Two of the most popular rewards cards are the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. On the face of it, there’s little to choose between them.

Dig a little deeper as I have, and you’ll see there are several key differences that you must consider in your selection. After all, you want the card that delivers for you, don’t you?

Capital One Venture Rewards – An Overview

If you want a credit card with easy-to-understand points earning and redemption policies, then the Capital One Venture card could be for you. There’s no need to think about spending categories before you use the card – every dollar you spend has equal points value.

With the need for meticulous planning eliminated, the Capital One Venture card is ideal if you take spontaneous trips (and who doesn’t enjoy a spur-of-the-moment travel treat?).

You’ll earn two miles for every $1 you spend on your credit card. This is boosted to 5 miles for every rental car and hotel you book through. It really is that simple!

For me, a standout feature of the Capital One Venture card is how easy it is to use the miles you’ve accumulated. You can use them for airline tickets, hotel stays, rental cars, and more, with no blackout dates or restrictions.

For new cardholders, there’s a significant sign-up bonus provided you meet the spending requirement of $4,000 in the first three months.

Chase Sapphire Preferred – An Overview

If you’re prepared to take a more strategic approach to spending, and want a card that pays higher travel and dining rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a real winner. Better for the meticulous travel planner, this card delivers on every step – from booking to dining out, and beyond.

Rather than the miles awarded on the Capital One Venture card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card awards points on eligible spending.

This is where you need to be strategic: x5 points for travel bought via Chase Ultimate Rewards; x3 dining points at restaurants worldwide, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and select streaming services; double points for travel not booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; and 1 point for every dollar on all other spending.

The real magic unfolds with Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s flexible redemption options. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

As a new cardholder, you’ll benefit from a generous welcome bonus upon meeting the requirement to spend $4,000 in the first three months. This could be worth hundreds in travel rewards.

Features In Comparison

Let’s look at each of the key features in more detail.

Key Features

Both cards charge a $95 annual fee. The credit rating requirement of 670 to 850 is the same for both cards, too, and neither card offers an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers.

Here’s how the other key features of each card compare:

Sign-Up Bonuses

With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit card, you leave the runway with a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles provided you spend $4,000 within the first three months.

This is worth $750 if you redeem these miles through the Capital One Travel portal – a fantastic springboard to your next travel adventure, and a substantial initial boost to your rewards journey.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card awards a welcome bonus of 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 within the first three months.

You’ll receive a 25% uplift in value on these points should you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, making the bonus worth $750. A fantastic kickstart to your travel plans.

Earning Rewards

The Capital One Venture card is a champion of simplicity. You earn two miles for every $1 spent on all purchases, which increases to 5 miles for every $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

It’s a straightforward earnings formula that means you don’t need to worry about complex spending categories. Personally, I like this – it’s easy to calculate how many miles you’re earning on all your spending.

Conversely, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers better rewards if you don’t mind a little strategic shopping. It’s a much more complex earnings matrix:

• 10x points when you book hotels through the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3x points on dining worldwide, including eligible delivery services and takeout
• Double points on other travel purchases
• A base rate of 1 point per $1 on all other spending

It’s a multi-tiered approach that rewards targeted spending to maximize benefits.

Redemption Options

You’ve earned your points, now what? Both cards offer versatile ways to redeem your points, though the redemption processes are likely to appeal to different types of travelers.

If you’re likely to want to transfer your points to other schemes, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a more impressive range of transfer partners. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a straightforward approach to redeeming travel rewards, the Capital One Venture card is better.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Every mile you earn is worth 1 cent should you redeem your points through Capital One’s travel portal. You can also use your miles as a statement credit.

Your miles can also be transferred to more than 15 travel programs, which include airlines and hotels. You’ll receive 1,000 miles or points for every 1,000 Capital One miles you transfer to the following partners:

As well as all the above, you’ll receive 750 miles if you transfer 1,000 Capital One miles to EVA Air (Infinity MileageLands) and 500 points for transferring 1,000 Capital One miles to ALL (Accor Live Limitless).

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred boosts the value of your points by offering a 25% bonus when you book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

This means you get an effective 1.25 cents per point, instead of the 1 cent per point if you choose to transfer to another rewards scheme. That’s a big difference when budgeting for flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences through Chase.

Like the Capital One Venture card, you can also choose to transfer to partner schemes. You can transfer at 1:1 to the following partners:

As you can see, both rewards programs offer a good slice of flexibility for points/miles redemption – which is best for you depends upon your individual travel preferences.

Travel Benefits and Protections

Of course, the value you reap from a rewards credit card is not only found in the accumulation of points or miles. You should also consider the other perks you could benefit from by being a Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire card holder.

These perks not only save you money; they also give you peace of mind.

I’m talking about perks like travel and car rental insurance, purchase protection, and more. Capital One focuses on perks that deliver a better travel experience, while Chase Sapphire is better if you plan to rent a car or put travel expenses on your card.

Travel Insurance

As a Capital One Venture cardholder, you have travel accident insurance for you and your family, covering death or dismemberment.

Chase Sapphire goes a step or two further with more comprehensive insurance cover. This includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and travel accident insurance.

Car Rental Insurance

So long as you decline the car rental company’s own insurance, your Capital One Venture card will cover damage due to collision or theft. This fills in the gaps that might not be covered by your personal car insurance.

Sapphire Preferred provides car rental insurance that I really like – primary. This means that all eventualities are covered before you need to claim off your personal car insurance, with most rental vehicles covered at home and abroad (providing you pay with your card and decline the car rental company’s own insurance).

If, like me, you often need a car to go about your business or enjoy your family vacation, you’ll never be ripped off by expensive car rental insurance policies again.

Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit

Don’t you just hate the lines at airport security? Then you’re going to love the credit that Capital One Venture gives you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees – $100 every four years.

I’ve been in line for over an hour, both ends of an airport, on more than one occasion. How I wish I’d had this credit then.

Extended Warranty Protection and Purchase Protection

With the Capital One Venture card, you get the standard purchase protection for $500 per claim up to 90 days after purchase date provided by credit cards.

Chase Sapphire does much better than this. As well as purchase protection that extends to 120 days and for up to $500 (and $50,000 per account), you also receive an enhanced extended warranty that adds a year to manufacturer’s warranties of three years or less.

No need to even consider accepting a salesperson’s ‘kind offer’ of expensive in-store extended warranty options ever again!

Additional Benefits

There are a couple of other benefits you should know about before deciding which card to apply for.

For example, if you enjoy relaxing in an airport lounge rather than mingling in the melee of an airport, then you could be tempted by two complimentary visits to Capital One or Plaza Premium lounges as a Capital One Venture cardholder.

However, while the Capital One offer puts it among the best credit cards for lounge access, you might prefer the $50 annual hotel credit (for hotel stays booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards) and 10% annual points bonus attached to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Annual Fees & Additional Costs

Both cards charge an annual fee of $95, and neither charge foreign transaction fees (this could add up to significant savings, with many cards charging as much as 3% for transactions outside of the United Sates).

Of course, if you don’t pay off your balance when it is due, you will incur interest charges and possibly late payment fees.

Expiry of Points/Miles

There is no limit on the points or miles you can accumulate on either card, and, providing you keep your account open and in good standing, your points/miles balance will never expire.

10 Tips to Help You Decide

1. If you value simplicity and a straightforward rewards program, the Capital One Venture card is the card for you.

2. Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you frequently spend on travel and dining and want to maximize the value of your points.

3. If you travel internationally, both cards waive foreign transaction fees, but consider other travel benefits that might sway your decision.

4. If your travel often involves car rentals, the Chase Sapphire Preferred provides extra peace of mind with its primary rental insurance.

5. Consider the Capital One Venture card if you appreciate the flexibility of booking travel without blackout dates or specific airline and hotel restrictions.

6. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is best for rewards maximizers and if you are happy to plan your spending and redemption strategy.

7. Look at the sign-up bonuses; if you can meet the spending requirements, these bonuses can significantly offset the annual fee of either card in the first year.

8. If you value protection during your travels, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers comprehensive coverage.

9. Consider your spending habits; the Capital One Venture’s flat rate on all purchases might be more beneficial.

10. Lastly, consider your long-term travel goals and loyalty to airline or hotel brands, and choose the card that aligns best with your personal travel preferences.

Example Scenarios – Which One Is You?

Both the Capital One Venture card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are great options if you want a card to build up points or miles to use for travel-related rewards. Which is best for you depends on your spending habits, travel preferences, and rewards optimization strategy.

Using the tips above, here are three examples:

The Frequent Traveler

If you’re a frequent traveler who values a simple-to-use rewards card, the Capital One Venture card could suit you best.

Its flat 2x miles on everyday purchases and 5x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel make it straightforward to accumulate miles. Its rewards options are super flexible, and with no blackout dates it’s easy to plan time away using your accumulated miles.

On the other hand, if you spend more on frequent travel and dining experiences, the Chase Sapphire Preferred could prove to offer greater value. The 25% bonus value on travel redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, together with premium insurance cover, make it a smart choice if you travel frequently and want added security.

The Everyday Spender

If you want to earn rewards for everyday spending, the Capital One Venture card offers an uncomplicated system. You earn 2x points whether you are grocery shopping, filling up the tank, or buying gifts.

This is great for accumulating miles steadily without the complication of figuring out how many miles you will be earning for different types of spending.

If you spend more on travel and dining, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card may be a better option. However, if you are willing to plan your spending more strategically, and leverage the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, the extra effort could deliver higher rewards.

The Rewards Maximizer

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card points earnings matrix may be more complicated than the easy-to-understand Capital One Venture miles formula, but it’s the card to go for to earn higher rates in specific spending categories.

If you then redeem your points through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you’ll boost their value further. The Capital One Venture card doesn’t offer quite the same potential value.

Travel Reward Credit Card Alternatives

There are alternative travel reward credit cards you might consider, ranging from zero-fee cards to the $650-a-year Amex Platinum card. These include:

• Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card – Great if you want flat rate rewards, no annual fees, and are looking for balance transfer options.
• American Express Gold Card – A good choice if you want to earn big rewards on everyday spending, including dining and supermarkets.
• The American Express Platinum Card – Tailored for luxury travelers seeking premium travel perks, such as global dining credits, lounge access, and hotel benefits.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve –An upgrade from the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, improving benefits including annual travel credits and lounge access, for more frequent travelers.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Ideal if you travel frequently with enhanced travel portal benefits.
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard Credit Card – A bit of a curveball, this is a unique card that allows you to earn travel rewards on the rent you pay, with no annual fee.

The Bottom Line

Both the Capital One Venture card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are top credit cards to earn travel rewards.

The Capital One Venture card is ideal if you prefer a straightforward earnings formula and want streamlined travel experiences.

If you are a strategic spender, you might prefer the opportunity to maximize earnings from travel and dining purchases, and the flexibility and value in point transfers offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Ultimately, your choice of cards depends upon aligning the card’s benefits with your spending habits and rewards preferences. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you from maximizing your benefits by having more than one card – that’s what I do.

Choosing the right air miles credit card can be tricky. There’s an armful of choices available, and each has a unique set of features and benefits.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or you’re planning the trip of a lifetime (I’m heading toward the perfect storm of a major birthday for both me and my wife, coupled with a big-number wedding anniversary), the card (or cards) you have in your pocket can make a huge difference.

