Unlock Massive Points Savings with Amex to Avios Transfer Bonus: Your Ultimate Playbook

To the Point

American Express is offering a lucrative 30% transfer bonus to British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia, making your Membership Rewards points go further than ever! Imagine flying in luxurious business-class cabins to top destinations like Madrid, Dublin, Helsinki, Doha, Hong Kong, and Tokyo—all for significantly fewer points.

This playbook or “guide” will show you how to unlock these incredible deals, use your Avios effectively, and make the most of your Amex points. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to the points game, this is the perfect opportunity to upgrade your travel experience without spending a fortune. Read on to find out how to turn your points into unforgettable journeys.

American Express: New Transfer Bonuses

American Express has announced exciting new transfer bonuses for Membership Rewards points:

  • 30% Transfer Bonus to British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia Through Sept 30, 2024

  • For every 1,000 Membership Rewards points transferred, you receive 1,300 Avios.

  • 20% Transfer Bonus to Hawaiian Airlines Through Aug 31, 2024

  • For every 1,000 Membership Rewards points transferred, you receive 1,200 Hawaiian Miles.

This is a fantastic opportunity to stretch your points further and book those bucket-list trips you’ve been dreaming about.

How to Take Advantage of the Transfer Bonus

First, it’s important to remember that this Avios transfer bonus is only from American Express to British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia. Here’s how I’d book it:

  1. Find the award availability by searching directly with the airline (ie: search with Qatar for QSuites)

  2. Check the award pricing via the partner airlines (ie: search via British Airways for the same Qatar QSuite flights)

  3. Once you know how many Avios you’ll need, based on which one is lower, transfer your Amex points to British Airways or another bonus partner airline

  4. If you want to book via Qatar, you’ll need to link your British Airways and Qatar Privilege Club accounts together.

  5. Transfer the points from Amex to British Airways, giving you the 30% bonus

  6. Transfer your newly minted Avios points from British Airways to Qatar Privilege Club

  7. Book your award flight and make sure to put the taxes and fees on a card that has travel protection (my favorite is The Platinum Card® from American Express)

How to Transfer Amex Points to Avios

You’ll need an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points before you can transfer your points to the partner airline. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Log in to your American Express account.

  2. Navigate to the Membership Rewards section.

  3. Select Transfer Points.

  4. Choose British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, or Iberia Plus.

  5. Enter the number of points you wish to transfer (remember the 30% bonus!).

  6. Confirm the transfer.

Make sure you have one of the following cards to participate in the transfer bonus:

If you don’t have one of these cards, you can make sure you’re getting the best offer that you’re targeted for with CardMatch for free!

Best Ways to Use Avios

Let’s explore some of the best ways to use your newly boosted Avios balance. These are just a few examples to give you an idea of the possibilities!

Iberia Business Class to Madrid

  • Typical Cost: 34,000 Avios one-way from the US East Coast

  • With Limited Time Bonus: 27,000 Membership Rewards points

  • Example Flight: New York (JFK) to Madrid (MAD)


Aer Lingus Business Class to Dublin

  • Typical Cost: 50,000 Avios one-way on off-peak dates

  • With Limited Time Bonus: 39,000 Membership Rewards points

  • Example Flight: Boston (BOS) to Dublin (DUB)


Finnair Business Class to Helsinki

  • Typical Cost: 62,500 Avios one-way

  • With Limited Time Bonus: 49,000 Membership Rewards points (Transfer to British Airways Avios, then combine with Finnair)

  • Example Flight: Chicago (ORD) to Helsinki (HEL)


Qatar Airways QSuites to Doha and Beyond

  • Typical Cost: 70,000 Avios one-way

  • With Limited Time Bonus: 54,000 Membership Rewards points

  • Example Flight: New York (JFK) to Doha (DOH)

You can also extend your trip to a TON of incredible destinations with Qatar

  • To the Maldives: 85,000 Avios (66,000 Membership Rewards points with bonus)

  • To Bali: 100,000 Avios (77,000 Membership Rewards points with bonus)


Cathay Pacific Business Class to Hong Kong

  • Typical Cost: 75,000 Avios one-way

  • With Limited Time Bonus: 58,000 Membership Rewards points (Transfer to British Airways Avios, then combine with Finnair)

  • Example Flight: San Francisco (SFO) to Hong Kong (HKG)


JAL Business Class to Tokyo

  • Typical Cost: 77,250 Avios one-way from LAX

  • With Limited Time Bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards points

  • Example Flight: Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (HND/NRT)

Final Point

This 30% transfer bonus from American Express to Avios is a golden opportunity to book amazing flights at reduced points costs. By leveraging this bonus, you can enjoy premium travel experiences for less. Don’t miss out—start transferring your points today and unlock incredible travel rewards!

Any questions about the American Express® Gold Card or any other card? Please let us know by DMing us on Instagram, or by messaging us on Facebook! You can also email us anytime with any feedback or questions at hello@thepointspassport.com!

Note: All information about the American Express Gold Card have been collected independently by The Points Passport and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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