Most experienced points and miles enthusiasts agree that transferring flexible rewards , including Capital One Miles, to partner loyalty programs often provides the greatest value. In recent years, Capital One Miles have become significantly more valuable, as Capital One has added transfer partners and improved transfer ratios.

In a related article, we provide details about how to transfer Capital One Miles to partners, address factors to consider in evaluating transfer options, discuss common questions and describe how to obtain Capital One Miles.

Editor's note: In late October 2024, Finnair dramatically increased award prices for flights within the continental U.S. and Canada. Economy award rates increased from 11,000 Avios to 16,500 Avios, and first-class rates increased from 30,000 Avios to 40,000 Avios.

The British Airways Executive Club, the loyalty program of British Airways, uses Avios as its reward currency that can be redeemed for award flights. 

Avios are used and accepted by multiple airlines, meaning the opportunities for redemption are wide-ranging, regardless of your country of departure or arrival.

Understanding how to use Avios to their maximum value is a case of understanding British Airways’ distance-based reward system and how it can benefit—as well as be of detriment to—you.

Similar to Disney’s “Big Hero 6” film, Turkish Miles&Smiles is easily one of the most underrated loyalty programs out there.

Let’s talk about Avios.

Three airlines—Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia—use this rewards currency, yet they’re separate award programs. Same, same, but different. And, because the programs are different, they also use their own award charts and follow their own rules.

Although there are three loyalty programs that use Avios, in this article, we’ll focus on two: British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus.

Over a month ago I wrote about the impending devaluation of the British Airways Avios program's prices to fly partner airlines. Since then, the speculated award prices have all been confirmed.

Here is the speculative chart I included in that original post:

Note those are just the most commonly booked BA Avios partner awards.

Through tomorrow, June 30 at 23:59 hr BST (British Summer Time) you can buy British Airways Avios with a 50% bonus. I've never seen a onuses greater than 50% on the purchase of Avios before.

The maximum amount of Avios you can buy through this promotion is 100k. With a 50% bonus, that means you can add 150k Avios to your account.

Through April 11, Iberia Avios awards are being priced with a 25% discount in celebration of the company's 25th anniversary. The discounted price applies to travel dates now through June 15, 2017 as well as October 1 through December 15, 2017, flying any routes on Iberia, Iberia Express, and Iberia Regional Air Nostrum planes.

The only points that transfer directly to Iberia are Membership Rewards, but at the crappy rate of 250:200.