Whether its miles for flights, upgrades, or hotel stays you want to earn, not all air miles credit cards are equal. Some will help you pile up the points quickly.

Others offer incredible perks that let you travel like a VIP. An airline branded credit card could be a game changer.

Here’s the question: which is the best for you?

Read on as we reveal which air miles credit cards offer the best benefits for your specific travel needs and consumer habits.

Factors To Consider

Before you sign up for an air miles credit card, there’s something I want to share with you.

The obvious strategy when choosing which is the best card is to think about which benefits and perks are most appealing to you. It’s a good strategy, except it might lead you up the wrong path.

You should also consider your nearest airport, and if it has a principal airline. If it does, then you might be best to focus on that airline’s branded card.

The same applies if you favor a specific airline. On the other hand, a more flexible airline miles credit card that allows you to transfer points/miles to a partner could be most appealing.

The long and short of it is to consider your travel goals, your spending and travel habits, what benefits and perks appeal most to you, if you have a specific airline loyalty or need, and how important flexibility of rewards is to you.

Ultimately, you’ll probably find two or more credit cards are much better than one.

Got all that? Then let’s drill down to the best air miles credit cards to meet different objectives before we examine these cards in more detail.

Best Airline Branded Credit Cards

Airline branded credit cards offer unique benefits tailored to frequent flyers of their respective airlines. These benefits might include welcome bonuses, travel perks like priority boarding and lounge access, and the ability to earn miles on everyday purchases.

The best airline branded credit cards for air miles are:

• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• United℠ Explorer Card

Which is the best for you really depends upon your airline preferences, though the British Airways Visa Signature Card has the best flexibility.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For No Annual Fees

If you want an air miles credit card without annual fees, there are several options available to you. Of course, the benefits and perks aren’t likely to be as good as fee-charging cards, but you have a good range of benefits available, nonetheless.

Some of these cards may be classed as free from annual fees because the fee is waived during the first year. The best cards with no annual fees are:

• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Discover it® Miles

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is the pick of these. It operates a cashback rewards system, and you can use this cashback to book in several ways, including booking travel through the Chase Travel portal.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Welcome Bonuses

Don’t you just love it when you get something for nothing? Okay, welcome bonuses aren’t exactly something for nothing, but they are valuable rewards for spending on a new credit card.

Of all the cards that we’ve reviewed in this article, only Discover it Miles and Chase Freedom Unlimited don’t give a welcome bonus.

However, the Discover it Miles card matches the miles you’ve earned during the first year, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited gives an extra 1.5% cashback on your spending during the first year (limited to an extra $300 on $20,000 of spending).

The cards with the highest and fastest welcome bonus offers are:

• British Airways Visa Signature® Card – Earn 75,000 Avios by spending $5,000 on the card during the first three months after opening the account.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Earn 75,000 miles as a bonus when you spend $4,000 on the card during the first three months after opening the account.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Earn 60,000 bonus points by spending $4,000 on the card during the first three months after opening the account.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Anniversary Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are fantastic but so, too, are anniversary bonuses. It’s like being given a gift for your loyalty each year. The best cards for anniversary bonuses are:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Of these, Capital One Venture X awards the highest miles for your card loyalty – an attractive 10,000 miles every year.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Luxury Travel Perks

If you fly frequently, you’ll appreciate a few perks on your journey – like lounge access, priority check-in, and travel credits. Ther following cards offer some of the best travel perks going:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• United Club℠ Infinite Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the standout card here, with access to the Global Lounge Collection, up to $200 in Uber savings annually, comprehensive travel insurances, and more.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Earning Miles & Points

After welcome bonuses and anniversary bonuses, you’ll want to know what card is best to earn miles or points.

The choice depends on your spending habits. Some cards are better if you dine out frequently. Others pay higher rewards for frequent travellers.

Some ramp up rewards for everyday spending. Here are 10 cards that cover all bases:

American Express® Gold Card

4x points at restaurants worldwide, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on less than $25,000 per calendar year), 3x points when you book flights via amextravel.com or directly with airlines.

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

3 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL, 2 Avios for every $1 you spend on hotel accommodation.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Unlimited 2x miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Unlimited 10x miles on car rental and hotels booked via Capital One Travel, and 5x miles when you book flights via Capital One Travel.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

5x on travel purchased via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, online grocery shopping, and select streaming services.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

3x points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit, 3x points on dining at restaurants.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

3x miles on Delta purchases and directly with hotels, 2x Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

3x miles on Delta purchases.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Earn 3x points on Southwest® purchases; 2x points on local travel and commuting, including rideshare; 2x points on cable, phone, and internet services; select streaming services.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

5x Membership Rewards points by booking flights directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Transferring Miles & Points

If you want the most flexibility in how you redeem your miles or points, it’s best to opt for a card that lets you transfer accumulated miles to other airline, hotel, and travel-related loyalty programs.

Not only can you benefit from rewards when spending on your card, but you’ll also improve your potential to maximize your redemptions. The best cards for transferring miles/points are:

• American Express® Gold Card (through the Membership Rewards program)
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Which is the best card for transferring air miles to partner programs? It’s a close call, but edging it are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which both offer 1:1 point transfer to a broad choice of partners.

Breaking Down Air Miles Credit Cards Features & Benefits

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

American Express® Gold Card

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Discover it® Miles

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

United℠ Explorer Card

Take Off With The Best Airline Credit Card

Wrapping up, choosing the best air miles credit cards depends on your habits and travel goals. Whether your preference is for a card with no annual fees, one that gives a few luxury travel perks, or one that makes it easy to accumulate miles, there’s an air miles credit card designed for you.

As you consider all your options, think about your travel habits, airline loyalties, and how much you value reward flexibility.

The perfect air miles credit card is out there, ready to make each journey more rewarding. Then sign up for the card(s) that promise to deliver the most rewarding travel experiences to you.

It’s a world in which your next ride to an airport, your next meal out, and your next hotel stay brings you closer to a wealth of rewards, including free nights at more than 7,000 properties around the globe.

As if this isn’t enough, it gets even better. With lowest price guarantees, free Wi-Fi, digital check-ins, and the option to choose your own room, you cease to be a meagre hotel guest.

You become a valued member enjoying discounts, bonus points, and more. Did I mention the mobile app that turns your phone into a room key and travel planner yet?

The Hiton Honors Rewards Program has the power to shift your travel experiences into overdrive, and it’s free to join. Read on to get the low-down on all you need to know.

Hilton Honors: The Basics

Let’s start with a quick breakdown of what Hilton Honors is all about, and what better starting point than their lowest price guarantee?

If you’ve ever booked a hotel room and then found it to be advertised cheaper elsewhere, you’ll know the feeling of frustration and regret – the ‘if only’ annoyance that taints even the most enjoyable stay.

Well, you can wave goodbye to that emotional anxiety, thanks to Hilton’s lowest price guarantee, which could be the best around. Hilton won’t only match a lower qualified price, but they will also throw in a 25% discount on your stay.

That’s a great sweetener to add to the peace of mind of knowing you’ve got the best deal.

As a Hilton Honors member, you also get to choose your own room, access exclusive Hilton Honors experiences, and benefit from other perks like free Wi-Fi. The further you move up the membership scale, the more benefits become available to you – but more about these later.

You can earn points in a multitude of ways, from dining experiences to hotel stays and more. When you come to redeem them, you can claim free nights and experiences, and even spend them on shopping!

How to Earn Hilton Honors Points

It’s not hard to accumulate points in the Hilton Honors program. Every time you check into a Hilton hotel, you’re earning.

You earn while you sleep, eat, and even when using extra services like spa treatments and room service. It’s a little like Hilton are tipping you for being their guest!

However, the opportunities to earn Hilton points ripple out far from the hotel lobby:

Lyft Rides Turn Your Miles Into Points

Link your Hilton Honors account with your Lyft account, and you’ll earn points for every ride you take. Whether you’re traveling to the airport or getting around town, each journey gives you a reward.

It’s the perfect union of getting to where you want to go, and moving closer to where you want to be on vacation.

Earn While You Eat

If you enjoy dining out, why not get a little extra than what’s on the menu? Register your credit card with your Hilton Honors account, and you’ll start earning points for every forkful at participating restaurants.

Your dining adventures not only fuel your body and soul, but they can fuel your travel plans, too.

Hilton Promotions To Pump Up Your Points

Keep an eye out for Hilton promotions, a magnificent way to accelerate your points accumulation. You could earn bonus points for stays, on seasonal offers, and for using Hilton branded credit cards.

Watch out for Hilton Honors emails in your inbox for details of their latest promotion to ensure you don’t miss out.

Earn On Rental Cars

If you use a Hilton partner when you hire a rental car, you could earn up to 5,000 points per rental. Drive your route to Hilton points with Enterprise, National, and Alamo.

Dial Up Bonus Points

Are you a frequent flyer who needs to stay in touch with family, friends, and work back home? Then buy a OneSimCard to earn 100 points for signing up and an extra point for every minute on incoming and outgoing calls when you’re abroad.

Buy Points To Boost Your Balance

If you’re short of points, you can also buy them to top up your balance.

I wouldn’t recommend this route though – the points cost 1 cent each (with a minimum purchase of 1,000) while the estimated value of a Hilton point is 0.5 cents.

Swipe Points With Hilton Branded Credit Cards

There are several Hilton branded credit cards for individuals that will help you accumulate points on everyday shopping – the easiest way to earn your points. Terms apply with all the cards (and are subject to change), but here are the basics at the time of writing:

Hilton Honors American Express Card

No annual fee, and a 100,000-point welcome bonus if you spend $2,000 in the first six months.

You’ll earn 5 bonus points for each $1 spent at US restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 7 points for each $1 of eligible purchases at a Hilton hotel or resort; and 3 points for other eligible purchases.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

For a $150 annual fee, your rewards receive a massive boost – 155,000 points welcome bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first six months; up to $200 cash back on eligible Hilton purchases; and between 3 and 12 bonus points for spending on your card.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? But how about this: for spending $15,000 within a (calendar) year you get a free night reward at a weekend, and 10 free airport lounge visits when you enroll in a complimentary Priority Pass membership.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Now we’re really cooking on gas! This card may come with a $550 annual fee, but you’ll earn up to 14 points for every dollar of eligible spending on top of the 150,000-point welcome bonus for spending $6,000 in the first six months.

On top of this, you’ll enjoy automatic Hilton Honors Diamond Status, a free annual weekend night for signing up and on every renewal, up to $400 in statement credits for eligible spending at Hilton Resorts, $200 for eligible flight purchases, and unlimited Priority Pass Lounge visits.

How To Redeem Hilton Honors Points

Now for the fun part – how to spend all those points you’ve accumulated:

Unlock Free Nights

Rack up those points and start swapping them for free nights at the Hilton properties.

There’s no fixed points redemption – how many points required depends on the category of hotel, location, season, etc. – but each free night is a chance for a new experience without reaching into your pocket.

VIP Experiences

Hilton Honors Experiences offer you the chance to live like a VIP.

From backstage passes to private dinners with a top chef to VIP tickets for sports events, and more, you can trade in your points for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Shop Till You Drop

If retail therapy is your go-to, use your points when you shop online with Amazon or Hilton’s online mall.

It’s not how to get the most value from your points, but it’s perfect when you have your eye on something special.

