Let me tell you about the moment that changed how I think about flying permanently.
A friend who was not earning significantly more than me was consistently flying business class. London to Lagos. Toronto to Amsterdam. New York to Dubai. Flat beds. Champagne on boarding. Pyjamas provided. The whole thing. When I finally asked directly how he was doing it he said two words: points and miles.
What followed was a conversation I wish I had years earlier. This guide is that conversation written down for you.
Understanding the basics. Points, miles and how they actually work.
Airline frequent flyer miles and credit card points are currencies. Like any currency they can be earned, saved, transferred and spent. The key insight that most people miss is that you earn these currencies not just by flying but by spending on credit cards that are linked to loyalty programmes.
A credit card that earns airline miles or transferable points gives you currency for future travel every time you spend on ordinary purchases. Groceries. Bills. Subscriptions. Any regular spending you are already doing. Over time these points accumulate into something significant without you changing your spending behaviour at all. You are simply being paid in a different form for spending you were going to do anyway.
The best cards for earning travel points
For Nigerians in the UK the most valuable cards for earning travel rewards are the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold, which earns Membership Rewards points that transfer to multiple airline programmes, and the British Airways American Express card, which earns Avios directly. Avios is the currency of British Airways and its partner airlines including Iberia, Qatar Airways and Finnair.
For Nigerians in the US the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve both earn Ultimate Rewards points with enormous flexibility. The Capital One Venture earns miles redeemable across multiple programmes and is one of the most straightforward entry points for someone new to the points world.
The signup bonuses on these cards are often the most valuable single source of points available. A card with a 60,000 point signup bonus after meeting a minimum spend threshold can translate into a business class ticket on its own with nothing else added. That number is not an exaggeration.
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How points translate into business class seats
Different airlines value their award seats differently and this is where the research pays off.
British Airways Avios prices award tickets based on distance. Shorter routes cost fewer points. This makes Avios particularly valuable for medium-length routes within Europe and from the UK to West Africa. A business class flight from London to Lagos on points costs significantly fewer Avios than you might expect given the cash price of the same ticket.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles can be used to book business class on Virgin’s own aircraft and crucially on Delta and ANA, which gives you access to some of the best business class products in the world at redemption rates that represent extraordinary value compared to cash prices.
American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards are transferable points programmes. Their flexibility is their primary advantage because you can transfer your points to whichever airline programme gives you the best value for your specific route rather than being locked into one carrier.
Before you book any award ticket check the redemption value. Divide the cost of the ticket in cash by the number of points required. Aim for redemptions worth at least 1.5 cents per point. Many business class redemptions deliver three to eight cents per point which is genuinely extraordinary value.
The Nigeria-UK route specifically
This is the most relevant route for most ViralArena readers and it is worth discussing directly.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Air France among others fly between Lagos and London. Business class redemptions on this route in Avios or Virgin miles represent genuinely good value and can make what is typically a very expensive premium cabin ticket accessible for a fraction of the cash price.
Book six to eleven months in advance. Award seats in business class are limited and the best availability on popular dates books quickly. The earlier you search and book the more options you will find.
The honest caveats
Points programmes devalue periodically. The programme requires more points for the same redemptions over time. This means hoarding points for years is not always the wisest strategy. Earn and redeem with reasonable regularity rather than saving indefinitely.
This strategy only works if you pay your credit card balance in full every month. If you carry a balance the interest charges will exceed any reward value many times over. The points system rewards disciplined spenders. It punishes people who spend beyond their means on a credit card regardless of what points they are earning.
🔗 Also on ViralArena: Planning to relocate to Europe? Our honest country comparison covers all the key destinations: Best Countries to Relocate From Nigeria in 2026
Sarah Mitchell covers global migration, visa policy, and relocation news for TheViralArena.com
Sarah Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell covers global migration, visa policy, and relocation news for TheViralArena.com
