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People who book with points are always looking for great deals, and transfer bonuses give you the chance to get even more value. American Express is offering a 30% bonus when transferring Membership Rewards to British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus Avios. Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points, and the transfer deadline is August 31, 2023.
Points are typically not transferable between airlines, but the Avios program overturns that convention, making it one of the most versatile loyalty programs in the sector. British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Qatar all use Avios as their points currency and those points can be shared between programs.
As part of the oneworld alliance, British Airways and Iberia can book flights operated by other oneworld member airlines such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. These partnerships are where we find our sweet spot.
British Airways operates a distance-based award chart. So one key to finding value is looking for short direct flights. Additionally, British Airways allows you to pool points within a ‘household’ of up to 7 members. With these features in mind, let’s take a look at some of the Avios top perks that make this transfer bonus even more attractive.
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Iberia Business Class to Europe
Booking a one-way business class seat on Iberia from the east coast to Madrid during the off-peak period has already traded for 34,000 Avios. Amex Membership Rewards transferred to British Airways allows him to book from Boston to Madrid for as low as 27,000, saving 7,000 points.
Iberia Airlines USA to Europe
If keeping your hard-earned points is your priority and class of service doesn’t matter, consider booking the same Iberia flight in Economy. At 17,000 Avios or 14,000 Membership Rewards transfers, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal to cross the Atlantic.
Aer Lingus between Dublin and Boston
Aer Lingus operates one of the shortest flights between Dublin, Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts. British Airways uses a distance-based rewards table, so rewards are cheaper on shorter flights. An off-peak economy award from Dublin to Boston costs just under 3,000 miles one way at 13,000 Avio, or 10,000 Membership Rewards.
professional tips
Dublin Airport is one of the few international hubs where you can clear US customs before departure. This means that when you return to the United States, you can step off the plane and waltz outside the airport without waiting in long immigration lines after your transatlantic flight.
Mexico and the Caribbean
One of the most economical ways to get to Mexico and the Caribbean is to book with Avios. British Airways may not operate flights from the United States to the Caribbean, but oneworld partner American Airlines operates multiple routes between her two regions. Book an American Airlines flight from Miami, Florida to Cancun, Mexico for just 7,500 Avios or 6,000 Membership Rewards with bonuses.
A flight from Austin, Texas to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic earns 13,000 Avios or 10,000 Membership Rewards with a bonus if you’re based in the heart of the US. Booking the same flight directly with American Airlines would be well over $400.
from the west coast of hawaii
Whether you’re based on the West Coast or not, it might be worth booking your next flight to Hawaii from there. Flights that normally start at 13,000 Avios are reduced to 10,000 Membership Rewards due to transfer bonuses. As an example, check the dates from Los Angeles (LAX) to Maui (OGG).
So it’s like if you book a family of 5, you get one free flight as a bonus. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines offer up to seven Economy Award Tickets when booking large families or groups.
Qatar Q Suite
Widely known as one of the best business class seats in the sky, Qsuites in Qatar can easily cost you over $10,000. If you’re the type of person who wants to squeeze as much value out of your points as possible, booking Qsuites is the way to go. Off-peak season one-way tickets start at 70,000 Avios. With a transfer bonus from Amex, it’s just 54,000 points to earn one of the most popular experiences in air travel. Book this flight to explore the charm of the Arabian Peninsula or use it as your gateway to tropical destinations such as the Maldives.
Conclusion
At first glance, the transfer bonuses for British Airways and Iberia may seem a bit limited. However, the versatility of the Avios program opens up vast opportunities to reach destinations far and near and experience the very best in luxury service.
It is generally not recommended to migrate points speculatively. Therefore, always check the availability of your chosen flight before submitting your transfer from Amex. Whether your plans are excursions to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe or even the Middle East, this bonus can mean big savings.
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