Secret Way to Get Travel Deals Meant Only for UK Residents, Set Up a UK Avios Account
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If you live in the US and collect British Airways miles (called Avios), most likely you’ve signed-up in the British Airways Executive Club frequent flyer program. That program is open to folks worldwide, regardless of where you live.
But there’s another Avios program that is open to UK residents only. And sometimes they run different promotions and sales from the British Airways Executive Club program. But to take advantage of these promotions, and transfer Avios from your British Airways Executive Club account, you’ll need to jump through a few hoops.
I’ll show you how to sign-up for UK Avios so you can get the EXTRA deals shown only to UK residents!
How to Create a UK Avios Account
Link: UK Avios Website
Step 1 – Check Your British Airways Executive Club Account
Before you create a UK Avios account, you’ll need to check your existing British Airways Executive Club account. You must use the same name, email address, and date of birth listed on your British Airways Executive Club account.
Step 2 – Find an Address in the UK to Use
You absolutely must have a UK address and phone number to sign-up for the UK Avios program. If you have friends or family there, you could use their address. Or perhaps your company has a UK office. Or you want to move in to Harrods!
Some folks have used details from a hotel they’ve stayed at in the UK. But do what’s comfortable for you!
Step 3 – Sign-Up for a UK Avios Account
Go to the UK Avios sign-up page and register for an account using the same personal details from your British Airways Executive Club account and the UK address you’ve decided to use.
Step 4 – Link Your UK Avios and British Airways Executive Club Accounts
Now that you have a UK Avios account, you can transfer miles from your British Airways Executive Club account. Log into your UK Avios account, go to “My Account” and select “Combine My Avios.” You’ll be prompted to enter your British Airways Executive Club information.
After the accounts are combined, you can select the number of Avios you want to transfer between accounts.
What Are UK Avios Good For?
The UK Avios program sometimes has promotions that can only be accessed from their site. For example, they’re currently running a 50% off award tickets sale that can only be booked from the UK Avios website (but it’s not a very good deal).
Other than flights, UK Avios can also be used for hotels, car rentals, ferries, and the Eurostar train that runs between the UK and France. Or you can spend Avios on theme parks, theater tickets, restaurants, or sporting events.
Bottom Line
Folks in the US can sign-up for the UK Avios program by using the same details on their British Airways Executive Club account and a UK address.
Once you’ve signed-up, you can access sales and promotions not normally available to folks outside of the UK. And you can transfer points back and forth between your British Airways and UK Avios accounts.
Have you used UK Avios for awards? What was your experience like?
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