We're giving away 1 million Avios to 10 readers; here are 4 exciting ways you could use them
You may have heard that The Points Guy is giving away 1 million Avios to 10 readers. To enter, all you have to do is donate $10 or more to our Prizeo campaign, which is raising money for Comic Relief US.
For official rules, click here.
Comic Relief US is an American nonprofit that works with corporate, media, and nonprofit partners to harness the power of entertainment to help marginalized communities rise up out of poverty. Over the years, it has raised over $330 million and positively impacted over 25 million people around the world. So you're helping a great cause, and you have a shot at a million Avios in the process.
Big numbers are nice, but what can you actually do with 1 million Avios as a U.S.-based traveler? Turns out, you can do quite a bit.
Thanks to British Airways' vast network of airline partners, you can use your Avios to fly on a handful of airlines like American, Iberia and, of course, British Airways. This opens the door to a ton of awesome award redemptions, like business class flights to Europe and dozens of domestic flights to your favorite U.S. cities.
Let's take a look at a few great ways you could redeem 1 million Avios if you win.
Fly from New York to London... 76 times
Want to finally ride the London Eye? Sample ales in a typical British pub? London is calling your name, and you can use 1 million Avios to book 76 one-way economy tickets from New York-JFK to London-Heathrow (LHR) on off-peak dates. This low price is thanks to British Airways' distance-based award chart, which provides great deals on shorter off-peak flights.
Thankfully, off-peak dates cover a good portion of the calendar, and discounts flights in higher cabins like Premium Economy and Business class too. That said, you'll pay significantly higher fuel surcharges when you book premium cabins. For example, a one-way business class ticket from New York to London costs 50,000 Avios and $729.
Or if you'd like to visit another part of Europe, you can connect to hundreds of European destinations in London. British Airways flies everywhere from Athens (ATH) to Zurich (ZRH), giving you a wide range of cities. You'll pay just marginally more miles to connect on from London, in accordance with British Airways' award chart.
Related: 17 of our favorite hotels in London
Book 100+ domestic flights
Further, British Airways' distance-based award chart is advantageous for short-haul flights around the U.S. with Oneworld partners American and Alaska Airlines. Flights that are 651 miles or shorter cost just 7,500 Avios one-way, meaning that you can take up to 111 domestic flights with your 1 million Avios.
For example, flights like Boston (BOS) to New York-JFK and Portland (PDX) to Seattle (SEA) fall into this lowest pricing tier.
Of course, you'll pay more miles for longer tickets. For example, flights up between 651 and 1,151 miles cost 9,000 Avios. This includes popular routes like New York (LGA) to Miami (MIA) and Chicago-O’Hare (ORD). Read our complete guide to the British Airways award chart to price out longer routes.
With that in mind, you can leverage this Avios stash to visit (or revisit) some of America's most exciting cities and regions. Think long weekends in the Big Apple, deep-dish pizza in Chicago, skiing in Vale and sampling fine wines in Sonoma Valley. Between American and Alaska's huge route maps, you can fly just about anywhere in the U.S.
Related: Sea to shining sea: 11 of the best destinations to visit across the U.S.
Take 14 of your closest friends on a business class trip to Madrid
Itching to go back to Europe? You can book 14 round-trip tickets from Boston (BOS), Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) or New York-JFK to Madrid (MAD) — in business class — with your 1 million Avios. You can do this by transferring your Avios to Iberia and then booking flights on off-peak dates, which spans most of the year. You'll pay just 34,000 Avios per one-way ticket.
Onboard, you can expect great dining options, plenty of in-flight entertainment and a lie-flat seat. This makes your flight significantly more enjoyable than an economy jaunt, and lets you arrive at your destination rested and ready to explore all that Spain has to offer. And with so many Avios, you might as well take a few friends along for the ride, too.
You can also use your Avios to book British Airways flights to Europe, but you will pay significantly higher fuel surcharges. This is why we generally recommend booking through Iberia, especially if you're going to Continental Europe as you can easily connect to another city in Madrid.
Related: Fly business class to Europe from 34,000 Avios each way
Or, explore Ireland with Aer Lingus
You can also use your Avios to book flights on partner Aer Lingus. If you're flying from Boston, flights to Dublin cost just 13,000 Avios one-way in economy, which is an excellent deal. Further, this means you can take 38 round-trip flights on this route. Just note that longer flights cost more Avios, just like domestic flights.
Once in Dublin, make sure to explore the city's vast array of pubs, museums and restaurants. Then, you can rent a car and explore other cities, like Cork, Shannon and Limerick. Along the way, you can see Ireland's beautiful countryside.
Related: 16 of the best hotels in Ireland
Bottom line
Entering TPG's Prizeo campaign not only gives you a shot at 1 million Avios, but you're donating to a great cause at the same time. If you happen to win, you can use this article as inspiration on how to redeem your newfound points stash. No matter how you redeem them, you'll get to see great new places with very little out-of-pocket expense.
Feature photo by Eric Rosen/The Points Guy
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.