Fly High With Airline Transfers

Convert your points into air miles with one of Hilton’s airline partners and fly to a destination of your desire.

Rides & Drives

Use your points to pay for Lyft rides, or redeem them for rental cars with Hilton’s partners. Your points really can keep you on the move.

Points & Money Nights

If you haven’t accumulated enough points for a free night, you can use points and cash. You decide how many points to use (the minimum is 5,000) and add the cash needed to pay for your stay.

This is often better value than buying the points you would need for a points-only free night.

Membership Tiers & Benefits

As a Hilton Honors member, you’ll enjoy benefits that include access to the Hilton Honors Discount rate, earning points toward free nights and more, no resort fees on reward stays, digital check-in, choosing your room, a digital key, free Wi-Fi, and exclusive Hilton Honors Experiences.

However, the more nights you stay with Hilton, the more benefits and rewards you get:

Silver (10+ Nights)

Receive free bottled water, every fifth night free on reward stays, elite rollover nights, and all-inclusive spa discount. Oh, and a 20% earning bonus on stays.

Gold (40+ Nights)

See your points earning bonus boosted by 80% and, in addition to all the extras you receive as a silver member, you become eligible for space-available room upgrades, a daily food and beverage credit, and milestone bonuses.

Diamond (60+ Nights)

Your points earnings bonus rises to 100% on stays, plus you receive a 48-hour room guarantee, premium Wi-Fi, and Executive Lounge access.

The Hilton App

I like to think of the Hilton App as a personal assistant in your pocket. Its features make the whole experience easier and more enjoyable, both before and during your stay.

Before your stay, you’ll be able to use the app to search for the best rates among Hilton’s huge portfolio. Once booked, you can manage your reservation in the app, track previous and upcoming stays, and even discover local attractions.

In addition, you can choose the exact room you want up to 24 hours before you arrive, and the app helps you to snag exclusive offers to earn even more points.

During your stay, there’s no need to wait in line at the front desk to pick up your key – the app acts as a key to your room. It also controls your TV, lights, and thermostat in locations where this is possible.

Forget about the wait at reception to check out, too – the app takes care of this for you. Finally, if you need a ride during or after your stay, request a Lyft through the app.

Overall, the Hilton app is a powerful addition to your armory, giving you more control and greater choices.

Maximize Your Hilton Honors Membership Benefits

The Hilton Honors Program offers terrific benefits as it is, but here are five simple tactics that will help you to get the most out of your membership:

Sign up for and use a Hilton branded credit card: The welcome bonuses are an incredible springboard to free nights and more. The extra bonus points available are the bread and butter of significant points accumulation.

Sign up for email notifications to stay ahead of promotions and exclusive deals.

Take advantage of the Hilton app: It’s your powerhouse tool from choosing a room to checking out and beyond.

Plan ahead: Plan stays around free nights and 5^th night-free deals.

Remember that loyalty pays: The more you stay with Hilton, the faster you’ll rise through the membership tiers to unlock even more benefits and points-earning potential.

How Do I Sign Up For Hilton Honors Membership?

Joining the Hilton Honors Program couldn’t be easier:

1. Visit the Hilton Honors sign-up page.
2. Fill out the online form with the basic information required (such as name, address, email address, and so on).
3. Set your preferences to tailor your Hilton experiences.
4. Download the app.

That’s it – you’re only four steps away from earning points and taking full advantage of membership.

Become More Than A Guest With Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is a one-of-its-kind program. With a rich blend of benefits like free nights, digital conveniences through its app, exclusive experiences, and an array of ways to earn and spend points, it’s a must-have membership for all types of travelers.

Every trip you plan and every stay you take can be enhanced with tangible rewards.

If you believe that a rewards program shouldn’t be just about where you stay, but about making each trip more rewarding as an experience and in value for money, you should sign up for Hilton Honors today.

One Key will land in the UK in just a few months, and my bet is that it will redefine how we all think about travel rewards.

The brainchild of travel giants Hotels.com®, Expedia®, and Vrbo, the One Key program isn’t just another travel rewards program. It’s the most extensive and inclusive ever rolled out in the UK.

Believe me, it’s worth getting excited about.

One Key for Freedom and Flexibility

Who hasn’t used at least one of Hotels.com, Expedia, or Vrbo to book accommodation, flights, or holiday experiences?

A bonus when booking travel and accommodation through these popular platforms is their rewards programs. The trouble is, they’re stilted and disjointed.

That’s changing.

One Key is replacing these separate rewards programs. They’re going to be combined into one, allowing you to earn and redeem rewards points (which will be called OneKeyCash) across all three platforms seamlessly.

Yep, you heard me right – you can earn OneKeyCash by booking a cozy hotel room on Hotels.com, then jet off on your next adventure using those rewards on Expedia for flights, or even snag the perfect holiday home on Vrbo. 

Imagine no longer being tied to one brand for bookings and rewards. That’s the freedom and flexibility delivered by One Key – with almost endless possibilities from a single rewards account.

One Key for Fast Rewards

A bugbear I’ve had for a while is the time it takes for rewards to hit your account. Now, you can forget this frustration. Gone are the days of waiting to rack up 10 nights for a reward. OneKeyCash will be paid into your account soon after your stay, and can be used immediately.

You don’t need to worry about losing any existing rewards, either. All your existing stamps and reward nights will be transferred automatically and converted to OneKeyCash. Providing your existing accounts are all under the same email address, you won’t have to lift a finger.

Unpick 2% OneKeyCash with Every Booking

As a One Key member, you’ll earn a minimum of 2% in OneKeyCash for every £1 you spend on eligible hotels, holiday rentals, activities, packages, and car hires. Move up the membership tiers, and you’ll unlock even higher OneKeyCash rewards.

At 0.2%, the OneKeyCash payout on flight bookings isn’t quite as exciting, though you do still get to earn on top of most airmiles and credit card reward programs.

One Key for a Ladder of Perks

If you aren’t a member of one of the big three loyalty schemes already, it’s free to sign up and join in the Blue tier of One Key membership. At this level, you’ll save 10%+ via member prices on more than 100,000 hotels worldwide, as well as having access to free price tracking for flights on Expedia. 

As you move up the tiers based on the number of ‘trip elements’ in a year – from Blue, through Silver, Gold, and Platinum – your rewards improve. You’ll have access to a range of benefits across flights, car hires, hotels, and holiday rentals, including:

• Earn up to 6% in OneKeyCash on stays at VIP Access properties
• Save 20%+ on member prices at 10,000 hotels worldwide
• Receive extra benefits at selected VIP Access hotels
• Get early check-in and late check outs as well as room upgrades when available
• Price Drop Protection included on selected flights

What’s a trip element?

Quite simply, distinct parts of your trip, such as one airline ticket, one hotel night, one night in a holiday rental, a one-day car hire, or one activity ticket. To qualify for OneKeyCash, an element must have a value of at least £20.

One Key – The UK Traveller’s New Best Friend

The launch of One Key is not far away, and I cannot wait. A rough timeline has been indicated which looks like October 2024 for it to roll out fully.

With a huge bundle of benefits designed to make travel experiences smoother, cheaper, and more enjoyable, there’s a lot to look forward to. Finally, we’re all going to be able to explore the world on our terms with the One Key that unlocks a world of travel opportunities.

I’m going share more details and news about One Key as it’s released toward launch date – sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss the boat!

This led to major airlines adopting policies that protected the value of a ticket in the form of a voucher or digital credit to protect all scenarios. (Who could’ve ever predicted a scenario like the pandemic?! It still makes me shudder…)

British Airways had their own version of this, which they called their ‘Book with confidence‘ policy. This guaranteed that money spent on tickets would be saved in the form of an eVoucher should the reservation be canceled.

Now, in the post-pandemic world of air travel, passengers are returning to airlines in droves, many of whom being holders of these vouchers. Here, I’ll be explaining what the eVoucher is, and how you can use it when flying on British Airways.

The Basics

Think of the British Airways eVoucher as a gift card. It is simply a digital form of credit issued by the airline that can be used towards flights.

These vouchers are typically issued after a person cancels their flight, or as compensation for itinerary interruptions.

Benefits

Here are the things we love about the BA eVoucher:

Flexibility

One of the primary advantages of the British Airways eVoucher is its flexibility. Passengers are able to use what they spent on a canceled reservation for new bookings for their full value.

Convenience

As a digital form of credit, the eVoucher eliminates the need for physical vouchers or paper documentation. This allows for (mostly) seamless booking through the British Airways website, and vouchers are instantly applied.

With some exceptions, travelers are able to use their travel credit without the headache of long customer service wait times and endless searching for pieces of paper they may have received months ago.

Cost-Effectiveness

The eVoucher can be an effective tool for cost-conscious travelers who don’t want the money spent on their ticket to vanish in the event that plans change. And who isn’t cost-conscious when it comes to canceled flights?

It’s a secure way of knowing your money on a boarding pass hasn’t gone to waste.

Redemption Process

Been given an eVoucher and want to know how to apply it to a new flight? Let’s get you boarding that plane and taking to the skies. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Receiving the eVoucher

Got your eVoucher? The British Airways eVoucher is typically issued due to a flight cancellation or disruption, as compensation, or as part of a promotion.

Once you receive the eVoucher, it will be linked to your British Airways account and can be accessed through the BA website or mobile app. You’ll also receive an email with the details of your voucher including its number and monetary value.

Keep hold of this for future reference, so that it’s easy to find when you need it. I personally like to create a folder in my emails so that I know where it’s safely tucked away for when I need it.

Step 2: Selecting Your Redemption Flight

To select the flight you wish to spend your voucher on, simply visit the British Airways website and enter all pertinent information as you normally would. Once you find the flight you want, proceed to book as normal.

Step 3: Applying The eVoucher

Here’s the fun part! Once you reach checkout, you’ll see an option that says, ‘Apply an eVoucher‘.

Select it, and you’ll be prompted to enter your email, last name, and eVoucher code. The value of the eVoucher will apply to your purchase price, and voila, you’re done!

Helpful Tips

OK, so the process was more simple than you thought, right? But before you go rushing in to pick your new flight, here are a few tips that’ll help you get the most out of your eVoucher and avoid any disappointment:

Check Expiration Dates

Don’t let the money spent on your canceled ticket get away from you. Pay close attention to the expiration date on your eVoucher so you can use it in time.

Combine With Promotions

Look out for any promotions or discounts that British Airways is running when you book. You are allowed to apply your eVoucher to a promotional fare, which is a great way to maximize savings!

Plan Ahead

International travel will almost always be cheaper when booking at least a couple of months in advance. Shopping for a flight early can lead to a great deal, squeezing every drop of value out of your eVoucher!

Special Circumstances

Generally, British Airways are pretty helpful in ensuring you aren’t robbed of a flight and can get the very most out of your eVoucher. Here, I explain a few scenarios and their rules:

COVID-19 eVouchers

If your eVoucher was issued during the COVID-19 pandemic through BA’s ‘Book with confidence’ policy, your voucher expires on September 30th, 2025.

With COVID-related vouchers, you MUST use your eVoucher on travel that concludes before the expiration date. For example, if you book a roundtrip flight that leaves September 19, 2025, and returns on September 29, your voucher can be applied.

If you book a flight that returns on October 1, 2025, then it will fall outside the valid window and an eVoucher issued under the policy can’t be applied.

