Avios is a loyalty forex created by the Worldwide Airways Group (IAG), which fashioned after British Airways and Iberia Airways merged in 2011.
At present, 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 might be transferred between taking part packages that use it as a factors forex, which may come in useful if it’s essential 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 inside the Avios ecosystem, in addition to some examples of why you may want to take action.
What Are the Completely different “Flavours” of Avios?
The thought of getting seven completely 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.
Nonetheless, what’s distinctive is that the seven separate loyalty packages use the identical factors forex, Avios, for incomes and redeeming. On this sense, you may consider every loyalty program as a unique “flavour” of Avios.
Moreover, you may freely switch between completely different flavours of Avios at a 1:1 ratio, which might be helpful for a number of causes.
For instance, in Canada it’s straightforward to earn British Airways Avios because it’s a switch accomplice with many transferable factors currencies and there’s a British Airways co-branded bank card. Different flavours of Avios are tougher to entry, because the loyalty packages aren’t companions with transferable factors currencies, nor do they provide a co-branded bank card in Canada.
Nonetheless, since you may switch Avios between packages, you may primarily entry all seven loyalty packages that use Avios as a forex by the use of The British Airways Membership.
In the same vein, every loyalty program that makes use of Avios has its personal candy spots. Reasonably than reserving, say, Qatar Airways Qsuites utilizing the British Airways flavour of Avios, you may stretch your factors farther by making a redemption with Qatar Airways Avios as an alternative.
Learn how to Switch Avios Between Accounts
Earlier this yr, Avios launched a new switch software that makes it considerably simpler to maneuver factors between taking part loyalty packages.
Earlier than You Start
Earlier than initiating a switch, make sure that all of your Avios-linked accounts (e.g., British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways) have matching private info—particularly your full identify and tackle. Any discrepancies can result in switch delays, and you could have to name customer support to resolve the difficulty.
Step-by-Step: Utilizing the Avios Switch Instrument
- Go to the Avios web site and log in utilizing the credentials from any of the affiliated packages.
- From there, you may entry the switch software and transfer Avios between:
- British Airways Govt Membership
- Iberia Plus
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Vueling Membership
- Loganair Clan Account
Notice: Transfers to and from Qatar Airways Privilege Membership and Finnair Plus should be executed by their respective pages. Extra on that under.
When you haven’t linked your accounts but, you’ll be prompted to supply 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 after they may come in useful.
Earlier than finishing a switch, you could be requested to allow two-factor authentication (2FA) should you haven’t already.
As soon as every little thing is ready up, you may provoke the switch, and most transfers are accomplished immediately.
Notice that this function is just for transferring Avios between your individual accounts. You possibly can’t ship Avios to another person’s account utilizing this methodology.
Transferring Avios to/from Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
On the Avios switch web page, you may 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, affirm, 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 possibly can 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 mandatory British Airways settings as nicely.
As soon as MFA is enabled on each accounts, they could robotically hyperlink. You’ll obtain a affirmation e 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 primary motive 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 price 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 overall price would come to 95,000 Avios in both program.
Nonetheless, should you had been to improve and as an alternative add a further leg in Qatar Airways First Class from Doha to Bangkok, you’d most actually wish to e-book utilizing Qatar Airways Avios for extra beneficial pricing. In truth, 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 could possibly contemplate transferring Avios within the following circumstances:
- Switch Avios to British Airways Govt Membership to make the most of a Multi-Provider 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 charges 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 had been not too long ago elevated by British Airways Govt Membership
The most recent 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 accomplice 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.
Due to this fact, aside from incomes by reserving flights, the easiest way so that you can earn Finnair Avios instantly is by staying at partnered lodges, similar to these belonging to the Accor Dwell Limitless and IHG One Rewards packages.
Learn how to Earn Completely different Forms 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 best to earn.
In Canada, you may entry British Airways Avios as a switch accomplice of American Categorical Membership Rewards and RBC Avion – each of which switch at a price 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 | Greatest Provide | Worth | |
|---|---|---|---|
130,000 MR factors $799 annual payment |
130,000 MR factors | $1,794 |
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70,000 MR factors $250 annual payment |
70,000 MR factors | $1,676 |
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110,000 MR factors $799 annual payment |
110,000 MR factors | $1,581 |
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60,000 Avios† $165 annual payment |
60,000 Avios† | $1,235 |
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55,000 Avion factors^ $120 annual payment |
55,000 Avion factors^ | $1,080 |
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55,000 RBC Avion factors^ $120 annual payment |
55,000 RBC Avion factors^ | $1,080 |
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40,000 MR factors $199 annual payment |
40,000 MR factors | $846 |
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As much as 70,000 RBC Avion factors† $399 annual payment |
As much as 70,000 RBC Avion factors† | $826 |
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35,000 RBC Avion factors $175 annual payment |
35,000 RBC Avion factors | $700 |
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35,000 RBC Avion factors $120 annual payment |
35,000 RBC Avion factors | $580 |
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15,000 MR factors $156 annual payment |
15,000 MR factors | $372 |
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$99 annual payment $99 annual payment |
$99 annual payment | $0 |
Apply Now |
Furthermore, there are occasional switch bonuses of as much as 30% from each packages. When you handle to make the most of considered one of these promotions, your Avios steadiness will develop fairly shortly.
When 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 price 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 need to 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 price of 1:1.
It’s value noting that there are occasional switch bonuses to Aer Lingus Avios; nevertheless, the promotions have a tendency to return round much less typically than the British Airways Avios ones, and after they do, they normally have a decrease bonus supplied.
Iberia Avios
Iberia Plus is a switch accomplice of Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Final Rewards at a price of 1:1. Whereas there have been some cases of switch bonuses prior to now, they are usually 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 option to a brand new candy spot for Qatar Airways Qsuites, which is extensively thought-about to be the world’s finest enterprise class.
Whereas it might appear shocking that Qatar Airways determined to affix forces with Avios, Qatar Airways is the one 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 price of 1:1.
Past this selection, you’ll need to look to a much less beneficial switch price from a lodge 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 may see, the best option to earn any flavour of Avios is thru British Airways on either side of the border.
Whereas it’s technically doable to entry different airways’ Avios both by lodge packages or different factors currencies, your finest guess is to enter the Avios ecosystem by the use 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 Categorical name Madrid dwelling, Vueling’s important turf is in Barcelona (BCN), the place it operates flights to Spain, Europe, Northern Africa, and the Center East.
For these dwelling exterior Europe, incomes Vueling Avios largely happens by 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 mean time, it’d be higher to credit score your Vueling flights to Iberia Plus, the one different program accepted on flights bought and operated by Vueling. Then, you may both preserve or switch your Iberia Avios to different packages, as we’ll focus on under.
Finnair Membership
The most recent 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 accomplice 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.
Due to this fact, aside from incomes by reserving flights, the easiest way so that you can earn Finnair Avios instantly is by staying at partnered lodges, similar to these belonging to the Accor Dwell 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 completely different loyalty packages.
One distinctive function of Avios is which you could freely switch factors between all the above loyalty packages.
So long as you’ve arrange your accounts constantly and adopted all the guidelines, it’s largely straightforward to finish the switch. Transferring Avios round between flavours might be helpful should you’d wish to leverage a particular program’s candy spot and have to prime up your account.
