From Miles to Smiles Stylish travel for professionals seeking luxury at affordable prices
Whenever I speak to anyone about how I fly first or business class using airmiles, a look of defeat crosses their face. ‘Well, I don’t fly regularly so that won’t work for me’, is the usual response. Let me let you into a little secret. More than 90% of my airmiles do not come from flights. So, today’s post aims to demonstrate that you can earn AVIOS quickly without EVER flying.
It really is child’s play!
How I earn AVIOS quickly without flying
If you don’t believe me, check out these posts providing a run down of some of my AVIOS earning. See how few of those airmiles came from actual flights. If the collection of my airmiles was dependent on flying, I would be flying economy forever!!
Credit cards are the answer to earning AVIOS quickly
The secret to huge airline rewards in your chosen frequent flyer program is not flying. It definitely helps, but for most of us, circumnavigating the globe on a regular basis is not an option. You could be forgiven for thinking that there is no point joining a frequent flyer program.
Don’t worry, because there is another way. A credit card offering airmiles is an amazing way to boost your loyalty points quickly and easily. (Read the best airline credit card in the UK you want to jump ahead, and find out the best airmiles card for you).
Credit scoring
If the mention of credit is bringing you out in a cold sweat, please read credit scores, myths and management, as this gives you the lowdown on everything you need to know before you start applying for travel credit cards.
How many AVIOS might I earn from credit cards?
In case you are in any doubt about how lucrative this strategy can be, the following table shows you how many points you might earn. This is in addition to your airline credit card bonuses, but you will need to divert your usual spending onto a credit card instead of a debit card.
The table shows different earnings rates along the top and the totals at the bottom for estimated annual spend for each category. If you want to work out exactly how beneficial this approach could be for you, use the attached avios points calculator. This will allow you to calculate what you might earn depending on your likely spending and the earnings rate.
Simply insert the amount for each spending amount into the relevant column on the Excel spreadsheet, overwriting the contents and it will work out the possible points for you.
Potential airmiles based on different airmiles credit cards in the UK
| Rate per £1 spend | 0.75 | 1 | 1.5 | 3 |
| Books/Magazines | £100.00 | £100.00 | £100.00 | £100.00 |
| Food shopping | £3,000.00 | £3,000.00 | £3,000.00 | £3,000.00 |
| Household Bills | £300.00 | £300.00 | £300.00 | £300.00 |
| Clothing | £500.00 | £500.00 | £500.00 | £500.00 |
| Entertainment | £3,000.00 | £3,000.00 | £3,000.00 | £3,000.00 |
| Car Fuel | £1,200.00 | £1,200.00 | £1,200.00 | £1,200.00 |
| Holidays | £5,000.00 | £5,000.00 | £5,000.00 | £5,000.00 |
| Other | £1,000.00 | £1,000.00 | £1,000.00 | £1,000.00 |
| Total Spend | £14,100.00 | £14,100.00 | £14,100.00 | £14,100.00 |
| Total Points | 10,575 | 14,100 | 21,150 | 42,300 |
Even the worst UK credit cards earn you enough points for a short-haul reward flight with AVIOS.
Alternatively, with an earnings rate of 3 AVIOS rewards per £1 of spend (see British Airways Premium card), that same spending earns over 40,000 in AVIOS. That puts you well on the way to funding a long haul flight in business class when booked with a companion voucher.
This doesn’t even include any sign up bonuses you might earn or double dip options. You could easily double this amount. (If you are based in the USA, The Globetrotting Teacher and Economical Excursionists can give you some ideas on the best US travel card options).
Read more:
Which is the best credit card for you?
Check out this post on the best UK airmiles credit cards. I update this post at least bi-annually so it a good guide of available UK cards.
