The best Avios-earning credit cards: Which one is for you?

Avios is rapidly gaining traction as a leading loyalty currency across Europe and globally.

While it has long been utilized by British Airways Club, Iberia Club, and Aer Lingus AerClub, it has recently been adopted by Loganair Loyalty and Finnair Plus. Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Vueling Club also integrate into the Avios program.

The standout feature of Avios is the ability to transfer them freely among these programs at a 1:1 ratio, providing significant flexibility.

Numerous co-branded credit cards linked to airlines using Avios are available, and virtually every major credit card program includes at least one Avios partner at a 1:1 transfer rate.

Given how simple it is to earn, transfer, and redeem Avios, which credit cards are ideal for maximizing your Avios redemptions?

While there isn’t a universally best card for every category, the optimal options depend on your preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the top choices.

If You Want a Big Welcome Bonus

A variety of impressive welcome bonuses are currently on offer from our top credit card picks, including the trio of Chase Avios cards:

The details for the Aer Lingus Visa Signature and Iberia Visa Signature cards were independently compiled by The Points Guy and have not been endorsed or verified by the card issuer.

With Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuation placing Avios at 1.4 cents each, these welcome bonuses translate to approximately $1,190—enough for a first-class ticket to London (plus applicable fees and charges).

Note that you won’t qualify for a welcome bonus if you’ve recently held the card or received a bonus within the last 24 months.

Related: Discover the best Avios sweet spots for both domestic and international flights

If You Spend Heavily on Flights

As an Avios earner and redeemer, you’re likely making direct purchases with airlines, whether it’s for taxes, fees, or boosting your balances with cash fares.

If you frequently fly Aer Lingus, British Airways, or Iberia, consider adding one of their co-branded credit cards to your collection. For those not committed to a single airline, here are some worthwhile options to consider:

Related: A comprehensive review of the British Airways Visa Signature credit card — ideal for frequent BA travelers

If You Want to Maximize Transfer Bonuses

Credit card issuers sometimes offer transfer bonuses for select airline and hotel partners. The timing and amount of these bonuses can vary, providing anywhere from a 10% to over 40% increase.

American Express often leads the pack in terms of frequent transfer bonuses. Here are the best Amex cards available at present:

• The Platinum Card from American Express: Potential for up to 175,000 bonus points after $8,000 in spending within the first six months. Offers vary based on eligibility.
• American Express® Gold Card: May earn up to 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months. Incentives vary based on eligibility.
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 within the first three months.
• American Express® Business Gold Card: Accumulate 100,000 bonus points after $15,000 in spending within the initial three months.

If You Want Elite-Like Perks

Gaining elite status with an airline usually requires significant spending both on flights and/or cobranded credit cards. However, with the right Avios credit card, you can enjoy many elite-like benefits.

The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 50,000 Avios (25,000 after your first transaction and another 25,000 plus 150 Qpoints after spending $5,000 in the first three months). The annual fee is $499.

The details regarding the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Card have been independently verified by The Points Guy and are not endorsed by the card issuer.

This welcome bonus may be lower than those from Chase Avios-earning cards; however, it includes a full year of Qatar Airways Privilege Club Gold status (akin to Oneworld Sapphire), offering benefits such as priority boarding, preferred seating, lounge access, and a 75% bonus on Avios earned from eligible flights.

Additionally, you can gain global lounge access with the right credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to over 1,300 lounges, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required).

Starting February 1, 2026, there will be changes to the lounge access policy for Venture X cardholders. Guests will no longer be able to enter Priority Pass and Capital One lounges for free unless they spend $75,000 annually for the latter.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders enjoy access to Chase Sapphire Lounges along with Priority Pass lounges.

Lastly, eligible Amex Platinum cardholders can utilize the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion, Delta Sky Clubs, Escape, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass™, and select Lufthansa lounges (enrollment may be required).

Note: Eligible Amex Platinum members can access Delta Sky Clubs for up to 10 visits per year when flying on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

If You Want to Save on Airfares and Redemptions

Each of the three Chase Avios-earning cards provides a companion voucher or discount for those spending $30,000 per year. The British Airways Visa Signature Card also offers additional perks for both cash and Avios bookings.

Every year, in addition to earning a companion voucher, you can:

• Enjoy a 10% discount on British Airways flights departing the U.S. to London and beyond (applicable to taxes, fees, and charges) by booking through the provided website in your welcome kit.
• Receive a $100 statement credit (or $200 for business/first-class seats) up to three times a year when booking a reward flight to London with your card for taxes and fees (totaling $600 annually).
• Use Avios for taxes, fees, and carrier charges when redeeming British Airways tickets, although this may not always be the best option.

If You Spend in Non-Travel Categories

While Avios enthusiasts may funnel much of their spending toward airfare, if you spend significantly on other categories such as dining, groceries, and general travel, there are cards offering enhanced earning rates in these areas:

• The American Express Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants globally (up to $50,000 per year, then 1 point) and 4 points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1 point).
• The Citi Strata Premier® Card earns 3 points per dollar at gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets.

If You Travel to Europe Frequently

The British Airways Visa Signature Card comes with numerous discounts and statement credits for both cash fares and Avios redemptions with British Airways.

With British Airways’ notable carrier-imposed surcharges, substantial savings can be realized on cash fares and Avios redemptions when booking multiple seats or flights each year.

Related: Quick Points: Reasons to avoid ending your European trip in the UK

If You Want to Fly Premium Cabins with Family

If you’re aiming to accumulate Avios swiftly for high-end products like British Airways’ first class or Qatar Airways’ award-winning Qsuite business class, look for cards offering substantial welcome bonuses and generous category multipliers.

New cardholders of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months. Alternatively, the same spending can yield a higher offer of 100,000 points if you apply at a physical Citi branch.

This card also provides impressive earning potential on travel booked via Citi Travel as well as dining, allowing for quick accumulation of points for those premium bookings.

Bottom Line

Even if European travel isn’t frequent for you, Avios is still a valuable option. These points are easy to earn across a variety of credit cards and can be redeemed seamlessly through the seven participating programs. The unique conversion feature permits free transfers among programs at a 1:1 rate.

While no single Avios or transferable points credit card meets every traveler’s needs, plenty of exceptional choices exist to facilitate your next adventure.

Related: Check out this new user-friendly tool for transferring Avios among all 7 airline programs with ease.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.