Avios is a loyalty forex created by the Worldwide Airways Group (IAG), which fashioned after British Airways and Iberia Airways merged in 2011.
At the moment, seven airline loyalty packages use Avios as a factors forex: Aer Lingus AerClub, The British Airways Membership, Iberia Plus, Qatar Airways Privilege Membership, Vueling Membership, Loganair Loyalty, and Finnair Plus.
One of many distinctive traits of this partnership is that Avios could be transferred between taking part packages that use it as a factors forex, which may turn out to be useful if it’s worthwhile to transfer factors round to make the most of a particular program’s candy spot.
On this information, we’ll discover the nuances of shifting Avios round from throughout the Avios ecosystem, in addition to some examples of why you would possibly want to take action.
What Are the Totally different “Flavours” of Avios?
The concept of getting seven totally different loyalty packages that use the identical Avios forex generally is a bit complicated at first.
To be clear, the seven airways that use Avios as a forex have seven separate loyalty packages: Aer Lingus AerClub, The British Airways Membership, Iberia Plus, Qatar Airways Privilege Membership, Vueling Membership, Loganair, and Finnair Plus.
Nevertheless, what’s distinctive is that the seven separate loyalty packages use the identical factors forex, Avios, for incomes and redeeming. On this sense, you’ll be able to consider every loyalty program as a distinct “flavour” of Avios.
Moreover, you’ll be able to freely switch between totally different flavours of Avios at a 1:1 ratio, which could be helpful for a number of causes.
For instance, in Canada it’s straightforward to earn British Airways Avios because it’s a switch companion with many transferable factors currencies and there’s a British Airways co-branded bank card. Different flavours of Avios are harder to entry, for the reason that loyalty packages aren’t companions with transferable factors currencies, nor do they provide a co-branded bank card in Canada.
Nevertheless, since you’ll be able to switch Avios between packages, you’ll be able to primarily entry all seven loyalty packages that use Avios as a forex by means of The British Airways Membership.
In the same vein, every loyalty program that makes use of Avios has its personal candy spots. Fairly than reserving, say, Qatar Airways Qsuites utilizing the British Airways flavour of Avios, you’ll be able to stretch your factors farther by making a redemption with Qatar Airways Avios as a substitute.
The right way to Switch Avios Between Accounts
Earlier this yr, Avios launched a new switch device that makes it considerably simpler to maneuver factors between taking part loyalty packages.
Earlier than You Start
Earlier than initiating a switch, be sure that all of your Avios-linked accounts (e.g., British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways) have matching private info—particularly your full title and tackle. Any discrepancies can result in switch delays, and you could have to name customer support to resolve the problem.
Step-by-Step: Utilizing the Avios Switch Device
- Go to the Avios web site and log in utilizing the credentials from any of the affiliated packages.
- From there, you’ll be able to entry the switch device and transfer Avios between:
- British Airways Govt Membership
- Iberia Plus
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Vueling Membership
- Loganair Clan Account
Observe: Transfers to and from Qatar Airways Privilege Membership and Finnair Plus should be carried out by means of their respective pages. Extra on that beneath.
Should you haven’t linked your accounts but, you’ll be prompted to offer the related account numbers. Whereas it’s not necessary to hyperlink each single program, I like to recommend linking Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, and Finnair—you by no means know once they would possibly turn out to be useful.
Earlier than finishing a switch, you could be requested to allow two-factor authentication (2FA) when you haven’t already.
As soon as every thing is ready up, you’ll be able to provoke the switch, and most transfers are accomplished immediately.
Observe that this characteristic is just for transferring Avios between your personal accounts. You’ll be able to’t ship Avios to another person’s account utilizing this technique.
Transferring Avios to/from Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
On the Avios switch web page, you’ll be able to switch Avios to and from Qatar Airways Privilege Membership.
After linking your British Airways Govt Membership account, you’ll see a “Switch Avios” button in your Privilege Membership dashboard. Merely enter the variety of Avios to switch, verify, and the steadiness ought to replace instantly.
Transferring Avios to/from Finnair Plus
To maneuver Avios between Finnair Plus and British Airways Govt Membership, you’ll first have to hyperlink your accounts—this requires multi-factor authentication (MFA) on either side.
You’ll be able to allow MFA by visiting the account settings for every program. Alternatively, head to your My Finnair Plus web page, the place you’ll discover a clear immediate to hyperlink your accounts. The immediate walks you thru the MFA setup and directs you to the required British Airways settings as properly.
