Avios is the global loyalty currency owned by Avios Group (AGL) and used by the following airlines:
- British Airways (British Airways Executive Club)
- Iberia (Iberia Plus)
- Aer Lingus (Aer Lingus AerClub)
- Vueling Airlines (Vueling Club)
- Qatar Airways (Qatar Airways Privilege Club)
- Finnair (Finnair Plus)
Avios are transferrable between any of these programs at a ratio of 1:1, so each Avios is theoretically worth the same in each program. If you collect points with one of these airlines, you can use them with any of the others. For example, you earn points with Aer Lingus, then you can move them to your British Airways or Iberia accounts. It gives you lots of choices. However, the truth is that not all Avios are created equal. Their value can fluctuate depending on how you redeem them, especially when it comes to taxes and fuel surcharges.
This post dives into three secrets to help you slash 80% of travel cost by using Avios, covering the differences between the various Avios programs, how you can make the most of the latest transfer bonus promotion to Avios, and the tips to transfer among Avios programs.
Secret 1: Use Transfer Bonuses From Bank Partners To Slash Costs By 30%
Avios transfer bonus from bank partners happen quite regularly. The current one is from now until 10/31/2024, there’s an exciting deal on the table. Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points into the following Avios programs will net you an extra 30% bonus. This means that for every 1,000 points you transfer, you’ll receive 1,300 Avios.
- British Airways Avios
- Aer Lingus Avios
- Iberia Avios
Here’s how a 30% transfer bonus can really stretch your points: normally, a one-way business class flight from Chicago to London would cost you 80,000 Avios. That’s a lot of award miles! But, with Chase’s 30% transfer bonus to British Airways, you’d only need to transfer 62,000 points. Instead of coughing up 80,000 Chase UR points, That’s a difference of 18,000 UR points saved! Just remember, if your Avios account has been inactive for 36 months, your points could expire – so be mindful of your usage!
Secret 2: Compare Avios Programs And Avoid 4-Digit Surcharges
Even better, partner airlines might offer even lower redemptions. Finnair, also using Avios currencies, charges 62,500 Avios for business class from Chicago to Helsinki. Thanks to the 30% transfer bonus from Chase, that’s only 48,000 Chase UR points! However, the surcharges when redeeming Avios can sometimes be a dealbreaker. For example, Finnair business class surcharges can reach up to $1,025 for just a one-way ticket. Ouch!
To avoid high surcharges, here’s a simple hack: check taxes and fees across other airlines that also use Avios. Since Avios is a shared currency among airlines like Iberia, Aer Lingus, and British Airways, you can transfer freely between them. When we checked Iberia’s website, for example, the same Finnair flight from Chicago to Helsinki had surcharges reduced to just $187 – a huge difference compared to the $1,000+ you’d face booking through British Airways. However, you are not able to cancel partners award flights when using Iberia Avios.
- Further reading: How To Best Use Avios To Book The Reward Flights
Secret 3: Learn How To Transfer Avios Freely And Cut Your Out-Of-Pocket Costs By 80%
Each airlines’ Avios program has its own rules and prices for booking flights. Sometimes British Airways is the best choice, other times it might be Iberia or Qatar Airways. As mentioned, British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus, Finnair all use Avios. Learning to get the hang of it would help you save more money, and invest for better and more comfortable travel.
Transferring Avios between accounts is easy, too. You’ll be able to move Avios instantly between accounts and minimize fees! Take a look on Avios on Finnair. The surcharges is down to $144, saving more than 80% in total cash.
Simply log in to your British Airways account, select “Combine my Avios,” and link accounts with Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, or Finnair. We have written about 5 Sweet Spots You Need To Know About Avios. Check it out!
How Easy To Earn Avios?
If you’re looking to rack up some serious balance of Avios, check out the Chase Ink Business Unlimited business credit card. It’s offering a record-high 90,000-point sign-up bonus right now, which turns into 117,000 Avios with the 30% transfer bonus. After meeting the $6,000 spending requirement (which earns an additional 9,000 UR points), you’ve got enough for a round-trip business class ticket to Europe. Plus, it’s a no-annual-fee card, making the 90,000-point bonus even more impressive – whether you redeem them for a cool $900 ~ $1,350 in cash value or aim for an even more luxurious travel experience!
Final Thoughts
Avios are very easy to earn, straightforward without very complicated rules with relatively low entry point for award flight redemption. By following these three secrets, you unlock the receipt to huge saving for your travel:
- Use transfer bonuses from bank partners to slash costs by 30%
- Compare Avios programs and avoid 4-digit surcharges
- Learn how to transfer Avios freely and cut your out-of-pocket costs by 80%
Thanks to the 30% transfer bonus from bank partners like Chase and the generous 90,000-point Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card offer, now’s your chance to snag a free round-trip business class award flight to Europe. It’s a deal you don’t want to miss!
Do you have similar experience when making Avios redemption? Which ones do you use most?
