American Express to British Avios 40% Bonus!
American Express to British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia Avios 40% Bonus!
American Express Membership is offering a 40% bonus when you transfer Membership Rewards Points to British AIrways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia Avios. This is a pretty good deal. In the Past we have seen American Express give a 50% Bonus. We wont talk about the past though. Lets stay in the now. 40% is still a great transfer bonus especially if you are planning a trip. See Picture below from American Express Website Transfer Partner Page.
I circled all three so you can see the transfer bonuses. British Airways are pretty Useful if you live in the states. see the Chart Below. Were Going to Talk about British Airways Avios in this Article.
Today were going to talk about Zones 1-4. I am going to cover the United states. You Can use this chart anywhere though.
Miles Flown (Distance Your Allowed to Fly)
Zone 1 – Up to 650 Distance Miles / Costs 4,500 Avios (Example: Departing From LAX to Vegas, San Francisco , Sacramento, Etc.)
Zone 2 – 651 – 1150 Distance Miles / Costs 7,500 Avios (Example: Departing From LAX to Denver)
Zone 3 – 1151 – 2000 Distance Miles / Costs 10,000 Avios (Example: Departing From LAX to Chicago)
Zone 4 – 2001 – 3000 Distance Miles / Costs 12,500 Avios (Example: Departing From LAX to New York)
We are using the Peak Economy section of the Rewards Flights Picture above because the best way to use Avios in my opinion is to use British Avios Partners Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines which when you use a Partner you have to use the peak prices. If you Fly British Airways there are usually lots of fees and taxes so its best to use British Airways Partners because the Fees are much, much less.
We Can Fly From LAX to JFK Using 12,500 Avios on one of British Airways Partners because its in Zone 4. LAX and JFK distance is close to 3000 Miles away so it falls in the Zone 4 – 2001 – 3000 Miles Costs.
12,500 Miles / Avios/ Points is pretty standard to fly from LAX (or surrounding Areas) to JFK (or surrounding Areas) . However, right now with you can get this flight for about 9000 Membership Rewards Points when you transfer American Express Membership Rewards to British Avios.
or
How Bout LAX (or Surrounding Areas) to Chicago (or surrounding Areas) . Love Chicago. Chicago is in Zone 3 which falls in the 1151 to 2000 Miles Distance which will cost you 10,000 British Avios to fly on one of British Airways Partners. However, right now you can get this one way flight for 6000 American Express Membership Rewards Points when you transfer American Express Membership Rewards Points to British Avios.
British Avios are best to use in the USA. Domestic Flights. British Avios uses a distance base chart so flying business class is not usually ideal. However, with this 40% Bonus it maybe worthwhile. As for now i am going to continue to take advantage of this 40% Bonus on Domestic Flights around the states. I Possibly May even just transfer some American Express points from American Express to British Avios to get the 40% Bonus (Which Ends 11/15/2018) and leave the Avios in my Account till I can use them.
Happy Flying.