Avios
What Is Avios?
Avios is a shared frequent flyer currency used by multiple international airlines:
• British Airways Executive Club (BAEC)
• Iberia Plus
• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Vueling Club
• Finnair Plus (starting in 2024)
While each airline has its own loyalty program, Avios points can be transferred freely between them, giving travelers flexibility to optimize redemptions and fees.
How to Earn Avios Points
1. Flying with Avios Airlines
Earn Avios when flying with:
• British Airways
• Iberia
• Qatar Airways
• Aer Lingus
• Other Oneworld partners (e.g., American Airlines, Japan Airlines)
Earning is based on:
• Distance flown
• Fare class
• Status tier
Example (BAEC earning):
Economy = 25–100% of miles flown
Business = 150–250% of miles flown
2. Credit Card Points Transfers
Avios partners with major transferable points programs:
3. Avios Co-Branded Credit Cards
Available in the UK, EU, and the U.S. (Chase issues the British Airways Visa Signature® Card).
• Earn 3x on British Airways purchases, 1–2x elsewhere.
• Companion Vouchers and Travel Together tickets available with high spend.
4. Hotels, Rental Cars, Shopping & Dining
Earn Avios through:
• Marriott, IHG, Accor, Hilton hotel partners
• Avis, Budget, Zipcar car rentals
• e-Shopping Portals (UK/Spain based)
• Heathrow Rewards, Shell Energy, and others (UK-focused)
How to Use Avios Points
1. Award Flights (Best Value)
• Avios redemption is distance-based, not region-based (like Delta/United).
• Great value on short-haul and off-peak flights, especially within Europe, North America, and Asia.
Example:
• NYC to Miami on American Airlines: ~7,500–9,000 Avios one-way in economy
• London to Madrid: 4,750–9,000 Avios one-way in economy (off-peak)
2. Oneworld & Partner Flights
Book flights with Oneworld partners like:
• American Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• Japan Airlines
• Qantas
• Qatar Airways
• Cathay Pacific
Tip: Partner awards often require fewer Avios and lower taxes — e.g., use Iberia for Madrid–JFK or Qatar for long-haul business class.
3. Upgrade with Avios
Upgrade from economy to business (on eligible fares) on British Airways and Iberia.
• Not always the best value but useful on cash tickets in flexible fare classes.
4. Pay with Avios + Cash
BA lets you offset the cash portion of your ticket using Avios.
• Lower Avios cost = higher taxes/fees.
• This is very flexible, but not always the best value.
Transfer Avios Between Programs
One of Avios’ greatest advantages is the ability to freely transfer points between linked accounts:
Peak vs. Off-Peak Pricing
British Airways and Iberia use peak/off-peak calendars:
• Off-peak flights require fewer Avios.
• Most calendars are published a year in advance.
Example:
• London to Rome off-peak: 6,500 Avios
• Peak: 7,500 Avios
• London to NYC off-peak in economy: ~13,000–20,000 Avios + ~$100 in fees via Iberia
Avios Program Highlights by Airline
British Airways Executive Club
• Tier system: Blue, Bronze, Silver, Gold (based on Tier Points)
• Great for long-haul connections via London
• High surcharges on award flights (especially from the UK)
Iberia Plus
• Best for transatlantic flights with low surcharges
• Must book Iberia-operated flights
• Program can feel clunkier but worth it for the savings
Qatar Privilege Club
• Qatar adopted Avios in 2022
• Best use: Qatar Qsuites in business class using Avios
• Low surcharges + smooth online award booking
Aer Lingus AerClub
• Ireland-based program using Avios
• Competitive redemptions between Europe and U.S. (especially BOS–DUB)
• Low taxes when booking on AerLingus.com
Best Avios Redemption Strategies
1. Use Avios for short-haul flights on American Airlines or BA (especially under 650 miles).
2. Transfer to Iberia for long-haul economy or business redemptions (like JFK–MAD).
3. Use Qatar Avios to book Qsuites — arguably one of the best uses of Avios points.
4. Look for off-peak awards, especially in shoulder seasons (fall/spring).
5. Stack transfer bonuses (e.g., Amex → Avios at 30% bonus) to save more.