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Is It Worth Collecting Avios if I Typically Fly Southwest?

Dec. 21, 2014
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3 min read
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Is It Worth Collecting Avios if I Typically Fly Southwest?
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TPG reader Ian tweeted me to ask:

@thepointsguy-- "Is it worth getting the British Airways Visa and collecting Avios if I already have the Southwest Companion Pass for 2015/16? I typically fly more on Southwest than American/BA."

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most amazing airline perks out there (if you fly Southwest, of course). The pass can give you free travel for a companion for up to almost two years if you know how to maximize it. I've written at length about the Companion Pass and the ways you can get it. Congratulations to Ian for scoring that!

Ian is wondering whether he should get the British Airways Visa Signature Card and start collecting Avios points, even though he usually flies Southwest. My guess is that if you're flying Southwest often, you're likely flying a lot of short-haul routes around the US, which Avios are also very useful for. The thing about the Southwest Companion Pass is that it's really only valuable when you travel with a companion. If you're traveling alone, it's a great idea to have some Avios you can use to fly on American or Alaska for short-haul flights around the US, or to have points in programs that transfer to Avios, like Starwood Preferred Guest, American Express Membership Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Diversify your points and miles so you have more options. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

One of my most important tips (and one I repeat often) is to diversify your loyalty portfolio. If you put all your points and miles in one basket, then you're less flexible and more susceptible to devaluation. Even though you're loving Southwest right now, what happens when all of a sudden you've got a wedding in Ireland. Neither Rapid Rewards points nor the Companion Pass will get you there, but other points can, so having other options is key. Southwest devalued its points a little over a year ago; hopefully there won't be another devaluation, but it could happen at any time, and you don't want to be overexposed in any one loyalty currency.

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So yes, get the British Airways Visa and start collecting Avios (and probably some other currencies as well, like hotel points). Or, get a card like the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard so you can cover the cost of your Southwest ticket with Arrival miles (and earn Rapid Rewards in the process), while your second passenger still flies free with your Companion Pass. That sounds like a win to me!

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook, or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.