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If you have a stash of AMEX Membership Rewards points and love Avios you may want to transfer point to British Airways today. As of tomorrow the transfer ratio from Membership Rewards to British Airways drops from 1K:1K down to 250:200.
It’s an odd change. After all, transfers to Avios have been bonused relatively frequently.
I do still think we’ll still see bonus promotions in the future, but a 25% bonus will only bring the transfer back to parity. A 40% bonus will mean that 1,000 AMEX points will net 1,120 Avios instead of 1,400.
Chase Ultimate Rewards will continue to transfer into British Airways Avios at a 1K:1K ratio and Starwood Starpoints will continue to transfer into British Airways Avios at a 20K:25K ratio.
So what’s the best card for everyday spending if you want Avios going forward?
-The Chase British Airways Visa has a limited time signup bonus of up to 100K Avios, but after you hit that bonus you’ll only earn 1 Avios per dollar spent. (This card no longer offers 1.25 Avios per dollar spent like it used to until earlier this year)
-The Chase Freedom, Chase Ink Plus or Ink Business Cash® Credit Card cards offer the opportunity to earn up to 5 Avios per dollar, but everyday purchases will earn just 1 per dollar (unless you use those cards to buy gift cards at 5 points per dollar and use the gift cards for your everyday spending)
-The Starwood Consumer AMEX and the Starwood Business AMEX effectively earn 1.25 Avios per dollar spent, though if those transfers aren’t done in 20K increments the ratio falls from 1:1.25 to 1:1 and unlike Membership Rewards and Ultimate Rewards, transfers from Starwood aren’t instant. Still, this is likely the best option if you’re just looking to maximize your Avios earnings for everyday spend.
–The Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card earns between 1.5-4.5 Membership Rewards everywhere, contingent on using your card 30 times in that statement period. With the new 250:200 ratio there are better options than transferring those points to British Airways, but even if you do you’ll still earn an effective 1.2 Avios per dollar spent. Of course if you wait for a British Airways bonus transfer period (assuming those return) you can do better than that.
How will this change what credit card you use? Will you transfer lots of points from AMEX to British Airways before October? Sound off in the comments!
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24 Comments On "Final Day To Transfer Membership Rewards To British Airways Avios At Parity"
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trying to figure out if it make sense for me…I have almost 200k Avios…Any chance MR will partner with United?
@thingy:
Zero.
But you can transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan, ANA, or Singapore to travel on United with no fuel surcharges.
I have 50k+ MR , IS IT worth waiting for a promo transfer into Avios?
@Dan: I think Aeroplan charges for more than United for flights out of Canada? How does it compare to Singapore, and ANA?
@Baruch:
If you’ll use the Avios in the next 6-9 months I’d say go for it now. Otherwise probably wait.
@thingy:
What makes you think that?
Taxes might be a little higher, but it should be fairly negligible.
hey i got about 1 million amex. Was wondering what you would recommend as best way to sell them and get the most value
@Dan
The MR to AVIOS are being devaluated Oct1
You lose 20%
Still a reason to wait?
@Dan: Example: Oct 27 YYZ>BOS through IAD, flights UA4027 and UA764. $95.06 with AC. $54.10 with United
@Dan: Example:YYZ>MIA via IAH on Nov 3rd, flights UA3778 and UA 1061. United charges 12.5 and $54.10, while AC charges same mileage and $95.06.
@Deal GUY:
If you’re use the Avios in the next ~9 months I’d say go for it now. Otherwise probably wait.
@Anonymous:
You can check what ANA charges on their site.
i’m usually using Avios for Domestic only. Since i received the MR to Virgin America Promo, i would like to know how Virgin America is doing domestically compared to Avios?
@Eliezer:
Avios are a much better value.
If im planing on flying in the USA is Avois the best partner?
@avois: Yup
@avois:
@Hello:
If you live in a major Southwest Airline city (such as Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, etc) AND you plan/book your travel in advance Southwest is a much better value than Avios. This is especially true if you have a large family as it could be hard to get enough award availability using Avios. Southwest doesn’t have this problem. Also Southwest charges $0 cancellation fees if you cancel award tickets vs Avios which charges $5.60 each way per person. Not to mention this all gets better which the companion pass. I still keep Avios in case I even need a last minute flight which would cost a lot of points on Southwest. This is where Avios really shines.
Does this mean that if the points are already in the account transferred the ratio will extend past October 1 or do they have to be used before October 1 to receive the better than 1 to 1 ratio?
Last day for Canadians to get the 25% bonus to Avios as well.
http://borderfreetravel.com/2015/06/30/amex-25-more-avios-when-you-convert-mr-points-canada/
Dan –
Got a question .. booked a ticked to tlv via elal using chase points.. Forgot to add my middle name.. price went up alot on the flight.. I am within 24h yet delta requires me to pay 50 dollars to add the middle name.. Chase wants to cancel and rebook whicih is not an option… any thoughts?
@Dan I’m still getting 1.25 Avios per $1spent on my Chase BA. Is it because it’s an old card from last year? Should I cancel it when they ask about the annual fee $95?
@shlomo:
No need for a middle name on a ticket, don’t do a thing.
@Anonymous:
Yes.
That would be up to you.
Dan thanks .. how about for my global entry? I am travelling to TLV.. thanks again
I mean you used to say don’t keep too many cards, cancel it when fee will come. Is it worth to pay $95 for extra 0.25 Avios? How much should I spend in a year to make it profitable? You used to say it not worth to spend $30.000 for a companion ticket since you should pay Taxes. What should I do? Please explain 🙁
what about Iberia? Is that also going up?
@Anonymous
I have the same dilemma. Currently, I think will cancel this card since I have SPG card that gives 0.25 extra as well.