Flying from Gatwick to Aberdeen usually takes about one hour and 35 minutes, and costs around 50 pounds. But one traveller opted to take seven flights to travel from London to Scotland instead - clocking up a bill of hundreds of pounds.

James Mutton, a geography teacher and air miles enthusiast, planned the convoluted route to maximise his Avios points - and took a whopping two days to complete the journey.

He departed from London Gatwick and flew with British Airways via Jersey, back to Gatwick, then onwards to Amsterdam, Heathrow, Glasgow, Sumburgh Airport (Shetland Islands), and finally Aberdeen.

The route from Amsterdam to Aberdeen -- via three different airports -- cost 411 pounds, in business class. To get to Amsterdam, Mutton used his existing air miles to part-pay for a business class seat.

"I was heading to Scotland to visit a friend in St Andrews," said Mutton. "The trip was fun, although part of the enjoyment for me is in the planning of it. I wouldn't do it if I didn't get something from it."

Mutton scooped 13,000 Avios points for his convoluted route - that's enough for a return flight to Rome. But he wasn't in it for the free flights.

He is currently a Silver Tier Avios member -- which entitles him to priority check-in and boarding, lounge access, increased baggage allowance and free seat selection with British Airways. But Mutton hoped his Gatwick to Aberdeen odyssey would earn him Gold status -- which includes access to first-class airport lounges, free spa treatments at Heathrow, and hotel upgrades.

The Londoner, who documented his trip on his blog misterairmiles.com, has made a hobby out of using credit card reward schemes and savvy flight planning to cash in on Avios points so that he and his wife can save money on exotic holidays and premium flights.

Mutton says his interest in Avios points first started when he and his wife were planning their wedding. The duo applied for credit cards which allowed them to accrue Avios points for spending - and they spent the rewards on a luxury honeymoon, flying to New York and Washington first class.

"The flights would have been around 8,000 pounds full price but we ended up paying around 500 pounds. And we stayed at four- and five-star hotels, completely free.

"If I'd had to pay cash on a like-for-like basis for the trips we've been on over the last two-and-a-half years they would probably be worth around 25,000 pounds," said Mutton.

"I think I've used around half a million air miles in that time. I just want to go to exciting places in comfort and spend as little money getting there as possible... I also like flying and being in airports, so it is not a chore for me."

So how does he do it? "One of the benefits of being a teacher is undoubtedly the long summer holidays," said Mutton, "but it comes with the cost of being inflexible and having to travel in school holidays where costs can be higher. What I do have, though, is time. It doesn't matter if I take two days to get somewhere, and if it saves me some money that is great. Sometimes the trip might be more expensive, but the additional benefits for status are worth it."

"You can get air miles from flying or through credit cards or Tesco Clubcards and once you've got 9,000 that'll get you a return flight within Europe. It's free money - everyone should do it!"