Avios

Avios are the reward points used by several airline loyalty programs. You can earn them in one program, then move them to another eligible account to book a reward. Each program keeps its own prices, availability, and conditions.

This page helps you decide where to start. For an airline’s detailed rules, see our The British Airways Club profile or Qatar Airways Privilege Club guide.

Which programs use Avios?

As checked on October 24, 2026, the official Avios network includes 7 programs:

• The British Airways Club, with British Airways.
• Iberia Club, with Iberia.
• AerClub, with Aer Lingus.
• Vueling Club, with Vueling.
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club, with Qatar Airways.
• Finnair Plus, with Finnair.
• Loganair Loyalty, with Loganair.

A British Airways Club account and a Qatar Airways Privilege Club account each have their own balance. Avios are not automatically pooled across all these programs. You must follow the linking or transfer process available for the accounts concerned.

The airlines whose flights you can book with Avios extend beyond this list. A program may also offer partner flights, subject to its agreements and available award seats. Using the same currency does not make these a single loyalty program.

Which program should you use to book?

Start with the trip you want. Search for the seat in the program you plan to book through before moving your points.

• British Airways and its partners: our British Airways Club booking tutorial explains the search and booking steps.
• Qatar Airways: our Privilege Club guide covers accounts, status, and award tickets. For that specific cabin, see our guide to booking Qsuite with points.
• Iberia: our Iberia award ticket guide explains booking through Iberia Club.
• Other itineraries: our Avios strategies offer options to check for your dates.

Compare the Avios required with the cash payment and the change or cancellation conditions. A 1:1 transfer preserves the number of points. It does not guarantee the same ticket price in 2 programs or an available seat when the Avios arrive.

How do you move Avios between programs?

The official Avios transfer portal lets you select the accounts concerned. British Airways also provides an overview of transfer routes, including the separate link for Qatar Airways Privilege Club.

For the routes covered by the general Transfer Avios terms, transfers between your linked accounts are free and use a 1:1 ratio. Ownership does not change: the accounts must belong to the same person and have matching personal details.

Before starting, check these requirements:

• Identity: match your name, email address, and date of birth where registered.
• Security: enable the authentication methods required by the programs concerned.
• Account age: clause 3.6 requires at least 30 days for the AerClub, British Airways Club, Iberia Club, or Vueling Club accounts concerned by outbound transfers. It states that inbound transfers to those programs are not subject to this restriction. Finnair also requires a Finnair Plus account at least 30 days old.
• Limits: the general terms allow 1 to 999,999 Avios per transaction. For the Blue, Clásica, Green, or Basic tiers concerned, a limit of 1,000,000 Avios per program applies over a rolling 12-month period. The combined Iberia Club and Vueling Club wallet has the exception stated in those terms.

These rules do not replace the Qatar transfer terms or each program’s conditions. Read the terms shown for your transfer. You can also consult the official British Airways–Qatar terms.

How can you earn Avios in Canada?

You can earn points through eligible flights, partners, or credit cards. For a paid flight, check your chosen program’s earning chart and add your membership number to the booking.

In Canada, American Express Membership Rewards lists a transfer of 1,000 points to 1,000 British Airways Club Avios, with a minimum of 1,000 points and increments of 100 points. Check your card’s eligibility before converting.

The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite also earns Avios directly. Card fees and welcome offers are separate from airline program transfer rules. Our Avios credit card selection helps you compare Canadian options.

Avoid transferring simply because a bonus is advertised. First confirm the seat and total price in the booking program, then check the issuer’s conversion conditions.

Expiry, value, and status: what stays separate?

Transferred Avios follow the receiving program’s conditions, including expiry rules. Check the deadline in each account: activity in one program should not be assumed to extend every other balance automatically.

The transfer ratio does not set an Avios point’s dollar value. Compare the cash price of an equivalent ticket with the points and fees required. Milesopedia estimates are a reference, not a cash value guaranteed by the program.

Moving Avios does not transfer your elite status. Status requirements and benefits remain specific to the program concerned. Read its profile or guide before crediting a flight to it.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your Avios strategy

Choose the program based on the seat you want, then check the total price before transferring. To compare earning options, see our best credit cards in Canada. You can also create a Milesopedia account to save your favourites.