Avios is the mileage currency of British Airways and its Executive Club program, one that is shared by all IAG members like Iberia and Aer Lingus, as well as Qatar Airways and Finnair (starting in 2024). There are many ways to earn Avios from flying with British Airways, oneworld alliance partners, credit cards, and from a wide range of travel and retail sources. With a heavy presence in the UK, many options for focused on its core market, but there are plenty of opportunities globally.

Earn Avios through British Airways flights

The most obvious way to earn Avios points is by flying with British Airways. The airline officially ditched its distance and cabin-based earning in October 2023, switching to a spend-based model instead. This had been a long time coming and something that IAG sister airline Iberia already follows.

Members now earn Avios based on their status, with Blue members receiving 6 Avios per £1 ($1.2) spent, Bronze members getting 7 Avios per £1, Silver members getting 8 Avios per £1, and Gold members 9 Avios per £1. We've looked at the changes in detail, along with ways to maximize earnings.

Note that these prices apply to all bookings made with British Airways, Iberia, and American Airlines. This means you could credit your miles to other oneworld partners like Qatar Airways or Finnair, which will both use Avios, but you would miss out on status in the Executive Club due to that.

Earn Avios when flying on other airlines

One thing that hasn't changed yet is earnings with partner carriers, barring Iberia and American. British Airways is a member of the oneworld alliance. As such, you can earn Avios points from flights with all the oneworld member airlines. These airlines are:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines*
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Finnair
• Iberia*
• Japan Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qantas
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Jordanian
• Royal Air Maroc
• SriLankan Airlines
• oneworld Connect partner Fiji Airways is now also eligible

There are also additional (non-oneworld alliance) partners where Executive Club allows Avios to be earned. Currently, this only applies to Aer Lingus and LATAM. Earning on all airlines is based on the flight distance – as it is with British Airways flights. You earn Avios points as a percentage of the flight distance based on the booking class/fare code of the ticket.

Each airline has its own earning chart depending on the fare class and distance flown, so be sure to double-check which airline offers the best earnings. Earnings range from 25% to 300% for discounted economy to full-fare first class. Here's what the rates look like for Qantas as an example.

Some of the oneworld airlines also award a tier bonus based on Executive Club elite status. The rate varies by airline:

• With American Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Iberia, the bonus is the same as with British Airways – 25% for bronze members, 50% for silver members, and 100% for gold members.
• With Finnair, the bonus is just 10% for bronze members, 15% for silver, and 25% for gold members.
• There is no tier bonus with Alaska Airlines, Aer Lingus, Fiji Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, or Sri Lankan Airlines.

This system of distance earning will likely remain the same after Executive Club switches to a revenue-based earning system, but British Airways is trying hard to recruit more partners to share fare information and reduce total earnings on cheaper deals.

Earning Avios from credit cards

Staying loyal to a credit card has become a good way to earn miles with many airlines and British Airways has been making a major push in recent years. In the UK, the airline is partnered with American Express and Barclays to offer four co-brand cards that come with bonuses of up to 60,000 Avios. In the US, BA is partnered with Chase to offer its Visa Signature Credit Card, which has a bonus of up to 125,000 Avios.

Earning varies but you'll earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on BA, Iberia, or Aer Lingus bookings in the US, along with 3 Avios per £1 spent in the UK. On daily purchases, you can earn up to 1 to 1.5 Avios per $1/£1 spent, meaning there are plenty of points to be found if you plan in advance.

All the cards also offer other benefits. For example, the US card offers 10% off on BA fares departing the US. The best-known perk is the 2-4-1 voucher, unlocked on spending $30,000 or £10,000 (Premium card)/£12,000 (free card). These companion vouchers can get you one free Avios ticket on any booking (you do have to pay the taxes) or 50% off one trip if you choose.

British Airways has spent the last few years steadily increasing its sign-up bonuses too, reaching a record 70,000 Avios in the UK and 125,000 Avios in the US. This is part of a concerted expansion with new airline members, routes, and perks like Avios-only flights.

Earn Avios on hotel stays

British Airways Executive Club has a lot of travel and hotel partnerships where you can earn Avios. With several different ways to earn, this is a reliable way to boost earnings:

• You can earn directly through bookings with several of the main hotel chains. Here you generally earn Avios based on the total spent on direct bookings, usually instead of points in the hotel’s own loyalty program. Partnerships include Accor hotels (earnings of 2.5 Avios per 2 Euros spent), Hyatt Hotels (500 Avios per stay), IHG Hotels (up to two Avios per Euro spent), and Marriott Hotels (up to two Avios per dollar spent).
• Book through Avios Hotels. This is a hotel booking portal run by Avios. You earn 15 Avios per £1 spent on hotels (and car hire and other experience bookings). As with any such booking portal, check the rates you are offered against those available elsewhere.

• Book packages through British Airways Holidays. This is a scheme where you can book flights, hotels, and car hire together and earn Avios on the total spend. BA Holidays also allows you to earn Avios through the old distance-based system for now, so it could present a great deal.
• You can earn Avios through several general hotel booking platforms. These include booking.com, Agoda, and hotels.com. To do this, follow links from the BA eShopping portal. Again Avios are awarded on the total spent (generally up to a maximum of around eight Avios per £1), with regular offers and promotions.

Many more ways

British Airways Executive Club has partnerships with Avis and Budget for car rentals. Booking through British Airways Executive Club, you will earn five Avios per £1 spent with Avis, and two Avios per £1 spent with Budget. In addition, Executive Club members receive one free additional driver on Avis bookings (this can be a valuable benefit when needed).

You can also pick up Avios through online shopping on BA's shopping portal, which has some global options, and bonuses with select retailers.

One notable UK-specific partnership with Nectar, the loyalty program of supermarket chain Sainsbury's. Nectar points can be converted directly into Avios at a rate of 250 Avios points for every 400 Nectar points (and 300 Avios for 400 Nectar points), with even an auto-conversion available that'll move points every week.

There are many ways to earn Avios through the British Airways Executive Club. Although flying will likely be a primary source for many people, you can earn significant amounts through other sources. Feel free to discuss the ways you earn Avios in the comments section.

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  British Airways

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  BA/BAW

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport

  Year Founded:

  1974

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  Airline Group:

  IAG

  CEO:

  Sean Doyle

  Country:

  United Kingdom

  Loyalty Program:

  British Airways Executive Club

  Region:

  Europe