New BMI award chart published

A new partner award chart has quietly appeared on the BMI website.

Now, this is odd.  Remember that from 3rd July, Avios and Diamond Club miles will be interchangeable.   What is the point, then, of having different redemption levels for certain zones?  Tokyo is 200k DC in J, but only 120k Avios.  Singapore is 160k vs 140k using Avios, as is Buenos Aires.

That said, at the ‘100k for long-haul Business’ level, the miles needed appear the same – 100k to the US (albeit New York and other East Coast destinations are now just 80k with Avios), South Africa, India, Caribbean etc.

I also have no idea why there is 27,000 mile price for First Class near-Europe flights, since no such cabin exists!

The good news is that Virgin remains on the list as a partner.  Whether it is still there on 3rd July when you will be able to transfer in Avios remains to be seen. 

It would be very odd if you were able to spend BAEC miles on VS flights, and the odd date of 3rd July to start Avios to DC transfers makes me think that this date was picked to match a break point in BMI’s contract with Virgin.

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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:

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.