Avios to reduce ways points can be spent – make your non-flight booking ASAP

The loyalty scheme is reducing the number of ways you can redeem points from 1 January 2017 – this involves stopping redemptions for some of its non-flight rewards and instead focusing on what it describes as its "most popular products" (namely flights, hotels and car hire).

So long as you make your booking for one of the rewards that is for the chop before the end of the year, you'll be able to go on your trip after 1 January. However, availability can be limited – especially for the cheaper 10,000 Avios point Eurostar tickets – so the more flexible you can be, the better.

You can check availability for most things at Avios.com, but you'll have to call 0844 49 333 99 to check Eurostar availability.

Eurostar in particular was a popular way to spend Avios points as, unlike flight redemptions, taxes were already included so there was nothing extra to pay.

Avios works by giving you points for purchasing certain flights, shopping and fuel, it then provides travel-based rewards in exchange for the points you earn.

Check out our guide for 31 ways to boost and max Avios.

Why has Avios made these changes?

An Avios spokesperson told us: "After recently reviewing our products and services, we have decided to focus our attention on our most popular products available online – flights, hotels and car hire – to continue to improve these offerings and our customers' experience when booking them.

"We are focusing our attention on delivering the best online redemption experience for flights, hotels and car hire while adding new and exciting ways to collect Avios through the Avios eStore and mobile.

"For example, our most recent partnership with Bink and Pizza Express provides customers with a new and innovative way to collect Avios to use on travel rewards."

Avios has told us it's not planning any other changes to the scheme for the time being.