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How To Collect Air Miles UK

How To Collect Air Miles UK: Your Ultimate Guide for 2024

If you’ve ever wondered how frequent travellers manage to fly in business class without spending a fortune, it’s likely because they’re using air miles and points. Learning how to collect air miles UK can unlock these travel perks for you too. Here’s an in-depth guide on how to collect air miles in the UK and make the most of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Air Miles and Points: Air miles, also known as frequent flyer miles or airline points, are a type of currency that airlines use to reward customer loyalty. You earn them through various activities and can redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits.
  • Earning Air Miles: Using an air miles card is one of the easiest ways to earn air miles. You can also earn loyalty points through shopping portals and other activities. Major programs in the UK include British Airways Executive Club, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Emirates Skywards.
  • Maximising Your Air Miles: Keep your points active, pool points with family, use points for upgrades, avoid high annual fees, and take advantage of special offers and sales to maximise your air miles. Whether you’re looking to book a free flight or enjoy perks like airport lounge passes and priority boarding, the world of air miles is within your reach.

How To Collect Air Miles UK

What Are Air Miles and Points?

Air miles, also known as frequent flyer miles or airline points, are a type of currency that airlines use to reward customer loyalty. You earn them through various activities and can redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits.

How Can You Use Air Miles?

While the most well-known use is redeeming them for flights, you can also use air miles for other services, such as:

  • Priority boarding
  • Extra baggage allowance
  • Car rentals
  • Hotels
  • Package holidays
  • Cruises
  • Shopping and charity donations

How To Collect Air Miles UK

How to Earn Air Miles in the UK

Earning air miles can seem tricky, but using an air miles card is one of the easiest ways to earn air miles. Managing a credit card account can help maximise air miles rewards.

You can also earn loyalty points through shopping portals and other activities.

Use Credit Cards

The Barclaycard Avios Card offers a great way to earn points per pound spent, making it easier to accumulate air miles quickly.

The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card allows you to earn reward points by spending money on the card, which can be exchanged for travel rewards.

Join Airline Loyalty Programs

Many airlines offer loyalty programs that allow you to earn air miles points. Signing up is usually free, and you can start collecting points with your first flight. Major programs in the UK include:

  • British Airways Executive Club: Earn Avios points for flights and other activities. British Airways is part of the oneworld alliance, allowing you to collect and redeem Avios with multiple airlines.
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Earn Virgin Points for flights and purchases. Virgin Atlantic has partnerships with various airlines, including Delta and Air France, allowing for more earning and redemption options.
  • Emirates Skywards: Collect Skywards Miles for flights and purchases. Emirates has a broad network of partners, making it easy to accumulate points.

How To Collect Air Miles UK

Use Credit Cards

One of the easiest ways to earn air miles is through air miles credit cards. These cards reward you with points for your everyday spending. Managing your credit card account effectively can help you maximise air miles rewards. Here are some options:

Barclaycard Avios:

  • Sign-up bonus: 5,000 Avios if you spend £1,000 in the first 3 months
  • Points: £1 spent = 1 Avios per pound spent
  • Fee: No fee

Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card:

  • Points: £1 spent = 0.75 Virgin Points on everyday purchases, £1 spent = 1.5 Virgin Points on Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays
  • Fee: No fee

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold:

  • Sign-up bonus: 20,000 points (if you spend £3,000 in the first three months)
  • Points: £1 spent = 1 membership reward point
  • Airline redemption: Convert points to Avios at a 1:1 rate, or to Virgin Points
  • Extras: Up to 12,500 bonus points per year, airport lounge passes, hire car discounts, hotel upgrades
  • Fee: First year free, then £195/year

frequent flyer programmes

Everyday Spending and Shopping

You can earn air miles through your everyday spending at partner retailers and service providers. You can also earn loyalty points through shopping portals and other activities, which can be redeemed for travel rewards like discounted flights and other perks. For example:

Groceries

  • Sainsbury’s Nectar Card: Earn Nectar points on your shop which can be converted into Avios. 400 Nectar points = 250 Avios.
  • Tesco Clubcard: Collect points on your groceries and fuel purchases. 600 Avios for every £2.50 in Clubcard vouchers.

Fuel

  • BP Garages: Earn BPme Rewards which can be converted into Avios. Every 40 BPme points = 25 Avios.
  • Esso: Collect Nectar pointson fuel purchases. 1 Nectar point for every litre of fuel purchased, and 2 points for every £1 spent in the shop.

Shopping Portals

Use airline shopping portals like the British Airways eStore to earn points on purchases from popular retailers like ASOS, Boots, John Lewis, and more. These portals offer a percentage of your spending back in the form of air miles.

airline loyalty programmes

Promotions and Special Offers

Keep an eye out for special promotions from airlines and credit card companies. These could include bonus points for signing up, spending a certain amount, or using specific services. Managing your credit card account can help you take advantage of these special promotions and maximise air miles rewards. For example, Virgin Atlantic often runs promotions offering double points on certain purchases or routes.

