The Avios Shop has just become considerably more interesting for UK points collectors. After launching exclusively with Apple products this summer, British Airways has expanded the platform to include over 300 items across 17 premium brands.
What's New
The expanded range covers the essentials you'd actually want for travel: Antler suitcases, Stubble & Co bags, Aspinal of London leather goods, Chilly's water bottles, and wellness accessories like neck pillows and eye masks. Smythson stationery is also in the mix for those who appreciate the finer things.
The proposition is straightforward: use your Avios to reduce the cash price by up to 25%, whilst still collecting Avios on your purchase. It's a decent option if you're sitting on a pile of Avios and genuinely need travel gear.
The Reality Check
Here's my honest take: this is a smart move from British Airways, but it shouldn't be your first port of call for Avios redemptions. Premium cabin flights remain the gold standard for value – you're typically getting 1-2p per Avios point versus the 0.5-0.7p you'd likely see on retail redemptions.
That said, there are legitimate use cases:
Points about to expire and no travel plans imminent
Topped up your balance and have a few thousand odd Avios left over
Actually need the product anyway and the maths works in your favour
The key is doing the calculation. If that Antler suitcase costs £200 and you can save £50 with 10,000 Avios, you're getting 0.5p per point. Compare that to using those same 10,000 Avios for a one-way European flight that would cost £80 cash, and the flight wins every time.
How to Access
The shop is available through the Avios app or online at avios.com/avios-shop. The range rotates seasonally, so the current offerings are geared towards festive gifting and winter travel prep.
My Verdict
This expansion gives Avios more flexibility as a currency, which is never a bad thing. But let's be clear: flights first, hotels second, retail third. The Avios Shop works best as a strategic option for specific scenarios, not as your primary redemption strategy.
If you're new to maximising Avios redemptions, check out our guide to how many Avios points you need for flights – that's where the real value lies.
What are your thoughts on retail redemptions? Would you use Avios for travel accessories, or are you strictly a "flights only" redeemer? Let me know on Instagram.