Bits: new Avios route to Oz with Qantas, Aer Lingus launches ‘no baggage’ long-haul fares
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News in brief:
Qantas and Emirates revamp their partnership
As the major partnership between Qantas and Emirates approaches the end of its original five year term, the two airlines have announced a five year extension – plus major changes in how it will work.
These are, I think, positive from a UK perspective.
At present, Qantas flies Sydney – Dubai – London Heathrow using an A380. This service is to be scrapped from 25th March.
Instead, Qantas is launching Sydney – Singapore – London Heathrow using an A380. The timings are virtually identical to the British Airways flight on the same route.
Avios seats might become slightly easier to get on the existing British Airways flight to Sydney, which goes via Singapore. Some travellers will now choose Qantas over BA, either for just Heathrow to Singapore or all the way through. The Qantas A380 offers First Class and Premium Economy, a la British Airways.
At the same time, the number of Avios seats to Dubai will drop – although this market is already well served by British Airways into both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Remember that Qantas is also launching its NON-STOP 17-hour flight from Heathrow to Perth in 2018. This will use a new Boeing 787.
Even though Qantas will no longer fly via Dubai, you can still book Emirates flights via Dubai to Asia and Australasia as Qantas codeshares. This means that they will continue to earn Avios and British Airways tier points, as this HFP article explains.
Qantas is making another change at the same time which may also impact your Avios redemption thinking. Singapore to Melbourne is being upgraded to an A380 which means increased capacity and the introduction of First Class and premium economy.
Aer Lingus launches ‘Saver’ long-haul tickets
In a sign of what may be coming to sister airline British Airways soon, Aer Lingus has launched ‘fewer frills’ ‘Saver’ tickets on some routes from Dublin to the USA.
This are currently priced at €80 less than a standard return ticket. You DO still get free food but you won’t get a free suitcase, free seat selection or a blanket or headphones on board.
If you eventually end up checking in a suitcase then there is minimal saving here and, on West Coast routes, you will end up paying more in total. Assuming that the majority of US leisure travellers will be checking in a case, this seems to be a move aimed mainly at positioning Aer Lingus alongside Norwegian, price wise, on flight comparison sites.
What is weird is that you need to stay away for a Saturday night in order to book a ‘Saver’ fare. This is typical ‘legacy airline’ behaviour (Norwegian doesn’t do this). And, as I said above, these fares are often not even cheaper if you end up checking luggage, which most people will.
You will still earn Avios on ‘Saver’ fares at the standard rate of 3 per €1 on the base fare.
You can find out more about long-haul ‘Saver’ tickets here.
How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 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
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 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is increased to 30,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 30,000 Avios. Click here to apply.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 80,000 Avios! The spend requirement is changed to £10,000 in six months for this offer. 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
Huge 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, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.
Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa
10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) and NO FX fees 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.
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