Should You Buy Avios? When It's Worth It (and When Not)

Usually no.

Buying Avios outright is normally one of the most expensive ways to add points to your account. In most cases, there is a cheaper alternative available. However, there are situations where buying Avios can make sense.

The key rule is simple:

Only buy Avios when{' '} the value you expect to receive{' '} is greater than the price you are paying for them.

At standard pricing, Avios typically cost between 1.75p and 2.45p each when purchased directly. If your planned redemption returns less value than that, you are losing money.

When Buying Avios Makes Sense

1. You Are Just Short of a Redemption

This is the strongest reason to buy Avios. If you have found a premium-cabin reward seat and only need a few thousand additional Avios to complete the booking, buying those points can be worthwhile. The important thing is that you have a specific redemption ready to book immediately.

2. There Is a Strong Bonus Promotion

British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, and Finnair regularly run promotions offering bonus Avios, with typical bonuses ranging from 30% to 50%.

A 50% bonus can reduce the effective purchase price from around 1.78p to approximately 1.19p per Avios, which can make buying Avios reasonable if you are planning a premium-cabin redemption that delivers strong value.

3. You Have a Companion Voucher

Long-haul business-class bookings {' '} combined with a Companion Voucher often generate 3p to 5p of value per Avios. In these cases, buying Avios can still represent good value because the redemption value is significantly higher than the purchase cost. This is one of the few situations where buying Avios ahead of a booking can be justified.

When Buying Avios Does Not Make Sense

For most redemptions, buying Avios is poor value.

Avoid Buying Avios For:

• Future speculative trips
• Short-haul economy flights
• Nectar conversions
• Avios Shop purchases
• Hotel redemptions

Avios are a depreciating asset. Airline loyalty programmes regularly increase award prices, reducing the value of points over time. If you buy points without a clear plan, there is a risk they will be worth less when you eventually use them.

Consider Balance Boost First

Before buying Avios directly, check whether Balance Boost is available. If you have earned Avios in the last 30 days, Balance Boost allows you to purchase additional Avios at a lower cost.

Typical pricing is around 0.92p per Avios, which is often 50% cheaper than buying Avios outright. For many collectors, Balance Boost is the cheapest way to buy additional Avios.

How Bonus Promotions Change the Maths

The percentage bonus matters less than the effective price per Avios.

For example:

• 100,000 Avios purchased normally costs around £1,780
• A 50% bonus gives 150,000 Avios for the same price
• The effective cost falls to roughly 1.19p per Avios

A 30% bonus reduces the cost to approximately 1.37p per Avios. Always compare the effective purchase price against the value of the redemption you plan to make.

Check Other Avios Programmes

British Airways is not the only place to buy Avios. You can also purchase Avios through:

• Iberia Club
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Finnair Plus

These programmes occasionally run better promotions than British Airways, and because Avios can generally be transferred between programmes, it is worth comparing prices before buying.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy Avios?

Typical British Airways pricing is:

Avios Purchased	Approximate Cost Per Avios
2,000	2.45p
10,000	1.95p
100,000	1.78p

The more Avios you buy, the lower the cost per point becomes. British Airways currently allows members to buy up to 200,000 Avios per calendar year.

How to Buy Avios

The process is simple:

1. Log in to your British Airways Club account
2. Open the "Collect" menu
3. Select "Purchase Avios"
4. Choose the quantity you want
5. Pay using a debit or credit card

In most cases, the Avios arrive within minutes.

What About Virgin Points?

The same principles apply to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which regularly sells points and runs bonus promotions.

Buying points only makes sense when the value of the redemption exceeds the cost of acquiring the points. The strongest use cases are usually premium-cabin redemptions, such as Virgin Atlantic Upper Class or Delta One. For lower-value redemptions, buying points is rarely worthwhile.

Check the Value Before You Buy

Every buying decision should start with a simple question:

What value will I get from these points?

If the value per Avios is higher than the price per Avios, buying can make sense. If not, keep your money.

Most experienced collectors focus on{' '} earning Avios through credit card welcome bonuses, everyday spending , shopping portals, and promotions before considering a direct purchase.

FAQ

Is It Worth Buying Avios?

Usually no. It only makes sense when you need a small top-up for a specific booking, when a strong bonus promotion is running, or when you are using a Companion Voucher for a premium-cabin redemption.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy Avios?

Standard pricing ranges from around 2.45p per Avios for small purchases to around 1.78p per Avios for large purchases. Promotions can reduce the effective cost significantly.

Can You Buy Avios?

Yes. British Airways Club members can purchase up to 200,000 Avios per calendar year directly through their account.

How Do You Buy Avios?

Log in to your British Airways Club account, choose "Purchase Avios," select the quantity required, and complete payment by card.

Is It Worth Buying Virgin Points?

The same logic applies. Buying points can make sense for high-value premium-cabin redemptions, but is rarely worthwhile for lower-value rewards.