You can redeem Avios on US Airways from 31st March 2014
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The ‘on / off’ merger of US Airways with American Airlines is now, finally, ‘on’. The deal will complete in the next few days.
Integrating the two carriers under the American Airlines brand will be a long process, albeit one that has been seen numerous times in the US in recent years. Over a period of years, planes will be repainted, schedules co-ordinated and service levels equalised.
From a frequent flyer point of view, the key point is that US Airways will leave Star Alliance on 30th March 2014. On 31st March, it will join its new parent, American Airlines, in the oneworld alliance.
British Airways is also a member of the oneworld alliance, and allows reciprocal ‘earning and burning’ of miles. This means that, from 31st March, you will be able to book US Airways flights with your Avios points. You will also be able to earn Avios and British Airways tier points when you fly with US Airways.
(If you have any US Airways miles and were planning to use them for Star Alliance travel, you need to start planning that redemption now. Note that, after 31st March, you will not be able to change an existing Star Alliance redemption – the only option available will be to rebook using oneworld airlines.)
The US Airways and American Airlines frequent flyer schemes will also be merged. No date has been announced yet, but it is almost certain that US Airways miles will transfer at 1:1 into American Airlines. If you have status with US Airways, you will receive the equivalent level of AA status.
US Airways has key hubs in:
- Charlotte
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Washington National
Anyone travelling to those parts of the US will see the most benefit. However, in total there will be 60 airports where you can go with Avios for the first time – 56 in the US, along with 3 in Canada and 1 in Mexico.
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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