Avios are the points used by British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Finnair. If you're new to them, start with our guide to Avios explained. This guide is all about building your balance as quickly as possible.
The 9 best ways to earn Avios
1. Credit card welcome bonuses
Nothing builds your balance faster. One welcome bonus can give you more Avios than a year of normal spending.
| Card | Annual fee | Welcome bonus |
|---|---|---|
| BA Amex Premium Plus | £300 | 30,000 Avios after £6,000 in 3 months |
| Barclaycard Avios Plus | £240 (£20 a month) | 25,000 Avios after £3,000 in 90 days |
| The Platinum Card | £650 | 50,000 Amex points after £6,000 in 3 months |
| Amex Preferred Rewards Gold | Free year 1, then £195 | 20,000 Amex points after £3,000 in 3 months |
| British Airways Amex | Free | 5,000 Avios after £2,000 in 3 months |
| Barclaycard Avios | Free | 5,000 Avios after £1,000 in 90 days |
Amex points move to Avios at 1:1. Because Amex and Barclaycard are different banks, you can earn a bonus from each, which is one of the quickest ways to start. Check the eligibility rules for each card before you apply.
2. Put your everyday spending on an Avios card
After the bonus, the trick is to move as much of your normal spending as possible onto your card: food shopping, fuel, bills, subscriptions and insurance renewals.
| Card | Avios per £1 |
|---|---|
| Barclaycard Avios Plus | 1.5 |
| HSBC Premier World Elite | 1.5 |
| BA Amex Premium Plus | 1.25 |
| Amex Gold (double on airlines and abroad) | 1 to 2 |
| British Airways Amex (free) | 1 |
| Barclaycard Avios (free) | 1 |
HSBC Premier World Elite earns HSBC points that convert to Avios at 2:1, which works out at 1.5 Avios per £1. You need an HSBC Premier account to apply.
Tip: Amex isn't accepted everywhere. Pair an Amex with a Mastercard like Barclaycard Avios Plus so you earn on every purchase.
3. Collect Amex points and move them later
American Express Membership Rewards points move to Avios at 1:1, instantly. The advantage over earning Avios directly is choice: if you decide later that Virgin Atlantic or Qatar suits your trip better, you can send them there instead.
See every card that earns them in our guide to Membership Rewards cards, and the best ways to earn Amex points.
4. Use card vouchers to make your Avios go further
Vouchers don't add Avios to your account, but they can save you more Avios than you'd earn in a year:
- Companion Voucher: spend £15,000 a year on a BA Amex card and two people fly for the Avios of one. On Premium Plus it works in any cabin.
- Upgrade voucher: spend £10,000 a year on Barclaycard Avios Plus (or £20,000 on the free card) and book a seat one cabin higher for the Avios of the cabin below.
Read how to use the different Avios vouchers correctly and our full BA Amex review.
5. Earn on your business spending
If you run a business, a business card lets you earn Avios on company spending as well as your own.
- BA Amex Accelerating Business: 1.25 Avios per £1, plus 10,000 bonus Avios for every £20,000 you spend, up to 30,000 a year.
- Capital on Tap Pro: 1 Avios per £1 on a Visa, with a 10,000 Avios welcome bonus.
- Amex Business Gold: Membership Rewards points that move to Avios at 1:1.
See our full guide to the best business credit cards.
6. Refer friends and family
Most Avios cards pay you a bonus when someone you invite is approved. The free British Airways Amex, for example, gives you 4,000 Avios for each friend you refer. You'll find your referral link in the card's app.
Only refer people who'll genuinely use and pay off the card, and check the yearly limit on referral bonuses.
7. Fly with British Airways and its partners
You earn Avios when you fly British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair and other oneworld airlines like American Airlines and Japan Airlines. How many depends on the fare you buy and your status.
Always add your British Airways Club number when you book, and check your account after you fly. If Avios are missing, you can usually claim them online.
8. Shopping, hotels and car hire
- The Avios eStore: click through to hundreds of online shops, from fashion to electronics, and earn Avios on top of your card points.
- Hotels and car hire: book through British Airways or Avios to earn Avios on your stay or rental.
- Hotel points: Marriott Bonvoy points convert to Avios at 3:1, with a bonus when you move 60,000 at once. See our Marriott Bonvoy guide.
These won't build your balance on their own, but they add up over a year.
9. Pool Avios with a Household Account
A British Airways Household Account lets people who live at the same address combine their Avios. Partners, children and housemates can all add to one pot, so you reach a reward flight much sooner. Any member can spend the pooled Avios on bookings.
What a year of earning could look like
Here's an example for a couple who open one card each and put around £1,700 a month of household spending on them:
| Source | Avios |
|---|---|
| Barclaycard Avios Plus welcome bonus | 25,000 |
| Amex Gold welcome bonus, moved to Avios | 20,000 |
| £10,000 on Barclaycard Avios Plus, at 1.5 per £1 | 15,000 |
| £10,000 on Amex Gold, at 1 per £1 | 10,000 |
| Amex Gold spend bonus at £10,000 | 5,000 |
| Total, pooled in a Household Account | 75,000 Avios |
On top, the Barclaycard spend unlocks an upgrade voucher. That's enough for a business class trip to many places, depending on the route and date, before counting any flights or shopping.
Mistakes to avoid
- Carrying a balance. Interest costs far more than your Avios are worth.
- Spending more to earn more. Only put spending on the card that you'd make anyway.
- Missing the bonus deadline. Set a reminder for the end of your first three months.
- Letting Avios expire. British Airways Avios expire after 36 months with no activity. Earning even a few keeps them alive.
- Buying Avios. It's rarely good value unless there's a big promotion.
Spend them well
The smartest ways to turn your Avios into flights worth far more than their cash value.
Not sure which card to start with? Compare every option in our airline card guide, or start with Points 101.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to earn Avios?
Credit card welcome bonuses. The BA Amex Premium Plus and Barclaycard Avios Plus give 30,000 and 25,000 Avios, and you can usually hold cards from both banks.
Which card earns the most Avios per pound?
Barclaycard Avios Plus and HSBC Premier World Elite both earn 1.5 Avios per £1 on everyday spending.
Can I earn Avios without a credit card?
Yes, through flying, the Avios eStore, hotels and car hire, but it's much slower than earning with a card.
Can I combine Avios with my partner?
Yes. A British Airways Household Account lets people at the same address pool their Avios.