Ready to unlock a world of travel possibilities? If you're an American Express cardholder, understanding how your Membership Rewards points can transform into Avios is key to maximizing your travel benefits. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from earning to redeeming, and even some expert tips to get the most out of your points!
Step 1: Understanding American Express Membership Rewards and Avios
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's clarify the two main players:
 |
| How Do American Express Avios Points Work |
What are American Express Membership Rewards?
American Express Membership Rewards are the flexible currency you earn on eligible spending with many Amex credit cards. Think of them as a versatile pool of points that can be used for a variety of redemptions, including statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, or, most valuably, transfers to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
What are Avios?
Avios are the loyalty currency used by several airlines, primarily British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub. More recently, Qatar Airways Privilege Club also adopted Avios. These points are specifically designed for travel redemptions, especially flights, but can also be used for upgrades, hotels, and car rentals.
The beauty of this system is that your Amex Membership Rewards points can be converted into Avios, opening up a world of flight redemption opportunities.
Step 2: Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points
Your journey to Avios begins with earning Membership Rewards points. The rate at which you earn points depends on the specific American Express card you hold.
Sub-heading: Choose the Right Amex Card
Not all Amex cards earn Membership Rewards points, and among those that do, the earning rates vary. Some popular cards that earn Membership Rewards include:
-
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Often earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
-
American Express® Gold Card: Typically earns 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and at restaurants worldwide, plus 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
-
American Express® Green Card: Earns 3 points per dollar on travel, transit, and at restaurants worldwide.
-
Everyday Preferred Credit Card from American Express: Offers elevated earning rates on everyday purchases, especially at U.S. supermarkets.
Always check the specific earning structure of your Amex card to understand how you can maximize your point accumulation.
Sub-heading: Maximize Your Spending
To earn more points, consider:
-
Using your card for everyday purchases: From groceries to dining out, put all your eligible spending on your Amex card.
-
Utilizing bonus categories: Focus spending in categories that offer accelerated earning rates on your specific card.
-
Taking advantage of welcome bonuses: Many Amex cards offer generous welcome bonuses for new cardmembers who meet a certain spending threshold within a set period. These can significantly boost your Avios balance.
-
Referral bonuses: If you refer friends or family to American Express cards, you can often earn bonus Membership Rewards points when they are approved.
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
Step 3: Transferring American Express Membership Rewards to Avios
This is where the magic happens! Once you've accumulated a healthy stash of Membership Rewards points, you can transfer them to Avios.
Sub-heading: The Transfer Ratio
Generally, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Avios at a 1:1 ratio. This means 1,000 Membership Rewards points become 1,000 Avios.
However, it's crucial to note that transfer ratios can vary by region (e.g., UK vs. US Amex cards) and can also change. Always verify the current transfer rate on the American Express Membership Rewards website before initiating a transfer.
Sub-heading: Step-by-Step Transfer Process
-
Log in to Your American Express Account: Go to the official American Express website and log in to your Membership Rewards account.
-
Navigate to the "Redeem Points" Section: Look for a section related to "Rewards" or "Redeem Points."
-
Select "Transfer Points to Travel Partners": This is where you'll find the list of airline and hotel loyalty programs you can transfer your points to.
-
Choose Your Avios Partner: Select British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, or Qatar Airways Privilege Club from the list. Remember, Avios can generally be moved between these programs, so choose the one that aligns with your primary travel goals or where you already have an account.
-
Link Your Loyalty Account (if not already linked): If it's your first time transferring to a specific airline program, you'll need to link your airline loyalty account (e.g., your British Airways Executive Club number) to your Amex Membership Rewards account. This usually involves entering your loyalty program membership number.
-
Enter the Amount to Transfer: Specify how many Membership Rewards points you wish to convert to Avios. Transfers typically happen in increments (e.g., 1,000 points).
-
Confirm the Transfer: Review the details, including the transfer ratio and the number of Avios you'll receive, and confirm the transfer.
Most transfers to Avios partners are instant or near-instant, but it's always wise to allow a few hours, or even up to 48 hours, especially if you're planning a time-sensitive redemption. Once transferred, Avios cannot be converted back to Membership Rewards points.
Step 4: Redeeming Your Avios for Travel ✈️
Now for the exciting part – using your hard-earned Avios! The most common and often most valuable way to redeem Avios is for flights.
Sub-heading: Reward Flights with British Airways and Partners
You can book "Reward Flights" with British Airways or its oneworld alliance partners (like American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, etc.) and other Avios partners (Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways).
-
How it works: You pay for the flight using Avios, plus a cash amount for taxes, fees, and carrier charges. These cash amounts can sometimes be substantial, particularly on long-haul flights from the UK.
-
Finding availability: Use the airline's website (e.g., ba.com for British Airways) and their "Reward Flight Finder" or similar tool to search for flights available for Avios redemption.
-
Peak vs. Off-Peak: Avios redemptions often have peak and off-peak pricing, with off-peak dates requiring fewer Avios. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you a lot of points!
Sub-heading: Companion Vouchers
Certain American Express British Airways co-branded credit cards offer a Companion Voucher when you meet a spending threshold. This voucher allows you to:
-
Bring a companion with you on a British Airways Reward Flight for no additional Avios (you still pay taxes and fees for both).
-
Or, if traveling solo, receive a 50% discount on the Avios price of your flight.
