Avios Subscription

[Misty]

I’m trying to find simple ways of adding to my Avios. I’ve done some boosting and am now considering doing the minimum level – Voyager – subscription of 20,000. I like the idea of the drip feeding into the account over the months.

My question really is when it shows the £259 a year price it has £369 crossed out next to it. Is the £369 what you would pay if you just bought the Avios ? I’m wondering if it would be better to wait for an Avios sale ? TIA.

[phil-lavin]

Personally, I’d not pay 1.295p per Avios but it’s a personal decision.

Have you looked at Barclays Avios Rewards? You’ll get 1500 a month for 12 quid. That’s 0.8p per point and you’ll get almost the 20k you’d get with the BA sub

[MF176]

Rather than simply accumulating for accumulations sake, you need to consider what redemptions you’re after and work backwards, only then can you really work out for yourself what an appropriate purchase price is. When are you looking to use them? What other (more “natural”) ways of earning could present themselves between now and then? Have you utilised all credit card SUB’s?

[Misty]

phil-lavin wrote:

Personally, I’d not pay 1.295p per Avios but it’s a personal decision.

Have you looked at Barclays Avios Rewards? You’ll get 1500 a month for 12 quid. That’s 0.8p per point and you’ll get almost the 20k you’d get with the BA sub

Thanks for your reply, I hadn’t worked out how much I would be paying per AVIOS but I know that the gold standard on here appears to be 1p per Avios so maybe I will give it a miss.

Is AVIOS rewards where you have to switch your bank account to Barclays ? Only i have a bank account that I’m OK with so not sure if I wish to switch or open another one.

[Reney]

Misty wrote:

phil-lavin wrote:

Personally, I’d not pay 1.295p per Avios but it’s a personal decision.

Have you looked at Barclays Avios Rewards? You’ll get 1500 a month for 12 quid. That’s 0.8p per point and you’ll get almost the 20k you’d get with the BA sub

Thanks for your reply, I hadn’t worked out how much I would be paying per AVIOS but I know that the gold standard on here appears to be 1p per Avios so maybe I will give it a miss.

Is AVIOS rewards where you have to switch your bank account to Barclays ? Only i have a bank account that I’m OK with so not sure if I wish to switch or open another one.[/quote

You get avios and an upgrade voucher which if it works for your destination it should be considered as an additional benefit as it lowers how much avios you need. Also you can now open the rainy day saver as well.

You probably don’t need to switch and can just open a new one. One current account in my opinion is too dependant on one bank. I think the benefit is enough to justify the effort of moving your money around each month, you can automate that.

The question to me is whether to wait for a switching bonus.

[Misty]

MF176 wrote:

Rather than simply accumulating for accumulations sake, you need to consider what redemptions you’re after and work backwards, only then can you really work out for yourself what an appropriate purchase price is. When are you looking to use them? What other (more “natural”) ways of earning could present themselves between now and then? Have you utilised all credit card SUB’s?

Thanks for your reply. I have got plans for using the AVIOS mainly short haul to Europe, but would love to do a long haul in 2025. I’ve managed to book flights to Madeira Avios/cash for April. But am on the lookout for flights in the summer to Greece or Spain or Italy and the same for autumn.

I’ve only had one SUB, that’s for the Gold Card plus a referral fee for OH. BA website are offering me a 7000 sub to take out BA Amex, and offering OH a 30000 SUB for OH for the BA PP.

[Misty]

Apologies Reney, I missed your post. I will look into Avios rewards, maybe open up a second bank account, and as you say move money about every month.

[MF176]

Misty wrote:

MF176 wrote:

Rather than simply accumulating for accumulations sake, you need to consider what redemptions you’re after and work backwards, only then can you really work out for yourself what an appropriate purchase price is. When are you looking to use them? What other (more “natural”) ways of earning could present themselves between now and then? Have you utilised all credit card SUB’s?

Thanks for your reply. I have got plans for using the AVIOS mainly short haul to Europe, but would love to do a long haul in 2025. I’ve managed to book flights to Madeira Avios/cash for April. But am on the lookout for flights in the summer to Greece or Spain or Italy and the same for autumn.

I’ve only had one SUB, that’s for the Gold Card plus a referral fee for OH. BA website are offering me a 7000 sub to take out BA Amex, and offering OH a 30000 SUB for OH for the BA PP.

If you’ve only had Gold then you’d both qualify for BAPP SUB, so definitely something to consider- that way you’ll also have the opportunity to earn a companion voucher which will make your Avios go further, and in a more premium cabin, come your 2025 trip.

[Misty]

MF176 wrote:

Misty wrote:

MF176 wrote:

Rather than simply accumulating for accumulations sake, you need to consider what redemptions you’re after and work backwards, only then can you really work out for yourself what an appropriate purchase price is. When are you looking to use them? What other (more “natural”) ways of earning could present themselves between now and then? Have you utilised all credit card SUB’s?

Thanks for your reply. I have got plans for using the AVIOS mainly short haul to Europe, but would love to do a long haul in 2025. I’ve managed to book flights to Madeira Avios/cash for April. But am on the lookout for flights in the summer to Greece or Spain or Italy and the same for autumn.

