Business-class flights to Europe from 27K points: How to maximize Amex's 30% transfer bonus with Avios
American Express and Avios have teamed up to make Membership Rewards even more rewarding.
Amex cardholders will receive a 30% bonus when transferring Membership Rewards points to British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus and Aer Lingus AerClub by Sept. 30.
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?
Related: Current credit card transfer bonuses
How to maximize Amex's 30% transfer bonus to Avios programs
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:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Related: A review of Iberia's new business-class suite on the A350-900
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
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.
Related: 5 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways
Fly to Hawaii for 10,000 Amex points
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.
Related: British Airways reveals revamped short-haul seats and new transatlantic first-class timeline
Best cards to earn Amex points
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: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Should you convert Amex points to Avios?
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.
Bottom line
Avios are easy to earn given that at least one Avios program partners with each major credit card program. Plus, there are also many ways to use Avios.
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.
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