Companion Vouchers are incredibly valuable and can significantly enhance the value of your Avios, especially for business or first-class travel.
Sub-heading: Upgrades
QuickTip: Pause to connect ideas in your mind.
You can often use Avios to upgrade a cash booking to a higher cabin class (e.g., from Economy to Premium Economy, or Premium Economy to Business Class) on British Airways, Iberia, and American Airlines. The number of Avios required depends on the original booking class and the cabin you're upgrading to.
Sub-heading: Other Redemption Options (Less Value)
While flights generally offer the best value, Avios can also be redeemed for:
-
Hotel stays: Through Avios partners or directly with British Airways Holidays. The value per Avios is usually lower than for flights.
-
Car rentals: Also typically not the best use of Avios.
-
Experiences: Various non-flight experiences, again, often at a lower value.
-
Part payment for flights: You can use a smaller amount of Avios to reduce the cash price of a flight, though this usually offers a poor redemption rate.
It's generally advised to prioritize flight redemptions, especially for business and first-class travel, to maximize the value of your Avios.
Step 5: Advanced Strategies and Tips for Avios Maximization
Getting the most out of your Avios often involves a bit of strategic planning.
Sub-heading: Understand Sweet Spots
Some routes and cabin classes offer exceptionally good value for Avios. These are often referred to as "sweet spots." Examples include:
-
Short-haul flights: Within Europe or specific regions, short-haul economy flights can be very cheap in Avios, even with fees.
-
Business or First Class on partner airlines: Sometimes, redeeming Avios on oneworld partners can yield incredible value, especially for routes where British Airways' own fees are high.
-
Using Avios on Iberia or Aer Lingus: These airlines often have lower taxes and fees on their Avios redemptions compared to British Airways for transatlantic routes. You can transfer Avios freely between your British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub accounts using the "Combine My Avios" feature.
Sub-heading: Look for Transfer Bonuses
American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses to airline partners, including Avios. This means for a limited time, you might get more Avios for your Membership Rewards points (e.g., 1,000 Membership Rewards points converting to 1,250 Avios). Always keep an eye out for these promotions as they can significantly boost your Avios balance!
Sub-heading: Be Flexible with Dates
Award availability, especially for popular routes and premium cabins, can be limited. Being flexible with your travel dates, particularly avoiding peak seasons and holidays, will greatly increase your chances of finding redemption opportunities.
Sub-heading: Book in Advance (or Last Minute)
For the best selection, consider booking your reward flights as soon as the airline releases award space (often 355 days out for British Airways). Alternatively, if you're very flexible, sometimes last-minute availability opens up.
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
Sub-heading: "Avios + Cash" vs. "Full Avios"
Most Avios redemption options allow you to choose a mix of Avios and cash. While "full Avios" redemptions might seem appealing, sometimes using a combination can be more economical if the cash component is relatively small and you want to save some Avios. Evaluate the per-Avios value for each option.
Step 6: Managing Your Avios Account
Keeping track of your Avios and ensuring they don't expire is important.
Sub-heading: Avios Expiry Rules
Avios generally do not expire as long as you collect, spend, buy, or share at least one Avios every 36 months. If there's no activity on your account for three years, your Avios may expire.
Sub-heading: Combine My Avios
As mentioned, you can combine Avios between British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub accounts. This can be useful for pooling points for a specific redemption or taking advantage of better redemption rates on one airline versus another for the same route.
FAQ: How to...
How to check my American Express Membership Rewards points balance?
You can check your Membership Rewards points balance by logging into your American Express online account or by viewing your monthly statement.
How to link my British Airways Executive Club account to American Express?
Log into your American Express Membership Rewards account online, go to the "Transfer Points to Travel Partners" section, select British Airways Executive Club, and follow the prompts to enter your BA Executive Club membership number.
How to find out the current transfer ratio from Amex to Avios?
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
The current transfer ratio is displayed on the American Express Membership Rewards website when you select British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus as a transfer partner. It is typically 1:1.
How to search for Avios reward flight availability?
Log into your British Airways Executive Club (or Iberia Plus/Aer Lingus AerClub) account on their respective websites. Look for a "Book with Avios" or "Reward Flights" option in their flight search tool.
How to use a British Airways Companion Voucher?
Once you've earned a Companion Voucher, it will appear in your British Airways Executive Club account. When searching for reward flights on ba.com, select the option to "Book with a Companion Voucher" or apply it during the booking process.
How to transfer Avios between British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus?
Log into your British Airways Executive Club account, go to "Manage My Account," and look for the "Combine My Avios" tool. This allows you to transfer Avios between linked accounts.
How to upgrade a flight using Avios?
You can typically upgrade a flight with Avios via the "Manage My Booking" section on the British Airways, Iberia, or American Airlines websites, depending on the airline and fare type.
How to get the best value from my Avios points?
The best value typically comes from redeeming Avios for business or first-class flights on long-haul routes, or for short-haul economy flights where cash prices are high. Using Companion Vouchers also significantly enhances value.
How to prevent my Avios from expiring?
Ensure you have at least one Avios activity (earning, spending, buying, or sharing) every 36 months.
How to earn Avios quickly with American Express?
Focus on signing up for Amex cards with large welcome bonuses that earn Membership Rewards points, and utilize your card for all eligible spending, especially in bonus categories. Look out for Amex transfer bonuses to Avios.
 |
