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Sunday Reader Question: Can You Transfer British Airways Avios to American Airlines Miles?

Jan. 13, 2013
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2 min read
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Sunday Reader Question: Can You Transfer British Airways Avios to American Airlines Miles?
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TPG reader Ann asks:

"Can British Airways Avios points be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage miles since the airliens are code share partners? Or the reverse?

For example, if one opens the BA card, could those bonus miles earned then be transferred to AA at any time? Or could an existing small AA balance be sent to the BA account?"

In short, no, you generally cannot transfer miles from one airline frequent flyer program into another- even if they are alliance or codeshare partners. You can, however, redeem British Airways Avios for American Airlines flights, but you are limited to award flights that American makes available to their partners, which is generally most MileSAAver awards. See this post for redeeming British Airways Avios for partner flights (and avoiding their notoriously huge fees).

Although American and BA are partners, you can't transfer miles between accounts.

Exceptions to the Rule

Frequent flyer programs will allow you to transfer points between airline programs when airlines merge. For example, you can currently move points between AirTran and Southwest's old Rapid Rewards program until the AirTran program no longer continues to exist (probably later in 2013).

British Airways allows you to transfer points to their subsidiary Iberia Plus program, which can save you a boatload on fees. Read this post for more info on that process.

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Points.com will also let you transfer points between programs, but in my experience, the ratios are horrible - you are essentially losing 60% or more of the value of your points by moving them from one account to another. Instead of going this route, I'd recommend boosting you account balances by leveraging transferable points programs.

American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest points all transfer to British Airways at base 1:1 transfer ratios. American miles are harder to come by, but Starwood Preferred Guest points transfer at a 1:1 base ratio with a 5,000 mile bonus for every 20,000 points transferred.

[card card-name='British Airways Visa Signature® Card' card-id='22129607' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']

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Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.