Can I earn Avios and BA tier points if I fly with Air Italy?

In this article we’ll look at how you can earn Avios and British Airways tier points by flying with Air Italy and whether it’s worth it compared to flying British Airways.

It is possible to earn Avios and BA tier points on Air Italy instead of their own mileage reward currency.  This is because the airlines have a partnership, even though Air Italy is not a member of the oneworld alliance.

When you book or manage your flights with Air Italy, you will be able to add your British Airways Executive Club number.  Upon completion of your flights you will automatically be credited with the correct number of Avios.

However, you will earn a different amount of Avios on Air Italy compared to a similar flight with British Airways. This is because they have different earning rates. On Air Italy, you will earn Avios at a maximum of 125% of miles flown if you fly business class. On British Airways flights, however, business class fares can come with up to 250% of miles flown.

Here is the full chart of earning rates, sourced from the British Airways website. We are comparing the earnings when you take a flight on Air Italy compared to taking a similar length flight on British Airways.

Economy lowest – 25% on both airlines

Economy low – 50% on both airlines

Economy flexible – 100% on both airlines

Premium Economy – not available on Air Italy vs 100%-150% on British Airways

Business – 125% vs 150%-250% on British Airways

First – not available on Air Italy vs 250%-300% on British Airways

As you can see, economy earning rates are the same for both airlines.  For flights in business class you will earn less than you might expect. You earn at least 25%-125% fewer Avios than you would on a British Airways flight of the same length.

You will NOT get a status bonus when you fly with Air Italy.  This means that Bronze, Silver and Gold members of the Executive Club will do even worse compared to flying British Airways.

You WILL earn tier points in British Airways Executive Club when you fly with Air Italy.

When it comes to tier points, you are better off flying with Air Italy than British Airways to the same destination if your Air Italy trip would involve a connection.

This is because tier points are earned per flight, so connecting in Milan to your final destination will earn more tier points than taking a direct flight on British Airways from London.  You can work out how many tier points you will earn on the BA tier point calculator here.  Remember to search leg by leg if you are connecting.

(This article is part of our ‘BA Q&A’ series which explains how The British Airways Club works.  You can see all of our ‘BA Q&A’ articles here. )

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (August 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 Card

30,000 Avios and the famous annual Companion Voucher voucher Read our full review

British Airways American Express Credit Card

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 Credit Card

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

50,000 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 points worth 0.8 Avios per £1 on the FREE standard card and 1 Avios per £1 on the Pro card. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 0.8 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 Card

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.

The American Express Business Platinum Card

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

The American Express Business Gold Card

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.