This is just a quick reminder that today, November 15, 2018, is the last day to transfer American Express Membership Reward points to either British Airways or Iberia Avios points with the 40% bonus. Typically, points transfer at a 1:1 ratio for both programs, but with this promotion this means that for ever 1 point transferred, you’ll receive 1.4 British Airways points. For example, 100,000 Amex points will net you 140,000 Avios points. This is definitely one of the better transfer partners and bonus offers do not come around as often anymore. I actually think the last time they ran this promotion was exactly a year ago. You can transfer your points here.
So is this a good deal?
Yes! A 40% bonus is a great offer especially when transferring to a very desirable and valuable point currency. It is also the highest promotion you’ll see for this particular partner. Yes, they offered a 50% promo about a year and a half ago, but that when when the transfer ratio was lower, so a 40% bonus is actually better. With any transfer point promotion though, I typically do not suggest transferring points speculatively, unless you absolutely know that you’ll be able to use them and get a desirable value. Once you transfer your points to a partner program, you cannot transfer them back.
Now, even though it is a good deal, I will NOT be transferring my points during this promotion. While I am sitting on a decent amount of Amex Membership Reward points, I am sitting on an even higher balance of British Airways Avios points. I also now have a decent number of Iberia points due to their phenomenal promotion this summer. So at the moment, I do not need anymore points. I prefer to transfer at times when I know I’ll definitely use them or have a specific award redemption in mind. With that being said, I have transferred points before during a similar promotion and am happy I did.
Should you transfer your points?
It really depends on how you like to redeem. Many people get a great value with their British Airways and Iberia Avios points and sometimes it is a program that is overlooked since it is non a US-based loyalty program. It is best for non-stop flights within the US, using partners to get to Ireland and Spain, and intra-Europe, Africa, and Australia flights. Both programs have the same award availability, but have a very different award chart. The good thing though is that you can transfer points between the two programs as long as both accounts have been open for 90+ days. So if you transfer to one program, but then decide that the points would go further in the other, you can transfer back and forth if needed.
Will you be transferring your points?
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