Yesterday morning, Turning Left for Less attended IAG Loyalty’s press launch of a range of Avios announcements at The Peninsula hotel’s Brookland bar.
Here’s everything you need to know.
In this post:
New Avios-Only Flights to Majorca and Crete for Summer 2027
British Airways has announced two more return Avios-only flights. Unlike a normal BA flight, where only a limited number of seats are guaranteed for Avios bookings, every seat on these dedicated flights is available as a Reward Flight, exclusively to British Airways Club members.
These will depart during the 2027 summer holidays. With flight prices skyrocketing in August, especially to popular summer sun destinations, these flights are well-worth having a look at, and you can get more value for the Avios you’re paying, even in Euro Traveller where the cash element starts at just £5 return.
Palma, Majorca
The outbound flight (BA494) leaves Heathrow on Saturday 14th August at 12:50 and arrives in Palma at 16:20.
The return flight (BA495) leaves a week later, on 21st August, at 17:15 and arrives in Heathrow at 18:45.
Majorca is a varied summer sun destination with plenty of options, from a city break in Palma to the turquoise waters and sandy beaches of Alcúdia. You can also explore picturesque mountain villages, take a boat trip along the coastline, visit local vineyards or enjoy the island’s excellent dining scene.
Seats will be available for 28,000 Avios + £5 return in Euro Traveller and 49,000 Avios + £40 return in Club Europe, with checked baggage included as standard.
Heraklion, Crete
The outbound flight (BA698) leaves Heathrow on 14th August at 11:25 and arrives in Heraklion at 17:30. This is the same day as the Majorca flight, so you can’t book both.
The return flight (BA697) departs on 21st August at 16:45 and lands in Heathrow at 18:50.
Heraklion is a great airport for exploring central and eastern Crete, with beautiful beaches and plenty of history. Highlights include the ancient Palace of Knossos, the beautiful town of Agios Nikolaos and the beaches around Elounda.
Seats will be available for 35,500 Avios + £5 return in Euro Traveller and 60,000 Avios + £40 return in Club Europe.
Worth It?
If you wish, you can also use an AMEX Companion Voucher to lower the cost even further. However, these are more lucrative when used for long-haul redemptions, especially in Premium Cabins, though there is still plenty of value if used in Club Europe (though vouchers from the free BA AMEX can only be used in Euro Traveller). The pricing is the same as a usual British Airways redemption, but still well-worth considering.
Seats will be on sale on ba.com from tomorrow (22nd October). Previous Avios-only flights have been extremely popular and sold out in minutes. If you’re planning to book, do so as soon as they go on sale!
Avios Earning Rate for BA Holidays Permanently Increased
From 24th November 2026, you’ll earn 6 Avios per £1 spent on eligible British Airways Holidays packages.
Currently, you collect Avios on the flight element of your package holiday booking, plus 1 bonus Avios per £1 on the holiday package booking, awarded only to the lead traveller. The new rate replaces both.
Avios earned from BA Holidays will be calculated based on the full booking value and divided equally among all passengers who have added their BA Club membership numbers, so each person can collect their individual share rather than the lead booker receiving most of the Avios.
The change makes it easier to calculate how many Avios you can collect personally on a holiday and brings Avios collection more in line with how you earn tier points on BA Holidays.
The difference can be huge. For example, if you book a seven-night package for two to Crete costing £3,600, each traveller could collect 10,800 Avios, enough for a one-way off-peak Euro Traveller Reward Flight to Paris, starting from 10,000 Avios + £2.50. Under the current system, the lead booker would collect 5,290 Avios, including the 3,600 Avios package bonus, while the second traveller would receive just 1,690 Avios from the flights alone.
However, you could end up worse off, or earn fewer Avios, depending on your flight cost. If more of your package cost is spent on the hotel element, you’ll usually be better off with the new 6 Avios per £1 rate.
The new rate also removes the bonus Avios you would earn on the flight element as a BA status holder, which is a very disappointing change. This could also leave you worse off, especially if you’re booking a long-haul trip in Business or First.
Holidays already booked will not qualify for the new rate; you can only benefit from it if you book from 12:00 GMT on 24th November. The new rate applies to flight + hotel and flight + car packages. Standalone hotel and car hire bookings via BA Holidays will continue to earn 1 Avios per £1.
You’ll still earn Avios on the full eligible package value, even if you use Avios to reduce the cost. Avios will be credited to your account within 14 days after you return from your holiday.
Andrew Flintham, Managing Director at British Airways Holidays, said:
“For many people, a holiday is the ultimate reward, so we want booking one to feel rewarding too. For Avios collectors, that relationship should be symbiotic. A holiday should not only be somewhere they can spend their Avios; it should also help them build their balance towards whatever comes next. Our aim is to create a simpler and more compelling offer for our Club members. Whether those Avios help reduce the cost of another holiday, contribute towards a future flight or make an upgrade possible, it means the value of the holiday can continue long after customers return home.”
More Ways to Earn Avios Coming Soon – Earn With Car Insurance
Last year, Avios insurance (formerly Wanda by Avios) was launched with the opportunity to earn 10 Avios per £1 (capped at 1,000 Avios per policy).
Now, Avios Insurance is expanding further with the upcoming launch of Avios car insurance later this month. This comes after a partnership between IAG Loyalty and Open Insurance Services.
Starting later this month, you’ll be able to earn up to 5,000 Avios by taking out car insurance. You’ll be able to collect Avios on your renewals too, giving an ongoing way to collect Avios.
This adds to the range of car insurance options you can take out by clicking via Avios.com to earn Avios on your spend.
In 2027, home insurance will also launch, covering buildings, contents or both. Eventually, you’ll be able to collect up to 11,000 Avios across travel, car and home insurance products. You can register your interest for this on the Avios.com website to receive updates. Register here.
We will update you once we have the full details and terms, along with the launch dates.
You can already earn Avios with Avios Hotels, Avios Insurance, and Avios Shop, and BA have hinted that more is coming, with even more ways to earn Avios.
1 comment
Huge boost? Increase? My next holiday would earn 40% less avios under the new scheme…