A fresh opportunity for points maximizers: American Express has launched a 30% transfer bonus to British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus Avios. For a limited time, every 1,000 Membership Rewards points you transfer will net you 1,300 Avios—making your points go further on some of the best Oneworld sweet spots.
Our Take
Good news for Avios fans and transatlantic travelers. This is one of the most lucrative transfer bonuses we see from Amex, and by our valuation (1 Membership Rewards point = 2¢, 1 Avios = 1.4¢), this promo boosts your effective value to 2.6¢ per MR point when redeemed for high-value Avios awards. If you have a stash of Amex points and travel plans on Oneworld partners, this is a rare chance to stretch your rewards further.
What Changed
- Transfer bonus: 30% more Avios when transferring Amex Membership Rewards to British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus
- New transfer ratio: 1,000 MR → 1,300 Avios (was 1,000:1,000)
- Effective immediately (as of August 3, 2026)
Who Benefits Most
- East Coast to Europe flyers: Book NYC-London on British Airways off-peak for 13,000 Avios + taxes in economy—now requiring just 10,000 MR points (~$182 value at our rates).
- Domestic U.S. travelers: Short-haul AA flights under 650 miles can be booked for 7,500 Avios (now just 5,770 MR points, worth ~$115 in flights).
- Iberia business class seekers: Fly New York/Miami/Chicago to Madrid for 34,000 Avios off-peak—just 26,200 MR points (~$367 value for a $1,000+ ticket).
- Aer Lingus value hunters: Boston-Dublin off-peak for 13,000 Avios—now only 10,000 MR points (~$182 value).
Who Should Be Cautious
- Travelers with no Oneworld plans: If you don't fly BA, Iberia, or Aer Lingus (or their partners), Avios may not be as useful as other transfer options.
- Those needing flexibility: Avios bookings can have high surcharges, especially on British Airways long-haul flights—factor in cash costs before transferring.
- MR point hoarders: If you value flexibility or expect a better transfer bonus to another partner soon, don't rush to transfer.
What To Do Right Now
- Check your Amex Membership Rewards balance and upcoming travel plans.
- Price out Avios award flights (especially on BA, Iberia, and Aer Lingus) to see if the bonus makes sense for your needs.
- Transfer only the points you need—transfers are irreversible, and Avios can devalue.
- Book your award flights as soon as you transfer to lock in availability and value.
