Mark Foster, the British swimmer and Blue Executive Club Member, competed in five Olympic Games and won six world titles in his 23-year career. He tells The Club why he loves swimming in Italy and shares his tips on collecting Avios

Why did you join the Executive Club?
I swam for Great Britain for 23 years and travelled a lot during that time, mostly with BA. It was brilliant to know I could be patriotic and collect points when flying – and then use them to fly some more.

What’s the best thing about being a Member?
After representing your country for all those years, you develop a loyalty for all things British – being a Club Member is an extension of that. If you’re travelling at the front of the plane you get to use the lounge, which is a great way to start a journey, especially if you’re flying long-haul.

Where do you travel for work?
I used to compete all over the world, but when I was training in winter, I loved getting away to warmer climates. Given the choice I always went to California or Miami, because all the international swimmers would be there, so I could train with the best. I love the east and west coasts of the US, especially in January.

Where is the best place for swimming?
That’s a hard call. In recent years I have become a huge fan of Italy, especially Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast (above). There’s something about the coastline and driving that I find both relaxing and exciting.

Is there anywhere left on your travel list?
I’d like to explore European cities a bit more. I was in Berlin for the first time as a tourist this year (I was always competing on previous visits) and I loved it – especially the architecture. I also have some more exotic destinations, such as Bali and the Maldives, on my list.

What do you spend your Avios on?
I always spend them on flights because I need something to aim for – perhaps it’s a hangover from competing? Having a holiday and some time away with my partner and the family is always a huge motivator.

What’s your top tip for collecting Avios?
It’s a big thing in my family, so we are always telling each other about offers. My sisters are particularly good at it. But my main tip is to use the BA American Express card as much as possible to bump up your collection. And I always fill up my car at Tesco (you can convert Clubcard points to Avios) – as it’s a Range Rover, that makes a huge difference.

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This article has been tagged BA, Travel Tips