Reposting this deal as it ends Monday (10/10). Â If you hadn’t seen this, or meant to transfer and forgot, you have a few days left
American Express is like Citi ThankYou points and Chase Ultimate Rewards in being called a “convertible” currency. Â The reason for that is that one of the most valuable uses of those points is that you can transfer them to a variety of airline, hotel and other travel partners.
I’ve transferred American Express Membership Rewards points to Air Canada to get around the close-in booking fee that United charges.
American Express frequently runs transfer bonuses to its transfer partners, and there is currently a 50% bonus from American Express to British Airways
American Express 50% transfer to British Airways
I learned from Doctor of Credit that American Express is offering a 50% bonus if you transfer your Membership Rewards to British Airways. Â You can transfer your Membership Rewards here on the Amex site (you’ll have to log in, of course).
Why British Airways Avios are good miles to have (even if you never leave the USA)
When I first started out in the miles and points world, I only focused on the US airlines since I was planning on domestic travel. Â What I didn’t realize is that because of airline alliances
When I did my first ever trip with miles and points (from Cincinnati to Miami), I used 20,000 US Airways miles to fly roundtrip via Charlotte
But if I had realized it, I could have used only 15,000 British Airways Avios to fly on the direct American Airlines flight to Miami, saving miles AND time.
It used to be that any flights under 650 flown miles cost 4500 Avios, but that has gone away in North America. Â It’s still 4500 Avios for those shorter flights in other countries, but if the origin or destination is in the United States, it’s a minimum of 7500 Avios (which is still often a pretty good deal)
Is it worth transferring to Avios?
The bummer about this 50% bonus transferring to Avios is that late last year, Amex devalued their transfer to British Airways. Â So where it used to be 1:1, now you have to transfer 250 Membership Rewards to get only 200 Avios. Â With the 50% bonus, you’ll get 300 Avios (or a 20% increase of your MRs)
Still, while it stings that this 50% bonus really feels like only a 20% increase, this is probably the best you’re going to get now, so if you want to get a bonus on your British Airways Avios, I’d recommend transferring now. Â The transfer bonus ends October 10th.
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I need to transfer 60K amex points before the end of the month but can’t figure out which transfer would be best? I do have a trip I am saving up for to NZ in early 2108. Should I take advantage of this offer or transfer elsewhere that will be more benefitial to flying to NZ and if so which airline would that be?
British Airways would NOT be very helpful for flights to New Zealand. My guess is that United or other Star Alliance miles would be the best for New Zealand but why don’t you ask over on the Slack channel? I bet some folks would be able to help
American now fly LAX-AKL on the 787….so Avios would be useful for that route, no YQ’s!
What are YQ’s?
YQ is the fare code for fuel surcharges. So what he’s saying is that using your Avios to fly on American Airlines to New Zealand won’t get any fuel surcharges, whereas using them to fly other airlines (including British Airways itself) WOULD have fuel surcharges
Thanks and I did try on slack but my post didn’t get a lot of traffic. Maybe I will try again.
Look at this awardace.com
Why not list the transfer partner in the headline? Won’t produce enough site visits???
Avios are a great transfer option but like all partners, have a plan to use them before you do. Avios are still good for flights to Hawaii from west coast and Caribbean from east coast. Also handy for short hops in Europe, Asia and Australia.
That’s not what he asked. We all know how to maximize Avios, but it’s clear that omitting in the headline that it’s just for Avios wouldn’t be as sensational and generate clicks. I definitely wouldn’t not have clicked if not for the deceptive headline.
Avios transfer bonuses are a dime a dozen because Avios is devalued so much. Now Aeroplan or Singapore 50% bonus…that’s something I’d jump on.
Avios is not that great anymore for short hops because of the platinum AMEX 50% back. 7,500 miles each way, assuming you can find inventory, means 15,000 round trip. With 50% back that’s 30k MR points to buy that short hop ticket. At that price your usually in first class territory not economy not to mention earning miles, etc. I just booked a round trip ticket first class ticket LAX-LAS for 18,270 points. A mere 3,270 points premium and you are confirmed to F. Economy roundtrip could have been had for half that so in the 10k trip pricing. The lack of blackout dates is awesome! I also just booked a one way F on AA flagship that I have been eyeing for the last 8 months. The only inventory that showed up was a connecting flight at 8 am. Cash price was $1,050 so 105,000 mr points. 50% back made the ticket 52,500 which if the flight I wanted was finally made available on award would have been 50k AA miles except now I earn miles! For domestic travel or any low fare ticket the new 50% back perk is hard to beat.
Here’s my plans for the next few years, Travel HawnAir to Phoenix, stay a week, Southwest to Oakland/SF, stay a week, then Oakland/SF to HNL via HawnAir. This will be RT multi-city. Will need hotel bay area. Have IHG card that will take care of hotels. Cars are easy enough. What would be the best way for flights. Maybe AA or other airlines?