The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
News
Business-class flights to Europe from 27K points: How to maximize Amex's 30% transfer bonus with Avios
Ben Smithson is a senior writer for TPG and is based in London. Originally from Australia and a qualified lawyer with a financial services background, he has almost a decade of experience writing about a broad range of travel and loyalty topics.
August 6, 2024 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
A 30% bonus is available when transferring certain flexible points to British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus or Aer Lingus AerClub through September 30.
This promotion increases the standard transfer rate, allowing 1,000 points to become 1,300 Avios across these programs.
Avios can be further transferred to Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Finnair Plus, expanding redemption options.
Highlighted redemptions include business class flights to Spain, short-haul flights within Europe, and domestic flights in the U.S. and to Hawaii.
What to consider
Some previously valuable domestic U.S. redemptions via British Airways have been devalued, but transferring Avios to Qatar Airways Privilege Club can still unlock strong value for short-haul flights.
Taxes and fees may apply to award bookings, especially for European routes.
The 30% transfer bonus is time-limited and ends September 30.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for maximizing Avios transfers, including step-by-step examples for booking high-value award flights.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
While Membership Rewards points typically transfer at a 1:1 ratio, the new Avios offer has a transfer rate of 1:1.3. Therefore, when transferring 1,000 Membership Rewards points, you'll get 1,300 British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus Avios.
So, is this a good deal, and what are the best ways to maximize this promotion?
How to maximize Amex's 30% transfer bonus to Avios programs
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
With three different Avios programs to choose from to receive a 30% Avios bonus when transferring Membership Rewards points — and now the ability to transfer those Avios to two additional programs (Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Finnair Plus) — there are many ways to redeem your Avios.
Here are some of the best options to maximize this transfer bonus.
Fly business class to Spain from 27,000 Amex points
Booking premium-cabin award flights to Europe can be complicated and expensive, but Amex's transfer partners, British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus, use a distance-based award chart. This is one of the best options for nonstop flights to Spain.
Off-peak business-class flights offer the best deal. You can fly from the following airports to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) for just 14,000 Avios in economy, 25,000 in premium economy and 34,000 in business class each way:
You'll need just 27,000 Amex points to book an off-peak business-class flight to Spain through British Airways or Iberia using the current Amex Membership Rewards transfer bonus.
This is an excellent price because most airlines charge at least 60,000 miles for a one-way business-class flight to Europe.
Book domestic flights on American and Alaska from 5,000 Amex points
This option requires an additional step, but we promise it will be worth it.
British Airways used to be a great way to book short-haul domestic flights within the United States, flying Oneworld partners American Airlines or Alaska Airlines in economy. Unfortunately, British Airways devalued this sweet spot in July, and with increased prices, it's no longer a great deal.
Fortunately, you can transfer your Avios from any of the three participating Amex transfer bonus partner programs to Qatar Airways Privilege Club at a 1:1 rate, so 1,000 Amex points would become 1,300 British Airways/Iberia/Aer Lingus Avios. Then, you can transfer these 1,300 Avios to Qatar Airways.
Qatar still has excellent pricing for short-haul flights on partner airlines, including:
Flights up to 650 miles in length: 6,000 Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios in Main Cabin economy or 12,500 Qatar Avios in business class
Flights 650-1,151 miles in length: 9,000 Qatar Avios in economy or 16,500 Qatar Avios in business class
Flights 1,152-2,000 miles in length: 11,000 Qatar Avios in economy or 22,200 Qatar Avios in business class
Flights 2,001-3,000 miles in length: 13,000 Qatar Avios in economy or 38,750 Qatar Avios in business class
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Of particularly great value are flights up to 650 miles in length; you will need just 5,000 Amex points transferred to British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus and then sent to Qatar Airways to book a 6,000-Avios domestic flight. Plus, you'll even have some Avios left over for your next redemption.
Another previous British Airways sweet spot was domestic flights from the West Coast to Hawaii. However, with the British Airways devaluations, your best bet again is to take the extra step to transfer your Avios from British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus to Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
You can then book nonstop flights from the West Coast on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines to the islands of Hawaii for just 10,000 Amex points (which would become 13,000 Qatar Avios with the transfer bonus), each way per person in economy.
Fly short-haul within Europe from 4,000 Amex points
British Airways Executive Club charges just 4,750 Avios each way for off-peak flights from London to European destinations up to 650 miles away (peak-date flights are only 5,250 Avios) plus fees and taxes of 17.50 British pounds. This includes destinations in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, Austria and Italy.
By utilizing the Amex 30% transfer bonus, you'll need to transfer just 4,000 Membership Rewards points for off-peak dates (or 5,000 points for peak dates) to book short-haul flights within Europe.
The best way to earn many Membership Rewards points is by utilizing the generous welcome offers on Amex cards. Here are some of our favorites:
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
American Express® Business Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 200,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Should you convert Amex points to Avios?
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
Combine the flexibility of Avios with the generous 30% transfer bonus offered by American Express, and this is an excellent offer that you can use to maximize your travel.
While there have been 40% transfer bonuses for Avios in the past (the most recent one was in 2021), the current 30% bonus is still a good deal.
If you have an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, don't miss out on a 30% bonus when transferring Amex points to British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus or Aer Lingus AerClub by Sept. 30.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