Using an eVoucher on a flight for someone else

Unlike other airlines, a British Airways eVoucher CAN be spent on travel for a person other than yourself.

For security reasons, however, bookings made within four days of departure will have to include the person who the eVoucher was originally issued to.

Funds from baggage & upgrades

If you canceled a British Airways reservation and had already pre-paid baggage and/or purchased an upgrade, those funds will be credited back to you in the form of an eVoucher with the cost of the flight.

How very fair of you, British Airways!

Holiday vouchers

If you booked a vacation package through British Airways Holidays that was canceled and you received a voucher as a result, you’ll need to call BA customer service to redeem it.

Country restrictions

If you’re looking to use an eVoucher to travel to certain countries or regions (primarily Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia), you’ll need to call BA customer service to book.

Here’s the full list of countries you’ll need to contact BA, to see if they can help you use your eVoucher for flights:

Verdict

If you currently hold a British Airways eVoucher, I would recommend using it sooner rather than later. They do expire, and with airlines running promotions to gear up for Euro summer, it’s a great time to start watching flight prices and cash in!

Whatever the type of hotel, here’s something I’ve learned over the years – if you aren’t using hotel rewards programs, you’re missing out.

Hotel rewards schemes act like supercharged loyalty programs. You could earn free room upgrades, access to exclusive lounges, complimentary breakfasts, free nights, and more. Seriously good rewards, though not all of these programs are equal.

Which is best for you? Read on to find out my best hotel rewards programs.

Marriott Bonvoy

Best for: Frequent travelers who appreciate a wide variety of hotel options from luxury to budget-friendly, and who value flexibility in how to earn and use rewards.

Marriott Bonvoy is the world’s largest hotel chain, offering a range of more than 8,700 hotels across 30 brands in around 140 countries. Whether you’re looking for luxury or budget-friendly accommodation, Marriott Bonvoy caters for you.

The key features of the Marriott Bonvoy program include its tiered membership levels: Member, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite. Each level offers progressively more generous benefits, including complimentary room upgrades, late check-out, and lounge access.

Earning rewards is easy: you accrue points with each hotel stay, by spending on Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, and via partnerships with airlines and other services.

You’ll earn points for each stay in a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, and these can be redeemed for free nights and flights (thanks to its partnership with several airlines), as well as experiences like exclusive concerts or cooking classes with renowned chefs.

How To fast-track Marriott Bonvoy rewards

To accelerate your earnings and enjoy enhanced benefits quickly, consider applying for one of the Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

You could earn significant welcome bonuses and earn on everyday spending, as well as be granted automatic Elite status – an immediate boost to your rewards journey.

Hilton Honors

Best for: If you frequently stay in cities around the world, and you desire easy status achievement along with a wide variety of redemption opportunities to enhance your travel experiences.

Hilton Honors is the loyalty program for Hilton Hotels & Resorts. The group has more than 7,000 properties across 22 brands in more than 120 countries.

Whether staying overnight on business, wanting a luxury break, or seeking a more casual stay, I’ve always found Hilton to have the answer to my accommodation needs.

The Hilton Honors program features four membership levels: Member, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. These tiers offer escalating rewards, including room upgrades, late check-out, and complimentary breakfast or food and drink credits.

As a Gold or Diamond member, you could enjoy extra-value benefits like luxury room upgrades and executive lounge access where available.

You’ll earn points each time you stay at a Hilton property. You can also earn points by spending on Hilton Honors co-branded credit cards, and via partnerships, including car rentals and flights with partner airlines.

You can also redeem points for free nights, experiences, and more. Something I particularly like about the Hilton Honors program is that you can pool your points with family and friends – this makes it even easier to enjoy benefits from the scheme.

Tip for fast-tracking Hilton Honors rewards

Hilton co-branded credit cards, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, offer significant welcome bonuses and complimentary Elite status. This will improve your benefits such as room upgrades and complimentary breakfast.

World of Hyatt

Best for: If you prefer premium-quality hotel experiences with generous rewards in popular destinations around the globe.

World of Hyatt may only have around 1,200 hotels globally, but they are among the best in the world, including gems like Park Hyatt, Andaz, and the Unbound Collection. The focus is on high-quality accommodation and exceptional personal service.

The World of Hyatt program encompasses four membership levels: Member, Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist, with each tier offering progressively richer benefits.

Noteworthy benefits include complimentary room upgrades, late checkout, and access to exclusive rates. At the top end of membership, you’ll enjoy lavish benefits such as free breakfast, suite upgrades, and waived resort fees on award stays, making it a standout for how it treats its elite members.

Earning rewards with World of Hyatt is straightforward. You’ll accumulate points through hotel stays, dining, and spa services at Hyatt properties, as well as through spending on the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Like many other hotel reward programs, World of Hyatt has also partnered with airlines and other travel services to offer alternative ways to earn points. You can redeem your points for a wide range of options to suit your unique preferences.

Tip for fast-tracking World of Hyatt rewards

To maximize your World of Hyatt points and quickly climb the ladder of membership levels, apply for the World of Hyatt Credit Card. It offers a substantial welcome bonus, additional points on Hyatt stays, and automatic Discoverist status, as well as earning points on everyday spending.

IHG One Rewards

Best for: If you enjoy staying at a variety of hotel options, from luxurious escapes to budget-friendly accommodation, and you want a program with easy-to-earn points options.

IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program of InterContinental Hotels Group, encompassing a network of more than 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries. It stretches from prestigious brands like InterContinental to everyday hotels like Holiday Inn.

This broad range means you can find suitable accommodation for any trip.

The IHG program features tiered membership levels: Club, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, and Diamond Elite, each offering escalating rewards. Members enjoy benefits like room upgrades, late check-out, and points earning on stay.

The higher tiers offer additional benefits like complimentary breakfast and lounge access. You accumulate points for hotel stays, dining, and using other activities at IHG properties.

Points can be redeemed for free nights, flights, and various experiences, providing members with a plethora of options to utilize their rewards.

Tip for fast-tracking IHG One rewards

To fast-track your path to points accumulation and higher membership levels, sign up for the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. With an attractive welcome bonus and complimentary Platinum Elite status, you’ll benefit from points earning rates and better chances for room upgrades.

Wyndham Rewards

Best for: If you want a straightforward way to earn and redeem points, and prefer to stay in budget to mid-range hotels.

With more than 9,000 hotels, several brands, and a global reach, you’ll never be short of accommodation options wherever you travel. Wyndham’s extensive portfolio includes brands like Wyndham, Days Inn, and Super 8 – covering major cities, small towns, and roadside accommodation.

No wonder it’s a favorite choice with both leisure and business travelers.

Its rewards program may be the simplest of all. Like other hotel loyalty schemes, it provides escalating benefits for a tier of membership levels: Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

Benefits include late check-out, preferred room choice, and point bonuses on stays.

Earning rewards with Wyndham is easy. You can accumulate points through hotel stays, using Wyndham Rewards credit cards, and through its partnerships with other travel services.

I especially like the simplicity of redeeming points. You don’t need to search through different accommodation options to get the best value – whatever accommodation you book, there’s a flat redemption rate for free stays across the board.

You can also use your points when booking car rentals, buying gift cards, and more.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

Use a Wyndham Rewards Credit Card to boost points accumulation and enjoy immediate status upgrades. As an example, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card gives automatic Gold status, a generous point bonus on Wyndham stays and gas purchases, and a sizable welcome bonus.

Choice Privileges

Best for: If you travel alone or with your family and prefer budget to mid-tier accommodation with a simple and flexible rewards program.

The Choice Hotels network is especially strong in the United States and Scandinavia, with around 7,500 hotels including brand names that include Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and the Ascend Hotel Collection.

It’s a great option if you’re looking for reliable, affordable accommodation, whether you’re on a road trip, family holiday, business travel, or exploring new cities.

The Choice Privileges program is structured around four membership tiers: Member, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Benefits escalate through each level, and include express reservations and check-in, extended check-out times, and bonus points on stays.

Earning rewards with Choice Privileges is straightforward: points accumulate through hotel stays, purchases with the Choice Privileges Visa Card, and spending with program partners that includes airlines and car rental companies.

You can redeem your points for free nights, unique experiences, gift cards, and air miles. It’s flexibility that you’ll love, though redemption rates do vary by property and season.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

Applying for the Choice Privileges Visa Card is a savvy move. You’ll earn points on your everyday spending and Choice hotel stays, plus you’ll get automatic elite status.

Best Western Rewards

Best for: If you want reliable, comfortable accommodation but wouldn’t call yourself a frequent traveler. Great for domestic and international trips.

Best Western is one of my favorite hotel chains. I’ve never been disappointed by the standard of accommodation, and with a choice of almost 4,500 hotels around the world, there’s always a Best Western hotel available.

Brands include Best Western, Best Western Plus, and Best Western Premier.

The rewards program is easy to understand, and offers terrific value with consistent benefits. Membership is structured into five tiers: Blue, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Diamond Select. As you move up through each level, you’ll enjoy improved benefits like room upgrades and early check-in/late check-out, as well as higher points on stays.

You can earn points in a number of ways – through hotel stays, spending on the Best Western Rewards Mastercard, and through partnerships with airlines and other travel services.

Redeem your points for free nights at any Best Western property worldwide, gift cards, merchandise, and more.

You don’t need to worry about when you book free nights with this rewards program either – while many hotels reward schemes have blackout nights when you cannot use your points in exchange for a free night’s stay, Best Western does not have any blackout dates.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

The Best Western Rewards Mastercard is the best way to accelerate points accumulation on Best Western stays and everyday spending. Plus, you’ll receive automatic elite status.

Watch for frequent promotions and point purchase offers; a fantastic way to boost your points balance.

All – Accor Live Limitless

Best for: If you travel to Europe and Asia and prefer higher-end accommodation and bespoke experiences.

ALL – Accor Live Limitless is the rewards program for the Accor group of more than 5,000 worldwide properties including brands like Fairmont, Sofitel, and Banyan Tree. However, it also includes the budget-friendly IBIS brand (one of my go-to hotels when I’m traveling for business).

The ALL rewards program escalates across four status levels: Classic, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Benefits include room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays.

As a Platinum member, you’ll have access to benefits such as access to executive lounges and complimentary breakfast at select properties.

You earn rewards through hotel stays, dining and spa services at participating properties, and spending on Accor’s partnership platforms. It’s a highly flexible scheme – redeem your points for free nights (no blackout dates) or experiences, and you can even convert to airline miles with its partner airlines.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

Unlike most other hotel rewards programs, ALL does not offer a globally available branded credit card. But this doesn’t mean you can’t boost your points accumulation.

I’d recommend that you book stays during promotional periods that offer bonus points, and consider booking experiences through Accor’s lifestyle and experiences platform. You can also link other rewards programs from its partners to accumulate ALL rewards points faster.

iPrefer Hotel Rewards

Best for: Luxury independent and boutique hotels in far off destinations where you get to experience local culture.

Sometimes you want something different, a new and unique hotel experience, in a faraway place where you can embrace a different culture and pace of life. Welcome to Preferred Hotels & Resorts, an exclusive collection of over 650 independent hotels and resorts in more than 80 countries.

Its rewards program provides a pathway for you to enjoy incredible hotels that range from urban retreats to luxury resorts. Membership is straightforward, and you’ll enjoy some benefits such as complimentary internet, priority early check-in and late check-out, and room upgrades based on availability immediately.

