The 2026 Avios Guide: Earn Faster, Spend Smarter, Waste Nothing
Draft body.
The rules have changed.
Until recently, most people earned Avios by flying. A handful of long-haul flights each year could build a respectable balance. That is no longer the case.
Today, credit cards dominate Avios earning. A single welcome bonus can generate more Avios in a few months than years of occasional flying.
This guide explains where Avios really come from in 2026 and how to build a balance efficiently.
The Avios Earning Hierarchy
When measured by points earned versus effort required, the ranking is clear:
- Credit card welcome bonuses
- Everyday spending on rewards cards
- Avios eStore shopping
- Hotel stays and partner earnings
- Flying
Many collectors focus on flights first and ignore the top of the list. That is why balances grow slowly.
The biggest gains come from welcome bonuses and everyday spending.
Credit Card Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are the fastest way to earn Avios.
Many bonuses generate tens of thousands of points for meeting a spending requirement you would have reached anyway.
| Card | Welcome Bonus | Spend Requirement | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Preferred Rewards Gold | 40,000 Membership Rewards | £5,000 in 6 months | Free Year 1 |
| Amex Platinum | 75,000 Membership Rewards | £10,000 in 6 months | £650 |
| Barclaycard Avios Plus | 25,000 Avios | £3,000 in 3 months | £20 per month |
| BA Amex Premium Plus | 30,000 Avios | £6,000 in 3 months | £300 |
| BA Amex | 5,000 Avios | £2,000 in 3 months | Free |
Membership Rewards points transfer to Avios at a 1:1 rate, making most American Express Membership Rewards cards effectively Avios cards.
Three Rules for Welcome Bonuses
- Apply when you have a large planned expense.
- Track card eligibility periods carefully.
- Use referral bonuses whenever possible.
The goal is to earn bonuses through spending you would have done anyway.
Everyday Spending: The Two-Card Strategy
Most serious collectors use two cards:
- An American Express card for high earning rates
- A Mastercard or Barclaycard for places that do not accept Amex
This combination covers almost all spending.
The BA Amex Premium Plus earns:
- 1.5 Avios per £1 on everyday spending
- 3 Avios per £1 spent with British Airways
The Barclaycard Avios cards provide a backup whenever Amex is not accepted.
The most important habit is simple: route every possible purchase through your rewards cards.
Always pay the balance in full each month. Interest charges quickly wipe out the value of any rewards earned.
The Companion Voucher
The Companion Voucher is one of the most valuable benefits in the UK points market.
The BA Amex Premium Plus issues a Companion Voucher after reaching the required annual spending target.
The voucher allows two people to travel for the Avios cost of one, although both passengers still pay taxes and fees.
On long-haul business-class bookings, the value can be enormous.
A single redemption can save more than 200,000 Avios.
The key mistake to avoid is triggering the voucher before you are ready to use it. The expiry countdown begins as soon as the voucher is issued.
The Avios eStore
The Avios eStore rewards online shopping with additional Avios.
You simply start your shopping journey through the portal and earn Avios on top of your normal credit card rewards.
Popular categories include:
- Hotels
- Travel bookings
- Fashion retailers
- Electronics stores
- Food delivery services
Some retailers offer several Avios per pound spent.
For regular online shoppers, the eStore can quietly generate thousands of additional Avios every year.
Tracking Tips
- Use a desktop browser when possible
- Disable ad blockers
- Avoid external discount codes
- Complete the purchase in one session
These simple steps improve tracking accuracy.
Balance Boost
Balance Boost is often the cheapest way to acquire additional Avios.
It allows you to multiply recent Avios earnings by paying cash.
| Boost Level | Approximate Cost Per Avios |
|---|---|
| Double | 0.96p |
| Triple | 0.94p |
| Quadruple | 0.92p |
This is usually much cheaper than buying Avios outright.
Balance Boost works best when you already have a redemption ready to book and need a top-up.
It should not be used simply to stockpile points.
Flying for Avios
Flying still earns Avios, but it is no longer the primary earning method.
Cheap economy fares often generate relatively small amounts of Avios compared with credit card bonuses and everyday spending.
That does not mean flying is irrelevant.
When booking flights you already plan to take, compare fare classes carefully. Sometimes paying slightly more for a higher fare class can generate significantly more Avios.
However, flying solely to earn Avios rarely makes financial sense.
A Simple 12-Month Plan
Months 1 to 3
- Apply for Amex Preferred Rewards Gold
- Meet the spending requirement
- Join all major Avios programmes
- Register for the Avios eStore
Months 4 to 6
- Apply for Barclaycard Avios Plus
- Use it wherever Amex is not accepted
Months 7 to 9
- Consider Amex Platinum if appropriate
- Time the spending requirement around a major purchase
Months 10 to 12
- Use Balance Boost if necessary
- Search for premium-cabin reward availability
- Use a Companion Voucher if available
Following this approach can realistically generate between 200,000 and 300,000 Avios within a year.
The Key Takeaway
The biggest mindset shift is understanding that flights are no longer the primary source of Avios.
Credit card bonuses and everyday spending are now the engines that drive most balances.
Flying still matters for travel and status, but the majority of your Avios should come from strategic earning rather than time spent in the air.
FAQ
Should I Move My Avios to Iberia Club?
Only if a specific redemption is significantly cheaper through Iberia. For many routes, pricing is now similar, so compare before transferring.
What Is the Difference Between Avios and Tier Points?
Avios are used to book flights and rewards. Tier Points determine your status level within the British Airways Club.
When Should I Use a Companion Voucher?
The best use is usually a long-haul premium-cabin booking for two passengers.
Balance Boost or Buy Avios?
Balance Boost is almost always cheaper, provided you have recent qualifying Avios activity.
Is the BA Amex Premium Plus Worth the Fee?
For travellers who will use the Companion Voucher, often yes. For occasional users, a free Avios card may provide better overall value.