10 things you never knew you could spend Avios on

When you're not planning a trip, you can spend Avios on all sorts of amazing experiences.

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If you're an Avios member, you're probably aware that you can book flights to all sorts of exciting destinations (here are 10 of our favourite). But did you know there are a whole host of experiences and products you can spend the points on too? 

Using the British Airways American Express and British Airways American Express Premium Plus credit cards rates, we've calculated how much money you'd have to spend to benefit from these great perks. The standard card offers one Avios for every pound spent, and the Premium Plus offers 1.5 Avios for every pound, plus there's a welcome bonus of 5,000 Avios when spending £1,000 in first three months on the former, and 25,000 Avios when spending £3,000 in first three months on the latter.

Some of it might look like a lot of money on paper, but just a few months of everyday spending on your card (and repaying at the end of each month) could mean an extra special treat. 

1. Romantic escapes

Nothing beats jetting off to foreign shores, but accrue 30,500 Avios points and you can enjoy some time out closer to home – on a romantic, one-night break at one of several spectacular locations throughout the UK. The hotels have all been chosen with romance in mind, and when you check in you'll be presented with a welcome gift, either a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of freshly-chilled champagne.

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months + £24,500
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months + £670

2. Wildlife Trust Family Membership

This truly is a gift that keeps on giving. For 5,500 Avios points, you'll be able to treat you and your loved ones (two adults and up to four children) to a year-long Wildlife Trust membership package. There are sites all over the UK, so you'll never run out of new places to explore, whether you fancy spotting hedgehogs in Hampshire or rare birds in Wales. You'll get their quarterly magazine, a copy of the Wildlife Watcher's Handbook and invites to members-only events. 

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months

3. A riverboat dining cruise for two

Nothing beats messing around on the water and 13,000 Avios points will allow you to do just that. There are several areas to choose from, including rivers in North Yorkshire and London, and you won't go hungry either. Forget soggy fish and chips – you'll be treated to a three-course gourmet meal as you drift along the country's most scenic waterways. 

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months + £7,000
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months

4. A triple supercar driving experience

Undisputable proof that good things come in threes, spend 14,000 Avios to be handed the keys to three of these dream machines: a Ferrari 360/355/430, Lamborghini Gallardo, Aston Martin DB9 or V8 Vantage, Porsche 996/997/911, Audi R8 and Nissan GT-R. After a briefing from a professional driving instructor, you'll take your them each for a spin. Just try not to think about the fact you're driving something which costs more than most people's homes.

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months + £8,000
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months 

5. Family or pet photoshoots

If you've ever tried to convince your pooch to pose, you'll know that man's best friend isn't necessarily at ease in front of the camera. Our advice? Spend just 6,000 Avios and let the experts manhandle your mutt into position. But don't panic if you haven't got a pet, because you can also request baby, mother-to-be or family-themed photoshoots.

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months 
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months

6. A Hampton Court Palace visit

Three (or at least, 3,000) is the magic number if you fancy checking out one of the UK's grandest stately homes. Spend 3,000 of your Avios on a visit to Hampton Court Palace. Once the home of King Henry VIII, this Baroque palace is home to the world's oldest grapevine, a sprawling maze, beautiful, riverside gardens and a Tudor-themed playground.

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months 
Spend on Premium Plus card: £2,000

7. Stadium tours

Whether you're a true blue football fan keen to go behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge or a rugby devotee who dreams of paying their respects at the world's largest Rugby Union venue (Twickenham, if you were wondering), you'll need spend just 5,500 Avios to sign up for a guided tour of some of the world's greatest sporting arenas. Other available venues include FC Barcelona's Nou Camp and Wembley Stadium, and the tour includes admission for one adult and one child.

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months 
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months 

8. A F1 Grand Prix simulator experience

Fancy channelling your inner Lewis Hamilton? Points really do mean prizes in this case – you'll need just 6,000 Avios to satisfy your need for speed with a few laps of an (albeit virtual) F1 track. After a briefing, you'll learn the track's layout during a qualifying lap, before battling it out with other drivers in a series of heats. Get lucky and you might just end up on the podium, where you'll be presented with your very own trophy.

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months 

9. A fright night

Halloween or not, if you're a sucker for all things spooky, spend your Avios on a fiendishly frightening ghost tour. Costing 16,000 Avios, scare yourself silly in a wide range of locations including Edinburgh, London and Cambridge.

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months + £10,000
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months 

10. Spanish wines

A case of 12 bottles of Spanish wine, carefully chosen by Laithwaites, is the perfect way to bring that Spanish escape home with you. You'll need 17,500 to secure this fantastic tribute to the mighty grape. Cases include a wonderfully spicy Palacio del Conde Gran Reserva and a fruity Los Hermanos Manzanos, known for its blueberry and violet aromas. Cheers to that!

Spend on standard card: £1,000 in first three months + £11,500
Spend on Premium Plus card: £3,000 in first three months