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Membership Rewards used to transfer 1,000:1,000 to British Airways Avios, but the rate was cut to 250:200 on October 1, 2015.

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Through the end of the year, though, you can temporarily get the old 1:1 rate through a two-step process.

  1. Transfer Membership Rewards 1:1 to Iberia Avios during the current 25% transfer bonus.
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  2. Transfer Iberia Avios 1:1 to British Airways Avios.

Caveats

 

Great Uses of Iberia or British Airways Avios

Generally both are good for short, direct, economy awards on partners without fuel surcharges. Here is my rundown of British Airways Avios.

Iberia Avios–if you just want to transfer there and not on to British Airways–are additionally very good for Iberia Business Class. For eight months of each year (the off peak window):

  • New York or Boston to Madrid is 34,000 Iberia Avios each way in Business Class.
  • Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami to Madrid is 42,500 Iberia Avios each way in Business Class.

Connections will increase the price.

Bottom Line

There is a 25% Membership Rewards to Iberia Avios transfer bonus that runs through December 31, 2015. It brings the transfer ratio to 250:250.

If your Iberia account has been open for three months, you can then transfer the points 1:1 to British Airways Avios.

(By the way, if you don’t have an Iberia account, open one now to start the 90 day clock for future times when you want to transfer between accounts.)

Hat Tip -g

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.

With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!


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