How to easily transfer Avios between all 7 airline loyalty programs

3 Mins read

Avios is the rewards currency used by the following airline loyalty programs:

If you have a loyalty account with any (or all) of these airlines, you can earn and redeem Avios.

You can transfer Avios between any of these programs at a ratio of 1:1 in any direction at no cost as often as you like, so 1 British Airways Club Avios is worth 1 Finnair Plus Avios and vice versa. But since each Avios program prices award redemptions slightly differently, you need to have your Avios in the right one to take advantage of sweet spots in each program.

Fortunately, there is now a convenient tool to transfer Avios between all seven programs in one place.

How to use the Avios transfer tool

To start with, ensure you have created a loyalty account with each program you want to move Avios to. It’s not essential to create accounts for all seven at once; however, it’s a good idea to start with at least British Airways Club, Iberia Club, Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, as these programs generally offer the best value and/or are the most user-friendly.

Ensure you use the same name, email address and date of birth for each account so they can be linked. Then head to the Avios website and log in with any of your affiliated loyalty program account credentials.

Once you have logged in, select “Transfer now.”

The Avios balance of the account you logged in with will be shown on the left. Choose any of the other Avios airline loyalty programs you want to link. Note that Avios transfers to and from Qatar Airways Privilege Club or Finnair Plus must go via British Airways Club, though this process can be done using this tool.

How to link your Avios accounts:

Log in to the account you wish to link
Pass the two-factor authentication
Confirm the link (once established, the linked accounts are permanent — so check carefully before submitting)
Your membership number and Avios balance will be shown under each linked account.

How to transfer your Avios between programs:

Select the programs you want to move your Avios from and to. There is no minimum transfer amount required and no cost for doing so.

Complete the two-factor authentication when prompted and wait for the confirmation message. Transfers should be instant.

How to earn Avios

Aside from having an Avios-earning credit card in your wallet, purchasing Avios or earning rewards with retail partners, most U.S.-based travelers will likely transfer Avios from a credit card program.

By earning transferable rewards, you can transfer your points or miles directly to the following Avios-based programs:

American Express Membership Rewards: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club, Iberia Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Bilt Rewards: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club, Iberia Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Capital One: British Airways Club and Finnair Plus
Chase Ultimate Rewards: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club and Iberia Club
Citi ThankYou Rewards: Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Wells Fargo Rewards: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club and Iberia Club
Marriott Bonvoy: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club, Iberia Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Vueling Club

These transfers are at a 1:1 ratio, except for Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000 Avios bonus offered for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer (60,000 points become 25,000 Avios, for example).

Though not every credit card currency directly transfers to all seven Avios programs, what’s great about this tool is that you can easily transfer your rewards between your accounts.

For example, if you have Capital One miles and want to book an Iberia award flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) for 10,000 Avios, you can transfer your miles to British Airways Club. Then, using the Avios transfer tool, transfer the Avios in your British Airways Club account to your Iberia Club account.

Bottom line

While moving Avios between programs might initially seem complicated, it’s worth the effort for the excellent flexibility and value. For award travelers, transferring Avios in any direction an unlimited number of times at no additional cost is exceedingly helpful.

British Airways Club is a safe bet if you want to focus on only one Avios program. It’s the largest program and has the easiest-to-use technology. However, each program has its own sweet spots, so if you have a redemption in mind, consider which option will get you the best value for your Avios and use this handy tool to move them around in one place.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.