How to Use Points and Miles for Your 2024 Trip to London

British Airways Executive Club

While nonstop flights to Gatwick Airport are available from New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), and Tampa (TPA), you’ll discover greater award availability at Heathrow Airport, which has direct connections from 21 U.S. cities.

British Airways operates on a distance-based award chart, so be sure to enter your selected airports on Great Circle Mapper’s website to determine the mileage needed first.

Keep in mind that award flights will incur higher fuel surcharges, but you can sidestep these costs by connecting through another European city — for example, flying to Dublin via Aer Lingus or Madrid via Iberia, both partners, then redeeming Avios for a short flight to London from there (or the other way around).

Here’s a breakdown of how many Avios you’ll need for a round-trip from New York or Los Angeles, ranging from off-peak (fall and winter) to peak season (summer and school holidays):

• Economy Class: 26,000 or 40,000 Avios from JFK; 39,000 or 60,000 Avios from LAX

• Business Class: 100,000 or 120,000 Avios from JFK; 150,000 or 180,000 Avios from LAX

• First Class: 136,000 or 160,000 Avios from JFK; 204,000 or 240,000 Avios from LAX

You can also use British Airways Avios to book flights with Oneworld partners like American Airlines. Here’s how many you’ll need to fly from JFK or LAX:

• Economy Class: 41,500 or 51,500 Avios for a round-trip

• Business Class: 124,000 or 154,500 Avios for a round-trip

• First Class: 165,000 or 206,000 Avios for a round-trip

To quickly accumulate British Airways Avios, consider signing up for the airline’s cobranded credit card to enjoy its welcome bonus. Alternatively, you can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Rewards, or American Express Membership Rewards (1:1) or from Marriott Bonvoy (3:1).

• British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Receive 85,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Receive 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. That's equivalent to $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening, worth $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of account opening.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

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Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

The key is to use Virgin Points solely for your flight to London, while booking your return trip with a different points-and-miles program from this list, or flying back to the U.S. from another European city to sidestep the steep fuel surcharges. These surcharges can be manageable for economy tickets but can skyrocket for business or first-class redemptions.

Visit Virgin Atlantic’s rewards website to find off-peak and peak season dates, which differ depending on your destination and travel time.

Here’s how many Virgin Points are required for flights from the East Coast, Midwest/South, or West Coast:

• Economy Class: 20,000, 25,000, or 30,000 miles for a round-trip (off-peak); 40,000, 45,000, or 50,000 (peak)

• Business Class: 95,000 to 135,000 miles for a round-trip (off-peak); 115,000 to 155,000 (peak)

You can also redeem Virgin Points with partner airlines like Delta, which remains a good value despite a recent award devaluation, as well as Air France/KLM and others.

Here’s the number of Virgin Points required for a Delta flight departing from the East Coast, Midwest/South, or West Coast:

• Economy Class: 30,000, 35,000, or 40,000 miles round-trip (off-peak); 50,000, 55,000, or 60,000 miles (peak)

• Business Class: 95,000 to 135,000 miles round-trip (off-peak); 115,000 to 155,000 miles (peak)

The Virgin cobranded credit card provides a substantial initial points bonus. Additionally, you can transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy (3:1) or from programs like Bilt Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Rewards, or Citi ThankYou Rewards through Virgin Red (1:1).

• Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard®: Receive 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. This is worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Get 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 towards travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 in the first six months of opening your account.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Receive 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account.

• Citi Premier® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account.

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Air France / KLM Flying Blue

Although you cannot fly directly from the U.S. to London with Air France or KLM, Flying Blue miles offer a viable one-stop option for award flights to the UK via Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS). These miles can also be used for direct flights with SkyTeam partners like Delta and Virgin Atlantic.

Visit the Flying Blue Rewards website to find Promo Awards and determine how many miles you’ll need for your award flight.

Here’s the number of Flying Blue miles required for a flight to London from the U.S.:

• Economy Class: 40,000 miles for a round-trip

• Business Class: 100,000 miles for a round-trip

To quickly earn Flying Blue miles, transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy (3:1) or from Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, or Capital One Rewards (1:1).

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months. That's equivalent to $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, valued at $900 toward travel through Chase Travel℠.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Get 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first six months.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Receive 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months.

• Citi Premier® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months.

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All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

Booking flights with Star Alliance partners like United, Air Canada, TAP Portugal, LOT Polish Airlines, and SAS using ANA miles is an excellent value for points and miles.

While ANA miles can also be used for flights with Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, or SWISS, be aware that fuel surcharges are typically much higher. Opting for United may require more miles but results in lower fees.

Remember, ANA only permits round-trip award bookings, and these can only be made for yourself and family members. The easiest way to find award availability is to search on United’s website and then verify it with ANA.

