Air miles credit cards

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What are air miles credit cards?

UK air miles credit cards are linked to airline travel rewards programmes such as Avios and Virgin Atlantic.

  • Every time you spend on your travel rewards credit card, you’ll collect points often referred to as air miles.

  • You can usually use these points to get money off travel costs such as flights, hotels and car hire.

If you fly frequently, an air miles credit card could be a good way to cut the cost of airline travel through your everyday spending.

But some of the most generous cards charge high annual fees, so only apply for one of these if you're confident you'll use the points and gain value from the card overall.

You can use our eligibility checker to find the best air miles credit cards for you without harming your credit score.

Woman on a plane holding a travel card

How do airline credit cards work?

You can spend with an air miles card just as you would with a normal credit card. Here’s how it works:

Spend to earn rewards

Every time you use your air miles credit card, you’ll earn air miles points (unless there are exceptions under the scheme rules).

Pick your perks

Once you’ve collected enough points, you can then redeem them for the perks on offer through the card’s airline rewards scheme.

If we're getting technical...

You don’t earn actual air miles, but rather airline rewards points. For example, spending £100 on your credit card doesn’t mean you’ll be credited with 100 air miles.

These points can usually be swapped for anything from cheaper flights to upgrades, discounts on concerts and theme parks.

Types of air miles credit cards

There are two main types of credit card that allow you to earn air miles points:
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Branded air miles cards

These are specialist credit cards linked to specific airline rewards points schemes. For example:

  • Barclaycard Avios – collect points on Oneworld and other partner airlines on the British Airways network.

  • British Airways Amex

  • Virgin Atlantic Reward

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Generic air miles cards

Tesco and Nectar’s credit cards don’t give you airline points directly, but you can convert points into air miles. Here’s how they work:

  • Tesco Bank Mastercard – £1.50 Clubcard points are worth 300 Virgin Points

  • Amex Nectar – 400 Nectar points are worth 250 Avios

What can I exchange air miles rewards points for?

You can typically exchange air miles rewards points for discounted or free flights with certain airlines. But you may also be able to use them for other rewards, such as:

  • Flight upgrades, for example to business or first class

  • Access to airport lounges with complimentary food, drink and WiFi

  • Priority boarding on flights

  • Hotel stays

Bear in mind…

Always read the T&Cs carefully to check how your points can be redeemed, as there may be restrictions.

For example, a hotel reward may have a minimum number of nights per stay or only be available on certain dates.

A woman looking out of the plane window

The advantages of air miles credit cards

If you’re a frequent flyer, use your card for big purchases and always clear your balance in full every month, a credit card with air miles could offer some really useful benefits:
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Cheaper flights and upgrades

Air miles could help you save money on your travel costs – not just offering cheaper flights, but also:

  • Upgrades

  • Hotels

  • Car hire

Just be aware that there’s no such thing as a totally free flight. You may have enough air miles to cover the cost of your ticket, but you’ll still need to pay the taxes and charges.

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Lounge access

You might be able to use your points to access airline lounges and benefit from:

  • Complimentary food and drinks

  • Newspapers

  • Charging stations

  • TVs

  • WiFi

Some international lounges also offer showers, so you can freshen up before catching a connecting flight.

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Companion flights

Some airline rewards schemes offer companion flights. That means, if you spend over a certain amount on your credit card each year, you can take someone with you in the same cabin class without using extra air mile points.

But be aware that:

  • Companion vouchers are only usually valid for a year or two

  • You may also have to spend more than £10,000 a year on your card to qualify for one.

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Priority boarding

You can often use your points to secure priority boarding. This means you can skip the queue and board ahead of other passengers.

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Household accounts

Some airlines allow you to set up a ‘household account’. This allows you to pool your points with a certain number of people who live with you and could help you earn rewards and perks much faster.

Always check the terms carefully to understand how you can redeem points and check for any conditions around adding or removing members.

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Point sharing

Some airlines are part of alliances that let you earn and redeem points across other airlines within the same programme. An example of this is being able to use Avios points across multiple Oneworld Alliance airlines.

What to consider before getting an air miles credit card

Air miles credit cards aren’t for everyone. They work best for big spenders who pay off their bill in full each month and fly regularly enough to benefit from the perks.

Before you decide if an air miles credit card could work for you, here are some things to consider:

You should repay in full every month

The purpose of airline rewards schemes is to encourage you to spend big. If you can’t repay the full balance each month, you’ll be charged interest, often at a higher rate than a standard credit card. This could quickly outweigh any benefits you get.

Welcome bonuses can have short expiry windows

Check if your card offers a welcome bonus and has a time limit on it. Some may require you to spend a set amount within a few months of opening your account to qualify for the bonus.

Airline loyalty schemes can change

Loyalty schemes can update their terms over time. The value of your points (or the airlines you can use them with) may vary.

