Best Cards for Earning Avios

Avios points are a top choice for people who want to book travel with British Airways and its Oneworld partners. With the right card, you can earn Avios on everyday purchases like dining, travel, and groceries (yay!) while unlocking perks like companion vouchers and flight discounts (yay, again!). Whether you're looking for short-haul deals or premium long-haul seats, we've rounded up the best cards to help you earn Avios and make the most ofyour points.

British Airways Visa Signature® Card card art

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

Annual Fee: $95

75,000Bonus Miles
Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
🚀 Learn How to Apply👀 Read Our Take

Which Card is Right for You?

Finding the best Avios-earning card can add significant value to your wallet. And, it all depends on your travel preferences! Are you a frequent flyer who wants elite perks like lounge access and priority boarding? Or do you just want a simple way to rack up Avios on everyday purchases? Maybe you’re somewhere in between. This page covers the top options so you can pick the card that’ll help you stock up on some of the most flexible points out there.

Other Ways to Earn

Your Avios-earning potential doesn’t stop with your credit card. From shopping portals to airline dining programs and special promotions, there are plenty of ways to add to your balance. Some cards even offer transfer bonuses or extra Avios on specific purchases. With the right strategy, you can easily turn everyday spending into a stash of Avios without even thinking about it.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Many Avios-earning cards offer generous welcome offers

Earn Avios on everyday purchases, with bonus categories like travel, dining, and groceries

Get perks like companion vouchers, travel protections, and discounts on British Airways flights

These points can be used for flights, upgrades, or even partner airlines

Cons

Some Avios-earning cards come with high annual fees

FAQs

How long do point transfers to Avios take?

Most transfers are instant, but some may take up to 24 hours.

Can I transfer Avios to other airlines?

No, but you can use them to book flights on partner airlines like American, Alaska, and Qatar Airways.

Do Avios points expire?

Yes, but they reset every 36 months as long as you earn, spend, or transfer Avios.

Can I transfer Avios between British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus?

Yes! You can freely move Avios between these programs as long as your accounts are open for 90 days.

Why Trust Daily Drop?

At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.

Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.

While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.

Read our full methodology for more information.

Authors

McKay Moffitt

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Writer

Tiffany Eastham

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor

Updated:Mar 6, 2025
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