You’ll earn points for every dollar you spend on points-earning opportunities. These include accommodation, dining, and spa services at participating properties.

As you might expect, redemption options are not standardized. The iPrefer program operates an innovative auction scheme for redeeming rewards for experiences, and you’ll also benefit from exclusive benefits like complimentary welcome amenities and exclusive food and drinks offers.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

Book your stays through the iPrefer app, and take advantage of exclusive offers and promotions that frequently provide bonus points.

How to Select the Best Hotel Rewards Program for You

Still confused which is the best hotel rewards program for you? Here’s are the four key things that I suggest you consider:

1. Your Travel Patterns & Hotel Preferences

Think about how often you travel, the destinations you visit, and the types of hotels you prefer.

2. Flexibility of Rewards

Do you need a rewards program that gives you more flexibility? Examine redemption options and benefits of membership, including free nights, upgrades, or even experiences, to match your travel preferences.

3. Points Earning Potential

How fast do you need to earn points, and how easy is it to accumulate points through stays, credit card spending, and partnerships? Think about your everyday spending, and consider how this could enhance your points accumulation.

4. Benefits of Programs with Partners

Remember that programs with extensive partnerships can offer additional ways to earn points and enjoy benefits beyond hotel stays.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a globetrotter, business traveler, or someone who prefers unique vacation experiences, there is a hotel reward program for you. To choose the right one, you’ll need to consider what matters most to you – is it the ease of earning points, variety of redemption options, or exclusive member benefits?

Choose wisely and you’ll soon discover your hotel stays are transformed into unforgettable experiences.

Once you get into the swing of things, you can start setting your own goals and consider booking flights with Avios.

This could be a massive goal like a Transatlantic flight with Avios, or a smaller goal, like an inter-European flight. Personally, I’m saving for a Transatlantic upgrade — but more on using Avios for upgrades later.

In this guide, I’ll give you a rundown on how to book flights using Avios. It is an easy process once you know the ropes, but knowing what to expect and the nitty-gritty details of it all is handy. Here’s what you need to know about caching in your hard-earned Avios.

What Are Reward Flights?

I think it’s important to understand the reality behind booking flights using Avios. It sounds like a great deal — and that’s because, mostly, it is — but let’s get really clear on how these flights are classified and what you get out of them. There are some limitations.

Any flight that you book using Avios is called a ‘Reward Flight’. Instead of paying, you’ve exchanged your Avios for a flight. It’s a pretty nifty deal, and Reward Flights are a significant motivator behind so many people joining airline reward programs.

You can get Reward Flights in all fare classes, including economy, business, and first class. The higher the fare class, the more Avios you’ll need to exchange for the flight. The further your Reward Flight flies, the more Avios you’ll need.

You get the idea. In essence, you get out what you put in. The more Avios you can scavenge, the higher your Reward Flight value will be.

Are Reward Flights Totally Free? 

Here’s the caveat I warned you about; Reward Flights are not totally free. 

You are still responsible for taxes, fees, and carrier charges. British Airways break down precisely what these taxes entail and why they exist on their website:

These extra costs can range from $50 to $500 depending on your route and destination.

For example, a flight from London to Sydney costs over 50,000 Avios points. You can use 50,000 Avios and get the flight as a Reward Flight. However, you then have an additional cost of $465 in taxes, fees, and carrier charges.

Is it still worthwhile redeeming Reward Flights? Yes, I’d say it is definitely still worth doing. But be mindful that those additional charges can quickly tot up, and you want to avoid going into the redeeming process thinking anything is completely free.

Reward Flights are a great way to get the main flight cost covered, leaving you with dramatically lower costs to pay on remaining additional factors like tax and carrier charges.

How Many Avios Do You Need to Book a Flight? 

Roughly speaking, I’d recommend saving upwards of 10,000 Avios to begin your flight redeeming journey. 

10,000 Avios is approximately the amount you’ll need to snag low-cost short-haul flights in economy. If you are just starting out collecting Avios, this is a realistic goal to aim for in a four- to six-month period, obviously depending on your collection patterns.

To push your fare class up to business class on short-haul flights, you must save between 15,000 and 20,000. For example, a business class flight from Miami to Cancun costs 16,500 Avios and an additional $40 in extra charges.

For long-haul flights in economy, you really need to start saving upwards of 50,000. That is around the mark you need to hit to snag routes such as London to Sydney — essentially any flight that covers mega-distances. 

In short, how many Avios you need to book a flight depends on where you want to go, when you go, and what fare class you want to get there in.

Avios Prices Rise With Zones and Air Miles

The way the program measures flight distances is straightforward; it just breaks down the flights into different zones. There are one to nine zones in total, each increasing in miles.

Avios Have Off-Peak and Peak Prices

One way to make your Avios stretch further is to book off-peak flights.

We all know the benefits of traveling off-peak anyway; better deals, fewer crowds, and a better overall travel experience. So it’s worth sticking to those less sought-after dates when booking flights with Avios.

Depending on which platform you book through, it will notify you of off-peak and peak experiences in different ways. British Airways Executive Club lists whether a day is off-peak or peak as you are scanning through flight availability, which is super handy.

So, How Much Should You Save?

I know it’s easy to get lost in all of these details. And to be honest with you, the point targets are general markers rather than concrete goalposts; the number of Avios required varies drastically depending on routes.

I’ll try to simplify things, though. Here is a very simplistic breakdown of how necessary amounts of Avios vary depending on fare and distance, assuming you are taking a one-way flight:

How Many Avios For Economy Flights?

• Short haul: 10,000 – 15,000
• Long haul: 40,000 – 60,000

How Many Avios For Business Class Flights?

• Short haul: 15,000 – 20,000
• Long haul: 120,000 – 15,000

How Many Avios For First Class Flights?

• Mid-haul: 40,000 – 50,000 
• Long haul: 170,000 – 200,000

5 Steps to Booking a Flight Using Avios 

As you already know, you can book flights using Avios through different platforms.

For this guide, though, I will concentrate on booking flights using Avios through British Airways Executive Club. This is one of the easiest ways to book flights using Avios, especially given the fact it’s one of the most popular airline reward programs.

There are just five simple steps you need to take note of:

1. Log In To Your British Airways Executive Club Dashboard

Okay, this first step shouldn’t be particularly mind-boggling so long as you have your passwords handy. Just enter your login details, and it will bring up your main dashboard.

While you’re there, take a quick look at the top right-hand corner of your screen. This is where you’ll see your current Avios balance. Remember what we said earlier about how many Avios you need per different flight types, and see if the flight you want is realistic.

If it is, click on your ‘Spending Avios‘ tab on the menu to your left and then click ‘Reward Flights‘.

2. Input Your Desired Flight Details

Click the option to ‘Book Now‘ (you may have to scroll down to the bottom of the page), and it will bring up a flight search tool.

Here is where you input all your essential flight details, such as the start and endpoint, whether you want one-way or return, and passenger numbers. You can also choose which fare class you wish to fly.

3. Choose Whether You Want Stopovers

When you click ‘Search‘, it brings up an extra webpage asking whether you want a direct flight or a stopover. This is an excellent option if you want to make the most of your trip, and you can decide how many days you want to layover for if you want an extra holiday in between.

Otherwise, you can just click to say you want a direct flight.

4. Select Your Flight

This is the fun part where you get to choose your Reward Flight. A horizontal menu of dates is at the top, advising you of availability and whether the flights are off-peak or peak. You can click each date to browse your flight options.

Keep in mind that Reward Flights sell out just like any other flight. Just because it’s a ‘Reward’ doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed unlimited spots, so book in advance for the best deals. 

5. Process Payment

Lastly, it’s time to process your payment and complete the booking. You’ll be previewed the total number of Avios that the flight costs, and the option to confirm that you are happy to complete the exchange.

At this point, you’ll also pay for any extra charges, like taxes and carrier charges.

If it’s here that you realize you don’t have enough Avios for your choices, it will offer you the chance to purchase Avios. Redeem your Reward Flight, and start looking forward to your trip!

How To Earn Avios to Book a Flight 

Earning Avios to book a flight is really simple. You can earn Avios through airline reward programs, collecting points for things like hotel bookings and standard flights. It’s all about getting creative.

If you find yourself a little short on your perfect Reward Flight, there are a few ways to boost your score. You can earn Avios to book flights through the following means:

• Booking hotels through the British Airways Executive Club’s shopping portal.
• Taking eligible flights and listing your membership number during booking or claiming as per your airline reward program’s requirements.
• Renting cars through eligible partnerships.
• Topping up fuel through BP. 
• Booking a British Airways Holiday (hotel and flight or hotel, flight, and car).
• Signing up for rewards cards at grocery stores.
• Registering for a partnered credit card, like American Express.

Earning Flights Through Travel

I am a British Airways Executive Club member, so I earn Avios through BA’s system and partners. This isn’t the only airline rewards program you can earn Avios through, but it is one of the most popular options. 

I primarily collect points by spending through the Executive Club portal, and finally received my American Express Credit Card, which is already making a huge difference.

As an example of how you can tot up points, I am currently on a work trip in Belfast. Here is a rough total of my forecasted points earnings from three days of short-haul work travel:

• Return Flights: $177 with Aer Lingus in Economy Flexible = 177 points with Amex, 300 points through Aer Lingus partnership.
• Accommodation: $250 through Airbnb = 250 points with Amex, 750 through the Airbnb portal. 
• Meals and Activities: Approximately $200 = 200 points with Amex.

Once I claim my eligible flights, I will have around 1,677 points, which will be put back into future travel. You can see how things quickly tot up, and this is just on a short-haul flight with minimal spending.

One of the best ways to earn Avios for travel is on regular trips. You can really maximize your earnings by claiming on parts of your travel that you’d already be spending on. For instance, booking your Airbnb through the Executive Club portal can earn approximately 3 points per dollar spent. 

Booking accommodation and flights and spending on an Amex also makes a huge difference. Tactically booking accommodation and having a partnered credit card is a fantastic way to dramatically boost the Avios you earn through travel. You want to earn Avios on more than just flights alone when traveling. 

Do You Earn Avios and Tier Points on BA Reward Flights? 

This is actually a critical point to cover. You do not earn Avios and Tier Points on BA Reward Flights.

This may seem a little annoying. I think it is probably to stop people from being able to steam their way up the Status Tiers too quickly. Otherwise, you could essentially swap your Avios for Tier Points in a very beneficial loophole.

It’s a pain, but the whole point of collecting Avios is that it’s challenging. It makes sense that they don’t want any loopholes.

Each airline reward program has a slightly different policy on collecting Reward Flights, so it could be worth looking around at the latest policies. However, as a general rule, it’s a safe bet to rule out earning when catching Reward Flights.

Other Ways to Use Avios

There are plenty of other ways that you can redeem Avios other than just flying. The whole point of Avios is that it’s a flexible reward currency. This means you have lots of travel-related things you could reward yourself with instead of an air fare.

I’d recommend weighing up all the different ways of redeeming Avios and seeing which provides you with the best value for money. Here are the best ways to use Avios besides a boarding pass:

Hotel stays

Points booked for hotel stays are a huge bonus of the Avios rewards program. You can book hotels using your points through a variety of platforms. However, I feel the easiest way is through British Airways Executive Club.

You simply log in and navigate to the ‘Spending Avios‘ menu tab and click on the ‘Hotel Stays‘ option. From there, you’ve got your very own points-based search engine.

