Transferring your American Express Membership Rewards points to Avios can unlock incredible travel opportunities, especially for flights with British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you make the most of your valuable points.
How to Transfer American Express Points to Avios: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Are you ready to elevate your travel experiences? ✈️
Before we dive into the mechanics, let's confirm you're set for this exciting journey! Do you have an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, such as The Platinum Card®, American Express® Gold Card, or a Business Platinum/Gold Card? And, most importantly, do you have a specific travel goal in mind, like a dream vacation or an upgraded flight experience? Knowing what you want to achieve with your Avios will make the transfer process even more rewarding.
Step 2: Understand the Avios Ecosystem and Transfer Ratios
Avios is the loyalty currency used by several airlines, primarily part of the International Airlines Group (IAG). This means your transferred Amex points can be used across multiple programs.
Avios Partners You Can Transfer To:
British Airways Executive Club: This is often the most popular choice for Amex cardholders.
Iberia Plus: Great for flights to Spain and beyond.
Aer Lingus AerClub: Ideal for travel to Ireland.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: A fantastic option for flights to the Middle East and onward, especially for their Qsuites business class.
Conversion Ratios and Minimums:
The standard transfer ratio for most Avios partners from American Express Membership Rewards is 1:1, meaning 1,000 Membership Rewards points equal 1,000 Avios. However, it's crucial to note that American Express sometimes runs transfer bonuses, where you might receive 20%, 30%, or even 40% more Avios for your points. These bonuses can significantly increase the value of your transfer!
British Airways Executive Club: Generally 1,000 Membership Rewards = 1,000 Avios. Minimum transfer usually around 1,000 points (some regions may have a higher minimum, like 1,002 or 1,800 points with specific increments).
Iberia Plus: Generally 1,000 Membership Rewards = 1,000 Avios. Minimum transfer around 1,000 points.
Aer Lingus AerClub: Generally 1,000 Membership Rewards = 1,000 Avios. Minimum transfer around 1,000 points.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Often 3 Membership Rewards points = 2 Avios. Minimum transfer generally 300 points.
Step 3: Create or Locate Your Avios Account
If you don't already have an Avios account with your chosen airline (British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, or Qatar Airways Privilege Club), you'll need to create one. It's a quick and free process. Ensure your personal details (name, date of birth) on your American Express account match those on your Avios account to avoid any transfer delays.
Step 4: Log In to Your American Express Membership Rewards Account
Navigate to the American Express website and log in to your account. Once logged in, look for the "Rewards" or "Membership Rewards" section.
Step 5: Initiate the Transfer
Within the Membership Rewards section, you'll find an option to "Transfer Points" or "Transfer Points to Partner Loyalty Programs." Click on this.
Sub-heading: Selecting Your Avios Partner
You'll see a list of airline and hotel transfer partners. Find your desired Avios partner: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, or Qatar Airways Privilege Club. Select the one you wish to transfer to.
Sub-heading: Linking Your Account (If Not Already Linked)
If this is your first time transferring to this specific Avios program, you'll be prompted to link your Avios account. You'll need your Avios membership number. Double-check this number carefully!
Sub-heading: Entering the Transfer Amount
Enter the number of American Express Membership Rewards points you wish to transfer. Be mindful of the minimum transfer requirements and any increment rules (e.g., transfers must be in multiples of 100 or 500).
Pro Tip: Only transfer the points you need for a specific redemption. Once points are transferred to an airline loyalty program, they generally cannot be transferred back to American Express Membership Rewards.
Step 6: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
Carefully review all the details of your transfer: the number of points, the chosen Avios partner, and your Avios account number. American Express will often display the equivalent number of Avios you'll receive. Read and accept the terms and conditions.
Click "Confirm" or "Submit Transfer" to finalize your request. You'll usually receive an email confirmation from American Express.
Step 7: Wait for the Points to Appear in Your Avios Account
Transfer times can vary depending on the Avios partner and American Express's processing.
British Airways Executive Club: Many transfers are now instant or within a few hours, especially if accounts are already linked. Historically, it could take up to 3 business days.
Iberia Plus: Often instant, but can take up to 4 working days.
Aer Lingus AerClub: Often instant, but can take up to 72 hours.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Typically takes around 3 working days.
Important Note: While many transfers are quick, it's always best to transfer points before you find specific award availability you want to book, especially for high-demand flights. Award space can disappear quickly!
After the estimated transfer time, log in to your Avios account on the airline's website to verify that your points have arrived.
Step 8: Book Your Reward Flight!
Once your Avios are in your account, you can proceed to book your desired reward flights on the respective airline's website (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, or Qatar Airways).
Remember: Even with Avios, you'll often need to pay taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges. These can vary significantly depending on the airline and route.
Congratulations! You've successfully transferred your American Express Membership Rewards points to Avios and are now ready to enjoy your well-deserved travel rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check for Amex to Avios transfer bonuses?
You can usually find information about active transfer bonuses on the American Express Membership Rewards website under the "Offers" or "Transfer Partners" section. Travel blogs and points-and-miles websites also frequently report on these promotions.
How to link my Amex account to my Avios account?
When you initiate your first transfer to a specific Avios partner on the American Express Membership Rewards website, you'll be prompted to enter your Avios loyalty program membership number to link the accounts.
How to find my Avios account number?
Your Avios account number is typically located on your online account dashboard when you log in to British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, or Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
How to ensure my name matches on both accounts?
When creating your Avios account, ensure the name you register matches exactly the name on your American Express card and Membership Rewards account. Discrepancies can cause transfer delays or failures.
How to know the exact transfer ratio for my region?
The transfer ratios provided are generally standard. However, it's always best to confirm the exact ratio and any minimum transfer amounts on your local American Express Membership Rewards website for the most accurate information.
How to minimize taxes and fees on Avios redemptions?
Look for routes with lower carrier surcharges. For example, some Avios programs might have lower fees for flights originating in certain countries, or for specific partner airlines. Often, short-haul economy flights can have minimal taxes and fees.
How to check my Avios balance after transfer?
Log in to your British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, or Qatar Airways Privilege Club account online. Your Avios balance will be displayed on your dashboard.
How to combine Avios from different programs (e.g., BA and Iberia)?
You can often combine Avios between British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub accounts using the "Combine My Avios" feature, usually found on the British Airways or Iberia websites. This can be useful for pooling points for a larger redemption. Qatar Airways Avios can also be linked and moved between a Privilege Club account and a British Airways Executive Club account.
How to find award availability with Avios?
The best way to find award availability is to use the search engines on the respective airline websites (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, or Qatar Airways) once you're logged into your Avios account. Be flexible with your dates and destinations for better chances.
How to troubleshoot a delayed Avios transfer?
If your Avios transfer is delayed beyond the stated time frame, first double-check your Avios account number and the transfer confirmation from American Express. Then, contact American Express Membership Rewards customer service. If they confirm the transfer was successful on their end, you may need to contact the airline's loyalty program directly with your Amex transfer reference number.