Buying Points

Sometimes it makes sense to buy points, especially if you’re close to having enough for a desired redemption. However, ensure the cost is justified compared to the value of what you’re redeeming.

air miles credit card

Redeeming Your Air Miles

Once you’ve started collecting points, it’s time to redeem them. But how many do you need for a free flight?

How Many Points Do You Need?

The number of points required for a free flight varies based on the airline, route, and class of service. Here’s a rough idea for one-way economy flights:

  • London to New York: 20,000 Virgin Points
  • London to Cape Town: 30,000 Avios (British Airways)
  • London to Dubai: 45,000 Emirates Skywards Miles

Taxes and Fees

Remember, even when you book a flight with points, you still need to pay taxes and fees. These charges can add up, especially for long-haul flights, so always compare if it’s worth using your points versus paying cash.

air miles points

Tips for Maximising Your Air Miles

Keep Your Points Active

Points can expire, so make sure to stay active in your loyalty programs. This can be as simple as making a small purchase or booking a short flight. Additionally, managing your credit card account can help keep your points active and prevent them from expiring.

Pool Points with Family

Many programs allow you to pool points with family members, making it easier to accumulate enough for a bigger redemption. For example, the British Airways Executive Club allows you to create a household account to pool Avios.

Use Points for Upgrades

Sometimes using points for upgrades can give you better value than redeeming for flights. Look out for upgrade offers, especially on long-haul flights. For example, using Avios to upgrade from World Traveller Plus to Club World on British Airways can be a good deal.

Avoid High Annual Fees

Choose a rewards credit card that aligns with your spending habits. Cards with high annual fees may offer more perks, but ensure you can justify the cost. For example, the American Express Platinum Card offers many perks but comes with a £575 annual fee.

Special Offers and Sales

Airlines often run sales on reward flights, allowing you to book for fewer points. Keep an eye on airline newsletters and websites for these offers. For example, Virgin Atlantic often has sales where you can book reward flights for 50% fewer points. Managing your credit card account can also help you take advantage of special promotions and maximise air miles rewards.

air miles points

Final Word

Collecting air miles in the UK is a smart way to save money on travel. By joining loyalty programs, using air miles credit cards, and taking advantage of partner offers, you can start earning points on your everyday spending. Whether you’re looking to book a free flight or enjoy perks like airport lounge passes and priority boarding, the world of air miles is within your reach.

FAQs

What are air miles and how do they work?

Air miles, also known as frequent flyer miles or airline points, are rewards you earn from airlines for flying or spending with their partners. These points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related perks. Essentially, they are a loyalty currency used by airlines to incentivise customer loyalty.

How can I earn air miles without flying?

You can earn air miles without flying by using air miles credit cards for everyday purchases, shopping with airline partners, and taking advantage of special promotions. For example, using a British Airways American Express card or shopping at Sainsbury’s to earn Nectar points, which can be converted into Avios.

What is the best credit card for earning air miles in the UK?

The best air miles credit card depends on your needs. Popular options include the British Airways American Express, which earns 1 Avios per £1 spent, the Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card for earning Virgin Points on purchases, and the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold, which earns points that can be converted to Avios or Virgin Points.

How can I maximise the points I earn on everyday spending?

To maximise points, use your air miles credit card for all eligible purchases, take advantage of sign-up bonuses, and shop through airline shopping portals. Also, consider linking your card to grocery loyalty programs like Nectar or Tesco Clubcard to convert points to air miles. Additionally, earn reward points by using your credit card for specific activities such as filling up at certain garages and spending money on the card, which can be exchanged for travel rewards or other benefits.

Can I pool air miles with family members?

Yes, many programs allow you to pool points with family members. For instance, the British Airways Executive Club allows you to create a household account to combine Avios points. This can make it easier to accumulate enough points for significant redemptions.

How many air miles do I need for a free flight?

The number of miles needed for a free flight varies by airline and route. For example, a one-way economy flight from London to New York might require 20,000 Virgin Points or 30,000 Avios. Always check the specific airline’s redemption chart for exact requirements to plan your trips effectively.

Do air miles expire?

Yes, air miles can expire. The expiration policy varies by airline. For example, Avios points expire if there’s no activity on your account for 36 months. Always check your airline’s terms to ensure you don’t lose your points and stay active in your loyalty programs to keep your miles valid. Managing your credit card account can also help keep your points active and prevent them from expiring.

Can I buy air miles if I’m short of a redemption?

Yes, many airlines allow you to purchase air miles. This can be useful if you’re just short of the number needed for a redemption. However, buying miles is usually more expensive than earning them through flights or spending, so it’s important to weigh the cost against the value of the redemption.

Are there any fees associated with using air miles?

When redeeming air miles for flights, you typically still have to pay taxes and fees. These can sometimes be substantial, especially for long-haul flights. It’s important to compare the total cost of a reward booking with the cash price of a ticket to determine if using miles is the best option.

How do I transfer points between different air mile programs?

Transferring points between programs depends on the partnerships between airlines. For example, you can transfer Avios between British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub. Check the specific rules and transfer ratios on each airline’s website to make the most of your points.