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, 4 airline loyalty packages use Avios as a factors forex: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Government Membership, Iberia Plus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Membership.
One of many distinctive traits of this partnership is that Avios might be simply transferred between the 4 packages that use it as a factors forex.
This characteristic can come in useful when you have factors sitting round in separate accounts and wish to maneuver them round to benefit from a selected program’s candy spot.
What Are the Totally different Kinds of Avios?
The thought of getting 4 completely different loyalty packages that use the identical Avios forex could be a bit complicated at first.
To be clear, the 4 airways have separate loyalty packages: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Government Membership, Iberia Plus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Membership.
Nevertheless, what’s distinctive is that the 4 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 special “flavour” of Avios.
Moreover, you’ll be able to freely switch between completely different flavours of Avios at a 1:1 ratio, which might be helpful for a number of causes.
For instance, it’s simple to earn British Airways Avios, because it’s a switch associate with many transferable factors currencies in North America. Different flavours of Avios are harder to entry; nonetheless, since you’ll be able to switch Avios between packages, you’ll be able to basically entry all 4 by the use of British Airways Avios.
In an identical vein, every loyalty program has quite a lot of candy spots. Moderately than reserving, say, Qatar Airways Qsuites with British Airways Avios, you’ll be able to stretch your factors farther by making a redemption with Qatar Airways Avios as an alternative.
Find out how to Earn Totally different Kinds of Avios
In North America, it’s simpler to return by sure varieties of Avios than others.
British Airways Avios
Of the 4 flavours of Avios, British Airways Avios are by far the simplest to earn.
In Canada, you’ll be able to entry British Airways Avios as a switch associate of American Express Membership Rewards, RBC Avion, and HSBC Rewards. Amex MR and Avion factors switch at a 1:1 ratio, whereas HSBC Rewards has a 25:10 switch ratio.
You may also earn British Airways Avios instantly with the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card.
Canadian Credit score Playing cards for Incomes British Airways Avios
| Credit score Card | Finest Supply | Worth | |
|---|---|---|---|
100,000 MR factors $499 annual price |
100,000 MR factors | $1,976 |
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70,000 MR factors $250 annual price |
70,000 MR factors | $1,654 |
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90,000 MR factors $699 annual price |
90,000 MR factors | $1,646 |
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75,000 MR factors $199 annual price |
75,000 MR factors | $1,561 |
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As much as 77,000 MR factors $99 annual price |
As much as 77,000 MR factors | $1,419 |
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50,000 Avios $165 annual price |
50,000 Avios | $899 |
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As much as 80,000 HSBC Rewards factors First 12 months Free |
As much as 80,000 HSBC Rewards factors | $724 |
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30,000 MR factors $156 annual price |
30,000 MR factors | $636 |
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35,000 RBC Avion factors $120 annual price |
35,000 RBC Avion factors | $580 |
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35,000 RBC Avion factors $120 annual price |
35,000 RBC Avion factors | $580 |
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35,000 RBC Avion factors $175 annual price |
35,000 RBC Avion factors | $525 |
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35,000 RBC Avion factors $399 annual price |
35,000 RBC Avion factors | $301 |
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20,000 RBC Rewards factors $120 annual price |
20,000 RBC Rewards factors | $280 |
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Furthermore, there are occasional switch bonuses of as much as 50% from all three packages. For those who handle to benefit from certainly one of these promotions, your Avios steadiness will develop fairly shortly.
For those who dabble in US credit cards, Amex US Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, and Chase Final Rewards additionally switch to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio. As is the case in Canada, it’s not unusual to see a switch bonus of as much as 50%.
On each side of the border, Marriott Bonvoy factors may also be transferred to British Airways Avios at an optimum ratio of 60,000 factors = 25,000 Avios.
Aer Lingus Avios
The Irish flag service Aer Lingus additionally makes use of Avios as a factors forex.
Except for transferring Marriott Bonvoy factors on the optimum ratio of 60,000 factors = 25,000 Avios, you’ll must look to US bank cards for switch companions.
Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Final Rewards all switch to Aer Lingus Avios at a 1:1 ratio.
It’s price noting that there are occasional switch bonuses to Aer Lingus Avios; nonetheless, the promotions have a tendency to return round much less typically, and once they do, it’s normally with a decrease bonus than we see with British Airways Avios.
Iberia Avios
Iberia Avios is a switch associate of Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Final Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. Whereas there have been some situations of switch bonuses up 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
The most recent member of the Avios household, Qatar Airways, joined the program 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.
Whereas it could appear shocking that Qatar Airways determined to hitch 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 1:1 ratio.
