When my sister casually mentioned she had purchased 200,000 Finnair Avios during their 50% discount buy-points promotion, I was intrigued. This current 50% discount promotion from Finnair provides the best cost-per-Avios value (1.13 cents per Avios) I have seen since Finnair switching to the Avios currency. But she is not someone who typically geeks out over points and miles the way I do. Her reasoning was simple: a massive discount like this was just too good to pass up.
Her family of four frequently travels internationally, especially to Asia, so at first glance, it seemed like a smart move. But it also got me thinking: Is buying points always a good deal? For families, buying points can unlock luxurious travel experiences at a fraction of the cost – but only if you know what you’re doing. Without a clear plan, though, it’s easy to end up with a pile of points and no good way to use them. So let’s break it down: When does it make sense to buy points? And how can you maximize this Finnair promotion to score luxury travel for less?
Why Finnair Avios Are A Big Deal
In May 2024, Finnair joined the Avios ecosystem, sitting alongside British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. This integration opens up incredible opportunities for travelers, allowing you to move your Avios seamlessly between programs and enjoy greater flexibility when booking award travel. Here’s how it works: Imagine you’ve been collecting British Airways Avios. By linking your British Airways account to Finnair’s loyalty program, you can transfer those Avios over to Finnair. Once there, you can use them to book either Finnair or partners award flights, flying your family from Helsinki to exciting destinations around the world.
But here’s the key: where you redeem your Avios matters. For instance, redeeming the same route in the same class through Finnair instead of British Airways can save you anywhere from 34,000 to 58,000 Avios, despite both programs using Avios as their currency. Since Avios transfer at a 1:1 ratio, choosing Finnair for certain redemptions can save you tens of thousands of points.
Need help linking your accounts or transferring Avios? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide.
Finnair Avios Promotion: Real-Life Redemptions That Prove The Value
From November 1 through November 20, 2024, Finnair is running a 50% off promotion for purchasing Avios, allowing you to buy Avios for as little as 1.3 cents per Avios. Why is this exciting? Because when used strategically, this promotion can deliver jaw-dropping savings on premium travel, especially for families planning vacations for 2024 and beyond. To illustrate, let’s look at some real time examples where Finnair Avios shine. (These are really available for a family of two and above next spring through fall, subject to the routes.)
Using Finnair Avios On Finnair Flights
Route: Manchester to Osaka (Finnair – Business Class)
- Requirement: 80,500 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 80,500 Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $1,046.50
- Taxes: $446.07
- Total cost: $1,492.57
- Revenue ticket price: $5,868 one way per passenger
- Savings: around 75%
- Availability: up to 4 seats
Route: Helsinki to Osaka (Finnair – Business Class)
- Requirement: 62,500 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 62,500 Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $812.50
- Taxes: $146.85
- Total cost: $959.40
- Revenue ticket price: $4,583 one way per passenger
- Saving: around 79%
- Availability: up to 4 seats
Using Finnair Avios On Cathay Pacific Flights
Route: Hong Kong to London / Manchester (Cathay Pacific – Business Class)
- Requirement: 72,500 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 72,500 Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $942.50
- Taxes: $276 per person, one way
- Total cost: $1,218.50
- Revenue ticket price: $3,560 one way
- Saving: around 66%
- Availability: up to 2 seats
Route: Chicago to Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific – Business Class)
- Requirement: 85,000 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 85,000 Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $1,105
- Taxes: $124.50 per person, one way
- Total cost: $1,229.50
- Revenue ticket price: $5,441 one way
- Saving: around 77%
- Availability: up to 2 seats
Using Finnair Avios Transferred To Qatar Avios
Route: New York to London (JetBlue – “Mint” Business Class)
- Requirement: 78,000 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 78,000 Finnair Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $1,014
- Taxes: $10.10 per person, one way
- Total cost: $1,024.10
- Revenue ticket price: $2,283 one way
- Saving: around 55%
- Availability: up to 3 seats
Route: Boston to Paris (JetBlue – “Mint” Business Class)
- Requirement: 78,000 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 78,000 Finnair Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $1,014
- Taxes: $10.10
- Total cost: $1,024.10
- Revenue ticket price: $2,033 one way
- Saving: around 49%
- Availability: up to 4 seats
Route: Hong Kong to Manchester (Qatar Airways – Business Class)
- Requirement: 75,000 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 75,000 Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $975
- Taxes: $262.80
- Total cost: $1,237.80
- Revenue ticket price: $4,967 one way
- Saving: around 75%
- Availability: up to 2 seats
Route: Hong Kong to Bangkok (Cathay Pacific – Business Class)
- Requirement: 16,500 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 16,500 Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $214.50
- Taxes: $44.50
- Total cost: $259
- Revenue ticket price: $758 one way
- Saving: around 65%
- Availability: up to 2 sests
Route: Hong Kong to Bangkok (Cathay Pacific – Economy Class)
- Requirement: 9,000 Avios one way per person
- Cost during promotion: 9,000 Avios x $0.013 / Avios = $117.00
- Taxes: $35.50
- Total cost: $152.50
- Revenue ticket price: $293 one way
- Saving: around 47%
- Availability: up to 5 seats
Key Tips To Maximize Finnair Avios
- Have a plan before buying points. Know the routes and dates you want and check for award availability.
- Factor in taxes and fees. While Avios can save you thousands on premium flights, taxes and surcharges vary by airlines.
- Understand expiration rules. Finnair Avios expire after 18 months of inactivity. So use them promptly.
- Leverage the Avios ecosystem. Transferring Avios between programs can unlock the best value for specific routes.
Maximize Your Purchase With The Right Credit Card
Because Finnair uses Points.com to sell Avios, your purchase won’t be coded as a travel expense. Use one of these cards to earn rewards or work toward a welcome bonus:
- The credit cards for everyday purchases:
- Citi Double Cash: Earn 2% cash back on all purchases
- Capital One Venture Rewards: 2X miles on all purchases
- A credit card with which you’re working on a sign-up bonus. These are the best sign-up bonus available right now:
Annual Fee: $95. Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $395. Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 150,000 Miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $150. Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass in your first 6 months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $0. Sign-Up Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
Final Thoughts
Buying Finnair Avios during this promotion can deliver massive savings, especially for families who want to elevate their travel experiences. Whether it’s flying in business class to Japan, experiencing JetBlue Mint Class, or enjoying a short-haul adventure in Asia, the savings are undeniable – if you know how to use them. Are you planning to buy Finnair Avios? Let me know your questions or thoughts in the comments, I’d love to help you make the most of this opportunity!
