How to use your Avios points for more than flight tickets

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Avios points are best known for booking flights but their value extends to other perks.

Earned through airlines like British Airways and everyday spending with partner retailers and credit cards, Avios has become a versatile reward system.

From hotel stays and car rentals to shopping and leisure activities, these points can be used in ways that cater to all lifestyles, not just to frequent flyers.

What are Avios points?

Avios points are the reward system of several major airlines and travel partners. They were launched in 2011 as a direct response to the merger of British Airways and Iberia, which created the International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG.L).

Avios is a unified points system that works across all IAG carriers.

In addition to flight redemptions, Avios partners with various non-airline partners such as hotels, car rental services, and online retailers allowing customers to earn points through everyday purchases.

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Avios points have evolved significantly over the past decade. The merger of British Airways and Iberia to create IAG created a unified loyalty programme that could cater to a broader customer base across different regions.

Before the merger, both British Airways and Iberia had separate frequent flyer programmes — the Executive Club and Iberia Plus. Though both were well-regarded, they lacked integration, making it difficult for passengers to earn and spend points across both airlines.

To solve this, IAG introduced Avios, which worked across all IAG carriers, including later additions like Aer Lingus and Vueling.

During the COVID pandemic, as the global travel industry faced unprecedented disruptions, Avios points increased in popularity as BA introduced options to use Avios for everyday items like wine, electronics and groceries.

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This shift allowed travellers to extract value from their accumulated points without flying, keeping customer engagement with the Avios programme high despite the grounded travel industry.

As borders began reopening, the value of Avios points surged as travellers sought ways to fly while avoiding the high costs of post-pandemic airfare spikes.

The pandemic shifted the way consumers approached loyalty programmes, placing greater emphasis on flexibility and cash equivalents.

How can you get Avios points?

1. Airline travel

Perhaps the most familiar method, participating airlines award Avios for every mile flown, as well as for premium services and special promotions.

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