Avios, the loyalty currency used by programs like British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, Qatar Privilege Club, and soon Finnair Plus, is not only popular among United Kingdom travelers but also among travelers in the United States. This is because Avios is becoming more widely adopted by various airline loyalty programs, making it easier for travelers to earn and redeem points.
One of the advantages of Avios is that it allows for easier redemptions with more value compared to other loyalty currencies. As more airlines adopt Avios, the redemption options expand, providing travelers with more choices and opportunities to get the most out of their points. For example, when Qatar Airways moved to Avios in 2022, British Airways reduced the prices of Qsuite business-class redemptions, including taxes and fees.
The versatility of Avios is also evident in the range of airlines on which you can redeem your points. While the above-mentioned loyalty programs allow for Avios redemptions, there are additional partner airlines where Avios can be used. However, the redemption options may vary depending on the loyalty program you use.
For flights on Oneworld alliance airlines, including British Airways, Qatar, and Iberia, you can use Avios to book flights assuming award availability. The Oneworld alliance consists of 14 airlines, including popular carriers like American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. Fiji Airways, a Oneworld Connect member, also allows Avios redemptions, but points from Iberia Plus or Aer Lingus AerClub must be transferred to the British Airways Executive Club account before they can be used for Fiji Airways flights.
In addition to Oneworld alliance partners, Avios can be redeemed for flights on other partner airlines through various loyalty programs. British Airways Executive Club allows redemptions on Aer Lingus, Vueling, and Sun-Air. Iberia Plus allows redemptions on Avianca, Level, LATAM, Binter Canaries, and Vueling. Aer Lingus AerClub allows redemptions on British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling. Qatar Privilege Club allows redemptions on Bangkok Airways, JetBlue, LATAM, Middle East Airlines, Oman Air, RwandAir, S7, and Virgin Australia. Finnair Plus, once it adopts Avios, will allow redemptions on Braathens Regional Airlines and Juneyao Air in addition to Oneworld airlines.
With such a wide range of redemption options, there are several ways to get the most value out of your Avios. For example, British Airways Executive Club offers off-peak flights from London to European destinations up to 650 miles away for just 4,750 Avios one way. Iberia Plus allows for cheap business class flights to Europe, with flights under 4,000 miles costing just 34,000 Iberia Avios plus minimal fees and taxes on off-peak dates. British Airways Executive Club also offers great redemption rates for flights from major West Coast cities in the U.S. to the Hawaiian Islands.
Earning Avios is also made easy through various methods. One option is to transfer credit card points to Avios-based programs. Several credit card programs allow transfers to Avios at a 1:1 rate, with Marriott Bonvoy offering a 3:1 rate and a bonus of 5,000 Avios for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred. Another way to earn Avios is through credit card bonuses. Each Avios program has its own credit card, all issued by Chase Bank in the U.S., with a generous welcome offer of earning 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
In conclusion, Avios is becoming a key loyalty currency for travelers in the United Kingdom and the United States. With its increasing adoption by various airline loyalty programs, it provides travelers with more flexibility and opportunities to earn and redeem points. Whether you’re flying with Oneworld alliance airlines or other partner airlines, Avios offers a wide range of redemption options, allowing you to get the most value out of your points. By understanding where and how to redeem Avios, you can make the most of your loyalty currency and enjoy a rewarding travel experience.