Ever found yourself dreaming of that perfect reward flight, only to realize your points are sitting in your American Express account, not where they need to be? You're not alone! Transferring Amex Membership Rewards points to Avios (used by British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways) is a fantastic way to unlock incredible travel experiences. But the big question often is: How long does it actually take? Let's dive in and demystify the process.
Step 1: Getting Started – Are Your Accounts Ready?
Before you even think about transferring points, let's make sure you're all set up. This initial preparation can save you a lot of time and frustration later on.
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| How Long Does It Take To Transfer American Express Points To Avios |
Sub-heading 1.1: Do You Have an Amex Membership Rewards Account?
This might seem obvious, but it's the first crucial step. You need to hold an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points. Cards like the Amex Platinum Card, Amex Gold Card, or certain Amex Business cards are common choices for accruing these valuable points. If you're not sure, check your card's benefits or log into your Amex online account.
Sub-heading 1.2: Do You Have an Avios Account?
Avios is the loyalty currency used by several airlines, most notably British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. If you don't already have an account with one of these programs, you'll need to create one. It's usually a quick and free process on their respective websites. Remember, the name on your Amex account and your Avios account must match exactly to avoid transfer delays.
Step 2: Understanding Transfer Times – The Core Question ⏱️
Now for the main event: how long does it take? The answer isn't a single, definitive number, as it can vary slightly depending on which Avios program you're transferring to and where your Amex account is based (e.g., UK vs. US).
Sub-heading 2.1: The General Expectation: Often Instant, But Allow Time
For British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub, transfers from American Express Membership Rewards are often instantaneous. Yes, you read that right – instant! This is a significant improvement from past years when transfers could take up to 3-5 business days.
However, American Express and the airlines typically state an estimated transfer time to manage expectations in case of unforeseen delays. For example, British Airways may state "estimated transfer time: Instant" but also advise to "allow up to 5 business days" for account verification if you're linking for the first time. For Qatar Airways Privilege Club, transfers are also generally instantaneous.
Sub-heading 2.2: Factors Influencing Transfer Duration
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
While instant transfers are common, here are some factors that could lead to a slight delay:
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First-time Transfer/Account Linking: If it's your very first time linking your Amex and Avios accounts, there might be a short verification period. American Express might state it can take up to 5 business days for your account details to be verified before you can initiate the transfer.
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System Maintenance: Rarely, transfers might be delayed due to system maintenance on either the Amex or the airline's side.
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Time of Day/Week: While less common with "instant" transfers, initiating a transfer late at night or on a weekend might sometimes lead to it processing on the next business day.
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Transfer Bonuses: During promotional transfer bonuses (where you get extra Avios for your points), the systems can sometimes experience higher volumes, potentially leading to minor delays. Still, for instant partners, it usually remains instant.
Pro Tip: If you're looking to book a time-sensitive reward flight, it's always best to initiate the transfer well in advance, even with instant transfers, just to be on the safe side. Award availability can change quickly!
Step 3: The Step-by-Step Transfer Process ♀️
Ready to make the transfer? Here’s a clear, sequential guide:
Sub-heading 3.1: Log In to Your American Express Account
Open your web browser and navigate to the official American Express website for your region. Log in using your user ID and password.
Sub-heading 3.2: Navigate to the Membership Rewards Section
Once logged in, look for the "Membership Rewards" or "Rewards" section. This is usually found in the main navigation or dashboard. Click on it.
Sub-heading 3.3: Choose "Transfer Points"
Within the Membership Rewards portal, you'll see various redemption options. Select "Transfer Points" or "Travel Partners". This will take you to a list of airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Sub-heading 3.4: Select Your Desired Avios Partner
Scroll through the list and find your preferred Avios partner:
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British Airways Executive Club
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Iberia Plus
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Aer Lingus AerClub
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Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Carefully choose the correct program, as points transfers are generally irreversible.
QuickTip: Scroll back if you lose track.