Hotel stays start as low as 10,000 points and rise to 100,000 for multiple nights at luxury properties.

You may have city taxes to factor in on top of your hotel stay, but these will be less than the extra costs when using Avios for flights.

Car hire

You can find car hire in the same way through the British Airways Executive Club. EC members even get a free additional member, which is a nice touch.

Cars start as low as 20,000 for two days. If you are over 25, you can swap your Avios for car hire hassle-free.

Flight upgrades

OK, so this is flight-related – but what a treat, right? Flight upgrades are among the most rewarding ways to spend your Avios.

On select bookings (usually, you have to have already booked Economy Flexible, not the Lowest Economy option), you can pay an additional fee in points to upgrade your fare class on a standard cash-paid flight. 

Upgrading from economy to business on a Transatlantic flight costs around 20,000 to 25,000 Avios. On short-haul flights this is notably less. Why not treat yourself to that different level of luxury?

Flight upgrades are what I’m now concentrating on saving my Avios for. That is unless I get distracted by hotel stays along the way. We’ll see!

Final Thoughts: Booking Flights With Avios 

Phew. We’ve covered a lot of ground today, but it’s important you fully understand the whole process when looking to book flights with Avios. After all, it’s your hard-earned points — you want them to go as far as possible, don’t you?

I recommend factoring in those extra tax and carrier charge costs when booking flights with Avios. I’d also recommend pausing to evaluate whether this specific flight provides the best return on your points investment.

Sometimes, you might get more out of an upgrade experience or even hotel booking. Always bear in mind that there are more ways to redeem Avios than just on flights. If the shoe fits, it fits – but if it isn’t a perfect match, keep looking.

Today I’m looking specifically at the Premier credit card in this Southwest Airlines credit card review.

Generally speaking, points on an airline card can only be redeemed either with that airline or its partners, and point multipliers only apply to purchases made with companies associated with that particular airline. 

If you’re looking to stretch travel points – quite literally, to the ends of the Earth – you’ll want to look into a transferable points card.

Cards issued through banks themselves (such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One, etc.) will transfer to a multitude of airlines, often at 1:1 ratios, and can include perks like lounge access – something that no Southwest card will offer. When you see an influencer flying business class to exotic destinations paid for entirely through points, they’re using a transferable points card.

That being said, there are travelers out there who are very loyal to Southwest; I doubt there are official numbers on this, but I’ve met more people who rave about Southwest more than any other US airline.

While I’m not their biggest fan, I’ll often look to Southwest when flying with a lot of luggage due to their generous bag policy. If you’re loyal to the airline or a heavy packer who likes to avoid baggage fees, the Southwest Premier card is worth taking a look at. 

New Cardholder Promotion

Southwest is currently running a special for those who open a new account. As a new Southwest Premier Card cardholder, you’ll be treated to 30,000 bonus points plus a companion pass, so long as you spend $4k within three months of the account being opened.

The companion pass is good until February 28th, 2025, and the 30,000 points could be enough for a roundtrip flight based on when and where you travel.

The landing page to apply for the card will lead you to believe that this promotion will only last x amount of days. However, from my research this is scarcity marketing, and the promotion is actually run quite frequently.

Southwest Premier Credit Card Benefits

The most attractive perk of this card, in my opinion, is the companion pass. Once earned, this pass allows you to add a companion to an existing Southwest reservation completely free of charge, so long as there’s space on the flight.

The draw of this benefit cannot be overstated; this is literally a free ticket for anyone of your choosing to travel with you on the same flight. 

Oftentimes, an airline will advertise that they offer a companion pass, but it’s nearly impossible to obtain and is more of a marketing ploy than anything else. To achieve this without the Premier Card, you would have to fly at least 100 one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year to qualify for the companion pass.

This easily translates to spending over five figures solely with Southwest and/or taking about two flights a week on the carrier, which is simply not a viable possibility for the overwhelming majority of their customers.

With a Southwest Premier Card, however, the requirement to obtain the pass is to spend $4,000 within three months of opening the account. This is around the normal spending amount for an average person within that time frame.

Of course, this requires financial discipline and good money management. You must ensure that you never get into financial difficulty to meet any credit card’s spending requirements for points.

But if you’re able to sensibly achieve this, obtaining the companion pass is a valuable reward. And let’s not forget that meeting this spending requirement will also grant you 30,00 bonus points on top of the points you’ll accrue from using the card in the first place.

Additionally, this card provides an anniversary bonus of 6,000 points and 1,500 TQPs (tier qualifying points) for every $5,000 spent annually. And what do tier-qualifying points get you?

Well, when you’ve earned 35,000 TQPs you qualify for the prestigious A-List status, which is the only reward tier in Southwest’s frequent flier program. This status grants travelers priority check-in and boarding, a dedicated customer service phone number, and a 25% point earning bonus on Southwest flights.

Like any other travel rewards card, point-earning multipliers can apply depending on the purchase being made and the company it’s being made through. Here are Southwest’s Premier redemption ratios:

Should you have any friends looking for a travel card, there’s a generous referral program. Send your friend a unique link tied to your account to apply for the Premier card, and once they’re approved, you’ll receive a bonus of 20,000 points, with a limit of five people/100,000 points per year.

When flying Southwest, cardholders are provided with two early bird check-ins per year (a system that automatically checks you in 24 hours before your flight, providing a better boarding position), and 25% back on inflight purchases, which on Southwest is essentially just alcohol.

Southwest Premier card holders will also enjoy perks such as no foreign transaction fees and fraud protection provided through Chase Bank, the card issuer.

Southwest Premier Credit Card Drawbacks

This card has two main drawbacks: the first being the $99 annual fee, and the second being that point redemption is limited to Southwest flights exclusively.

While it’s nearly impossible to get out of an annual fee for a rewards card, at least if you plan to use it long term, there are ways to balance that fee out. This will of course depend on the card used, the point value, and other benefits associated with the card.

Though it’s up to each of us as to what we can consider as valuable benefits for the annual fee, there are other cards out there with a similar fee that I would say get more bang for your buck.

Because this card accrues points that can only be redeemed for flights on Southwest, this comes with some major restrictions that you’ll want to consider before applying.

Notably, Southwest doesn’t have a very extensive route network. The airline only operates within North America, the Caribbean, and Hawaii, and lacks flights to Alaska and Canada.

This significantly limits how far these points can physically go, and if your goal in the points game is intercontinental travel, then the Southwest Premier Card probably isn’t for you.

Coupled with being restricted to Southwest’s network, you’re subject to falling victim to one of their mass cancellations. These situations can arise with any airline, though Southwest seems to be in the news for this a lot, and the word ‘scandal’ is frequently thrown around when it happens.

The reasons behind these cancellations are often within their control and they seem to happen during busy travel periods, leading to responses from the Department of Transportation directed at Southwest specifically. This is a risk anyone takes when flying Southwest, cardholder or not, and should be considered when deciding to commit to them by taking out their credit card.

The Fine Print

The Southwest Premier card is issued by Chase Bank and is subject to their terms and policies. The APR ranges from 21.49% to 28.49% based on creditworthiness, and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% should any payments be missed.

These rates are fairly standard for mid-range travel cards such as Southwest Premier, but for those with outstanding credit there are lower interest rate options available with transferable point cards.

On top of the $99 annual fee, there’s a fee of $5 or 5% for balance transfers and $10 or 10% for cash advances, depending upon which amount is greater. Late and returned payment fees are $40.

There is no fee for going over your credit limit, though like any credit card, approval for exceeding your limit is decided by the issuing bank.

Point Redemption

The point redemption process on Southwest is straightforward and not unlike other airlines when booking. There are also options to redeem points for merchandise and Southwest gift cards.

Unlike some other airlines, the cost in points of a Southwest ticket is directly related to the cash value of the flight. This makes the process easier on point users when booking, as there’s no constant toggling between price in dollars and points to find the best deal. The cheapest flight by dollar amount will cost the least amount of points, and vice versa for more expensive flights.

Having point redemption tied to the cash value of a ticket also allows point users to take advantage of Southwest’s frequent sales, and roundtrip flights can run under 30,000 points per person depending on the route.

Since the welcome offer includes 30,000 bonus points and a companion pass, if you play your cards right this could equate to round trip air travel for two people simply by using the Premier card on everyday purchases for three months. Travel points win!

Tickets booked though point redemption are also subject to Southwest’s “transfarency” philosophy/policy, meaning no fees for changes or cancellations. 

What I also love about Southwest is that if the price of your flight drops after booking, Southwest will credit the point difference to your account.

This process isn’t automatic, however. You’re in charge of watching the flight price and taking action should it fall below what you paid, but if and when that occurs, simply call Southwest customer service and they’ll provide the credit.

Alternative Southwest Cards

If you want to stay within the Southwest card family but the Southwest Premier Credit Card isn’t for you, there are a few options you could consider:

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

The lowest tier of Southwest cards. There’s a lower annual fee of $69, though point earnings are substantially lowered.

There’s a maximum 2:1 dollars spent to points-earned ratio, including on purchases through Southwest, and anniversary points are cut in half to 3,000/year. There is still the ability to earn a companion pass, though the qualifications remain the same.

There ARE foreign transaction fees with this card, and there is no ability to earn TQPs towards A-List status based on spending. This card does still offer two early bird check-ins per year and 25% back on inflight purchases, as does the Premier Card.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

The highest tier of Southwest cards for personal use. Though there’s a higher annual fee of $149, this card includes an annual travel credit of $75, so for those who frequent Southwest the fee can balance itself out.

There’s a slightly higher anniversary bonus of 7,500 points, and point-earning ratios are the same as the Premier Card. Qualifications for the companion pass remain the same.

Instead of early bird check-in, this card offers four upgraded boardings per year (subject to availability), guaranteeing a boarding position of A1-15. Cardholders earn TQPs on spending at the same rate as the Premier card, and receive 25% back on inflight purchases.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

A card for business owners who travel frequently on Southwest. For $199, this card offers higher point-earning ratios in certain categories (4:1 on Southwest purchases, 3:1 on hotels) and 9,000 anniversary points.

The welcome offer doesn’t include a companion pass, but instead offers 80,000 points if the $5,000 spending requirement is met within three months. This card also offers TSA-precheck reimbursement, inflight Wi-Fi credits, four upgraded boardings per year, and all other benefits (less the companion pass) that Southwest cards offer.

Alternatives Outside of Southwest

If you’re looking for a wider variety of airlines to redeem points with but still want to have the option of redeeming on Southwest, you are by no means out of luck. Take a look at these options:

Chase Travel Rewards Suite

As Southwest cards are backed and issued by Chase, there’s a slew of cards offered by Chase that have a point transfer ratio of 1:1 with Southwest.

These include the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex cards. Each of these cards come with their own respective fees and point-earning ratios, and are great options for Southwest fans who want to use credit card points for travel beyond North America.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

Marriott Bonvoy points earned through use of their American Express cards are available for transfer to Southwest, albeit at a less desirable ratio. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold, Boundless, Bevy, and Brilliant cards will transfer points to Southwest at a 3:1 ratio, and those points are frankly better spent at Marriott properties.

Still, the option remains should you ever need it as a Marriott Bonvoy cardholder.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I would mostly recommend the Southwest Premier Credit Card to those who are already loyal to Southwest and don’t intend to travel outside of their route network.

