British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus all have identical, increased welcome offers on their respective credit cards: 85,000 Avios after $5k spend within the first three months.
While the welcome offer is technically an increase from the previous 75K after $5K version, the old one also added the ability to earn 5x on up to $10K spend in various categories for 12 months after approval. Some folks will appreciate the addition of more upfront booty, others will find this to be a downgrade.
The Offers and Key Card Details
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
 Earn 85K Avios after $5K spend in 3 months$95 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 7/4/22: 100K after $5K spend FM Mini Review: Good choice for a nice intro bonus. Award rebate makes the card a keeper if you frequently book awards from the US to Europe. Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ✦ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together companion Ticket good for two years. Noteworthy perks: Up to $600 per year in award fee rebates ✦ 10% off BA flights originating in the US. ✦ No foreign transaction fees |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
 Earn 85K Avios after $5K spend in 3 months$95 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 7/4/22: 100K after $5K spend FM Mini Review: Good choice for a nice intro bonus. Unless you fly Iberia often or intend to go for the big spend bonus, though, I don’t see it as a compelling card to keep past the first year. Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ✦ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your Iberia Visa card, you’ll earn a discount voucher good for $1,000 to use toward two tickets on the same flight Noteworthy perks: 10% off on Iberia flights when you use your Iberia Visa to purchase at iberia.com/Chase10 ✦ No foreign transaction fees |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
 Earn 85K Avios after $5K spend in 3 months$95 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 7/4/22: 100K after $5K spend FM Mini Review: Good choice for a nice intro bonus. Unless you intend to go for the big spend bonus, though, I don’t see it as a compelling card to keep past the first year. Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ✦ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your Aer Lingus Visa card, you’ll earn an economy class companion ticket good for 1 year. Noteworthy perks: Priority Boarding on Aer Lingus flights departing from and returning to the US from Ireland ✦ No foreign transaction fees. |
Quick Thoughts
In terms of total Avios for the minimum spend, these are the best offers that we’ve seen in a bit on these cards. The bonus categories are almost non-existent so, assuming that you did the $5k spend at 1x, you’d be getting ~18 Avios/dollar for your $5k (for a total of 90,000 Avios). That’s an excellent return and among the best Chase consumer card offers in terms of first-year value.
Remember that Avios is a partner of every major transferable currency, so if you just want Avios fast, I’d still prefer to go for the more attractive 100k offer on the Ink Business Unlimited, the 100k Amex Platinum or the 150k Capital One Venture X Business. However, for those that don’t want to dip their toes into business cards and/or already have the Platinum, this is a decent way to bulk up your Avios fortune.
Best Uses for British Airways Avios
- Business class to Europe from 34K one-way via Iberia. This is probably my favorite Avios redemption and have one booked this year already. Iberia charges as few as 34K miles off-peak for one-way in business class on its own flights from New York, Boston, Chicago, or DC to Madrid during off-peak season. The fuel surcharges are quite reasonable and they also run seasonal promotions (usually during the Winter) where the prices drop down even further.
- Business class South America from 22K one-way via British Airways. I’ve used this once and availability can be tricky to find. But when you can find it, BA has excellent pricing for shorter distance non-stop American Airlines award flights.
- Long Haul Business Class on Qatar Airways. After Qatar’s addition to Avios, BA lowered many of their award prices on Qatar. It’s now possible to travel between the United States and Doha in business for only 70,000 Avios with minimal surcharges.
Things to Know
- Avios Purchases are processed by Points.com and DO NOT count as airfare.
- Avios can be easily transferred between Aer Lingus, Iberia and British Airways
- Avios expire after 36 months of no activity
- British Airways has near-extortionate fuel surcharges when flying on BA metal. It’s best to keep Avios for use with partners or the Iberia Plus
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