Here’s how many ANA miles are needed for a flight to London from the U.S.:

• Economy Class: 55,000 miles round-trip

• Business Class: 88,000 miles round-trip

• First Class: 165,000 miles round-trip

Accumulating ANA miles is straightforward, as you can transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy (3:1) or American Express Membership Rewards (1:1).

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of account opening.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

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Hotels in London that you can book with points

London boasts a plethora of hotel chains where you can use points, including options from World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards, and Hilton Honors, among others.

Join the loyalty program of your preferred hotel brand to start accumulating points for future stays, or think about getting a cobranded hotel rewards credit card to earn complimentary nights through the welcome bonus.

If you love staying at Hilton hotels, consider the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire credit card, which offers $200 in statement credits for resort fees and other on-site charges at properties around the globe.

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World of Hyatt

Explore various exclusive World of Hyatt locations, such as The Academy in the stylish Bloomsbury area of London, with rates starting at 20,000 points per night. Additionally, the newly opened Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars, located between Covent Garden and the Tower of London, offers rooms starting at 20,000 points per night.

Located in the fashionable East End, the Andaz London Liverpool Street offers accommodations starting at 25,000 points per night, just a short stroll from Brick Lane, renowned for the finest Bangladeshi cuisine in London, and the iconic Ten Bells pub, linked to the Jack the Ripper story.

The welcome bonuses from the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or the World of Hyatt Credit Card provide ample points for three nights at either The Academy or the Andaz, or two nights at the Hyatt Regency.

Boost your points balance by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

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Marriott Bonvoy

The Westin London City, conveniently located near St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern, has nightly rates starting at 62,000 points. Another stylish choice is The London Edition in Fitzrovia, with rooms available from 89,500 points per night.

For those prioritizing train station access, the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London offers luxurious accommodations beginning at 52,000 points per night, just a short walk from St. Pancras International and King’s Cross. This location features The Harry Potter Shop and is perfect for a memorable photo op at Platform 9¾—an ideal moment for any Potter fan.

The welcome bonus from the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express can cover one free night at either The Westin or the St. Pancras Renaissance, and it almost provides enough for a complimentary night at The London Edition.

If you need to increase your points balance, you can transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 rate.

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Hilton Honors

Located in Covent Garden, The Waldorf Hilton, London offers rooms starting at 75,000 points, while the DoubleTree by Hilton London–Marble Arch near Hyde Park features rates beginning at 59,000 points per night. Another solid choice is the DoubleTree by Hilton London–West End, with rates from 60,000 points nightly.

With the welcome bonus from the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you can enjoy two nights at either hotel, whereas the bonus from The Platinum Card from American Express is sufficient for one complimentary night at each location.

If you need to boost your balance, you can transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors at a rate of 1:2.

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IHG One Rewards

Located just a short walk from SoHo, Covent Garden, and The National Gallery, Hotel Indigo London–1 Leicester Square has nightly rates starting at 49,000 points. Meanwhile, Hotel Indigo London–Paddington, situated near Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, offers rooms beginning at 42,000 points per night.

For royal enthusiasts, the InterContinental London Park Lane is a great choice near Buckingham Palace, with rates starting at 79,000 points. Alternatively, those who prefer the charming area of Russell Square might enjoy the Kimpton Fitzroy London, with rooms available from 53,000 points per night.

The welcome bonus from the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Sapphire Reserve offers enough points for a complimentary night at Hotel Indigo locations or the Kimpton properties.

Enhance your points balance by transferring from Bilt Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

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Activities and transportation options

Getting around London is a breeze with the extensive London Underground, known as The Tube, alongside the iconic double-decker buses. Walking and cycling provide delightful ways to discover the city, as does a scenic cruise along the Thames.

Taxis, mini-cabs, and ride-sharing services are readily available. For a unique experience, hop into a licensed black cab — their drivers undergo three to five years of rigorous training and testing to master all things London, so feel free to ask for local dining and sightseeing recommendations.

The British capital is well-linked to other UK regions by train, and even to Paris and beyond via Eurostar, offering virtually limitless options for day trips from London. If you prefer road trips, remember that cars are driven on the left side of the road (from the right side of the car) and navigation is generally straightforward.

Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve holders can access the Chase Travel℠ portal for savings on car rentals and guided tours. Ultimate Rewards points can be valued at 1.25 cents per point or 1.5 cents per point, respectively, providing substantial savings.

Certain cards, such as the Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X, allow you to use miles to offset recent travel expenses at a value of one cent per mile. The Chase Sapphire Reserve also features a $300 annual travel credit designed to “erase” travel costs.

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Final thoughts

With some careful planning and consideration, there’s no reason why your trip to London should be costly. By focusing on airline alliances and credit card transfer partners, leveraging welcome bonuses from cobranded and travel rewards credit cards, and being strategic with your points and miles, you can significantly reduce your expenses on your next trip.

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*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For further information, please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Editorial disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by these entities.