Amex Membership Rewards to Avios: Get a 30% Bonus Right Now

If you've been sitting on a pile of American Express Membership Rewards points, this might be the nudge you need. Right now, Amex is running a transfer bonus to Avios programs—British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus—that gives you 30% extra points. That means for every 1,000 MR points you move over, you get 1,300 Avios instead of the usual 1,000. It's not the biggest bonus we've seen (Amex has gone as high as 50% in the past), but after a year of mostly quiet transfer promos, this one's worth a look if you're planning any award travel.

What's on the table?

The deal is straightforward: transfer your Amex Membership Rewards points to any of the three Avios-based loyalty programs—British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus—and you'll get a 30% bonus. So if you move 10,000 MR points, you'll end up with 13,000 Avios. That's a solid bump, especially if you've been eyeing a specific redemption.

To take advantage, you need to be logged into your Amex online account. The offer should appear on the rewards transfer page. If you don't see it, double-check that you're looking at the right section—sometimes these promos are targeted, so not everyone might see it right away.

Why Avios? And which program should you pick?

Avios is the currency used by British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. They're all part of the same loyalty family, and you can often move Avios between them (with some caveats). British Airways is the most popular for US travelers because of its extensive network and the ability to book short-haul flights on American Airlines at attractive rates. Iberia is great for flights to Spain and other parts of Europe, while Aer Lingus is handy for transatlantic hops to Ireland.

One thing to keep in mind: British Airways has a distance-based award chart, so short nonstop flights can be a steal. For example, a short hop on American from, say, New York to Toronto might cost just 4,500 Avios each way. That's where this bonus really shines.

Things to watch out for

Before you hit that transfer button, remember that Amex-to-Avios transfers are generally irreversible. Once you move your MR points, you can't switch them back. So make sure you have a specific redemption in mind, or at least a solid plan for using the Avios in the near future.

Also, be aware that British Airways imposes fuel surcharges on many award tickets, especially for flights on BA itself. These can add up, so factor that into your decision. You might find better value using Avios for short-haul flights or on partner airlines with lower surcharges.

Finally, this bonus is only for transfers to Avios programs—not to other Amex partners like Delta or Marriott. So if you were hoping for a bonus on those, you'll have to wait.

Is it worth it?

If you're already planning to use Avios, this is a no-brainer. A 30% bonus is free extra points, and it can make that aspirational business class seat a bit more attainable. Even if you're just starting to think about award travel, this could be a good time to move a small amount to test the waters.

But if you're not sure where you want to go or how you'll use the points, it's okay to hold off. Amex transfer bonuses come and go, and there's no guarantee this one will be the best—but it's certainly better than nothing. Just make sure you're comfortable with the transfer before you commit.

Bottom Line

• 30% bonus on Amex MR to Avios transfers (1,000 MR = 1,300 Avios) through September 27, 2026.
• Works for British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus—all Avios programs.
• You must be logged into your Amex account to see the offer.
• Transfers are final, so have a redemption plan in mind.
• Watch out for fuel surcharges on BA award flights.

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