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Yes, we full appreciate this is essentially a frequent flyer website. However, none of us are frequently flying right now. We’re also an “Avios-focused” website and, very arguably, Avios has just won itself a whole new target market – the UK shopper.

We have already covered various angles on the Avios Nectar tie up. In short, with the now instant and easy ability to swap 250 Avios for 400 Nectar points (or vice versa), a whole new world of opportunity has opened up. One of the most fundamental elements of this is the bald fact that 1 Avios now gets you 0.8p to spend at Sainsburys, Argos, eBay and many other retailers.

Is 0.8p for my Avios any good?

The key point here is this: getting 0.8p of value for your Avios point really isn’t a bad way to spend them. Joe recently valued Avios at “between 0.8p and 1p”, so (unlike so many of my suggestions for IF article topics…) you’re within his boundaries of acceptability 😉 .

Thus, Avios are no longer just the domain of the frequent flyer, the “travel hacker” – or indeed the flyer at all. There is a clear benefit to the “mere” Sainsbury’s shopper in collecting Avios and generally looking out for Avios bonuses and easy earning opportunities. Further, at a time when flying and travel generally is heavily restricted, having the fall-back opportunity to just lump your Avios haul over to Nectar to spend at a 0.8p valuation in Sainsbury’s etc, is rather wonderful.

Even in a post-pandemic world of full travel (we’ll get there), with the inevitable headaches of availability, taxes and other logistical issues that apply to any Avios flight redemption, I am absolutely not ruling out the possibility that I’ll simply be spending my Avios on broccoli and pasta.

How do I collect Avios?

It’s a valid first question, and the simple response is sign up at BA Executive Club and then keep an eye on this website! We’ll bring you all the free and easy Avios earning opportunities.

Bear in mind, too, that as a simple and free way of earning Avios on your day-to-day spend, you can do a lot worse than the BA Amex credit card. Key benefits are:

• It’s totally free to own the card, there’s no annual fee
• You’ll earn a bonus of 6,000 Avios if you spend £1,000 in your first 3 months
• 1 Avios for every £1 spend on everyday purchases

Note that the standard bonus Avios is actually 5,000 for the £1,000 spend. However, applying for it via our referral link will get you a bonus 1,000 Avios (or £8 to spend in Sainsbury’s, if we’re sticking with this theme!). It is also important to be aware that you will not receive a welcome bonus offer if you hold or have held any personal American Express Cards in the past 24 months.

While we’re not necessarily expecting Sainsbury’s shoppers to come flocking to the Avios loyalty scheme, it does make sense. Ultimately, we’re genuinely excited at the opportunities created by the Nectar-Avios tie-up. The fact that (so far at least) the tech seems to be flawless is another big selling point.