Collecting Avios

[ScandiNoirNuit]

New to the Avios world, have just started collecting via Amex gold card. Will get a few more from short work flights and planning to use nectar points as well. I don’t really know how much we will collect in a year and whether it will be enough to book flights for 4 of us in school hols.

Do others get really targeted with collecting through all avenues eg shopping offers, insurance, multiple credit cards etc? Do you find it worth it?

I do think I have made a rookie mistake starting with the Gold card as it doesn’t have the companion voucher unlike BA Amex card though.

Firstly, I would go onto The Points Guy’s website to see how you can maximize your points! I also use the BA Avios e-store. I buy lots of things from John Lewis and they often have 6 Avios for every £1 spent.

I’ve been collecting Avios since 2016 and I’ve managed to fly First Class/Business with my husband at least twice a year! It’s even easier if you can put work expenses on it. I managed to bag Sydney from Heathrow in business for February for DH & I - a saving of nearly £6k! It’s so much fun and you can’t go back to economy! Good luck

Thanks @Finallybreathe! it does look like it could be a fun thing to start. Amazing that you have managed so many business / first flights! I don’t think we will scale those heights anytime soon but something to aim for.

Do you tend to use for long or short haul? The taxes on long haul look a bit off putting - I had a v quick look at economy to nyc and it was £300 plus 60,000 Avios whilst booking online agents was around £450 without Avios.

I tend to use it only for business class long haul. The fees are too much on economy short haul/long haul so I don’t bother. I sometimes use it for business class short haul during peak seasons (summer holidays) as you can get £1 fares.

Do you use an Amex to help, @Finallybreathe? if so, which?

I have an Amex gold card but the promotion period has run out so I am looking to get a new one I think (but confused as to whether that’s possible and how to get the best promotions as a not-new Amex user).

I've had my Amex card for about 8 years and use it for my daily spending - between 1,500-£2500 every month

Whenever I've called up I've never even had enough for two cheap flights to Paris

No idea how anyone gets anything out of it

This is my concern @HeavenCANTwait !

We found it quite useful for booking last minute flights as the ba points flights can be a lot cheaper. Most of the points came from joining bonuses.