumstances and ensure you can meet any repayment obligations.
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