I’ve only had one SUB, that’s for the Gold Card plus a referral fee for OH. BA website are offering me a 7000 sub to take out BA Amex, and offering OH a 30000 SUB for OH for the BA PP.

If you’ve only had Gold then you’d both qualify for BAPP SUB, so definitely something to consider- that way you’ll also have the opportunity to earn a companion voucher which will make your Avios go further, and in a more premium cabin, come your 2025 trip.

Unfortunately I was turned down for BAPP, OH has an offer on the plus that ends on 9/1/24 so he is going to go for that one & I will be a supplementary card holder on that account to help meet the 3 month spend target. We are currently working our way though his Gold card spend target. This is fine as we don’t really want to pay 2 x fees on the BAPP, and one of us will ditch the Gold at 11 months.

I guess with the AVIOS Subscription I was looking at a way of gently increasing my balance each month.

[Misty]

@MF176 thanks for your insight.

Unfortunately I was turned down for the BAPP, but my OH has an offer to take it out by 9/1/24 for 30,000 so we will try that with me being a supplementary card holder to meet the spend target spend.

We are working away at his AmEx gold spend at the moment. If he is approved for the BAPP, I think we will keep that and I might get the free card as we don’t want to spend 2 annual card fees, and one of us will cancel the Gold at 11 months.

I think I was only interested in the AVIOS subscription as I like the idea of a small amount of AVIOS being drip fed into the account each month, even if we have a quite month of spending on cards.

[SteveJ]

Misty wrote:

MF176 wrote:

Rather than simply accumulating for accumulations sake, you need to consider what redemptions you’re after and work backwards, only then can you really work out for yourself what an appropriate purchase price is. When are you looking to use them? What other (more “natural”) ways of earning could present themselves between now and then? Have you utilised all credit card SUB’s?

Thanks for your reply. I have got plans for using the AVIOS mainly short haul to Europe, but would love to do a long haul in 2025. I’ve managed to book flights to Madeira Avios/cash for April. But am on the lookout for flights in the summer to Greece or Spain or Italy and the same for autumn.

I’ve only had one SUB, that’s for the Gold Card plus a referral fee for OH. BA website are offering me a 7000 sub to take out BA Amex, and offering OH a 30000 SUB for OH for the BA PP.

Are you sure you’re eligible for the BA Amex SUB? When did you cancel your Gold?

If looking to maximise SUBs then read this article for eligibility:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/12/26/what-amex-sign-up-bonuses-can-you-get-2/

And have you considered the Platinum MR Amex?
https://www.headforpoints.com/best-uk-avios-airline-hotel-credit-cards/

Also I’d second the Barclays & Barclaycard recommendations. Maximising sign up bonuses is the best way to start before you settle into a longer term routine (which likely involves a BAPP or 2 plus the Barclaycard)

[Misty]

Hi Steve

Thanks for your input. I am probably confused, but I thought you could have the BA Card as well as AmEx Gold, If you can’t then I am ineligible as I still have the AmEx Gold, and will probably keep it, to keep my MR points ticking over.

I’m afraid the Plat £650 fee puts me off, the Insurance is no good for people who have pre-existing’s as we do, and I don’t think I would bother with the spend £300 in a posh restaurant to get £100 off – but maybe I am doing the card a disservice. I’m sure there are people out there who get good value for the annual fee.

I think the next move will be a Barclaycard maybe in the new year. If we can’t get the BA cards. Thank you for the links.

[memesweeper]

@misty if you were turned down for an Amex recently i’d not apply again for a while.

If you qualify for Barclays premier bank account – and most likely if you do be prepared to actually pay your salary in – comes with a cheap-ish monthly subscription for Avios 1500/month for £12.

If you want more, get the Barclays Credit Card, maybe waiting for an attractive sign up bonus.

[SteveJ]

@Misty you can get the bonus only on the BAPP as holder of the Gold card, no bonus on the free BA card.

Sounds like both you and OH have the Gold? Do you have an upgrade to Platinum offer on your cards? Even if you don’t value the other benefits of the Plat, just think of it as paying £650 for 80k points (the first year part of their 100k offer) that is better value (£/p per point) than an Avios subscription.

[Misty]

Thanks for replying.

The below is my plan not sure if it’s a good one, but the best I can come up with at the moment.

@memesweeper I was turned down for the BAPP about 3 months ago, on income, so I may need to move some money about and pay a sum into my bank account each month from elsewhere, and then wait till the next enhanced SUB comes along.

However my OH is going to apply for the BAPP in Jan, so that should net us some points. Then I will apply for the Barclays Plus Avios in January or maybe wait for an enhanced SUB to turn up. I don’t think I qualify for the Barclays Prem bank account but I might investigate it further next year.

@SteveJ Yes we both have the AmEx Gold, I have received my Sub and we are working through OH £3000. Unfortunately I don’t think OH will go for a card with a £650 cost he kind of understands points but not to the tune of forking our £650 up front – he would say just spend the £650 on the holiday. Also pro rata refunds seem to be up in the air at the moment. I wouldn’t be eligible for the Plat.

