Earn up to 50,000 miles with two transatlantic British Airways flights this summer

There are a very confusing number of promotions currently available for anyone planning on flying across the Atlantic on a oneworld airline, including British Airways.

The crux of the problem is this – some airlines do not want to throw miles at flyers who would achieve the bonus anyway.  If British Airways had decided to run this offer and make it open to everyone, it would have been very straightforward.  As it is, regular transatlantic flyers need to have a think.

Let’s summarise the four promotions you could sign up for:

British Airways – earn double Avios when you fly two long-haul return flights on BA or American Airlines by 31st July (click for details).  This offer is targetted, despite the promotional website saying it is open to all.

Iberia – earn up to 50,000 Avios with two transatlantic return flights on BA, American, Iberia, OpenSkies or Finnair before 31st July.  You earn 25,000 Avios in Iberia Plus for a First or Business Class flight, 15,000 for Premium Economy or flexible Economy and 2,000 for discounted Economy.  This offer is targetted and you must have been emailed by Iberia directly in order to register.

American Airlines – identical to the Iberia offer but this is NOT targetted.  Anyone can register via this page.  However, tickets must have been purchased after 9th May.  

Finnair – identical to the Iberia offer but, again, NOT targetted.  Anyone can register via this link.  Unlike AA, there is NO requirement to have booked before 9th May.

How can you decide which offer to register for?

If you are flying across the Atlantic before 31st July, here is a rough decision tree for you.  I assume that you would take Avios given the choice.

Do you need tier points from your flight to qualify for British Airways status?  If so, forget about these promotions and credit the flight to British Airways Executive Club as usual.  Sign up for the BA ‘double Avios’ promotion if you were targetted.

If not …. were you targetted for the Iberia offer?  (If you didn’t receive an email, log in at iberia.com and see if it pops up on the promotions page.)  Crediting your flight to Iberia means that you can move the Avios across the British Airways using ‘Combine My Avios’.

If not …. you need to choose between the AA offer and the Finnair offer.

Reasons for Finnair – no restriction on buying ticket after 9th May, can top up miles via American Express Membership Rewards transfers, can move the points to Le Club Accor Hotels or IHG Rewards Club – see the Finnair website here and here

Reasons for AA – no fuel surcharges when redeeming on most airlines (BA and Iberia excluded), you can redeem on Etihad, you can top up your miles via the UK AA credit card

It is, unfortunately, all more complicated than should be necessary.  Hopefully this article can help you decide where to credit any transatlantic travel over the next 10 weeks.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

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

Get 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

30,000 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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large 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, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

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

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

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

50,000 points when you sign-up 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.