What is an Avios point worth
Have you ever dreamed of flying for free or getting huge discounts on flight tickets, hotels, or even car rentals? That’s where Avios points come in. If you’ve ever flown with British Airways or one of their partner airlines, you might have heard about “Avios.” These are air miles or reward points you can earn and use like a digital currency for travel and more.
In this essay, I will explain what an Avios point is worth, how you can earn it, and how to use it smartly. I’ll also add a personal story from my first experience using Avios and a useful chart showing the value of Avios points for different things. Let’s begin!
1. What is an Avios Point?
An Avios point is a reward currency used by British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and some other airlines. It’s part of a loyalty program. When you fly, shop, or use partner services, you earn points. These points can then be used to book flights, upgrade your seat, book hotels, rent cars, or even shop.
Think of Avios like your school reward system. If you do well in class or participate in school activities, you might earn points or stars. Later, you can use those stars for a prize. Similarly, airlines give you Avios for your loyalty, and you can spend them on exciting travel benefits!
Avios points have a ‘floor’ value of 0.5p
2. What is an Avios Point Worth?
This is a common question, and the answer depends on how you use your points.
Let’s look at this simple chart that shows the average value of 1 Avios point in different situations:
| Use of Avios | Average Value per Point (in cents) |
|---|---|
| Short-Haul Economy Flights | 1.0¢ |
| Long-Haul Economy Flights | 0.8¢ |
| Business Class Flights | 1.5¢ |
| Seat Upgrades | 1.2¢ |
| Hotel Stays | 0.6¢ |
| Car Rentals | 0.5¢ |
| Retail Shopping | 0.4¢ |
Now, let’s understand what this means.
- 1.0 cent means that 1 Avios = $0.01 USD.
- So if you have 10,000 Avios points, they could be worth about $100 if you use them wisely (like for business class or short-haul flights).
- But if you use them for shopping or car rentals, their value drops to just $40–$60 for the same 10,000 points.
Personal Tip:
I once used 13,000 Avios points to book a short flight from London to Amsterdam that would’ve cost me over £130. That gave me almost 1p (1.2¢) per Avios, which is a great value. That trip made me realize the true power of airline rewards!
Value of an Avios Point (Approximate)
- On average, 1 Avios = 0.8 to 1.5 rupees (or 1 to 1.5 US cents) depending on how you use it.
- Best value comes when you:
- Book short-haul flights
- Travel during off-peak seasons
- Use Reward Flight Saver options
“Once, I used my Avios points to reduce my flight cost from Mumbai to London. It saved me more than ₹6,000!”
3. How to Earn Avios Points
You don’t have to fly a lot to earn Avios. There are many ways some are surprising and fun!
1. Flying with British Airways or Partner Airlines
The most common way to earn Avios is by flying.
- You earn points based on distance, class of travel (economy/business), and your frequent flyer status.
- For example, a London to New York flight in economy might earn you about 3,000–5,000 Avios.
- If you fly business class, you can earn double or more.
2. Booking Hotels
Many hotel booking websites and hotel chains give Avios when you book through them.
- I once stayed at a Marriott hotel in Spain and booked through the British Airways website. I earned 2,000 Avios just for that weekend!
3. Eating Out
Yes, even dining at restaurants earns Avios if you link your debit or credit card to British Airways’ dining partners (mainly in the UK and US).
- I signed up and once earned 150 Avios for eating pizza with friends at a local partner restaurant in London.
4. Shopping Online
British Airways has an online shopping portal called “Avios eStore”. If you shop through their website at big retailers like Amazon, Apple, Marks & Spencer, and many more, you earn Avios for every pound or dollar spent.
- I bought a pair of shoes worth £50 and earned 500 Avios (10 points per £1).
5. Using a Credit Card
Many banks offer Avios-linked credit cards.
- For example, the British Airways American Express card gives you points for every purchase.
- You can also earn bonus points (sometimes up to 25,000!) if you spend a certain amount in the first 3 months.
