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Move over, British Airways — Finnair Plus now has some excellent Avios sweet spots
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.
September 16, 2024 • 9 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.
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Quick summary
Finnair Plus now uses Avios as its loyalty currency, allowing transfers between Finnair Plus and other major Avios programs.
Finnair Plus employs a zone-based award chart, creating unique redemption opportunities compared to the distance-based charts of other Avios programs.
Notable sweet spots include discounted rates for Finnair flights to Helsinki, domestic flights within the U.S. and Canada, Cathay Pacific business class to Asia and flights to Hawaii.
Some routes, such as short transatlantic flights or Qatar Airways Qsuite awards, may still be cheaper through other Avios programs.
What to consider
Finnair Plus charges separately for connecting flights beyond Helsinki unless the connection is within Finland.
You cannot combine different carriers on a single award unless one segment is operated by Finnair.
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of Avios redemption options across multiple programs and guidance on when Finnair Plus provides the best value.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Finnair joins British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Qatar Airways in using this popular loyalty currency.
While Finnair Plus has standardized some of its redemption pricing to match British Airways Executive Club (which, in turn, largely matches Iberia Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club), there are some new sweet spots to find.
Unlike other Avios programs, which use a distance-based award chart, Finnair Plus uses a zone-based chart.
Here are some sweet spots where using Finnair Plus Avios makes sense.
CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
Finnair flights from the US to Helsinki
One-way flights operated by Finnair from the U.S. to Helsinki Airport (HEL) are priced as follows:
30,000 Avios in economy
43,500 Avios in premium economy
62,500 Avios in business class
These are the same prices that British Airways Executive Club charges. However, since British Airways adds surcharges, it will be cheaper to book Finnair-operated flights across the Atlantic through Finnair Plus.
Note that a connecting flight on Finnair beyond Helsinki will be charged separately unless it is a domestic flight in Finland.
Domestic economy flights via American Airlines and Alaska Airlines
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
Using Avios to book short-haul flights operated by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines was previously a great way to redeem British Airways or Qatar Airways Avios. But recent devaluations mean prices now start from 9,500 Qatar Avios or 12,000 British Airways Avios for the shortest domestic flights.
Fortunately, domestic flights anywhere within the continental U.S. (and Canada) cost just 11,000 Finnair Plus Avios each way in economy class. For short flights of up to 650 miles in length, it’s cheaper to use Avios through Qatar Airways, which charges just 9,500 Avios for the same flights.
For all domestic flights longer than 650 miles, Finnair Plus charges a flat rate of just 11,000 Avios, making booking through the program a great use of Finnair Avios. You can even connect within the region for the same price if you wish; for example, you can fly from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) via Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) if nonstop flights are not available. British Airways would charge per leg, making connecting domestic itineraries through British Airways Executive Club even more expensive than booking via Finnair Plus.
Another notable sweet spot is flights operated by Cathay Pacific from anywhere in North America to Asia.
Although award availability in premium cabins is hard to find, British Airways Executive Club charges a steep 108,250 Avios plus 118.50 British pounds (about $151) for the long-haul journey in Cathay Pacific's business class from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
BRITISHAIRWAYS.COM
Meanwhile, you can book the same flight through Finnair Plus for just 75,000 Avios plus the same minimal fees, taxes and surcharges — saving you more than 30,000 Avios.
FINNAIR.COM
Unfortunately, premium economy redemptions on Cathay Pacific — including the exciting, new premium economy seat Cathay should start flying later this year — are unavailable through Finnair Plus.
Economy seats from North America to Asia only cost 35,000 Finnair Plus Avios. In the unlikely event you can find first-class award seats on Cathay, they will cost 120,000 Finnair Plus Avios.
Finnair Plus pricing from Europe and South America to Asia is similar to British Airways pricing, though it's still slightly cheaper at 31,000 Avios in economy, 72,500 Avios in business class and 110,000 Avios in first class.
Domestic flights to Hawaii
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Another Finnair Plus sweet spot is American Airlines and Alaska Airlines itineraries involving travel from the East Coast to Hawaii. With British Airways now charging 20,000 Avios from the West Coast alone, you're better off using Avios through Finnair.
With its region-based award chart, Finnair Plus charges a single price for all flights from the continental U.S. to Hawaii, though the price differs depending on which airline you choose to fly. American Airlines flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) with a connection at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) will cost you just 15,000 Avios.
Looking at Alaska Airlines itineraries, you will need only 13,500 Avios to travel to Hawaii from anywhere in the U.S. This is an excellent deal if you are coming from the East Coast and connecting via an Alaska hub such as San Diego International Airport (SAN) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
You will need to fly the same carrier on both legs as, unfortunately, you cannot combine carriers on a single award (unless Finnair is one of the carriers).
Finnair Plus’ region-based award chart has unique advantages over other programs’ distance-based award charts, but it also has some downsides.
Shorter flights from one zone to another — like the fairly quick American Airlines route from New York to London — will be cheaper through British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus.
Finnair has adopted many of the same prices for British Airways-operated flights as British Airways Executive Club. So, there’s no need to complicate your travel by adding another Avios program to your repertoire if you want to fly British Airways.
The easiest way to earn Finnair Avios without flying is by applying for a Capital One credit card, as Capital One miles can be directly transferred to Finnair Plus.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases. Plus, you can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The card has a $395 annual fee.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases. Plus, you can earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. The card has a $95 annual fee.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per dollar spent on other purchases. Plus, you can earn a bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening. The card has a $0 annual fee.
If you’re looking for a business card, here are some options that earn Capital One miles:
Capital One Venture X Business: Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights booked through Capital One Business Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases. Plus, you can earn 150,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The card has a $395 annual fee.
Capital One Venture Business: Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, and 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases. Plus, you can earn up to 150,000 bonus miles: 75,000 miles after spending $7,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 75,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. The card has a $95 annual fee.
Avios is a popular and valuable loyalty currency, so it’s no surprise that Finnair has adopted it.
The ability to transfer Avios in any direction between many different programs at a 1:1 rate opens up many great options for travelers. While much of the pricing is standardized between Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club (the largest Avios-using program), some unique sweet spots are currently available within the Finnair program. So, if you have Avios in any program, you may want to consider moving them to Finnair Plus if you have a redemption in mind.
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.
