Avios is the rewards factors forex of a number of airways, together with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways. Whereas every airline has its personal loyalty program, one of many nice issues is you could switch Avios between accounts without charge. On this submit I needed to take a more in-depth take a look at how that works.
The 4 “flavors” of Avios rewards factors
There are 4 loyalty packages that accrue Avios:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- British Airways Government Membership
- Iberia Plus
- Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
Whereas every program accrues Avios, the way in which that Avios may be earned and redeemed differs between packages. That’s the great thing about Avios, as you may transfer round your Avios between the varied packages based mostly on the way you’re seeking to redeem, as they every have their very own candy spots.
This function will also be helpful within the context of bank cards. For instance, there are three bank cards in america incomes Avios:
In different phrases, any of these playing cards may very well be helpful for those who’re seeking to earn a selected taste of Avios.
Moreover, some main transferable factors currencies associate with just some packages that earn Avios. For instance, Citi ThankYou companions with Qatar Airways Privilege Membership, whereas Amex Membership Rewards companions with British Airways Government Membership. Due to this switch choice, it means you may not directly earn British Airways Avios via Citi ThankYou, or Qatar Airways Avios via Amex Membership Rewards.
How one can mix Avios between accounts
Avios may be mixed between accounts without charge. There are not any limits to what number of Avios you may switch, and you’ll switch them forwards and backwards between accounts. So don’t consider an Avios switch as some ultimate choice that may’t be undone.
Let me simply make clear a couple of additional restrictions to pay attention to with regards to transferring Avios:
- You may solely switch Avios between accounts in your personal title; in different phrases, you may’t switch your British Airways Government Membership Avios to another person’s Qatar Airways Privilege Membership account
- You’ll wish to ensure that all of your frequent flyer accounts have matching private particulars; be certain that your full title and different private particulars match between accounts, or else chances are you’ll run into points
- Shifting factors to & from Iberia Plus comes with further restrictions, together with you could’t transfer factors to or from Iberia inside 90 days of becoming a member of the Iberia Plus program, and your Iberia Plus account should have additionally had some exercise throughout the previous 36 months to be eligible for transfers
- You may’t transfer factors instantly between British Airways and Iberia in case your British Airways Government Membership account is a part of a family account
Now, the precise technique of transferring Avios between accounts isn’t essentially as simple because it may very well be:
- There’s not a single web site that permits all transfers, however fairly one of the best web site for making a switch depends upon what you’re attempting to do
- All these web sites are typically glitchy, so chances are you’ll discover that you just generally have points even for those who’re doing the whole lot proper
Let’s check out the best choice for transferring every of the 4 varieties of Avios (I’m rating them roughly based mostly on how precious I believe the switch choice is). I’ll be linking to the pages for initiating a switch. I received’t be writing a step-by-step tutorial, although, since I believe it’s really fairly easy when you’re on the appropriate hyperlink (although if persons are nonetheless confused, let me know and I’ll replace this submit so as to add screenshots, and many others.).
Switch Avios to & from British Airways Government Membership
British Airways’ web site means that you can switch Avios to & from Iberia and Qatar Airways. I discover this to be the best web site to make use of to transfers, and you’ll discover British Airways’ “mix Avios” hyperlink right here. That is my go-to choice once I’m seeking to switch Avios (and since I don’t actually use Aer Lingus AerClub, it covers all my wants).
Switch Avios to & from Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
Qatar Airways Privilege Membership is the latest program to make use of Avios as its rewards forex. As of now, it’s solely attainable to maneuver Avios instantly between Qatar Airways and British Airways. You may both try this via British Airways’ web site above, or you may discover Qatar Airways’ “mix Avios” hyperlink right here. Each are simple to make use of.
Switch Avios to & from Iberia Plus
Iberia’s web site means that you can switch Avios to & from British Airways and Aer Lingus. I discover Iberia’s web site a ache to make use of, although you may discover Iberia’s “mix my Avios” hyperlink right here. Personally I’d solely use this as a final resort, as I want to make use of British Airways’ web site.
Switch Avios to & from Aer Lingus AerClub
The generic Avios web site means that you can switch Avios between British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. Due to this fact that is the best choice for those who’re attempting to switch Avios to & from Aer Lingus, since Aer Lingus’ web site isn’t helpful for that. You may discover Avios’ “mix my Avios” hyperlink right here.
Backside line
It’s good the way it’s attainable to switch Avios between the varied currencies, relying on whether or not you’re incomes with British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus. Since every “taste” of Avios has its personal candy spots, it is a good function.
Sadly the method of truly transferring Avios between accounts is usually a bit cumbersome at instances, so hopefully the above is helpful for anybody who may benefit from this function. I discover British Airways’ web site best to make use of for these functions, and that can cowl you for Iberia and Qatar Airways.
In case you’ve mixed Avios between accounts, what was your expertise like?
