How to transfer Avios between programs (British Airways, Qatar, Iberia, Aer Lingus)

Avios is the airline miles currency used by British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Qatar Airways, and Finnair. 

Because these airlines use the same currency, you can transfer Avios between your accounts with these airlines. 

Here are some reasons why you may want to.

Why to transfer Avios

• Your Avios are about to expire in one airline’s account. Transferring your Avios to another airline counts as account activity and, therefore, extends the lifetime of your Avios.
• You want to book a flight with one airline, but your points don’t transfer to that airline directly. For example, you may want to book a flight with Qatar Airways to experience their famed Q Suites, but your credit card points don’t transfer to Qatar. However, they transfer to British Airways, so if you first transfer points to Avios at British Airways and then move your Avios from British Airways Avios to Qatar Airways, you can now book a flight. 
• You want to take advantage of a transfer bonus. If there’s a transfer bonus running with one Avios airline, such as British Airways, you can get more Avios for fewer points. Then transfer to the airline you want to book with. 

You want to book with one airline because it offers lower taxes and fees. Transferring Avios to the program that has the lowest taxes and fees is a savvy way to save money.

How to transfer Avios between programs

The process to move Avios depends on which airline program you’re trying to move it from and to. 

I’m starting this list with British Airways because this site allows you to do the widest range of Avios transfers. 

Moving Avios from and to British Airways

1. To transfer Avios from and to British Airways, first login to your loyalty account with the airline. 
2. Next, go to the combine Avios page.
3. Select which airline loyalty program you want to transfer Avios to. Options include Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar, and Finnair.
4. Enter the number of Avios you want to move. 
5. Confirm your transfer.

Moving Avios from and to Iberia Airways

1. First go to the combine Avios at Iberia.
2. Next, choose which program you want to transfer Avios to. Options are British Airways or “Avios Partners’ for Aer Lingus. 
3. Enter your British Airways or Aer Lingus login info and select which direction to transfer Avios.

At this time, you cannot transfer Iberia Avios directly to Qatar. You must first transfer to British Airways and then to Qatar.

Moving Avios from and to Qatar Airways

You move Avios from Qatar to British Airways through British Airways.

1. Go to the British Airways-Qatar Airways partnership page. 
2. Login to both accounts and complete two-factor authentication.
3. Finally, move Avios between British Airways and Qatar Airways either way.

Moving Avios from and to Finnair

Finnair Plus is the newest addition to the Avios family. You can transfer Avios to and from Finnair through the British Airways combine Avios page. 

Follow the steps listed under the British Airways section above. 

Moving Avios from and to Aer Lingus

1. Login in to Avios.com.
2. Choose British Airways or Iberia as the airline you wan to move Avios to or from. 

At this time, you cannot transfer Aer Lingus Avios directly to Qatar. You must first transfer to British Airways and then to Qatar.

How to earn Avios

Every type of credit card point transfers with some type of Avios. Because you can transfer Avios, that means you can access other airlines' Avios, too. 

Credit card transfer partners with Avios airlines

Below are the list of credit card points that transfer 1:1 with each airline. 

You can use this list as a cheat sheet. If you want to book on Qatar, but only have Chase points, you’re not out of luck. First, you can transfer your points to British Airways first, and then transfer your British Airways Avios to Qatar Avios. 

British Airways

• American Express
• Bilt Rewards
• Capital One
• Chase
• Wells Fargo

Iberia Airways

• American Express
• Bilt Rewards
• Chase
• Wells Fargo

Qatar Airways

• American Express
• Citi

Aer Lingus

• American Express
• Bilt Rewards
• Chase
• Wells Fargo

Finnair 

• Capital One