You may be charged a fee

Some airline credit cards charge an annual fee. These cards tend to offer more air miles and benefits than standard air miles cards. You’ll need to decide if the extra perks are worth the annual fee, which in some cases can be hefty – upwards of £160 a year.

You might not be able to use your points on the flight of your choice

Points can often only be used on certain flights, and availability may be limited.

Redeeming your points means planning ahead

Reward flights can be limited and may mean you have to book well in advance or fly at off-peak times. This can make a trip away more restrictive and tricky to plan.

Not all retailers accept airline credit cards

Make sure you’ll be able to use your card in enough places to earn enough points for you to gain rewards. Amex, for example, isn’t as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa.

Don't use your card to withdraw cash

As with all credit cards, it's best to avoid using your credit card to withdraw cash: you'll nearly always be hit with fees, interest or both from the moment you use an ATM, even if you pay off the balance in full when you receive your statement.

Quick tip

You can find a list of some of the big UK retailers that accept Amex cards on the American Express website.

How to redeem your points

You can redeem your points via your airline rewards scheme account.

Check whether you can book a rewards flight with your chosen airline

For example, British Airways has a reward flight finder that shows you which flights are available for your points.

Once you’ve chosen a flight, select the ‘pay with points’ option

Just remember, you’ll need to pay an additional cash amount for taxes and carrier charges.

You could also use your points to make a part-payment for a flight, then put the remainder of the cost on your credit card. That way you’ll be earning points as well as spending them.

How to maximise your airline rewards

Here are some handy tips to help you maximise your airline rewards:

Think about which airlines you’re most likely to use

Branded air miles credit cards are usually linked to a network of airlines. For example, British Airways is a member of the Oneworld Alliance which includes:

  • American Airlines

  • Cathay Pacific

  • Iberia

  • Qantas

  • Qatar

When choosing the right travel rewards credit card for you, make sure it’s connected with airlines you frequently use.

Take advantage of the welcome bonus

Many credit cards with air miles offer an introductory bonus. For example, new customers may get bonus points by spending over a certain amount in the first three months of opening an account.

But be sure not to spend more than you originally planned – particularly if you’d struggle to pay the balance off in full when your statement arrives. Paying interest on your balance could quickly wipe out any bonus or points you’d earn.

Use your card for everyday spending

Use your card for regular everyday spending, and the points will soon begin to add up. But don’t overdo it. Only spend what you can comfortably afford to pay back.

Collect points via your airline’s online shopping portal

Many rewards programmes have online shopping portals that partner with big-name brands to help you gain more points.

For example, making purchases through BA’s Executive Club can earn you thousands of bonus Avios.

Alternatives to air miles credit cards

Air miles credit cards can be really worthwhile if you’re a high spender and travel a lot. But they’re not ideal for everyone.

If an air miles credit card isn't right for you but you still want to get perks when you spend, you could consider:

  • Rewards credit cards – earn points and vouchers on spending with certain retailers.

  • Cashback credit cards – every time you use your card, you’ll earn a ‘cash’ percentage. This is usually around 1% to 5% of what you spend.

Both of these card types are similar to air mile cards in that the interest can quickly outweigh the reward benefits, so they're only worth it if you can clear your balance each month.

If this still doesn't sound quite right, our guide on which credit card is best for you explains all the main types of cards.

Compare the Market acts as a credit broker, not a lender. To apply for credit products you must be a UK resident and aged 18 or over.

Sajni Shah

What our expert says...

“Air miles credit cards can be a great way of reducing your travel costs. However, many come with high annual fees so they may only be worth it if you actually use the benefits on offer. You’ll also need to pay off the balance in full each month, otherwise the interest charged could wipe out any gains.

"These types of cards only work well if you’re a high spender and travel frequently. If that’s not you, you might find another type of credit card would be more suitable.”

Sajni Shah, Personal finance expert

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FAQs

How long are air miles valid for?

Most air miles remain valid as long as you continue to use your card. Depending on the provider, your air miles may expire if your credit card account is inactive after one to three years.

Some programmes reward members with points that never expire, such as Virgin Atlantic’s Virgin Points.

How much are air miles worth?

The value of your air miles points depends on your credit card and the rewards programme you’re on.

Most travel reward credit cards offer one air mile point for every £1 you spend. But keep in mind that these aren’t actual air miles. How much your points are worth depends on your provider and what you use them for.

How do I check my air miles points?

You can check how many points you have via your air miles scheme account or app. For example, if you have a Barclaycard Avios, you should check your Avios account.

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Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.

Charlie Evans
Reviewed 22 Jul 2026 by Charlie Evans Personal finance expert

Charlie is a senior commercial leader with close to a decade of experience across the UK’s leading personal-finance and comparison platforms. Before joining Compare the Market as Head of Commercial in 2024, he held senior commercial roles at TotallyMoney and MoneySuperMarket Group.

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