Club Avanti: Is This Railway Loyalty Programme Worth Your Time?

Club Avanti has quietly become one of the UK's fastest-growing travel loyalty programmes, recently surpassing 275,000 members since its launch in June 2022. As someone who frequently travels between London and Manchester, I've been keeping a close eye on this scheme, and I think it's worth exploring whether it deserves a place in your points and miles strategy.

The Good Bits

Let's start with the most appealing aspect - it's completely free to join. Upon signing up, you'll immediately receive:

• 10% off your first return journey

• A free hot drink voucher (valid for 365 days)

• 10% off all onboard shop purchases

• Priority platform notifications at London Euston

The programme operates on a three-tier system based on your annual journeys:

• Silver (up to 8 journeys/year) - Basic benefits

• Gold (9-20 journeys/year) - Free Standard Premium return ticket

• Platinum (21+ journeys/year) - Free First Class return ticket + lounge pass

What's particularly interesting is how attainable Gold status is. Five return trips within 12 months will get you there, which isn't unreasonable if you regularly travel on the West Coast Main Line.

The Catches

Of course, there are some limitations to be aware of:

• Only journeys over 75 miles count

• Tickets must be booked via Avanti's website or app (unsure if Avanti Superfare works with this)

• Reward tickets need to be booked at least 7 days in advance

• Your membership year starts from your join date, not the calendar year

Making It Work For You

If you're a regular Avanti traveller, combining Club Avanti with the right credit card can boost your returns significantly. For instance, using a Capital on Tap Business card means you're earning Avios while working towards your free Standard Premium or First Class tickets.

For occasional travellers, even Silver membership is worthwhile. The 10% shop discount can add up, especially on longer journeys where you might purchase multiple items. The priority platform notifications at Euston are particularly valuable during peak times, potentially helping you secure a better seat.

Is It Worth It?

For anyone who makes even a single journey on Avanti West Coast per year, joining Club Avanti is a no-brainer. The free hot drink and 10% discount on your first booking alone make it worthwhile.

For regular travellers, particularly those making 5+ return journeys annually, the programme becomes genuinely valuable. The free Standard Premium ticket at Gold level can be worth well over £100 when used strategically on peak routes.

My recommendation?

Join now, even if you only have one Avanti journey planned. There's no downside, and you might find yourself with some useful perks when you need them. Just remember to book through the Avanti website or app to ensure your journeys count towards status.

Have you joined Club Avanti? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.