✈️ Loganair Takes Flight with Avios: What it Means for UK Travellers
Welcome to Smart With Points, the podcast where we dive into the world of travelling with miles and points. I'm your host, Jack, and today we're discussing some exciting news for UK regional travellers and points enthusiasts alike. Scotland's airline, Loganair, has officially partnered with Avios as its loyalty currency. From today, March 31, 2025, Loganair's loyalty programme has been rebranded from Clan Loganair to Loganair Loyalty, with Avios replacing the previous Clan Points system. This partnership represents a significant enhancement to the Avios ecosystem, which now spans British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, Qatar Airways, Finnair, and Loganair – creating one of the most comprehensive airline loyalty networks in the UK and Europe. So, what does this mean for UK travellers? Well, the integration of Loganair into the Avios family is particularly valuable for those of us living outside London. With Loganair's extensive network covering Scotland and regional UK destinations, this partnership fills a crucial gap in the Avios network, especially for domestic travel to harder-to-reach locations. For existing Loganair customers, the value proposition remains largely unchanged – the airline has confirmed that the relationship between collecting and spending Avios will mirror the previous Clan Points system. A Loyalty Reward flight will still cost around 6,500 Avios, equivalent to a Fly ticket in their system. However, the real magic happens when you link your Loganair Loyalty account with your British Airways Club account, allowing you to transfer Avios between them. This opens up a world of possibilities for both earning and redemption. Now, let's talk about the strategic opportunities for points collectors. I see significant value in this partnership for several reasons. Firstly, it's now easier to accumulate Avios, especially if you regularly fly within Scotland or to remote UK destinations. You can funnel these earnings into your broader Avios balance, potentially helping you reach redemption thresholds faster for long-haul premium cabin flights. Secondly, this partnership offers a diversification of redemption options. When British Airways doesn't serve your desired regional destination, or pricing is unfavourable, Loganair might offer a sensible alternative – all while using the same currency. To maximise this new partnership, I recommend linking your Loganair Loyalty and British Airways Club accounts. The process is straightforward but requires that both accounts have exactly the same names. You should also consider the Capital On Tap Business Card, which remains one of my favourite ways to earn Avios on everyday spending. Additionally, take a look at Loganair's regional routes, which include beautiful spots in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. This could open up entirely new weekend break possibilities for Avios collectors. And, as with any loyalty programme expansion, keep an eye out for redemption sweet spots where the value exceeds the norm. Personally, I'm excited about this partnership, having held British Airways Gold status for some time. I've always found domestic UK coverage to be the weakest aspect of the Avios ecosystem, and the addition of Loganair helps address this gap. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how this partnership evolves, particularly regarding elite status recognition and benefits across the various Avios programmes. Currently, details are sparse on whether Loganair will offer any form of elite status that carries benefits when flying with other Avios partners. In summary, this partnership represents a positive development for UK-based points collectors, adding valuable regional connectivity to the already robust Avios ecosystem. While not as headline-grabbing as some international partnerships, the practical benefits for regular UK travellers could be substantial. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Smart With Points. If you want to stay up-to-date with the latest news and tips on travelling with miles and points, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on all major platforms or visit our website at smartwithpoints.co.uk. And, before we go, a quick word from our sponsor. Looking for the best award flights? Use AwardTravelFinder.com to search availability across Qatar Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and more. Try it for free with our link in the shownotes.
