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I’ve previously written about the differences between the US and Canadian versions of the American Express Membership Rewards programs. In general, the US version is a lot more sophisticated and generous when it comes to the number of transfer partners, the standard transfer ratios as well as transfer bonuses. In fact, there are actually two airline transfer partners at the 1:1 ratio in the Canadian program – Air Canada Aeroplan and British Airways Executive Club.
However, from time to time, the Canadian Membership Rewards program offers transfer bonuses like its US counterpart, and Amex just announced a 50% transfer bonus to British Airways until March 31, 2013. The basics are the same as the 50% transfer bonus from last May. I think it general this might make even more sense for those with Canadian points than US Amex cardholders because there are less alternative transfer partners to consider. Whenever you transfer points, you risk losing out on future bonuses, but since they are relatively rare and the transfer options so limited, I’d really consider taking advantage of this transfer bonus if I had Canadian Amex points.
If you’re not familiar with the British Airways Avios program, I’ve written an entire series about how to maximize them:
- Short haul flights (A Toronto to New York roundtrip is only 9,000 Avios roundtrip)
- Medium-Long Haul flights on British Airways partners to anywhere but Europe and Australia (to avoid high taxes/fees)
- Aer Lingus flights to Dublin, especially from Boston
- Upgrades from paid Premium Economy to Business class
- Last minute awards because British Airways doesn’t levy last minute booking fees
- Spotlight on Taxes and Fees
- Distance-Based Awards
- Household Accounts
- Using Avios to Upgrade Paid Tickets
- The Avios and Cash Option
- Save Money on Fuel Surcharges by Transferring British Airways Avios to Iberia
- Using Avios For Non-Flight Redemptions
- Using Avios to Book Domestic First Class FlightsDirect Flights, London Stopovers and UK Destinations
- How to Redeem British Airways Avios Without Huge Fees
- Using British Airways Avios on Aer Lingus to Avoid Huge Fees
There are some downsides of British Airways Avios that you should be aware of, though – namely the huge fees on travel awards to Europe through London and anywhere beyond where British Airways flies. That said, value can be had as they do allow one-way awards for half the price of a roundtrip and their booking site does pull from a good portion of their partners.
Analysis
For North America to Europe awards, I’d transfer my points to Aeroplan without a bonus vs. British Airways with the 50%. Aeroplan does impose fuel surcharges, but nothing to the extent of British Airways (think $850 for a business class flight).
Aeroplan also has short-haul awards and more availability on the Canada to US routes – with Avios you need to stick to American Airlines or Alaska Air.
However, for Asia Avios can be used for Cathay Pacific redemptions and they generally have great availability from Toronto and Vancouver to Hong Kong. Toronto is 70,000 roundtrip (47,000 Amex with this promo) for economy; 140,000 for business (94,000 points with this promo) and 210,000 (140,000 with this promo) for First Class, which is a great product. Those rates for Vancouver- Hong Kong are slightly less because Avios is based on distance and Vancouver is within a closer band to Hong Kong: 60,000/120.000/180,000 for coach/business/first.
To calculate how many Avios you need for a route, use the calculator for each leg of your trip. British Airways prices segments a la carte, so if you wanted to fly to Bali via Hong Kong from Toronto you’d price Toronto to Hong Kong plus Hong Kong to Bali. And if you’re in the market for a Canadian Amex, check out this post highlighting a range of redemption options for Canadian points collectors.
Hat tip: Rewards Canada. Though the Business Gold Rewards card doesn’t have the benefits package of the more premium Business Platinum Card, it also doesn’t have that card’s $450 annual fee. In fact, the $175 annual fee on this one is waived the first year, so getting it is like a risk-free trial of its benefits plus it comes with appealing bonus spending categories like 3x on the category of choice and a range of 2x spending categories as well.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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