What sets this card apart is the companion pass. If you frequently have a travel buddy and are able to sensibly meet the spending requirements to get the pass, then this card is worth your while. For solo travelers like me, however, this isn’t really a factor that comes into play, as it’s a benefit that would rarely be used.

Though the Southwest Premier Credit Card isn’t bad by any means, it’s more of a niche fit and there are better options on the market that are far less restrictive. If you’re looking for credit card points to take you across the world, save the hard inquiry and look elsewhere.

Navigating your way upwards through statuses gets more and more enticing, with lounge access, extra luggage allowances, and more.

I’m the first to admit that I love a good airport lounge. It just sets the tone for the rest of your journey, especially if you plan on working remotely from the airport. The lounge access is one of the greatest things about collecting Tier Points – it’s one of the main reasons I’m striving for Silver this year.

It’s easy to see why members are so desperate to rack up tier points to progress to better benefits. There’s a sense of urgency, too, since your Tier Points expire annually. The question remains: how do you earn BA Tier Points without flying?

If you’re racing against the clock to increase your status before the end of the year, it makes sense that you want to get creative when earning tier points. These points are the golden tickets to a more luxurious airport and flight experience, after all. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s The Difference Between Avios And Tier Points? 

For some, there is confusion over Tier Points vs Avios. To clarify the differences, I’ll briefly explain what Avios and Tier Points are, and how their collection processes vary. 

Avios – The Reward Currency

Firstly, Avios is a reward currency used across multiple airline rewards programs, including BA. You can collect Avios through shopping through the Executive Club portal, and even hotel stays with partnered companies like Airbnb.

I book most of my accommodation through the Executive Club portal, which can easily work out at 1 or more points per $ spent.

Avios is easy to collect without flying and is a currency, meaning it’s there to be spent however you wish. They do not expire as long as you abide by the minimum collection or spending time frame (at least one Avios every 36 months). You can redeem them on flights and hotel stays or seat class upgrades. 

If you want to start collecting Avios, there’s no need to book a flight immediately. While you can earn Avios through booking eligible flights, they are just as easily earned from the ground.

There’s also no rush to hit targets with Avios – you can take them at your own pace, since they don’t expire as long as you meet engagement criteria. 

Tier Points – The Status Climbers

In contrast, Tier Points are status climbers. This means that when you collect Tier Points, you access different rungs of a status ladder that reward you with increasingly enticing benefits.

There is Blue, Bronze, Silver, and Gold; Silver is where it starts to get exciting with airport lounge access. You predominantly collect Tier Points by flying, making them extra elusive.

That’s the point, though; they are meant to be challenging to collect. How many Tier Points you actually earn varies depending on your seat class and flight route, with business and first-class flights earning the Tier Point big bucks.

There are a few ways you can wangle yourself some Tier Points without flying, but you’ll need to be savvy, which we’ll cover in a moment.

At the end of every year your Tier Points expire, meaning you start again from zero to try to reach the high-status levels. You retain the status level you achieved the previous year, but this policy is different from Avios because Tier Points are time-sensitive. You can’t just stash them away and watch them tot up over multiple years.

Tier Points are for the more serious flyers. You’ll notice the most progress and points accumulating when taking upwards of 25 eligible flights per year. You can see why people are so desperate to find ways to collect them without flying, because it does involve hitting some serious flight miles. 

That being said, when your points expire, they don’t just disappear into the clouds. You can keep a stash of Lifetime Tier Points, but these don’t count towards moving up the status levels. (We’ll set today’s Lifetime Tier Points aside to keep things simple.)

Why Collect Tier Points? 

Tier Points are fantastic to collect because they improve your flight experience. Avios might give you currency to redeem on rewards, but Tier Points provide status and comfort during your airport and flight experience. They change your relationship with flying.

I think the best way to understand the draw towards BA Tier Points is by breaking the benefits down on a status-level by status-level. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect from each of them, which will demonstrate why Tier Points are so fabulous to collect.

Blue

Blue is what everyone starts on when joining the British Airways Executive Club. It is a super basic level, mainly offering you the opportunity to earn Avios and Tier Points so you can start climbing the ladder. 

You get some privileges, like saving meals and seat preferences with British Airways and access to members-only deals. But as a whole, think of the Blue Tier as the start line of a marathon.

Bronze

With Bronze, the main benefit is priority check-in and boarding. You also bag free seat selection seven days before departure. It offers a slightly slicker, more relaxing flight experience than you’d get on Blue or without an Executive Club membership.

It is basically the first step on the ladder and where you start to see some rewards coming back in. You need to earn 300 Tier Points and take 2 BA flights, or take 25 eligible flights in a year.

Silver

Silver is where it gets exciting, but it’s tough to reach; you’ll need 600 Tier Points and 4 eligible flights in a year, or 50 eligible flights in a year. Those who make it get access to business lounges and extra baggage allowance.

Silver is where your flight experience moves beyond relaxing and into indulgence. If you want to start enjoying your airport and inflight experience, Silver is the level to aim towards.

Gold

Finally, Gold is the holy grail of the BA tier system. You bag first class check-in and boarding and access to first class lounges. You’ll need either 1,500 Tier Points and 4 eligible flights.

If you make it to Gold, you’re at the top. You’ve reached what is essentially BA’s top tier. While they have a few extra challenges to aim for from here, you’ll be enjoying ultimate super-indulgent flight experiences.

Fact Or Fiction: You Can’t Earn Tier Points Without Flying

So, here comes the bad news. Those status tiers might sound fantastic, but as you know, the only real way to earn BA Tier Points is by getting on an eligible plane. 

There are so many reasons why this could be difficult. Firstly, it requires a lifestyle that relies on regular travel, especially long-haul.

Secondly, it relies on the fact that you use a lot of BA flight paths, which might mean sacrificing more convenient times and routes to bag those eligible flights.

However, earning Tier Points through flying is still worth trying. It might not be the answer you want to hear, but the better you understand earning points through flying, the more likely you’ll rise up through the status tiers.

How Collecting Tier Points through flying works

Every time you take a flight with a Oneworld airline or non-Oneworld BA partner, you earn Tier Points. You can either book flights directly with British Airways, book flights through the Executive Club Portal, or add your BA membership number when booking with affiliated airlines. 

Your Tier Points increase with your fare class, and the distance you’re traveling. On any flight route, each class will earn a percentage of potential points:

• Economy Lowest: earns 25%
• Economy Low: earns 50%
• Economy Flexible: earns 100%
• Premium Economy: earns 100%
• Business Class: earns 100%
• First Class: earns 100%

If you want to increase your Tier Points earnings, aim for longer flights or higher fare classes. For instance, you could earn 35 points in Economy Lowest, yet 140 points in Economy Flexible for the same flight.

The Sneaky Way to Earn BA Tier Points Without Flying 

Here’s the good news: you can wiggle your way around BA’s ‘flight-only’ Tier Point earning policy. The best way today is to use a British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card.

You can earn up to a grand total of 200 Tier Points if you spend a set amount of money on this card before the end of May 2024. That’s almost enough to secure you a Bronze Tier immediately, and ⅓ of what you need for a Silver Tier.

In short, this is an incredible hack to set you on the right track.

The Drawbacks To This Hack

The drawback of this offer is that you’ll need to spend a lot through this card to actually get those points.

This card type is also on high interest rates, which of course runs the risk of debt issues for the sake of earning points. I’d hazard against anyone ruining their credit score by missing payments for Tier Points. 

However, if you’re in a financial situation that enables you to pay off the card in full at the end of each month, it is worth utilizing this card’s Tier Point opportunity.

If you miss/missed the May 21, 2024 deadline, that’s unfortunate – but keep your eye out for similar offers. British Airways regularly partners with affiliated companies like American Express to offer ad hoc Tier Point collecting opportunities.

It’s all about keeping up to date with opportunities, and we’ll do our best here at Points Inspector to keep you in the midst of updates.

How To Optimize Tier Point Earnings 

Your absolute best option is to find ways to optimize your Tier Points earnings. This way, you are compromising – taking fewer flights, but gaining more rewards.

For many of us, the non-flight Tier Point offers are irregular and unachievable (I won’t be spending £25,000 on a credit card before May, either), so it’s better to get optimizing. These are how you can get more out of your flights, climbing that status tier ladder without committing to any extra flights.

BA Holidays Double Tier Points

BA Holiday Double Tier Points came in a couple of years ago but, by popular demand, have been extended until the end of 2024. It simply means you earn double tier points on your included flights for booking a BA holiday package for 5 nights or more.

These packages include flights and hotel, or flights, hotels, and cars. It’s up to you and your own individual itinerary. This is fantastic if you are working remotely and/or traveling for work.

For instance, if I’m due to travel for work and spend approximately three days on work duties, I could extend my stay by two days to qualify. Taking advantage of the BA Holiday Double Tier Points offer would be ideal in this scenario, as I could combine it with a weekend to enjoy two free days.

It’s also a brilliant idea for families, those tied with their annual leave, and people who don’t travel as part of their career. It allows you to ram as much Tier Point earning potential as possible into the shortest possible time.

The rewards are even better if you are heading on a long-haul flight. You could potentially earn enough to bag yourself Bronze or Silver status in one fell swoop. It’s a brilliant way to maximize what you get from your flights when chasing extra Tier Points.

Take Flights With Connections

Not all of these tips expire – I promise. It is frustrating to face a time limit, like with the BA Holiday Double Tier Points and BA Amex Premium Plus Card offers. But this is one timeless tip to maximize your Tier Points collection: taking flights with connections.

When you take any flight with a connection, you earn extra Tier Points. How great is that? 

If you want to optimize the flight points you earn on journeys, you need to start hunting for those valuable connections. 

Sometimes, you don’t need to spend more on flights; you just need to be more tactical when taking them. You often get more out of this experience, especially if you love maximizing your travel by snagging long layovers, so you get a bonus city anyway.

For the adventurous and savvy, taking flights with a connection is my top tip for maximizing your BA Tier Point collection.

Fly In Higher-Fare Classes

Depending on your own circumstances and availability on each flight, consider flying in a higher-fare class. The jump from Economy Lowest to Premium Economy is enormous in terms of Tier Point earning potential – leaping from 25% to 100% of the total point collection possible.

This could make the difference between 35 points and 140 points, so it is definitely something to consider.

If you took four long-haul flights in a year in Premium Economy, you’d earn 560 Tier Points, which is just 40 points (a short-haul trip) off Silver. Compared to the same flights in Economy Lowest, you’d only earn 140 Tier Points, which doesn’t even achieve Bronze at 300 Tier Points in a membership year.

You don’t have to jump from Economy to First just to bag enough Tier Points to reach those higher-status tiers. Knowing that the smallest fare class changes can make a huge difference is essential.

Upping your fare class is a spectacular way to drastically increase your Tier Points, all while reducing the number of flights you need to take.

Final Thoughts: Earning Tier Points Without Flying

The news that BA Tier Points aren’t typically collectible without flying might not have been what you wanted to hear. However, you now know how to make the collection process work for you and your circumstances.

Where there’s a will, there’s almost always a way. And you can easily optimize the flights you take to relieve yourself of the pressure of hitting those sky-high air miles.

Try to book a Double Tier Points holiday before the end of 2024, and always look for flights with connections to boost your points earnings.

