Earn up to 50,000 miles with two transatlantic BA or AA 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 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.