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With Avios, award redemption opportunities extend far beyond British Airways flights to the entire Oneworld alliance network. With 11 member airlines, Avios can be used to travel anywhere in the world.
Discover the best Avios redemptions available around the world, how to quickly earn Avios, and set your strategy for your next trip.
While it is possible to earn Avios by converting points, the most direct and efficient way to earn Avios is to subscribe to the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card and meet the conditions for the welcome offer. What’s more, this card gives you access to a host of other benefits:
Alternatively, you can earn Avios through point conversions from the RBC Avion program and the American Express Membership Rewards program. Here are the best credit cards for earning Avios points in Canada:
Since award flight pricing is based on the distance in miles of flights and varies by airline, we’ve identified the best points deals for you, also known as “sweet spots”. All the examples presented in this article are one-way economy class tickets.
Avios are often best used on short-haul flights of 650 miles or less. For a trip where you need to maximize your time, it’s an excellent way to see multiple cities in a short period. Many itineraries are available for less than 10,000 Avios.
For example, go from Amsterdam to London on your next European trip for 9,250 Avios, rather than paying $294:
Continue your journey by exploring Scandinavian countries like Finland for just 9,000 Avios and $81.70 in fees and taxes with this award flight from London to Helsinki :
On a trip to the other side of the world, every second counts. Maximize your time in Australia with this flight from Melbourne to Brisbane for 9,000 Avios and $40.80 :
When visiting Japan, save on transportation from Tokyo to Osaka for 10,500 Avios and no fees or taxes:
Thanks to American Airlines, a member of Oneworld, you can end the winter in the warmth of the Caribbean for a few Avios.
For example, go from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico for only 9,000 Avios and $7.70 in fees and taxes:
What’s more, it’s easy to get from one island to another thanks to British Airways’ fifth freedom flights. Go island hopping from Antigua to Saint Kitts and Nevis for 9,250 Avios and $1 in fees and taxes:
Continuing with American Airlines, good deals are available for domestic flights in the USA, also saving on fees and taxes.
Take this example of a flight from New York to Miami, available for 16,500 Avios and $7.70 in fees and taxes:
Alaska Airlines, also a member of Oneworld, makes it easy to fly from the West American coast to Hawaii for only a few Avios.
For example, to get from San Francisco to Honolulu, you’ll need just 13,000 Avios and $7.70:
Of course, Europe is accessible with Avios, but prices can vary greatly depending on your destination. A good tip for maximizing Avios redemption for award flights is to find the cheapest routes to the old continent.
Travelling to Ireland from Toronto becomes very accessible outside the peak season (i.e. almost eight months of the year). As shown here, you can fly from Toronto to Dublin for as little as 13,000 Avios (or 26,000 for a round trip).
With flight prices to Europe getting more and more expensive, it’s easy to save by paying just $100 and 25,000 Avios to fly to London from Montreal:
If your next destination isn’t one of these suggested flights, you can still take advantage of other benefits offered by the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card that will help you maximize your Avios earning and redemption strategies:
The companion voucher offered after $30,000 in card spending will allow you to take advantage of either of these options:
In other words, a more expensive flight in Avios will become much more affordable with the companion voucher. This is particularly interesting for long-haul flights, where you can make huge savings in Avios.
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card allows you to save 10% on your flights with British Airways when you book with the card on ba.com/RBC10 and enter the promotion code CARDOFFERC. In addition to this discount, paying for your British Airways flights with this card can help you :
If your travel plans are more ambitious in terms of the number of Avios required (we’re thinking of Qatar Airways’ Qsuite, for example), it’s possible to take advantage of special offers at key times to fill up your Avios bank and book those coveted award tickets:
With these tips, you can now maximize the use of your Avios, whether with the best “sweet spots” or to collect the Avios needed for your dream destination with the help of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card.
For travel and experiences that require more Avios, a strategy combining the welcome bonus from the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card with other special purchase or point conversion offers will help you reach your goals. From long-haul flights to the Qatar Airways Qsuite, the possibilities are vast with Avios; not to mention that they can now be combined between British Airways Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
Savings this way:
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