This article has been sponsored by Wanda by Avios.
Flexible cancellation options on selected policies, protection for Avios bookings across all policies (subject to policy terms), and additional Avios-linked benefits. Meet Wanda by Avios Travel Insurance.
Travel insurance is certainly not the most exciting purchase. As we head into 2026, it is also increasingly out of step with how most people actually travel.
Plans change. Work shifts, family commitments pop up, priorities move. That can quickly derail a trip and leave you out of pocket, especially if you booked early using Avios soon after reward availability first appeared.
When life then gets in the way, traditional travel insurance is often brilliant for medical emergencies, but far less helpful when the reason for cancelling is… reality.
That’s where Wanda by Avios comes in. The cover recognises that Avios can form a meaningful part of a trip, combining Avios protection across all policies with additional Avios benefits and flexible features on selected products. In short, it’s travel insurance designed to reflect how people travel today.
In this post:
Introducing Wanda by Avios
Wanda by Avios is a new travel insurance brand from IAG Loyalty, the team behind Avios. It’s available to UK residents who meet the eligibility criteria, but it’s particularly relevant if you’re a frequent traveller, value flexibility, and/or collect Avios.
At its core, the proposition is straightforward: travel insurance that recognises how people actually travel in 2026, rather than how insurers assume they do.
Wanda by Avios is available in two main forms, with different benefits depending on the policy you choose:
- Wanda Plus, an annual multi-trip policy
- Single Trip cover, with Basic, Standard and Premier options
Both include core covers such as emergency medical cover, cancellation protection and personal belongings cover, subject to limits and exclusions. Where the policies begin to differ is in the level of cancellation flexibility and how Avios are treated when plans change.
The Three Key Features of Wanda by Avios
1. Cancellation Flexibility
Many traditional travel insurance policies do not explicitly cover Avios if a reward booking has to be cancelled at short notice. This means customers may lose Avios used for a booking, depending on the airline’s terms and the insurance cover in place. Yes, you may get the taxes and charges back from your insurance provider, but not the Avios.
Yes, Avios bookings may be flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a fee, depending on how you booked your flight, but this may not help if cancellation is required closer to departure.
With Wanda Plus and Single Trip Premier only, you get additional cancellation flexibility for reasons beyond those covered by standard cancellation terms, such as unexpected work commitments, family issues, changes in financial circumstances, or simply deciding not to travel after all, subject to policy conditions. With Cancellation Flex, you may be able to recover up to 70% back on trips cancelled, subject to policy limits, exclusions and claims approval.
Whether it’s a short-haul weekend away or a long-haul trip booked months in advance, cancellation flex is designed to reduce the stress that comes with planning early. The claims process is also designed to be straightforward, without the usual drawn-out paperwork and delays, though timescales may vary.
If you often book early, travel regularly, and juggle busy calendars, that added flexibility is valuable.
2. Avios Protect™ Included on All Policies
Avios Protect is included in every Wanda Travel Insurance policy. Many traditional travel insurance policies do not explicitly address loyalty point redemptions as something worth covering (and as you know, they certainly are). Wanda by Avios takes a different view.
Avios Protect helps cover Avios used to pay for flights, hotels, or car hire if a trip is cancelled for a covered reason, subject to policy limits and conditions. Depending on the policy tier, policy cover may apply to protect up to 500,000 Avios per traveller per trip, which is a meaningful amount if you’re booking long-haul Business or First.
3. Earn Avios Based on Your Policy Premium
In addition to insurance cover, eligible policies include an Avios reward based on the policy premium. You’ll collect up to 1,000 Avios with a single trip policy and 3,000 Avios with a Wanda Plus annual multi-trip policy.
These Avios have the potential to add up over time, depending on your spend and it certainly feels better than watching another direct debit disappear without anything in return.
Plenty of Extra Benefits
Aside from the core benefits, there are plenty of little extras too.
£25 for Flight Delays
Wanda Plus and Single Trip Premier include £25 per person if your flight is delayed by two hours or more. Wanda by Avios will track your flight in real time when you register it on the Flight Delay Portal at least 24 hours before, and is designed to automatically notify you so you can claim your payment when eligibility criteria are met.
This doesn’t replace airline compensation, but it will be in your bank account long before you have to chase screenshots, timestamps, and airline confirmation emails to receive your airline compensation.
Have the Chance to Become an Avios Millionaire
Wanda by Avios also runs a monthly prize draw for Wanda Plus policyholders. Once the 14-day cooling-off period has passed, eligible policies can enter into a draw with the chance to win up to 1 million Avios, plus smaller prizes typically ranging from 100 to 1,000 Avios. This is a fun extra! This promotional benefit is optional and subject to separate terms and conditions.
10GB global eSIM
An annual 10GB global eSIM is included with Wanda Plus as an extra benefit. That means no need to bother with airport Wi-Fi or expensive data plans, which may be essential for getting transport from the airport or sending essential messages. Your eSIM can be easily downloaded and activated before you fly, so you can use it the moment you arrive.
*Benefits noted above are provided by third parties and availability may vary by location and time
How Wanda by Avios Works in Practice
You Need to Cancel for an Everyday Reason
You book a long weekend in Rome using Avios. Then work changes, childcare falls through, or plans simply change, insurers won’t help unless your reason fits their narrow definition. Wanda Plus and Single Trip Premier policies are designed to offer extra cancellation flexibility in situations like this.
Your trip is booked with Avios (wholly or partly)
You use Avios for flights and pay cash for part of the hotel. If the trip is cancelled, Avios Protect helps safeguard the Avios used, up to the policy limits, whether the booking was made fully or partly with Avios.
How to Get Started
Get started by choosing whether a single-trip policy or Wanda Plus (multi-trip) is best for you. After entering a few details (don’t worry, some pre-existing conditions may be covered, subject to medical screening and policy terms), you’ll receive a quote instantly.
You should then compare the cover offered against the cover you currently have. Make sure you fully understand the cancellation criteria and whether that works for you.
Once purchased, you’ll receive confirmation and instructions on how to link your policy to your British Airways Club account.
You can manage your policy and make claims online easily, anytime via your Wanda by Avios account.
A New Era of Insurance
If you regularly redeem Avios, especially on trips booked well in advance, protecting points is meaningful and still surprisingly a rarity in the travel insurance market. Add in more flexible cancellation options for everyday life getting in the way, and Wanda by Avios may be just what you’re looking for and ideal if you’re looking for a policy that gives you plenty of peace of mind, bonus Avios and plenty of added extras!
If that sounds like how you travel, it’s worth taking a closer look. Check the policy details to ensure the cover meets your needs; Avios benefits are an additional feature and should not replace consideration of whether the insurance cover itself is suitable for your travel needs.
Explore Wanda by Avios to learn more about travel insurance with Avios benefits and flexible features on selected policies at www.wanda.world
