How to Fly in Business Class Using Avios?

Flying Business Class sounds expensive. But with Avios, it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve collected enough points—or know how to use them—you can book that upgrade without paying thousands. The trick is: Timing, routes & knowing what your points are worth. Be if you are eyeing a long-haul trip or just want a better seat, Avios opens that window. And when unsure where to start, WingsTravo can help you figure it out. Think better seats, airport lounges, fewer headaches—all without burning a hole in your pocket.

How Do I Book Flights with Avios?

For booking with Avios first, make sure you're signed up for the British Airways Executive Club. That’s where your Avios live.

Head to the British Airways website.
Log in. Enter your route, dates, and be sure to check the box that says “Book with Avios.”
You’ll see reward availability in different cabins—Economy, Premium, Business, and First.
Choose the Business Class option if available.
You’ll be shown how many Avios points are needed plus any taxes or fees. These charges are standard and depend on route and cabin.
If you're booking partner airlines (like Qatar Airways or Iberia), the process is still handled through your Executive Club account. Just search normally—Avios will work across the network.

How Do I Claim Avios on my Flight?

Forgot to add your Executive Club number while booking? You can still claim the points after flying. This is what to do:

Log into your British Airways Executive Club account.
Navigate to “Claim Missing Avios.”
Enter your flight details—date, route, and airline.
Submit the request.
If it’s a partner airline, you may need to wait a few days after flying before the flight shows up.

Make sure the ticket qualifies. Not all low-cost tickets earn points. The fare class has to be eligible for mileage accrual. For help tracking/claiming your points, contact Avios related help at 1-800-247-9297 or 1-888-413-6950.

How to Find and Book Avios Reward Flights?

Finding award seats is where it gets tricky. Avios seats, especially in Business Class, are limited and in demand.

Start searching as early as possible—up to 355 days in advance. The longer you wait, the fewer seats you’ll see.
Go to the Executive Club dashboard, click “Spending Avios,” and search your dates. Use the flexible date option to view a week of fares.
Not seeing anything? Try shorter routes or mid-week dates. Or fly out of different nearby cities. Seat availability shifts constantly.
Use tools like Reward Flight Finder (external tool) or BA’s own calendar to monitor seats. If you’re trying to book Avios reward flights, flexibility is your biggest asset.

How to Book award Flights using British Airways Avios?

If you’re flying British Airways directly, you’re in luck. Avios works best here.

Steps:

Log into your Executive Club account.
Go to “Book a Flight with Avios.”
Enter your departure and arrival cities.
Select “Business” as your travel class.
Choose from available flights.

The site will show the required Avios plus cash charges. You can also part-pay with Avios—use fewer points, pay a little more money. It gives you options if your Avios balance isn’t high enough for a full reward. Flying off-peak saves more Avios. British Airways has a peak/off-peak calendar that affects pricing.

This route is also great for multi-city flights if you're mixing London with another destination. Just click the multi-city tab and apply your Avios the same way. You can get Avios related help at 1-800-247-9297 or 1-888-413-6950.

How Do I Book Flights with Avios points for free?

Technically, “free” means you're paying in Avios, but you’ll still owe taxes and fees. Completely cash-free flights are rare unless you're using a voucher or special promo.

To reduce costs:

Choose off-peak dates.
Avoid long-haul routes with high surcharges (like London to the U.S.).
Book one-way rewards to split your journey.
Use Avios + Money options smartly—sometimes spending fewer Avios and paying a little more cash saves value overall.

You can also collect companion vouchers or upgrade offers through Avios-linked credit cards, which help you book flights with Avios in premium cabins without using double the points.

So yes, you can get a business seat by paying only a small amount in cash—but you’ll rarely escape fees entirely.

Avios opens doors that cash fares often shut. From London to Doha to New York, your Avios points hold real power. And if you ever get stuck, WingsTravo is here to help—or reach out for Avios related help at 1-800-247-9297 or 1-888-413-6950.