How I Got Return Flights to Corfu for £20 (And How You Can Too!)
Hey peoples, it’s time to let you in one of my biggest finds in my travel journey. You might be thinking, ” OK Tolu, how on earth did you manage to get return flights from London to Corfu for just £20?” Well, here’s the secret: points! Specifically, British Airways Avios points from my British Airways American Express card. And the best part? I didn’t have to go out of my way to rack up these points—I simply used the BA Shopping website for my everyday shopping, paid with my BA Amex card, and even converted Nectar points into Avios!
Let me break down how I did it and why this card is a game-changer compared to your regular debit or credit card.
How to Earn Points
I started by signing up for the British Airways American Express Card, which allows you to earn Avios points on every purchase. The key is to use the British Airways Shopping Portal, which offers extra Avios points when you shop through their retail partners like Amazon, John Lewis, and Marks & Spencer. But I didn’t stop there!
Maximizing Points with Nectar
If you’re like me and you regularly shop at Sainsbury’s, fill up at Esso petrol stations, or grab deals on eBay, here’s a great trick: all the Nectar points you earn from these everyday transactions can be converted into Avios! It’s another fantastic way to boost your points without spending extra.
Here’s how it works:
- 500 Nectar points = 300 Avios.
- You can convert your Nectar points into Avios via the British Airways website or through Nectar’s portal.
So not only am I earning Avios with my BA Amex card, but every time I use Nectar for petrol, groceries, or online shopping, I’m adding to that stash of Avios, which can be redeemed for flights.
Advantages Over a Regular Credit Card
Why is this card better than your everyday credit card?
- Reward Flights: You can redeem your Avios points for flights across the globe, including Europe and beyond. I used my points to cover most of my flight to Corfu, paying just £20 in taxes and fees!
- Companion Vouchers: Spend £12,000 per year on your British Airways American Express card, and you’ll get a companion voucher, allowing someone to fly with you for free when you redeem your Avios points.
- Avios Per Pound Spent: For every £1 spent, you earn 1 Avios (or 1.5 Avios on the British Airways Premium Plus Card). These add up quickly, especially if you’re also converting Nectar points.
- No Annual Fee (for the standard card): There’s no annual fee for the standard BA Amex, making it accessible for anyone who wants to start collecting Avios.
- Travel Protection: The card comes with travel accident insurance, and you can use it for extra protection when booking flights or hotels.
How to Apply for the British Airways American Express Card
To apply for the card, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Be over 18.
- Have a UK bank account.
- Have a minimum income of £20,000 per year.
- Good credit score.
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for the card is 27.9% (variable), and there’s no annual fee for the standard card. If you go for the Premium Plus card, the APR is 111.9% representative variable, including the £250 annual card fee.
What Can You Do with Your Points?
So, what can you get with all those points?
- Short-Haul Flights: For European destinations, flights start from as low as 17,000 Avios + £1 in taxes and fees. That’s how I got my £20 return flight to Corfu.
- Long-Haul Flights: If you save your Avios points, you can fly to places like New York, Tokyo, or Dubai for a fraction of the usual cost.
- Upgrades: Already booked a flight? Use your Avios points to upgrade to Business Class or First Class!
The Nectar Connection
Another trick I learned is to convert Nectar points to Avios. Since I’m already shopping at Sainsbury’s and buying fuel from Esso, I make sure to collect Nectar points. You can even earn points through eBay when you’re browsing for deals.
To convert Nectar points:
- Link your British Airways Executive Club account with Nectar.
- Transfer 500 Nectar points into 300 Avios.
- Use those Avios for flights, upgrades, and more!
This is just another way to turbocharge your points collection.
Ready to Start Earning Points?
If you’re ready to start earning Avios and turn your everyday purchases into flights, use my referral link below to sign up for the British Airways American Express Card. You’ll even get a welcome bonus of up to 5,000 Avios (or 25,000 Avios with the Premium Plus card after qualifying spend).
Referral Link Here
Don’t say I don’t do anything for you oh! You’re welcome 🙂