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American Express just launched a brand-new 30% transfer bonus to British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus for U.S. cardmembers. There are several great ways to redeem Avios, so this is an incredibly useful bonus. And it’ll be around for a while too, lasting until September 27, 2026.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new Amex to Avios transfer bonus and some of the best ways to redeem your newly transferred points.
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Amex-Avios Transfer Bonus Key Terms
- Receive a 30% bonus when you transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus.
- This offer is valid through 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on September 27, 2026.
- With the bonus, you’ll receive 1,300 Avios for every 1,000 Membership Rewards points transferred.
- Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points.
- The maximum number of Avios you can receive in a single transfer is 999,000.
- Bonus Avios are awarded at the time of transfer. Most transfers are processed immediately, but it may take up to 72 hours.
- Note that this transfer bonus is only available to Amex U.S. cardmembers.
Related: How to Transfer Amex Points to Airline and Hotel Programs: A Step-By-Step Guide
Best Ways to Redeem Avios for Award Flights
There are tons of great ways to redeem Avios. But before we get into them, it’s worth pointing out just how flexible this airline currency really is. Just because you transfer your Amex points to British Airways doesn’t mean you have to redeem them there.
Once you convert your credit card points to Avios, you can move them between several airlines that use the currency. And this free and easy feature opens the door to the best sweet spots each program has to offer. You can transfer Avios between British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Finnair, Qatar Airways, and Loganair.
Aer Lingus economy awards to Dublin from 10k points
Want to head to Ireland on the cheap? Aer Lingus flies to Dublin and a few other Irish cities from several North American gateways, and awards are routinely available from 13,000 Avios plus taxes and fees. With the 30% Avios transfer bonus, you’ll need just 10,000 Amex points to book one of these flights.
For example, here’s an award from Boston (BOS) to Dublin (DUB) that’s available through the British Airways website:
Iberia business class to Spain from 32k points
Despite a recent devaluation, Iberia still offers some of the best business class award rates to Europe. On off-peak dates, you can fly from the East Coast (New York, Washington D.C., or Boston) or Chicago to Spain for just 40,500 Avios plus taxes and fees. With this transfer bonus, that’s only 32,000 Amex points.
Qatar Airways Qsuite to Doha (and beyond) from 54k points
Arguably, Qatar Airways flies the world’s best business class with its Qsuite product. And this transfer bonus gives you a great opportunity to book it for far fewer points than usual. For example, you can fly between Washington, D.C., and Doha for just 70,000 Avios plus taxes and fees, or only 54,000 Amex points with the bonus.
If you want to go further, you can reach destinations like Nepal, the Maldives, and more for 85,000 Avios, which comes out to just 66,000 Amex points.
Generally, your best bet for finding Qsuite availability is by booking through Qatar Airways Privilege Club. This requires transferring Avios from British Airways to Qatar. That said, British Airways sometimes shows a fair amount of award space on Qatar, too. We recommend using Seats.aero to search for Qsuite award availability.
Avios Expiration Policy
Before transferring rewards points to a loyalty program, it’s wise to have a specific use or two in mind. That way, you don’t have to worry about potential devaluations or forgetting about your points and letting them expire. But if you don’t have an immediate use in mind, it’s at least worth knowing the expiration policies for each program:
- Aer Lingus: Avios expire 36 months after they’re earned if there’s no activity on your account.
- British Airways: Avios expire after 36 months of account inactivity.
- Iberia: Avios will expire if you don’t earn or redeem any Avios within a 36-month period.
Membership Rewards to Avios Transfer Bonus History
American Express somewhat regularly offers transfer bonuses to Avios-using airlines. This happens typically once or twice per year. Here’s a look at past offers, starting with the most recent:
- This offer: 30% bonus through September 27, 2026 — British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus
- 30% bonus through July 15, 2025 — British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus
- 30% bonus through September 2024 — British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus
- 30% bonus through August 2023 — British Airways, Iberia
- 25% bonus during September 2022 — Aer Lingus, British Airways
- 40% bonus from April–May 2022 — Aer Lingus, British Airways
- 40% bonus from August–October 2019 — Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia
- 40% bonus from September–November 2018 — Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia
- 40% bonus from July–September 2017 — British Airways, Iberia
- 50% bonus from December 2016 — Iberia
- 50% bonus from August–October 2016 — British Airways
- 40% bonus from December 2014–January 2015 — British Airways
Related: All Current Credit Card Transfer Bonuses
Final Thoughts
We love a good transfer bonus, especially when it’s a practical one. Through September 27, 2026, American Express is offering a 30% bonus on all transfers to British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. From there, you can then move your Avios to Qatar Airways, Finnair, or Loganair should you wish. There are lots of fantastic ways to redeem Avios, so this is potentially a deal worth taking advantage of a few times over.
(Terms apply)
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind - backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on cruises booked and paid through amextravel.com
- 1X on other eligible purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
