New user-friendly tool lets you easily transfer Avios between all 7 airline programs

Avios has reintroduced its Avios transfer tool, making it much easier to move Avios points between all of the airline programs that use this unique rewards currency.

Seven airlines now use Avios as their loyalty program currency: British Airways Club, Iberia Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Vueling Club, Loganair Loyalty, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Finnair Plus.

Previously, moving Avios between accounts was a bit complicated. Only certain program combination transfers were allowed, and through different platforms, which were sometimes glitchy and unreliable. Avios transfers can now be made between all programs that use Avios as their currency in one designated place.

With different sweet spots in different Avios programs, this much-improved tool will help travelers get the best value when redeeming their Avios.

How this tool has improved and what else has changed

The most significant change in this tool update is that members can now move Avios directly between the Iberia Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Vueling Club and Loganair Loyalty programs. In the past, these transfers had to be routed through the British Airways Club, which often made the process slower and less reliable.

Another improvement is the removal of the old Iberia Club rule that required an Iberia Club account to be open for 90 days and to have earned at least one Avios before any transfers could take place. That restriction has been eliminated, which means new Iberia Club accounts are now eligible to send or receive Avios right away. This makes it easier for travelers who are just opening an account for a specific redemption, promotion or transfer bonus to get started without waiting months.

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The process has also moved entirely online. Previously, members could sometimes call a service center to request a transfer, but that option has been discontinued. Now, all transfers must be completed through the "Transfer Avios" page.

Finally, the new system has introduced stronger security. Transfers require two-factor authentication, which adds an extra step but ensures that your Avios are better protected.

Related: Is Iberia premium economy worth it on the Airbus A330 from Madrid to Dallas?

How to use this tool to transfer your Avios

If you have more than one Avios airline loyalty account, it's worth going through the following steps now to set up linking your accounts for easy transfers in the future:

1. Go to avios.com and select transfer Avios.
2. Log in with any of your Avios airline loyalty program account credentials.
3. Choose any of the seven airline loyalty programs you want to link. If you haven't signed up to that particular airline loyalty program yet, do that first.
4. Enter your details for that account. Your name, email address and date of birth (if recorded) must match exactly, or the accounts will not link.
5. Confirm the link. Once established, the connection is permanent, so check carefully before submitting.
6. Choose the program you want to send Avios from and the program you want to send the Avios to.
7. Enter the amount of Avios you want to transfer. There is no minimum amount required and no cost for doing so. All transfers are at a 1:1 rate and can be reversed if needed, which is terrific flexibility.
8. Complete two-factor authentication when prompted.
9. Wait for the confirmation message. In most cases, transfers are instant.

At least one Avios program is a transfer partner of every credit card currency, making Avios easy to earn and now easier to transfer and redeem.

Bottom line

The improved "Transfer Avios" tool makes it simple to move your Avios to where you can get the best value for them.

Whether you want to pay lower surcharges through Iberia Club or find the best Qsuite award availability through Qatar Airways Privilege Club, the new setup provides a smoother, faster and safer way to move Avios between seven different airline loyalty programs.

Related reading:

• Move over, British Airways — Finnair Plus now has some excellent Avios sweet spots
• The best Avios-earning credit cards: Which is the one for you?
• Airlines you can book using Avios: How to maximize your points and miles
• You can now redeem Avios to fly to one of the world's most remote airports