Whether you’re looking to discover your new favourite holiday destination, fly in supreme comfort or make your next trip a little less stressful, Avios can help. Here are ten ways to make the most of them…

Feeling free
Next month marks the start of the feelgood season: spring. One of the best places to appreciate the wonders of this time of year is the Netherlands, aka the ‘Flower Garden of Europe’. Book a return Reward Flight Saver to Amsterdam for just £1 and 18,500 Avios to luxuriate in sunset bike rides along the canal and a day trip to a sea of tulips in Lisse.

March is also ideal for an escape to Iceland to witness the aurora borealis, as this is when the shimmering phenomenon is most prominent. Jet over to Reykjavik (and back) almost for free, spending just £1 plus 27,500 Avios.¹

Caribbean temptation
Enticed by our brand-new flight route to Aruba starting next month? This pocket-sized island is encompassed by palm tree-lined porcelain sands next to glistening waters. But it’s more than just a beach paradise. The capital city of Oranjestad is brimming with seafood restaurants, boutiques and a vibrant culture. Alternatively, there are also mysterious caves, wild hiking trails and vivid turquoise natural pools to explore.

Such a dreamy destination must come at a great cost, right? Not necessarily. Using your collected Avios, you can make a part payment on British Airways and American Airlines flights between the UK and North America and many other selected partner airlines,² so that you can revel in island life for less.

Take off in style
The longer the flight, the better when travelling in an upgraded cabin that you’ve booked using Avios. As a Club World passenger, you can enjoy extra space, where you can recline your plush chair into a fully flat bed and get cosy in bedding from The White Company. Our new Club Suite has even more space, with a larger bed, direct aisle access and a door for extra privacy.

To really spoil yourself, reserve a space in First. Once you arrive, get comfortable in the complimentary Temperley London loungewear before sinking into your super snug bed. After dozing off with a film, tuck into our divine signature dishes while sipping Champagne.

Over-pack as you please
Is it even a holiday if you haven’t stuffed your suitcase with enough books, clothes and shoes to last you a year? Arrive at the airport with a newfound confidence from the guarantee of a seamless check-in.

Simply use your Avios to buy extra baggage, then fill your bags to your heart's content with the perfect evening outfits from Harrods and pampering skincare products from Space NK. It’s all there on our shopping portal, where you’ll also collect Avios on every purchase.

Eat, sleep, recline, repeat
As we enter the cabin, our bodies know it’s time to switch off and kick back. Treat yourself to the snacking/sipping lifestyle that’s been calling your name from the moment you booked your flight – a glass of Champagne to toast your trip, a vino thoughtfully selected by our Master of Wine Tim Jackson, or a sandwich from English Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge.

Everything tastes better when you’re in a bubble of holiday euphoria, especially if your Avios paid for it. The second best part? You can pre-purchase from our Speedbird Café and have your foodie favourites delivered straight to your seat. 

Hit the road 
Feed your curiosity and drive to the hidden corners of the Philippines, such as Pagudpud, where you’ll discover two kilometres of white sand and palm trees at Saud Beach. Or take on the classic coast-to-coast Southern Pacific Route on an epic 3,000-mile USA road trip – where you’ll cruise through deserts, mountains and iconic states such as California and Arizona.  

Travel at your own pace, see places off-the-beaten path and enjoy a new feeling of freedom when hiring a car abroad. No need to fret about breaking down – there’s 24-hour customer support and roadside assistance at the ready.

Add some pizzazz
Travel snaps are a must. Spoil yourself silly before you set off, so that you can show off your style as if you’re being papped on a runway. What better way to start your holiday than by ordering a cheeky gift from the duty-free High Life Shop – it’ll even arrive at your seat before you do.

In need of a chic new pair of sunnies that will tie together your laidback beach outfit? An elegant Colgau Tudor Court Locket or Concorde Limited Edition Watch are perfect for completing a smart evening look. Or pick a new fragrance, so that when you’re back in drizzly England, the scent will transport you back to the good times.

Enjoy the ride
Set yourself up for a seamless and restful flight by securing seats next to your loved ones. Then all you’ll need to worry about is what snacks to order and which film to watch first.

After even more comfort? Sprawl out in the wider seats with extra legroom in our World Traveller Plus cabin on long-haul flights. Shut out the world with free noise-cancelling headphones and sip some complimentary drinks from the bar – try one of our signature cocktails such as the Gin Fizz or Citrus Twist. You’ll also get to tuck into two three-course meals and get a bag full of goodies, which includes a lip balm, eye mask, pen, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Pass the rest test
Where you hunker down for the night can make or break a holiday. Stretch out on a sun bed at an all-inclusive beach-front resort in Barbados with a swim-up bar and live evening entertainment. Or immerse yourself in the buzz of Dubai while staying in a glitzy skyscraper with mesmerising city views. Or how about a romantic, adults-only hotel in Venice with elegant gold-leaf chandeliers and frescoed walls?

Better yet, you can claim nights at plush pads around the world using your Avios. Simply click here to discover more than 100,000 hotels from across the route network that have been carefully vetted for your enjoyment, and pay (or part pay) using Avios to book.

Hold on to your hats
Looking for an excuse to experience new thrills? Take your little ones (or not-so-little ones) on an action-packed day out at Universal Orlando – 20 years from now, they’ll still talk about that time in Florida. Or soak up views of some of the most magical natural spectacles on the planet, whether that’s on a guided trek through the Atlas Mountains, or a tropical sunset on a cruise in St Lucia. If you’re an adrenaline seeker, hop on the High Roller in Las Vegas.

You can book these (and a host of other exceptional, trip-defining experiences) right here using your Avios. So go on – do something out of the ordinary on your getaway at no extra cost to your bank balance.

Terms & Conditions
1 Reward Flight Saver
Reward Flight Savers are British Airways’ best value reward flights. Reward Flight Saver offers customers great value flights with a low flat fee, to cover taxes, fees and carrier charges with a fixed Avios amount. To be eligible for Reward Flight Saver, you need to have collected at least one Avios in the past 12 months. To find out more about Reward Flight Saver, click here. Reward Flights are subject to availability. The prices referenced are for a Reward Flight Saver fare and based on an off-peak, return fare for 1 passenger travelling in Euro Traveller (Economy), from London. All prices and Avios amounts quoted are correct as of January 2023. 

2 Avios Part Payment
Part payment is available on British Airways flights, American Airlines flights between the UK and North America and on British Airways codeshare flights operated by Aer Lingus, Iberia, airBaltic, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, China Southern, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Japan Airlines, LATAM, Loganair, Qantas, Qatar and Vistara. Saving options will vary depending on your chosen travel class, destination, whether your flight is one way or return and the number of people in the booking. See more here.

3 Upgrades with Avios
An Avios upgrade is always to the next cabin, which can vary depending on the route and airline. On a short-haul flight, you could upgrade from economy (Euro Traveller) to business (Club Europe). On a long-haul flight, you could upgrade from economy (World Traveller) to premium economy (World Traveller Plus); premium economy (World Traveller Plus) to business (Club World), or business (Club World) to First class. We offer a limited number of reward seats on all our published flights and so they are subject to availability. There must be reward flight availability in the next cabin for you to be able to upgrade to it using Avios. Most cash bookings can be upgraded with Avios either at the time of booking or later on, depending on availability. Only the lowest economy (World Traveller) fares (Q, O and G) cannot be upgraded with Avios at any time. You won’t be able to upgrade with Avios at the airport.

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This article has been tagged Avios, Travel Tips