Adjusting your fare class can also make a massive difference. Switching from Economy Lowest to Premium alone reduces the number of flights to achieve Silver status. Achieving Silver using Economy Lowest requires 17-18 flights, while Economy Premium only requires 4-5.

You might think that the only way to realistically boost your Tier Points is through taking hundreds of flights, or lament the fact you can’t easily earn Tier Points from the ground. But I promise you that you’ll see results by increasing the collecting potential of the flights you’ve already booked, with these tips.

It’s a dilemma, isn’t it? I mean, here you are, sitting on a mountain of Amex Rewards points, and you’re planning for a vacation or business trip. You’re pondering whether to convert your Amex points to Avios or use them for a lavish meal at a Michelin-star restaurant.

For me, and on the face of it, this is a tough choice. I love traveling, and I love good food. Oh, the pressure of a decision!

What you really need to know is which option will give you the most bang for your buck.

Diving into the World of Amex Rewards and Avios Points

Imagine that every swipe of your card accumulates a form of currency that you can use to pay for a myriad of goods, services, or experiences. This is the world of Amex Rewards, in which every latte you buy and every full tank of gas you use earns you a little bonus toward your next adventure.

These points are hugely versatile, too – in fact, this is one of their most attractive features.

Now, picture a more unique currency. One that is designed for those of us who have one of the most exciting addictions – a lust for travel, a passion to stretch our horizons, experience different cultures, and meet new people.

Welcome to Avios points, the currency of exceptional travel options through British Airways, Aer Lingis, Iberia, and Vueling. Converting your Amex Rewards points to Avios is the key that unlocks all of these travel options.

Understanding Amex Rewards and Avios Points

First things first, I want to give you a brief rundown of both Amex Rewards and Avios Points. This will help you understand the value of both, and is crucial to make an informed decision when you are thinking about converting Amex to Avios points.

Amex Rewards

As you might expect from Amex, its Rewards Program is one of the best on the market. It is designed to reward you for everyday spending, and the points you can accumulate can be used to pay for anything from travel to dining, shopping to experiences, and more. Rewards points don’t expire, providing your account remains active and in good standing.

You earn Rewards points:

• On everyday spending – whether filling up your tank or refurbing your home, you’ll accumulate points from all your spending.
• Through sign-up bonuses – watch for the generous sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, which can fast-track you to a significant points balance.
• By taking advantage of special promotions – available periodically with specific retailers and categories, there’s something for everyone.

You can use your Rewards points:

• To spend on travel expenses such as flights, hotels, and car rental through Amex Travel
• For everyday shopping through the Amex shopping portal
• To exchange for gift cards to use at a variety of retailers and restaurants
• To pay statement credit, offsetting charges or paying for purchases made using your card
• To make charitable donations
• To convert to Avios points

Avios Points

Avios points are the rewards currency for a range of airlines, including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling, as well as Oneworld partner airlines. You can redeem your Avios points across all these airlines’ programs, providing a seamless experience for booking flights, upgrades, and more.

You can accumulate Avios points by:

• Everyday spending on co-branded Avios credit cards
• Spending online with partner retailers
• Taking advantage of special promotions and bonuses on activities such as booking flights or spending with specific partners
• Buying Avios directly to top up your account (though this is not usually the most cost-effective method)
• Transferring points accumulated on other cards to Avios (as Amex allows)

You can redeem your Avios points:

• To book flights across the Avios partners’ network
• To upgrade seats to business or first class
• For hotel stays, car rentals, and unique travel experiences

Pros of Converting American Express Rewards Points to Avios

Converting Amex to Avios points isn’t simply about exchanging one currency for another. It’s about unlocking a treasure chest of travel. Without this conversion, these opportunities might just remain out of reach.

Here are three reasons you’ll be champing at the bit to switch out of Amex Rewards and into Avios points:

1. Hitting the Sweet Spots of Avios Awards

Though you convert at a rate of 1:1, you’ll find that your Avios points go further than your Amex Rewards points after conversion – especially if you search the Avios program for special deals.

Use your points for flying across the pond to Europe, or to upgrade to business or first class cabins, and you could realize a value of 2 cents per point and more.

2. Using Avios for Short-Haul Flights

Want to jet off for a weekend escape? Who doesn’t, right?

Converting your Amex into Avios can be a game-changer. You could score short-haul flights for a lot less than you think.

You’ll find the Avios programs are awash with last-minute deals that give incredible value for each point, and this is going to leave more money in your pocket to make incredible memories while you’re away. You’ll be hard pushed to find better value.

3. Jet off to Exotic Destinations with Partner Airlines

Avios partners with the Oneworld Alliance, meaning you get access to mind-blowing deals to the four corners of the world, including many destinations off the beaten track. It’s like a VIP pass to visit the wonders of the world and experience those life-changing moments of discovery.

Cons of Converting American Express Rewards Points to Avios

Converting your Amex to Avios might seem beyond tempting, but it can be a complex decision to take. Sure, you’ll open up a sack full of travel opportunities, but it’s not without its limitations and challenges.

Here are three reasons why you might need to hit the pause before clicking on the convert button.

1. Conversion Might Not be the Best Option

It may not be possible to fly direct to your desired destination through Avios partner airlines. You may be saving money by converting your Amex Rewards points to Avios points, but a couple of layovers may be exhausting and costly.

2. You Might Not be Getting Maximum Value from Your Points

The exchange rate of Amex to Avios might not always be in your favor. If this is the case, you could end up out of pocket. That Michelin-star dining experience suddenly looks a much better option.

You should also remember that Avios points are not nearly as flexible as Amex Rewards – Avios is designed specifically for travel-related purchases. Look on it like an investment, from which you want to gain the highest returns.

3. Taxes, Fees, and Availability Issues

When you convert Amex to Avios, you might encounter some otherwise ‘hidden’ – and nasty – surprises. Availability of premium cabins and popular routes gets filled quickly.

Then there are potentially high taxes and fees on some flights. While points may make prizes, patience and flexibility deliver the highest-value results.

When Should You Convert Rewards Points to Avios Points?

Have you ever been tightening (or loosening) a bolt, and been faced with the decision whether to use a spanner or a wrench? The choice depends on several factors, like how much you can see, the angle of attack, and the space you have to work in. Nothing is ever straightforward, is it?

The pros and cons of converting Amex to Avios give you a framework in which to make the decision whether to convert. I’ve found that there are three distinct scenarios in which conversion is undoubtedly the best tool to use:

1. When Avios Offers a Better Redemption Value

This is relatively straightforward. All you need to do is compare the cost of booking your desired flight or travel experience using your Amex Reward points vs Avios points. If you’re going to use more Amex points than Avios, then conversion is a clear winner.

2. When Booking Flights on Partner Airlines

So, you’re planning to fly with an airline like, say, Qatar or American Airlines. Have you checked the Avios deals on these yet? No? Did you forget that Avios includes the partner airlines in the Oneworld Alliance?

Use Avios and Oneworld to unlock routes and destinations at exceptional value.

3. To Take Advantage of Last-Minute Travel Deals

If you need to book a last-minute flight, you should really check out the Avios program. There are usually some fantastic deals available for last-minute travel.

Plus, fees are often lower. These advantages combined can make conversion from Amex to Avios a savvy choice.

How Do You Convert American Express Rewards to Avios Points?

The process to convert Amex to Avios points is relatively straightforward, though you will need to pay attention to the details as you navigate the conversion journey.

(Before you start, you’ll need to register for an Avios program. I’d also recommend that you register for the British Airways Executive Club – it’s free to do, and the value you get increases as you move up the tiers.)

Step 1: Log into your Amex account. This is where you’ll initiate the conversion.

Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Membership Rewards’ section, where you can explore various redemption options.

Step 3: Within the Membership Rewards section, find the option to ‘Transfer Points’ and click on it to proceed.

Step 4: Here, you’ll be presented with a list of Amex’s airline and hotel partners. Select British Airways Executive Club (or Avios) from the list.

Step 5: If you haven’t already linked your accounts, link your BA Exec Club account to your Amex account (don’t worry, this is completely safe to do). You will probably need to pass through an account verification process.

Step 6: Decide how many Amex points you wish to convert, and key in this amount – you’ll need to be mindful of minimum transfer amounts and prevailing conversion rates.

Step 7: Review the conversion details, and click ‘Confirm’ to complete the transfer.

Strategies to Maximize the Value of Amex to Avios Conversions

To get the most from converting your Rewards points, you’ll need to play the game like a Chess Grandmaster. Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but you’ll certainly need a strategy.

Here’s a strategy I’ve developed that should help you to maximize value and take full advantage of the pros while mitigating the cons.

1. Time Your Conversions

Be patient, and wait for bonuses. The conversion rate may be 1:1, but Amex/Avios run regular promotions offering bonus points for converting to Avios.

Timing your transfers for these can make a huge difference to your points value, and (literally) help you go further.

Planning ahead is also key, so that you can convert when bookings are low (avoid peak travel if possible). You’ll find that hitting these sweet spots will get you more miles, or cheaper premium deals, for fewer Avios points.

2. Combine Avios with Other Points for Bigger Savings

You can pool your Avios account with the Avios accounts of family members. This will give you the firepower to make more valuable redemptions, including long-haul flights and upgrades.

3. Book Partner Flights and Round-the-World Tickets

One of the things I most like about the Avios programs is that they give you access to deals from partner airlines in the Oneworld Alliance. Take time to do some research and look for flights to destinations that might otherwise be out of your reach. I’ve discovered some great-value flights this way.

Have you flown around the world yet? I haven’t, but the more I look into it, the more tempted I am.

Sure, you need a fair number of Avios points, but you’ll be surprised how much value you can squeeze out of them with a flexible plan. I mean, how else could you afford the luxury trip of a lifetime? And don’t forget, Avios points can also be used for accommodation, car rentals, and more.

How to Avoid Common Conversion Mistakes

I once heard a conversion horror story, about someone who transferred a large sum of Amex Reward points to Avios points with the aim of bagging a business class flight to Tokyo.

What they hadn’t done was check the availability. With demand much higher than they expected it to be, they couldn’t use their Avios to book.

The moral of this story is to always check availability before transferring points across to Avios.

Another mistake that is easy to make is to not consider the cost of taxes and fees. Sure, that flight to London is great value in Avios points; but when it comes to paying, you could be hit hard with additional costs that you haven’t allowed for.

The lesson? Always get your calculator out and figure out the total cost of redemption to uncover the real value of an Amex Rewards points transfer.

My rules to avoid such pitfalls are:

• Always check flight availability and seasonality before transferring points.
• Consider the total cost of redemption.
• Be flexible with your travel dates and destinations.

To Convert Amex to Avios, or Not to Convert…

Converting Amex Rewards points to Avios could unlock a world of high-value travel and unique experiences. However, whether you’re a globetrotter or an avid value seeker, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of conversion before committing yourself to a transfer.

Amex Rewards points are highly flexible. Avios points can boost the value of your Amex points when traveling, especially in the form of upgrades and worldwide experiences.

As with any decision, the key is to be strategic. Weigh up the pros and cons. Understand when to convert. Avoid the pitfalls. Do these things, and you’ll pilot your points to maximum value.

The bottom line? While converting Amex to Avios points may seem daunting at first, when you optimize your Amex points to leverage Avios offers, you’ll ensure that you extract the maximum value and benefit from enhanced travel experiences.