As soon as MFA is enabled on each accounts, they might mechanically hyperlink. You’ll obtain a affirmation electronic mail as soon as the method is full. After that, you’ll be free to switch Avios between Finnair and British Airways.
When Ought to You Switch Avios Between Accounts?
The principle purpose for transferring Avios between accounts is to make the most of every program’s candy spots.
For instance, a flight between Montreal and Doha in Qatar Airways Qsuites has roughly the identical value utilizing British Airways Avios and Qatar Airways Avios at 70,000 Avios. On this case, there’s no tangible distinction in reserving with one program or the opposite.
Equally, by persevering with onward to Bangkok in Qsuites, the entire value would come to 95,000 Avios in both program.
Nevertheless, when you have been to improve and as a substitute add an extra leg in Qatar Airways First Class from Doha to Bangkok, you’d most definitely need to e book utilizing Qatar Airways Avios for extra beneficial pricing. In actual fact, you’d pay the identical 95,000 Avios as you’d have for 2 legs in enterprise class, which is a spectacular deal.
However, to e book one leg in enterprise class and one leg in First Class utilizing British Airways Avios, you’d wind up with a cumulative sum of two separate flights, which might be considerably increased than reserving with Qatar Airways Avios.
Other than the Qatar Airways Qsuites candy spot, you may think about transferring Avios within the following circumstances:
- Switch Avios to British Airways Govt Membership to make the most of a Multi-Service Award or short-haul flights in Europe, Asia, or Oceania
- Switch Avios to Iberia Plus to make the most of the North America–Madrid candy spot for 34,000 Avios in enterprise class
- Switch Avios to Aer Lingus AerClub to make the most of low-cost financial system flights between North America and Eire
- Switch Avios to Finnair Plus to make the most of Finnair awards with decrease taxes and costs than British Airways Govt Membership
- Switch Avios to Qatar Airways Privilege Membership to make the most of cheaper American Airways and Alaska Airways awards, whose prices have been lately elevated by British Airways Govt Membership
The newest addition to the Avios ecosystem is Finnair Plus, the eponymous program of Finland’s flag provider. Finnair joined Avios as of March 2024, permitting flyers to earn Avios utilizing a revenue-based mannequin.
Finnair’s lone switch companion within the US is Capital One Miles, and it doesn’t have any switch companions in Canada. The airline has no co-branded card in North America, both.
Subsequently, apart from incomes by reserving flights, one of the best ways so that you can earn Finnair Avios instantly is by staying at partnered inns, equivalent to these belonging to the Accor Reside Limitless and IHG One Rewards packages.
The right way to Earn Totally different Kinds of Avios
In North America, and particularly in Canada, it’s simpler to return by sure kinds of Avios than others.
British Airways Avios
Of the seven flavours of Avios, British Airways Avios is by far the simplest to earn.
In Canada, you’ll be able to entry British Airways Avios as a switch companion of American Specific Membership Rewards and RBC Avion – each of which switch at a fee of 1:1.
You may also earn British Airways Avios instantly with the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite†.
Canadian Credit score Playing cards for Incomes British Airways Avios
| Credit score Card | Finest Provide | Worth | |
|---|---|---|---|
130,000 MR factors $799 annual price |
130,000 MR factors | $1,794 |
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70,000 MR factors $250 annual price |
70,000 MR factors | $1,676 |
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110,000 MR factors $799 annual price |
110,000 MR factors | $1,581 |
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60,000 Avios† $165 annual price |
60,000 Avios† | $1,235 |
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55,000 Avion factors^ $120 annual price |
55,000 Avion factors^ | $1,080 |
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55,000 RBC Avion factors^ $120 annual price |
55,000 RBC Avion factors^ | $1,080 |
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40,000 MR factors $199 annual price |
40,000 MR factors | $846 |
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As much as 70,000 RBC Avion factors† $399 annual price |
As much as 70,000 RBC Avion factors† | $826 |
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35,000 RBC Avion factors $175 annual price |
35,000 RBC Avion factors | $700 |
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35,000 RBC Avion factors $120 annual price |
35,000 RBC Avion factors | $580 |
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15,000 MR factors $156 annual price |
15,000 MR factors | $372 |
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$99 annual price $99 annual price |
$99 annual price | $0 |
Apply Now |
Furthermore, there are occasional switch bonuses of as much as 30% from each packages. Should you handle to make the most of one in every of these promotions, your Avios steadiness will develop fairly rapidly.
