More UK-Spain Summer sun routes launched by Iberia – possible Avios redemption ideas
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I have written before about the new Iberia services which are starting from Manchester (September) and Edinburgh (March). These will offer a direct route to Madrid, bookable with Avios points, and an easy option for connecting to an Iberia long-haul Avios redemption.
This all seemed a bit too sensible for Iberia’s route planning department, though. With Iberia now back in profit, anything goes!
At least, that is what is seems like. I can’t think of any other reason for the launch of London Luton to Vigo. Wherever Vigo may be. (In Galicia, it seems.)
The route will be operated by Air Nostrum / Iberia Regional on Thursdays and Sundays between 15 July and 27 September.
Seats are now available for Avios redemptions at ba.com. It is 15,000 Avios + £30 in Economy (no Reward Flight Saver on Iberia but taxes out of Luton are low anyway) and 30,000 Avios + £43 in Business.
If you are thinking of booking for cash, look at iberia.com and Air Nostrum as prices and baggage allowances can sometimes vary.
More logical are two new Summer routes launched by Iberia Express. The only surprising thing here is that they are being flown from Heathrow – and Terminal 5 at that – where we are always led to believe that British Airways is struggling to find slots.
The new routes are:
Heathrow to Tenerife North (3 flights per week from 29 March)
Heathrow to Las Palmas / Gran Canaria (4 flights per week from 30 March)
The tax is not great, unfortunately. Las Palmas is 20,000 Avios + £114 return in Economy or 40,000 Avios + £64 in Business. I have no idea why Business is £50 cheaper, I think ba.com is treating the surcharges incorrectly. The pricing for Tenerife is the same.
In Economy, you are better off booking via iberia.com and using Combine My Avios to send your points across. Las Palmas in 20,000 Avios + £59 in Economy, for example, saving you £55 per person. Business Class, on the other hand, has taxes of £80 which is more than ba.com wants.
How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!
In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review
Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review
There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
25,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
British Airways American Express
5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review
You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review
Run your own business?
We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.
Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa
Huge 30,000 points bonus until 12th May 2024 Read our full review
You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.
British Airways Accelerating Business American Express
30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review
There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.
American Express Business Platinum
40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review
Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.
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