Avios welcome offers: what the 90,000 bonus requires
As of October 23, 2026, the British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus credit cards are advertising an increased Avios welcome offer: 90,000 Avios after $5,000 in spending within the first three months. That is 15,000 Avios more than the current 75,000 offer, and the increased offers end October 29, 2026. If you are weighing an Avios card, the deadline is the first thing to plan around, because a higher bonus only helps if you can apply, meet the spending requirement and still leave time to use the points sensibly.
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How the increase compares with the usual offer
The headline change is simple: the bonus moves from 75,000 Avios to 90,000 Avios while the spending requirement stays at $5,000 within the first three months. The extra 15,000 Avios costs you nothing additional in required spending compared with the normal offer, which is why a limited-time increase deserves attention. It does not change what the points are worth to you, though. Avios are most useful when you already have a trip in mind, so decide whether the larger balance would be used before treating the bigger number as better.
Deadline planning before October 29, 2026
The increased offers end October 29, 2026. Work backward from that date. Confirm the exact offer shown on the issuer application, check whether you are eligible for a welcome bonus on the card you choose, and make sure your normal spending can reach $5,000 within three months without changing how you pay for things. Spending you would not otherwise do, or carrying a balance to reach the requirement, can erase the value of a bonus.
Who should consider these Avios cards, and who should wait
These offers suit people who expect to book flights or travel with the British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus family of programs and who can reach the spending requirement through ordinary purchases. They are a weaker fit if you have no plan to use Avios, if the spending requirement would strain your budget, or if you would rather keep your flexibility with a different points currency. If you are undecided, waiting is a valid choice: the standard offer is 75,000 Avios, so missing the increase costs 15,000 Avios rather than the entire bonus.
What to check before you apply
Read the application terms on the issuer page, because card details, fees, eligibility rules and offer wording can differ from any summary. Compare the three cards against how you actually travel, and note that this article reports the offers as published; it does not guarantee approval, a particular redemption value or that the increased offer will be extended. Verify the offer is still active on the day you apply, since promotions can change.
Turning a bigger Avios balance into a plan
A welcome bonus is only worth what you can redeem it for. Before applying, write down the trip you would book with the points: the route, the cabin, the travel dates and the program you would book through. Avios can behave differently depending on whether you book flights on British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus or a partner airline, and award space is never guaranteed. Treat the larger bonus as a head start toward a specific goal rather than a reason to collect points with no destination. If you cannot name a likely use, the increase is probably not enough reason to apply by the deadline.
Common mistakes with limited-time welcome offers
The most common mistake is letting a deadline drive spending. A bonus after $5,000 in purchases is valuable only when those purchases are ones you would already make, paid off in full. Another mistake is assuming all three cards are interchangeable because the headline bonus matches: the cards are tied to different airline programs, and your travel patterns decide which fits. A third is relying on a summary for terms. The application page is the controlling source, and it can differ in details that matter, including how and when the bonus posts to your account.
Bottom line for the October 29 deadline
The increased offers give applicants 90,000 Avios after $5,000 in spending within the first three months, compared with the current 75,000 offer, and they end October 29, 2026. If you already plan to travel with these programs and can meet the spending requirement through normal purchases, the window is worth acting on soon. If not, passing on the increase is reasonable, because the standard offer remains available. Either way, verify the live terms before you apply and keep a simple note of the spending deadline so the bonus actually posts.