Should you dabble in US bank cards, Amex US Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Chase Final Rewards additionally switch to British Airways at a fee of 1:1. As is the case in Canada, it’s not unusual to additionally see switch bonuses.
On either side of the border, Marriott Bonvoy factors can be transferred to British Airways Avios at an optimum ratio of 60,000 factors = 25,000 Avios.
Aer Lingus Avios
The Irish flag provider Aer Lingus additionally makes use of Avios as a factors forex.
Other than transferring Marriott Bonvoy factors on the optimum ratio of 60,000 factors = 25,000 Avios, you’ll should look to the US for different switch companions and for a co-branded card issued by Chase.
Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Final Rewards all switch to Aer Lingus Avios at a fee of 1:1.
It’s value noting that there are occasional switch bonuses to Aer Lingus Avios; nonetheless, the promotions have a tendency to return round much less typically than the British Airways Avios ones, and once they do, they often have a decrease bonus supplied.
Iberia Avios
Iberia Plus is a switch companion of Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Final Rewards at a fee of 1:1. Whereas there have been some situations of switch bonuses prior to now, they are typically fairly rare and don’t go above 30%.
You may also switch Marriott Bonvoy factors to Iberia Avios on the optimum ratio of 60,000 factors = 25,000 Avios.
Qatar Airways Avios
Qatar Airways Privilege Membership adopted Avios as a forex in March 2022. This addition was an enormous boon for the Avios program because it gave solution to a brand new candy spot for Qatar Airways Qsuites, which is extensively thought of to be the world’s greatest enterprise class.
Whereas it could appear stunning that Qatar Airways determined to affix forces with Avios, Qatar Airways is the only largest shareholder in Worldwide Airways Group, the father or mother firm of Avios.
Within the US, Citi ThankYou factors switch to Qatar Airways Avios at a fee of 1:1.
Past this selection, you’ll should look to a much less beneficial switch fee from a resort loyalty program:
- 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors = 25,000 Qatar Airways Avios
- 10 Hilton Honors factors = 1 Qatar Airways Avios
- 5 World of Hyatt factors = 2 Qatar Airways Avios
As you’ll be able to see, the simplest solution to earn any flavour of Avios is thru British Airways on either side of the border.
Whereas it’s technically attainable to entry different airways’ Avios both by means of resort packages or different factors currencies, your greatest guess is to enter the Avios ecosystem by means of British Airways, after which switch to different flavours from inside.
Vueling Membership
Vueling is a ultra-low-cost provider based mostly in Spain. Whereas Iberia and Iberia Specific name Madrid house, Vueling’s most important turf is in Barcelona (BCN), the place it operates flights to Spain, Europe, Northern Africa, and the Center East.
For these residing exterior Europe, incomes Vueling Avios principally happens by means of flights. You’ll get Avios based mostly on the fare you paid, in addition to the fare bundle you chose, as follows:
- Fly: 2 Avios/Euro
- Fly and Fly Grande: 4 Avios/Euro
Since Vueling Avios aren’t transferrable to different packages in the intervening time, it’d be higher to credit score your Vueling flights to Iberia Plus, the one different program accepted on flights offered and operated by Vueling. Then, you’ll be able to both maintain or switch your Iberia Avios to different packages, as we’ll focus on beneath.
Finnair Membership
The newest addition to the Avios ecosystem is Finnair Plus, the eponymous program of Finland’s flag provider. Finnair joined Avios as of March 2024, permitting flyers to earn Avios utilizing a revenue-based mannequin.
Finnair’s lone switch companion within the US is Capital One Miles, and it doesn’t have any switch companions in Canada. The airline has no co-branded card in North America, both.
Subsequently, apart from incomes by reserving flights, one of the best ways so that you can earn Finnair Avios instantly is by staying at partnered inns, equivalent to these belonging to the Accor Reside Limitless and IHG One Rewards packages.
Conclusion
Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia Airways, Vueling, Qatar Airways, Loganair Loyalty, and Finnair all use Avios as a factors forex regardless of having totally different loyalty packages.
One distinctive characteristic of Avios is which you could freely switch factors between the entire above loyalty packages.
So long as you’ve arrange your accounts persistently and adopted the entire guidelines, it’s principally straightforward to finish the switch. Transferring Avios round between flavours could be helpful when you’d prefer to leverage a particular program’s candy spot and have to prime up your account.
