Air miles collection examples?

[coldcallerbaiter]

I read on and off over the years about collecting air miles. From what I read it did not feel worth getting Amex just for this purpose.

We do not fly for work. Just leisure but we do a couple of long haul and a couple of short haul per year.

It might help crystallise it if I hear a few examples of how many miles were collected over how long and what kinds of rewards were claimed?

We have a Virgin credit card and collect miles and reward tickets with it. However I'm really questioning whether it's worth it because you have to pay tax on the tickets which often seems to be the same price as the ticket itself would have cost, or thereabouts. I don't know whether other airmiles programmes are better though.

i have a BA Amex and a barclaycard which also collects avios, i put all my spending on them and pay in full every month
i also use https://www.shopping.ba.com/ which is like a cash back site but gives extra avios

ive used the avios to pay for upgrades to business class on flights

Using air miles in the UK is only worthwhile if you’re flying business/first class or if the economy fare is very expensive (like during peak season). For example, I’m going to Australia in February with Qatar Airways in business. The fare in cash was £6,900 return however I paid 180,000 Avios (air miles) and ~£590 in fees. I also use websites like the British Airways Avios e-Store to collect Avios as you often get 5x the Avios for every £1 you spend.

If you use sites like The Points Guy, they have a comprehensive guide on how to maximize points. It’s really addictive!

I use my Virgin credit card for absolutely every purchase and pay off at the end of the month. I am flying to Florida in a few weeks and have paid £550 plus 50,000 points for Premium travel. I wouldn’t bother to use the points to pay for an Economy ticket.