Chase’s trio of Avios-earning airline credit cards might not be as familiar as its Southwest or United credit cards, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable. The British Airways Visa Signature® Card, Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card and Iberia Visa Signature® Card each offer a welcome bonus of 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, and now Chase has sweetened the deal.
For a limited time, new card holders can also earn 5 Avios per dollar spent on gas, grocery stores and dining in the first 12 months of account opening on up to $10,000 in combined spending. If you’ve been looking to boost your Avios balances, now’s a good time to take a fresh look at these co-branded Chase credit cards.
New Chase British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia card offers
Earning 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening is already a solid deal. The 5x points boost adds another incentive if you spend a lot on groceries, gas and dining. Previously, these categories earned 1 Avios per dollar.
If you maxed out this offer, you could earn an additional 40,000 Avios in your first year (4 bonus Avios per dollar multiplied by $10,000). That’s on top of Avios you’ll earn from other spending, as these cards all earn:
- 3 Avios per dollar on eligible British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Level flights
- 2 Avios per dollar on hotel accommodations purchased directly from hotels
- 1 Avios per dollar on other purchases
Each of these cards charges a $95 annual fee, but it can be well worth it if you like to earn Avios to book award flights on British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus, or on their partner airlines. For example, British Airways and Iberia are members of the Oneworld alliance, which also includes American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
British Airways Visa Signature® Card
Regular APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
British Airways Visa Signature Card
The British Airways Visa Signature Card is ideal if you fly British Airways between the US and UK. When you use your card to pay taxes, fees and carrier charges on award tickets between the US and London, you’ll get reimbursed $100 for economy and premium economy, or $200 for business and first class seats (up to a maximum of three times per year, or $600 total). This is an excellent perk because taxes on British Airways award flights can be much higher than what you’d pay with other airlines.
This card also offers a 10% discount on British Airways flights originating in the US when you book through the site ba.com/Chase10 with the promo code CHASEBA10, which can amount to substantial savings. Big spenders can also do well by unlocking a Travel Together Ticket after spending $30,000 on the card in a calendar year. The Travel Together Ticket allows you to bring a companion for just the cost of taxes and fees on a British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus award flight, or get a 50% discount on the Avios price if you’re flying solo.
Iberia Visa Signature® Card
Regular APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Website
Iberia Visa Signature Card
Iberia is Spain’s flag carrier, and if you have plans to fly the airline, the Iberia Visa Signature Card could save you money. Similar to the British Airways card, this card offers a 10% discount on Iberia flights from any destination when you book through iberia.com/Chase10.
In addition, after spending $30,000 or more in a calendar year, card holders receive a $1,000 discount voucher valid toward the purchase of two tickets on the same eligible Iberia flight.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card
Regular APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Website
Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card
If a trip to Ireland is on your bucket list, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card is worth considering. Instead of a discount on paid flights, it offers priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights between Ireland and the US for yourself and any authorized users on your account.
When you spend at least $30,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’ll receive a companion ticket that allows you to bring a pal along at no charge when you book an eligible paid Aer Lingus economy ticket. Your companion won’t even have to pay taxes and fees, making this a very good deal.
Which Avios credit card is right for you?
Each of these cards has advantages, and the best choice for you depends on your travel habits and rewards goals. For most people, the British Airways Visa Signature Card or Iberia Visa Signature Card will offer more award options, since British Airways and Iberia are members of the Oneworld alliance and have more partners than Aer Lingus.
That said, it’s possible to transfer Avios between your British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus loyalty program accounts. Because each airline has its own award chart with slightly different pricing (and sweet spots), you’ll want to assess your travel goals and book award flights through the program that gives you the best deal. For example, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines award flights to Hawaii from the US West Coast are cheaper when you book with British Airways Avios. Or, if you’re planning a trip to Europe, using Iberia Avios for business class award flights to Madrid can be an excellent value.
Consider transferable points for the most flexibility
If you just want to earn Avios to book award flights and don’t need airline-specific benefits, a card that earns points you can transfer to British Airways, Iberia and/or Aer Lingus is likely a better choice. For example, all three airlines partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Bilt Rewards. That means you can convert your rewards to Avios when you have travel credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express
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The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
or the Bilt Mastercard®.
All information about The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
In addition, two Wells Fargo credit cards — the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card and new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card
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The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
— are adding travel transfer partners, including British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. And if you have a card that earns Capital One miles, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, you can transfer your miles to British Airways.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by CNN Underscored Money: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card
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The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, The Platinum Card® from American Express
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The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
All information about The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
