Another quirk with the ‘£1 taxes’ Avios flight redemptions trial
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We have covered the current trial of ‘£1 taxes’ short-haul Avios redemptions extensively. There have been a few teething problems but the system is now working as it should.
A reader has picked up another quirk, however
If you book a short-haul Avios redemption using a British Airways American Express 2-4-1 voucher, it prices under the ‘old’ system. You cannot choose how much or how little you pay in taxes in charges. You must pay £35 return in Euro Traveller and £50 return in Club Europe.
It gets more complex.
A reader booked two one-way short-haul flights using a 2-4-1 voucher, at 355 days before departure. The plan was to add the return later when it became available.
A week later, they booked the return flights online – choosing the ‘middle’ pricing option of £17.50 one way in taxes and charges – and later called British Airways to merge these flights onto the existing 2-4-1 ticket. The Avios for one of the return tickets would be refunded.
This is a proven technique which many people use. However, it no longer works on short haul. Even if you pick the ‘£17.50 taxes’ option when booking online, your ticket cannot be married to an existing 2-4-1 booking. You must ring the BA call centre and get them to book the return for you, adding it to your existing ticket.
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.