Avios is the versatile rewards currency that connects some of the biggest airline loyalty programmes in the world. If your travel passport includes membership in British Airways Club, Club Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, or Qatar Airways Privilege Club, you're already part of this network. Avios can easily be transferred across these programmes with a one-to-one transfer rate and redeemed for BA reward flights. That means your British Airways Avios can easily turn into Qatar Airways Avios and vice versa.
But while they share the same Avios DNA, each programme uses its points system differently. For example, British Airways Club members, previously known as the British Airways Executive Club, enjoy access to Reward Flight Savers, a more cost-effective way to redeem Avios award flights. This feature caps the taxes, fees, and carrier charges, making reward flights more accessible. On the other hand, Club Iberia Plus offers off-peak awards requiring fewer Avios than peak travel times, making Business Class flights significantly more attainable. Understanding how Avios is valued within each programme can be key to maximising your travel benefits, along with using tools like our BA Avios flight finder.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to transfer your Avios between these programmes, so you can take advantage of a much wider range of travel rewards and perks.
The Transfer Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Transferring Avios between your British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus accounts is straightforward if you use Avios.com with your Aer Lingus AerClub login. Here's how:
- Open an AerClub Account: If you haven’t already, sign up for an Aer Lingus AerClub account here. This will be your gateway to accessing Avios.com.
- Log In to Avios.com: Once your AerClub account is set up, log in to Avios.com using your AerClub credentials. If prompted, you may need to create a new password.
- Access 'Combine My Avios': Inside your Avios.com account, navigate to the “Manage my account” tab and select “Combine my Avios.”
- Select the Programme for Transfer: Your current AerClub Avios will show up in your Avios.com account. Now, choose the other programme (British Airways or Iberia) from which you want to transfer Avios to or from.
- Complete the Transfer: After logging into the selected programme, specify the number of Avios you wish to transfer and confirm your choice. The transfer is usually immediate and free of charge.
Keep in mind these extra considerations for Club Iberia Plus:
- Account Age Requirement: To transfer Avios out of or into an Club Iberia Plus account, it must be at least 90 days old. Therefore, opening an Club Iberia Plus account well before you transfer points is a good idea.
- Two-Step Process for Iberia: If you're moving your points from Iberia to British Airways, you'll first transfer Avios from Iberia to Avios.com and then from Avios.com to British Airways. It adds an extra step but remains the most efficient method.
Transferring Avios with Qatar Airways
While Qatar Airways Privilege Club has adopted Avios as its loyalty currency, it's not directly integrated into the Avios.com transfer system as of now. However, there's a convenient workaround for transferring points to and from Qatar Airways via your British Airways account.
Here's how you can navigate this process:
- Link BA and Qatar Accounts: If you're a member of both Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Club, you can link these accounts. Begin by logging into your Qatar Privilege Club account. You should see a prompt to link your British Airways Club account. Select the "Link account with British Airways Club" option.
- Login to BA Account: After clicking to link accounts, you'll be asked to log into your British Airways account. This step is important to verify your membership and link the accounts.
- Transfer Avios Between Accounts: Once your accounts are linked, you'll have the option to transfer Avios between them. This can be done by selecting the "Combine Avios" button. You'll then be taken to a page where you can specify which account to transfer from and to and the amount of points you wish to move.
- Instant Processing: In most cases, transfers between British Airways and Qatar Airways are processed instantly. This means you can immediately see the points in your chosen account once the transfer is complete.
Alternatively, you can also link your British Airways and Qatar Airways accounts through the "Combine my Avios" tab on the British Airways website. This option essentially mirrors the process described above and offers another route for those who prefer to initiate the transfer from the British Airways side.
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Tips and Best Practices
When it comes to transferring Avios between your accounts, a little planning and awareness go a long way. Here are some final tips and best practices to ensure your Avios transfers are smooth:
- Match Your Details: Before initiating a transfer, always make sure your personal details match across all your accounts to avoid any transfer issues.
- Check Programme Specifics: Familiarise yourself with the specifics of each programme. This includes understanding the unique benefits and potential limitations of Avios in different loyalty programmes.
- Plan Ahead with Reward Flight Finder (RFF): For those looking to redeem their Avios for flights, using tools like BA Avios flight finder can be immensely helpful. It allows you to Search for available Avios award flights up to a year in advance, helping you plan ahead and make the most of your points.
- Free and Instant Transfers: One of the best advantages of transferring Avios is that it's a cost-free process. Transfers are typically instant, so you can immediately access your points in the new account. This immediate availability is particularly handy if you're looking to book BA reward flights on short notice.
- No Minimum Transfer Amounts: Whether you need to transfer a few hundred or several thousand Avios, there’s flexibility. There are no minimum transfer amounts, making it convenient to move exactly the number of Avios you need for your next trip or reward.
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