Should you redeem BAA WorldPoints now before the Avios redemption rate is cut?

When BAA WorldPoints ran their recent conversion bonus to Avios points, there was a reference in the email to the exchange rate moving to 250 : 250 from the current 250 : 300.  However, the small print of the email contradicted the main email so it appeared to be a typo.

With no fanfare, though, the following statement has now appeared on the WorldPoints website when you try to redeem for Avios:

From 14th May 2013 the conversion rate for British Airways Avios will revert to 250 WorldPoints for 250 British Airways Avios.

To be fair, this is just going back to how things used to be.  Before the launch of Avios, WorldPoints had a more generous conversion rate to (the old) Air Miles than for BA Miles.  After November 2011, the more generous Air Miles rate stuck and the Avios rate became 250 : 300.  This is now being taken back to where it was.

If you had a large WorldPoints balance, you probably converted it in the recent 100% bonus promotion.  If not, you now need to decide whether to lock in the 250:300 rate, or hold your points and hope for another 100% bonus later in the year.

If this happened, of course, you would be getting 500 Avios points per 250 WorldPoints.  That is only equivalent to a 67% bonus based on the 300 Avios points you would get today.

Given the WorldPoints to Avios conversion bonuses have become fairly regular over the last 18 months, I would still wait.  Locking in an extra 50 Avios per 250 WorldPoints now will not make up for missing out on a conversion bonus later.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (September 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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 26th September 2024, sign up for FREE Barclaycard Avios Mastercard and you will receive a sign-up bonus of 10,000 Avios. This is double the usual bonus! You only need to spend £1,000 within 90 days. Our full review is here. Click here to apply.

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.

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased to up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 80,000 Avios. You will receive 8 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased to up to 40,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 40,000 Avios. You will receive 4 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. The card is FREE for your first year. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.

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