Top Avios redemption opportunities: A guide to booking both domestic and international flights with rewards

Avios has rapidly gained traction as a favored loyalty currency.

While commonly associated with British Airways, Avios is actually the official currency for these five loyalty programs:

• British Airways Executive Club
• Iberia Plus
• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Finnair Plus

Avios can be transferred seamlessly among these programs at a 1:1 ratio, meaning each Avios holds equivalent value across all programs; however, it's important to recognize the unique sweet spots within each program.

Discover the top Avios redemption opportunities and the programs you can use to book them.

Use Avios to book short-haul flights across Europe on British Airways

The British Airways Executive Club offers flights from London to locations within 650 miles for only 4,750 Avios each way on off-peak dates (on peak dates, the cost is 5,250 Avios).

This covers locations in Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy.

The additional costs, including fees, taxes, and surcharges, can total $31 each way (though this may fluctuate based on exchange rates). Alternatively, you can lower this to just $1 by using 9,250 Avios, making it one of the most affordable flight options available.

For journeys ranging from 651 to 1,151 miles, the Avios fare is 7,250 each way during off-peak times (or 8,250 during peak times). This encompasses more distant European destinations, such as Portugal and parts of Northern and Eastern Europe, making it a fantastic value.

Award flights come with a full-size cabin bag and a checked luggage allowance, providing an excellent way to bypass the limitations of basic fare options that often exclude these amenities.

Reserve via: British Airways Executive Club

Use Avios to book domestic flights on American or Alaska Airlines

In the past, both British Airways and Qatar Airways offered affordable domestic award flights on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. However, with recent increases in award prices, it’s now best to look at Finnair Plus for competitive rates, although these cannot be booked online.

This program requires a fixed amount of 11,000 Avios for all domestic flights within the contiguous United States and Canada. While this may seem expensive for short routes like JFK to Boston Logan, it offers excellent value for long-distance travel across the country.

Finnair allows you to book several flights under a single redemption. For instance, you can secure a ticket from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) with a stop at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) for 11,000 Avios plus minimal fees and taxes.

Reserve via: Finnair Plus (phone call required)

Travel between Caribbean islands with British Airways using Avios

British Airways runs multiple fifth-freedom flights connecting the Caribbean islands with wide-body aircraft before heading back to London. You can book these inter-island flights in economy, premium economy, or business class, and the best part is that, since they are operated by British Airways, you’ll only pay Zone 1 rates starting at just 4,750 Avios.

Since these flights are typically not at full capacity, there's great award availability.

British Airways' fifth-freedom routes change with the seasons, but you can currently book the following options:

• From Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in the Bahamas to Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in the Cayman Islands and Providenciales International Airport (PLS) in Turks and Caicos.
• From V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) in Antigua to Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) in St. Kitts and Nevis, and Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Aruba.
• From Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in St. Lucia to Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) in Grenada, ANR Robinson International Airport (TAB) in Trinidad and Tobago, and Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Guyana.

Reserve via: British Airways Executive Club

Travel to Hawaii with Avios on Alaska Airlines

With its zone-based award chart, Finnair Plus lets you fly from the U.S. to Hawaii for only 13,500 Avios each way on Alaska-operated flights. This rate surpasses those of all major U.S. loyalty programs, and there are no close-in booking fees involved.

You cannot combine American and Alaska flights on a single itinerary, and Finnair requires a slightly higher 15,000 Avios for flights on American to Hawaii. Therefore, to save 1,500 Avios, opt for Alaska Airlines whenever possible.

Reserve via: Finnair Plus (phone call needed)

Travel to the Caribbean in JetBlue Mint using Avios

You can use Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios for flights operated by JetBlue.

Although the rates for transcontinental and transatlantic flights can be high, there are some attractive options for flights under 2,000 miles. These shorter flights are priced at 26,000 Avios each way in Mint business class (or 13,000 Avios in economy).

This includes services from the Northeast offering Mint cabin service to these Caribbean destinations:

• Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Aruba
• Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Barbados
• Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) in Grenada
• Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in St. Lucia
• Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten
• Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas

Reserve via: Qatar Airways Privilege Club. While online bookings have occasionally been possible, you may need to contact Qatar Airways directly if you encounter an error while searching online.

Travel to Spain in Iberia business class using Avios

The secret to this fantastic value lies in booking a nonstop, Iberia-operated flight between 3,001 and 4,000 miles on off-peak dates (be sure to check Iberia's peak and off-peak calendar).

This is due to Iberia and British Airways utilizing a distance-based award chart for their flights.

IBERIA.COM

Iberia offers several transatlantic flights that fall within the 3,001-4,000-mile range. Therefore, you can book Iberia flights between the following city pairs for only 34,000 Avios each way in business class, along with reasonable taxes and fees:

• From Boston or New York to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
• From Boston or New York to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
• From Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Madrid

Although flights from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to MAD are just outside this distance range, they still cost 34,000 Avios one-way in business class, which is a fantastic deal.

Reserve via: British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus

Travel to Ireland with Aer Lingus using Avios

If you're able to fly during off-peak times—approximately eight months of the year—you can journey to Dublin Airport (DUB) from several U.S. cities, including as far west as Chicago. This round-trip award costs only 26,000 Avios in economy or as low as 50,000 one-way in business class.

For those living in the South, like Orlando or Miami, or the West, such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, the price rises to 32,500 Avios round-trip in economy and 62,500 one-way in business class, which is still a fantastic value given the distance.

Reserve via: British Airways Executive Club or Aer Lingus AerClub

Travel to Doha and beyond in Qatar's Qsuite using Avios

Qatar Airways' award-winning Qsuite is regarded as one of the finest business-class experiences available. Their economy class is also a commendable choice.

Below are the one-way prices for popular itineraries per person in business class (note that there are no peak or off-peak rates):

• From New York to Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha: 70,000 Avios plus $73.35
• From Boston to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi: 80,000 Avios plus $201.50
• From Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Doha: 43,000 Avios plus $198
• From Miami to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok: 95,000 Avios plus $202.90

Although availability on flights from North America is currently limited, even for Privilege Club members, seats often become available last minute. However, shorter routes, such as those between Europe and Doha, can be easily booked with Avios in advance.

Reserve via: British Airways Executive Club or Qatar Airways Privilege Club

How to accumulate Avios

The most straightforward way to accumulate a significant amount of Avios is by applying for a credit card that earns Avios, such as:

• British Airways Visa Signature® Card
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card

You can earn 85,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, Avios are valued at 1.4 cents each, making the total bonus worth approximately $1,190. Each card has a $95 annual fee and earns 3 Avios for every dollar spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level. Additionally, you earn 2 Avios per dollar spent on direct hotel bookings and 1 Avios per dollar on all other purchases.

Furthermore, at least one Avios program partners with all major transferable currencies (keep in mind that you can transfer Avios between any Avios programs at a 1:1 ratio).

The following credit cards currently provide attractive welcome bonuses that can be converted to Avios at a 1:1 rate:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. Additionally, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus a $300 statement credit on Chase Travel℠ purchases within the first year.

Final thoughts

Avios are rapidly gaining popularity as one of the most versatile and valuable currencies.

They are simple to accumulate and redeem. Additionally, you can transfer them between any Avios programs at a 1:1 ratio whenever you wish.

While many of the top sweet spots can be booked through the British Airways Executive Club website (making it a great starting point), and it arguably provides the best user experience for booking and managing redemptions, there are also advantages to using Aer Lingus AerClub, Iberia Plus, Finnair Plus, and Qatar Privilege Club.