How ba.com overcharges you by 24% if you book Avios ‘Experiences’
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Yesterday we ran an article looking at whether it was worth using your Avios for ‘Experiences’ redemptions.
My view was that it wasn’t, because you get around 0.5p per Avios compared to 0.8p if you turn them into Nectar points. However, Nectar isn’t an option if you are outside the UK so some people may still be looking at this.
A reader called Neo left a note in the comments yesterday to say, in as many words, ‘Did you know that British Airways rips you off if you book ‘Experiences’ at ba.com?‘.
I didn’t know this. But the reader was right.
How ba.com rips you off if you are booking ‘Experiences’
You can book IDENTICAL experiences via the avios.com platform. They come from the same supplier and the events are even listed in the same order.
Let’s take a look at the top two events which come up for London on 13th July.
Via ba.com:
Via avios.com:
You are asked for 24% more Avios if you book via ba.com vs avios.com.
I also checked the cost if you book via iberia.com. It was 96,900 Avios, the same as ba.com and also 24% more expensive than using avios.com.
Here is the O2 Arena roof walk which we discussed yesterday. Via ba.com, if you remember, it was 6,300 Avios. Via avios.com:
…. you only need 5,100 Avios. Again, you pay 24% more via ba.com.
What is the pence per Avios via avios.com?
The O2 Arena roof walk was £32 for cash. This means:
- via ba.com, you are getting 0.51p per Avios.
- via avios.com, you are getting 0.63p per Avios
0.63p still isn’t fantastic, but it is a lot better than 0.51p.
How do you get your Avios into avios.com?
It is simple enough to move your Avios into avios.com in order to get your saving.
You need to go open a free Vueling Club or Aer Lingus AerClub account. This will have a 3081xxxxxxxxxxxx account number.
Using these details, you can log in at avios.com. Use the ‘Combine My Avios’ functionality to move Avios back and forth between British Airways Executive Club and avios.com.
You can move your points back and forth as often as you like. Transfers are free and instantaneous.
The next quesion is whether wine, car hire and hotels are also better value via avios.com. This is an article for another day.
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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.
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