After everyone’s helpful comments I’ve decided not to go for the Avios Subscription.

[BBbetter]

Misty wrote:

I was turned down for the BAPP about 3 months ago, on income, so I may need to move some money about and pay a sum into my bank account each month from elsewhere, and then wait till the next enhanced SUB comes along.

If only things were as simple as that.

[Misty]

BBbetter wrote:

Misty wrote:

I was turned down for the BAPP about 3 months ago, on income, so I may need to move some money about and pay a sum into my bank account each month from elsewhere, and then wait till the next enhanced SUB comes along.

If only things were as simple as that.

Gosh that sounds cryptic, is that not likely to work then, does it actually have to be salary ? I thought froggie said he did that into his OH’s account, of course I may have dreamt that.

[Reney]

Misty wrote:

Thanks for replying.

The below is my plan not sure if it’s a good one, but the best I can come up with at the moment.

@memesweeper I was turned down for the BAPP about 3 months ago, on income, so I may need to move some money about and pay a sum into my bank account each month from elsewhere, and then wait till the next enhanced SUB comes along.

However my OH is going to apply for the BAPP in Jan, so that should net us some points. Then I will apply for the Barclays Plus Avios in January or maybe wait for an enhanced SUB to turn up. I don’t think I qualify for the Barclays Prem bank account but I might investigate it further next year.

@SteveJ Yes we both have the AmEx Gold, I have received my Sub and we are working through OH £3000. Unfortunately I don’t think OH will go for a card with a £650 cost he kind of understands points but not to the tune of forking our £650 up front – he would say just spend the £650 on the holiday. Also pro rata refunds seem to be up in the air at the moment. I wouldn’t be eligible for the Plat.

After everyone’s helpful comments I’ve decided not to go for the Avios Subscription.

if you got turn down for income reasons for BAPP unlikely to qualify for as amex plat which has same income requirement. Barclays premium needs income of £75k (twice plus the amex bapp requirement) or have £100k savings from them. so sounds like you won’t qualify.

Moving your money around is not income. There is another thread where this has been discussed a lot so i won’t repeat here.

[Misty]

Hi Reney, thank you for your reply. I’m not bothered about the Amex Plat because of it’s annual fee. OH is going to apply for BAPP in new year, and if he is accepted I will be a sup on his card. I think I will qualify for the Barclaycard Credit card, rather than Barclays Premier, as we wish to find a card for our non AmEx spend. If it’s not too much trouble could you point me to the thread you mention, I haven’t managed to crack the search function properly yet.

[Misty]

SteveJ wrote:

@Misty you can get the bonus only on the BAPP as holder of the Gold card, no bonus on the free BA card.

Sounds like both you and OH have the Gold? Do you have an upgrade to Platinum offer on your cards? Even if you don’t value the other benefits of the Plat, just think of it as paying £650 for 80k points (the first year part of their 100k offer) that is better value (£/p per point) than an Avios subscription.

Apologies Steve I didn’t acknowledge your post. I didn’t realize that having the Gold means I can’t get the Basic BA card, I wont qualify for Plat. I think I will have to rely on OH getting BAPP in the new year with me as a supplementary on his to hit the spend to get the 241.

[zio]

You can get the basic BA Amex if you hold the gold card, but you won’t be eligible for a SUB.

Sounds like getting a supplementary on your OH’s new BAPP is the way forward. Don’t ask for a supplementary card when applying. He might get a bonus for adding a supplementary card after he receives his card.

[Reney]

Misty wrote:

Hi Reney, thank you for your reply. I’m not bothered about the Amex Plat because of it’s annual fee. OH is going to apply for BAPP in new year, and if he is accepted I will be a sup on his card. I think I will qualify for the Barclaycard Credit card, rather than Barclays Premier, as we wish to find a card for our non AmEx spend. If it’s not too much trouble could you point me to the thread you mention, I haven’t managed to crack the search function properly yet.

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/amex-plat-minimum-income/page/5/

[Misty]

@zio yes I think getting a sup on OH BAPP that will be the way forward with AmEx, If he qualifies. They keep sending him offers for it. after that maybe I will go for the Basic BA card, forgo the SUB but collect for a 241 on it, even though it’s economy only.

@Reney Thanks for the link. Every time I do a search for things brings up Robs articles I’m not sure how to search the actual forum posts.

[Deek]

Misty wrote:

@zio yes I think getting a sup on OH BAPP that will be the way forward with AmEx, If he qualifies. They keep sending him offers for it. after that maybe I will go for the Basic BA card, forgo the SUB but collect for a 241 on it, even though it’s economy only.

@Reney Thanks for the link. Every time I do a search for things brings up Robs articles I’m not sure how to search the actual forum posts.

Searching forums is a known issue – at the top of the forum is a ‘sticky’ note explaining how to get around it: https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/forum-search-not-working-click-to-read-more/

[Misty]

Thanks for the link Deek, I thought it was just my ineptitude !