Buy Avios promotion: How you can book nonstop flights to Europe for less than $350
Attention, points and miles enthusiasts: Finnair Plus is offering a discount of up to 50% when you buy Avios between now and Nov. 20, 2024.
Not only is this a great value, but since Avios are the shared loyalty currency of several frequent flyer programs, buying them could open up a variety of redemption opportunities. We even found nonstop economy fares to Europe for as low as 13,000 Avios each way, which comes out to about $325 when you factor in taxes and fees.
Related: When does it make sense to buy points and miles?
Buy Avios with up to a 50% discount through Finnair Plus
Through Nov. 20, you can save between 35% and 50% on Avios purchases from Finnair Plus, depending on how many Avios you buy. You must buy at least 5,000 Avios to get 35% off, and the savings increase from there:
- 35% off when you buy 5,000 to 19,000 Avios
- 40% off when you buy 20,000 to 49,000 Avios
- 45% off when you buy 50,000 to 74,000 Avios
- 50% off when you buy 75,000 to 200,000 Avios
These discounts bring the cost down to between 1.12 and 1.87 cents per Avios, depending on how many you buy. That could be a pretty good deal, considering TPG’s November 2024 valuations peg Avios at 1.4 cents apiece.
You must purchase Avios in increments of 1,000, and you can purchase a maximum of 200,000 Avios through Finnair Plus in a calendar year.
But just because the sale is being run by Finnair Plus doesn’t mean you have to redeem your Avios through the program. In fact, Avios are used by four other programs — Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club — and you can transfer Avios between any of these at a 1:1 ratio.
Some of our favorite and best-value Avios redemptions are with these airlines. Here are a few examples of how far your Avios could go if you decide to jump on this promotion.
Related: The best credit cards for buying points and miles
Is it worth it to buy Avios?
For example, you could transfer your Avios to Iberia Plus and book a one-way off-peak ticket from New York to Madrid for only 17,000 Avios in economy or 25,500 Avios in premium economy. Note that business-class seats for off-peak dates are priced at 34,000 Avios, but they are harder to find.
If you purchased 17,000 Avios with the current 35% discount, it would set you back 243.10 euros (about $260 at current exchange rates). With the award ticket's $86 in taxes and fees, that comes to a total of $346 — compared to the cash price of this ticket, which starts at $454.
The premium economy seat is an even better deal. You could purchase 26,000 Avios for only $367 during this sale, then book the award ticket and pay $97 in taxes and fees, for a total of $464 — compared to paying at least $1,228 for the cash ticket.
There's also plenty of award availability to Ireland if you transfer your Avios to Aer Lingus AerClub. For instance, you could fly to Dublin from several major U.S. cities, including Chicago, for only 13,000 Avios. With the current promotion, purchasing the amount of Avios needed would only cost about $200 with this promotion, plus the award ticket's $126 in taxes and fees, for a total of $326. This is a great deal for a transatlantic flight, as the regular cash price of this economy ticket would cost you almost $800.
But booking a transatlantic trip isn't the only way to use your Avios. You can also book domestic American Airlines and Alaska Airlines flights through Finnair Plus, and since the loyalty program operates using a zone-based award chart, you can currently fly from the United States to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines for 13,500 Avios in economy or 50,500 Avios in first class. If you book a one-way American Airlines flight through Finnair Plus from the continental U.S. to Hawaii, it will cost you 15,000 Avios in economy, 38,000 Avios in business class and 47,500 Avios in first class.
However, Finnair Plus requires travelers wanting to book award flights with partner airlines to contact the carrier via the online chat service or call customer service. We suggest you find Alaska and American Airlines award availability and come prepared with the flight number and travel information before contacting the customer service line.
For more information on how to book Finnair Plus partner award flights, refer to their website.
Related: Best ways to redeem British Airways Avios: From flights to Hawaii to island hopping in the Caribbean
Bottom line
If you have a redemption in mind, buying points or miles can make sense, especially if you can take advantage of a great sale. This one is particularly useful because you can spend Avios with so many airlines and even book partner award flights.
Additionally, if you’re short a few Avios for a redemption, this is a great chance to top off your account. Or if you find an award ticket you like, it could even be worth buying all the Avios you need from Finnair between now and Nov. 20.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.