How To Transfer Avios Between British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair, Loganair, and Vueling

Avios can be transferred freely among the 7 loyalty programs that use the currency: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club, Finnair Plus, Iberia Club, Loganair Loyalty, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Vueling Club.

This guide covers how to move Avios between programs, which routes are direct and which require an intermediate step, and which credit card programs transfer to each. We’ve also included details about the transfer process and the credit card partners that transfer to these programs.

Quick Overview: Transferring Avios Between Programs

There are 7 loyalty programs that use Avios as their reward currency: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club, Finnair Plus, Iberia Club, Loganair Loyalty, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Vueling Club.

Transfers from one of the 7 programs to another are typically instant. Not all routes are direct, though. Transfers involving Qatar Airways Privilege Club or Finnair Plus must route through British Airways Club first. Avios can only be transferred between accounts in the same name; transfers to another person’s account are not permitted. Most major transferable points currencies partner with at least 1 Avios program, giving cardholders indirect access to programs their card does not partner with directly.

Each program has its own award chart and earning structure, but Avios can be redeemed across all of them. Each program also partners with at least 1 major transferable points currency, which expands the options for earning and moving Avios between programs.

Why Transfer Avios Between Programs?

Moving Avios between programs gives members access to award pricing or availability not offered by their home program. Iberia, for example, prices certain transatlantic routes differently than British Airways for the same flights.

Transfers also allow members to consolidate Avios spread across multiple accounts into a single program for an upcoming redemption. And because not every credit card points program partners directly with every Avios program, moving Avios through an intermediary can bridge the gap. For example, Citi ThankYou Points can reach British Airways Club by transferring first to Qatar Airways Privilege Club, then onward to British Airways.

Combining Avios Between Accounts

Avios can be transferred from any program to another with no limit on quantity and no cost. Transfers are typically instant and can be done through the Avios transfer tool. (Source: Avios)

There are a few conditions to keep in mind. You can only transfer Avios between accounts in the same name, so account details across programs need to match. Accounts also need to have been open for at least 30 days before you can initiate transfers.

Though it’s not possible to move Avios into an account in someone else’s name, members can use Avios to book award travel for family or friends or set up a household account to pool Avios. A household account allows multiple family members at the same address to link their Avios balances and combine them toward a single redemption.

Transferring Avios Between Programs

Avios can be transferred freely among all 7 programs through the Avios transfer tool. Note that some routes require an intermediate stop through British Airways. See the section below for a full breakdown of those.

To start a transfer:

1. Go to the Avios transfer page and select the program you want to transfer from.
2. Select “Next” and log in to that account.
3. Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure the account.
4. Select the program you want to transfer to.
5. Confirm the transfer using the 2FA method set up earlier.
6. Enter the number of Avios to transfer and click “Transfer.”

Which Transfers Require an Intermediate Step

Not all transfers among the 7 programs are direct. Transfers to or from Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Finnair Plus must route through British Airways Club

For example, moving Avios from Aer Lingus AerClub to Qatar Airways Privilege Club requires an intermediate transfer via British Airways first. There is no cost or points penalty for the intermediate step; all transfers remain at a 1:1 ratio. The table below shows which routes are direct and which require a stop.

All other transfers — between Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Loganair, and Vueling in either direction — are direct.

Credit Card Transfer Partners

Each Avios loyalty program is a transfer partner of at least 1 major transferable points currency, with the exception of Loganair, which has no direct credit card transfer partnerships in the U.S. Avios can be transferred to Loganair from any program that does have a direct card relationship, such as British Airways.

Nearly all of these transfers are at a 1:1 rate. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-Avios bonus for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred. (Source: Marriott Bonvoy) Citi ThankYou Points transfer at a 1:0.7 rate for cardholders without a premium annual-fee Citi card but at 1:1 for those who also hold one.

Here’s an example of how indirect routing works: British Airways Club is not a direct Citi transfer partner. Qatar Airways Privilege Club is a 1:1 Citi transfer partner. Transferring Citi points to Qatar Airways and then moving Avios onward to British Airways is a straightforward workaround with no cost or points penalty at either step. (Source: British Airways)

This means it is possible to reach any Avios program from virtually any major credit card points currency. It just might require an intermediary stop.

Final Thoughts

Avios transfers are free, typically instant, and available in both directions among all 7 programs. The key limitation to know is that transfers involving Qatar Airways or Finnair route through British Airways, though there’s no cost or points penalty for the extra step.

If a credit card rewards program doesn’t partner directly with a target Avios program, check whether an indirect route through another program fills the gap. In most cases, it will. Start at the Avios transfer tool to move Avios between programs.