6. Transferring Points from Hotel or Credit Card Programs
If you already use Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer those points to your Avios account.
- It’s like converting your school reward points into movie tickets just in this case, it’s converting bank points into flights!
7. Car Rentals
Renting cars through British Airways’ partners like Avis or Budget also earns you points.
- When we went to Scotland, we rented a car through Avis and got 700 Avios, just for a two-day trip!
4. How to Use Avios Points
Now that you know how to earn them, here’s how to spend them smartly.
Flights
This is the best use of Avios.
- You can book both domestic and international flights with British Airways and its partners like American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Iberia, and more.
- You can even use Avios to pay partly in cash and partly in points, which is perfect if you don’t have enough Avios for a full ticket.
Seat Upgrades
If you’ve already booked a flight, you can upgrade to a higher class using Avios.
- I once upgraded from Economy to Premium Economy using just 6,000 Avios it felt like such a treat, and I got a better meal and more legroom!
Hotels and Experiences
You can use Avios to book hotels, spa sessions, and experiences like wine tours and hot air balloon rides.
- It’s not always the best value, but if you’re low on cash, it’s a great backup.
Shopping and Vouchers
Avios can also be spent on shopping vouchers or gifts, but the value is usually low (about 0.4¢ per point).
- Still, I once used leftover points for a small Amazon voucher during Christmas!
5. Tips to Get the Most Value from Your Avios
Here are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years:
1. Plan Early
Avios award seats are limited. If you want a great deal, book as early as possible.
2. Fly Off-Peak
British Airways charges fewer points during off-peak seasons. Flying mid-week or in less busy months helps you save.
3. Avoid High Taxes
Some flights (especially from the UK) have high taxes. Try using Avios on airlines or routes with low taxes and fees. For example, Dublin to North America has lower fees than London.
4. Use Avios for Short-Haul Flights
Short flights (under 650 miles) can be super cheap in points. For example, Paris to Madrid might cost only 4,000–6,000 Avios.
5. Combine Avios Accounts
You can combine Avios from British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways under one account. This is super helpful when trying to gather enough points for a long trip.
6. Personal Experience: My First Avios Flight
Let me tell you about the first time I used Avios. I had just finished my university exams, and I wanted to surprise my parents by visiting them back home in India. But flight prices were too high it was over £600 from London to Delhi.
I remembered my British Airways account had some points. I logged in and saw I had just over 30,000 Avios. After searching a bit, I found a flight from London to Delhi for 26,000 Avios + £180 in taxes. I booked it right away.
That flight felt so special not because I was flying, but because I had earned it through small actions like booking hotels, eating out, and online shopping. That was the day I truly understood the value of a loyalty program.
Conclusion
Avios points are more than just airline miles they’re a reward for being a smart traveler. You don’t need to be a frequent flyer to earn them. With the right choices, even students and families can collect points by shopping, eating, traveling, and more.
What I love about Avios is that they make travel more possible. You feel in control. You can plan trips without spending all your savings. And it’s fun—almost like a game where every good decision gets you closer to your dream destination.
So next time you hear someone say “air miles,” you’ll know exactly what they mean and how to earn and use them wisely.
FAQs
Q1. Can I earn Avios without flying?
Yes! You can earn Avios by shopping online, eating at partner restaurants, staying in hotels, or using an Avios-linked credit card.
Q2. How many Avios do I need for a free flight?
It depends on the distance and the route. Short-haul flights in Europe can start from just 4,000–6,000 points, while long-haul flights might need 20,000 to 60,000+ points.
Q3. Do Avios expire?
Yes, but only if your account is inactive for 36 months (3 years). Any earning or spending activity will reset the clock.
Q4. Can I transfer my Avios to someone else?
Yes, but there may be a small fee. You can also pool points through a household account with family members.
Q5. What is the best use of Avios?
The best value comes from short-haul flights and business class redemptions. Shopping or hotel redemptions offer lower value.