In any other case, you’d must look to a much less beneficial switch 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 option to earn any flavour of Avios is thru British Airways on each side of the border.
Whereas it’s technically attainable to entry different airways’ Avios both by resort packages or different factors currencies, your finest wager is to enter the Avios ecosystem by the use of British Airways, after which switch to different flavours from inside.
Find out how to Switch Avios Between Accounts
Previous to transferring Avios between accounts, you’ll want to examine that you just’ve used the very same data to enroll in every program. In any other case, there could also be prolonged delays in transfers, and also you’ll must name in to get your factors to hit the right account.
In an identical vein, you aren’t in a position to switch your Avios to a different particular person’s account with this characteristic. You’ll be able to solely switch Avios between your individual accounts with the under strategies.
Transferring Avios to/from Aer Lingus AerClub
On Avios.com, you’ll be able to switch factors between the three European flavours of Avios.
For those who’re trying to switch Avios into or out of Aer Lingus AerClub, that is your best choice. After getting all your accounts arrange, head to the Avios website to finish the switch.
It’s necessary to notice that if you wish to switch on Avios.com, that you must login along with your Aer Lingus AerClub account or Vueling Membership account. Vueling is a Spanish ultra-low-cost service which was bought by IAG in 2012.
In any other case, you’ll be directed to British Airways Government Membership or Iberia Plus.
Transferring Avios to/from British Airways Government Membership
For all intents and functions, British Airways Government Membership is one of the best hub for transferring Avios.
You’ll be able to switch Avios from British Airways Government Membership to and from Iberia Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Membership.
To provoke a switch, head to the British Airways web site, sign in to your account, choose this system to which you’d wish to switch Avios, and proceed as per the directions.
Observe that you just’re unable to switch factors from British Airways Government Membership to Iberia Plus in case your British Airways account is part of a family-sharing pool.
For those who’re planning to switch Avios to Iberia Plus, there are different restrictions to concentrate on, that are coated under.
Transferring Avios to/from Iberia Plus
On the Iberia Plus website, you’ll be able to switch Avios to and from British Airways Government Membership and Aer Lingus AerClub.
Nevertheless, there are two odd caveats to remember throughout this course of.
Shifting factors to and from Iberia requires your Iberia account to be no less than 90 days previous, and have had some kind of exercise up to now three years. These necessities can pose a problem for anybody who doesn’t have a tendency to interact with Iberia usually.
Due to this fact, to have your Iberia Plus account obtainable for Avios transfers, you’ll both must switch a small sum of factors from Amex US MR, Chase Final Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy, or discover one other option to organically earn Iberia Avios. This may be achieved by a purchasing portal, crediting a paid flight to this system, or by buying factors outright.
Transferring Avios to/from Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
On the Qatar Airways Privilege Club website, you’ll be able to switch Avios to and from British Airways. Except for finishing the switch from inside British Airways Government Membership, you may also provoke it on the Privilege Membership dashboard.
After you’ve linked your British Airways Government Membership account, you’ll be capable to transfer factors freely between the 2 utilizing the “Mix my Avios” button the dashboard.
Merely enter the variety of Avios you want to switch, click on “Transfer my Avios”, and the brand new steadiness can be mirrored immediately.
When Ought to You Switch Avios Between Accounts?
The primary purpose for transferring Avios between accounts is to benefit from 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 entire price would come to 95,000 Avios in both program.
Nevertheless, in case you have been so as to add a further leg in Qatar Airways First Class from Doha to Bangkok, you’d most actually need to guide utilizing Qatar Airways Avios for extra beneficial pricing. The truth is, you’d pay the identical 95,000 Avios as you’ll have for 2 legs in enterprise class, which is a spectacular deal.
Then again, to guide 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.
Except for the Qatar Airways Qsuites candy spot, you would take into account transferring Avios within the following circumstances:
- Switch Avios to British Airways Government Membership to benefit from a Multi-Carrier Award or short-haul flights in Europe, Asia, or Oceania
- Switch Avios to Iberia Plus to benefit from the North America–Madrid candy spot for 34,000 Avios in enterprise class
- Switch Avios to Aer Lingus AerClub to benefit from low-cost financial system flights between North America and Eire
Conclusion
Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia Airways, and Qatar Airways all use Avios as a factors forex, regardless of having completely different loyalty packages.
One distinctive characteristic of Avios is that you may freely switch them between Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Government Membership, Iberia Plus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Membership.
So long as you’ve arrange your accounts constantly and adopted the entire guidelines, it’s fairly simple to finish the switch. Shifting Avios round between flavours might be helpful in case you’d wish to leverage a selected program’s candy spot and must prime up your account.