Sub-heading 3.5: Link Your Loyalty Account (If Not Already Linked)
If this is your first time transferring to this specific Avios program, you'll be prompted to link your loyalty account. You'll need to enter your Avios membership number (e.g., your British Airways Executive Club number) and confirm your details. This linking process is what can sometimes take a few business days for verification before you can make the actual transfer.
Sub-heading 3.6: Enter the Number of Points to Transfer
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Once linked, you'll enter the number of American Express Membership Rewards points you wish to transfer. Be mindful of the transfer ratio (usually 1:1 for Avios, meaning 1,000 Amex points equals 1,000 Avios) and any minimum transfer amounts (often 1,000 points, in increments of 100 or 500).
Sub-heading 3.7: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
Before finalizing, you'll be shown a summary of your transfer request. Double-check the Avios program, the number of points, and your loyalty account details. Once you're certain, click "Confirm" or "Transfer My Points."
Sub-heading 3.8: Check Your Avios Account
After confirming, you'll typically receive an email confirmation from American Express. Then, log in to your chosen Avios airline account (e.g., British Airways Executive Club) to verify that the Avios have appeared. As mentioned, for many Avios partners, this can be almost immediate!
Step 4: After the Transfer – What Next? ️
Once your Avios have landed, the fun begins!
Sub-heading 4.1: Booking Your Reward Flight
With your Avios in hand, you can now search for and book your desired reward flights. Remember to check for availability and be aware of any taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges that apply.
QuickTip: Don’t just consume — reflect.
Sub-heading 4.2: Combining Avios (Optional)
A powerful feature of the Avios program is the ability to combine your Avios across different Avios-collecting airlines (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways). If you transferred to, say, British Airways, but find better redemption value on Iberia, you can transfer your Avios between these accounts (usually instantly) via the "Combine My Avios" feature on the British Airways or Iberia websites. This offers incredible flexibility!
Important Note: While transfers from Amex to Avios are often instant, the ability to combine Avios between different airline programs (like BA and Iberia) is also generally instant.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my American Express Membership Rewards point balance?
You can check your Amex Membership Rewards point balance by logging into your American Express online account and navigating to the "Membership Rewards" section.
How to link my British Airways Executive Club account to American Express?
To link your British Airways Executive Club account, go to the "Transfer Points" section within your Amex Membership Rewards account, select British Airways as the partner, and follow the prompts to enter your Executive Club number.
How to transfer Amex points to Iberia Plus?
Similar to British Airways, go to the "Transfer Points" section in your Amex Membership Rewards account, select Iberia Plus as the partner, and proceed with the transfer.
How to transfer Amex points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club?
From your Amex Membership Rewards account, choose Qatar Airways Privilege Club as the transfer partner and follow the steps to link your account and initiate the transfer.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
How to combine Avios between different airline accounts?
You can combine Avios by logging into either your British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus account and looking for the "Combine My Avios" option, which allows you to move Avios between linked Avios accounts.
How to find out if there's a bonus for transferring Amex points to Avios?
American Express frequently offers transfer bonuses. Keep an eye on the Amex Membership Rewards website, or check popular points and miles blogs, as they often report these promotions.
How to reverse an American Express points transfer?
Generally, points transfers from American Express Membership Rewards to airline or hotel loyalty programs are final and cannot be reversed. Always double-check your details before confirming.
How to know the minimum number of Amex points I can transfer to Avios?
The minimum transfer amount is typically 1,000 Membership Rewards points for Avios partners, with transfers usually allowed in increments of 100 or 500 points. The exact minimum will be displayed on the Amex transfer page for each partner.
How to use Avios for flight upgrades?
Once you have Avios in your account, you can often use them to upgrade existing cash bookings on eligible flights. Check the specific airline's website (e.g., British Airways) for their upgrade policies and availability.
How to avoid Avios expiration?
Avios typically expire after 36 months of account inactivity. To prevent expiration, ensure you have some form of activity (earning, spending, buying, or sharing Avios) at least once every three years.
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