8 easy ways to collect Avios

Words: Qin Xie

A decent amount of Avios can put discounted flights and cabin upgrades within easy reach. But did you know that you don’t need to fly at all to add to your collection? 

You can collect Avios just for doing your regular commute, for dining out on a random night or even for switching your broadband provider. And a scoop of Avios here and there will soon add up to a trip somewhere fabulous – or another way to treat yourself. Whatever you want to spend your Avios on, here are some surprising ways to top them up.

1. Enjoy your commute 

Commuting can be expensive, so make it work for you by collecting Avios while you’re at it. If you’re a driver, make sure you sign up for a BPme Rewards account and link it to your British Airways Club account. This way you’ll collect BPme Rewards points every time you refuel at a bp-owned petrol station. Those points can be automatically converted to Avios at a rate of 25 Avios for every 40 BPme Rewards points.* Rail commuters can collect Avios by buying their tickets on Trainline or Trainpal via the Avios Shop – and that includes season tickets. Trainline gives 1 Avios for every £1 spent.

2. Maximise business expenses

If you’re self-employed, a landlord or you run your own business, you can collect Avios from legitimate business expenses. For example, by signing up for an Intuit QuickBooks paid plan, you can collect 20 Avios for every £1 spent on its accounting software. There’s also Taxfix (formerly TaxScouts) – you’ll collect 2,500 Avios when you use its tax self-assessment service. You just need to make your purchase through the Avios Shop to take advantage of the offer.

3. Take out insurance 

No one wants to think about something bad happening, but it often pays to be prepared by having the right insurance. And yes, you can collect Avios when you compare and take out a home insurance policy using Go Compare or Compare the Market – just make sure you go through the Avios Shop first. 

4. Buy new gadgets

Need a new phone, laptop or other gadget? Go through the Avios Shop and you’ll collect Avios at the same time. A new contract with O2 could net you up to 5,000 Avios, while a laptop from Laptop Direct will get you 1 Avios for every £1 spent. Remember, you can also pick up Nectar points when you shop at Argos, which can then be converted into Avios. You’ll collect 250 Avios for every 400 Nectar points you convert and this can be done automatically when you access your British Airways Club and Nectar accounts here.

5. Get gardening

Keen gardeners will be busy preparing for the year ahead as spring approaches, which means new plants and new tools. Get these via the Avios Shop and you’ll collect Avios at the same time. You can collect 15 Avios for every £1 you spend at Gardening Direct, or 12 Avios per £1 spent at Gardening Express. Even if you don’t have a garden, it’s possible to go green fingered. Plants for All Seasons will deliver house plants to your door – and you’ll collect 2 Avios for every £1 spent.

6. Have a day out

Taking the kids on a day trip or enjoying a spa day with friends can all add extra Avios to your balance. Book a Go Ape experience through the Avios Shop and you’ll collect 5 Avios for every £1 spent. Got a special celebration? Try a spa day or even helicopter lessons from Experience Days and you can collect up to 10 Avios for every £1 you spend. 

7. Eat out 

You can collect Avios for everyday spends offline as well. You’ll need to log into your British Airways Club account via the Avios Shop to link your credit or debit card first, then just spend as normal and Avios collected at eligible retailers will be automatically credited to your account. The best way to take advantage of this is by eating out. New to the Avios fold is PizzaExpress (3 Avios for every £1 spent),** and other options include Gaucho (10 Avios for every £1 spent) and Comptoir Libanais (5 Avios for every £1 spent), plus many more.

8. Watch some sport

If you go to sporting events all the time, you’re missing a trick if you’re not collecting Avios at the same time. See Tickets sells tickets to major sporting events ranging from the World Snooker Tournament to the British Motor Show. Book yours via the Avios Shop and you’ll collect 1 Avios for every £1 spent. Also try Eventim, which showcases wrestling, motocross and more, and collect 1 Avios for every £1 you spend.

For more Avios tips and tricks, visit our High Life Avios page.

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**See full terms and conditions