When you transfer Avios between Avios partners, you book flights directly with each airline partner. This can be one of the best ways to find the most award availability and the lowest fees.
Avios is the shared points currency for oneworld airlines, including British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus and Finnair. You can transfer Avios between the programs for free to take advantage of each program directly.
You can transfer RBC Avion Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards points to Avios at a 1-to-1 ratio. Plus, Amex and RBC also offer periodic transfer bonuses to Avios.
You can also earn Avios points with RBC British Airways co-branded cards like the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite.
With the Oneworld partner network, you’ll get to redeem Avios for long-haul flights from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to Europe, Asia, Fiji, and Australia.
Here’s how to transfer Avios between Avios partners and get the most value from every point.
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What Are the Different Avios Programs
There are seven airline programs that use Avios as their frequent flyer points currency.
The main five programs applicable to Canadians are Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club, Iberia Plus, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Finnair Plus.
Each of the five programs has its own loyalty program with its own award chart. However, you can earn and redeem the same Avios points with all of them.
In Canada, the easiest way to earn British Airways Avios points is directly with a British Airways co-branded credit card, like the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite. Plus, you can transfer RBC Avion Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards points to Avios at a 1-to-1 ratio. There’s also transfer bonuses from both banks from time to time.
You can then transfer your Avios from British Airways to any of the other four programs.
Best RBC Avion Cards
Welcome Points: Elevated 70,000
Welcome Value: $700
Annual Fee: $399
⚠ Disclaimer: The information in this content may become outdated over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please visit the Apply Now link provided.
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Keep in mind that all of your Avios accounts need to be at least 30 days old to be abel to transfer points between the programs.
We suggest setting up your main loyalty accounts now. You’ll be ready to start earning and transferring points for your free flights and hotel nights.
Check out our detailed guide on how and when to set up and link your loyalty accounts.
Why Transfer Avios Between Avios Partners
When you transfer Avios between Avios partners, like from British Airways to any of the other four programs, you can get lower award rates, better availability and lower taxes and fees for the exact same flight.
For example, you can transfer Avios between Avios partners to Iberia Plus and book a business class flight between Toronto and Madrid starting at 40,500 Avios one way. This is one of the best Avios sweet spots.
Each of the four programs, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Qatar or Finnair Plus, usually offers more award space directly within its own program.
Qatar Airways releases way more Qsuites business class availability in its own program than BA Avios. Most routes to Helsinki with Finnair, for instance, are offered only directly with Finnair Avios.
Some routes are only offered directly on some Avios programs, not their partners. That’s the case for routes like Vancouver to Manila with Philippine Airlines, which is only offered directly through Qatar Airways.
Best American Express Cards
Welcome Points: Elevated 100,000
Welcome Value: $4,540
Annual Fee: $799
Welcome Points: Elevated 70,000
Welcome Value: Elevated $1,960
Annual Fee: $199
Welcome Points: 15,000
Welcome Value: $590
Annual Fee: $191.88 ($15.99 Monthly)
⚠ Disclaimer: The information in this content may become outdated over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please visit the Apply Now link provided.
How to Transfer Avios Between Partners
You can transfer Avios between partners using the Avios transfer tool in your British Airways account. Transfers are free, at a 1-to-1 ratio and are usually instant.
Keep in mind that all of your accounts have to be at least 30 days old before you can send or receive Avios. Plus, your name, email address and date of birth have to match across all accounts.
Transfer to Aer Lingus
You can transfer your Avios from British Airways to Aer Lingus AerClub to book flights directly with Aer Lingus on thier route between Toronto and Dublin. Aer Lingus flies this route daily on an Airbus A330.
Economy seats start at 13,000 Avios and Business Class starts as low as 50,000 Avios.
To find Aer Lingus flights on this route, you can search under American AAdvantage on Seats.aero as they are a partner. Make sure to confirm availability directly with Aer Lingus before transferring your points.
To complete the transfer from British Airways, select Aer Lingus, log into your AerClub account, and confirm the amount you want to transfer.
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Transfer to Iberia
You can transfer your Avios from British Airways to Iberia Plus to book flights directly with Iberia on their route between Toronto and Madrid.
Iberia flies this route five times a week on an Airbus A321XLR.
Iberia flights on this route is one of the best sweet spots to fly from Canada for as low as 19,000 Avios in economy and 40,500 Avios in Business Class.
To find Iberia flights on this route, you can search using Reward Flight Finder, since it tracks award space with British Airways and Iberia together. Make sure to confirm availability directly with Iberia before transferring your points.
From British Airways, choose Iberia Plus from the transfer tool, log in with your Iberia account details, and enter how many Avios you’d like to send
Transfer to Finnair
You can transfer your Avios from British Airways to Finnair Plus to book flights directly with Finnair on their route between Toronto and Helsinki.
Finnair flies this route three times a week on an Airbus A330-300. This business class features the AirLounge seat, which slides forward to form a flat bed instead of the traditional recline most other business class seats have.
Economy flights start at 27,500 Avios and Business Class starts at only 62,500 Avios and $240.02 in taxes.
To find Finnair flights on this route, you can search Finnair Plus using Seats.aero. Make sure to confirm availability directly with Finnair before transferring your points.
Through British Airways, select Finnair Plus from the transfer tool, log in with your Finnair Plus account details, and enter how many Avios you’d like to send.
Transfer to Qatar Airways
You can transfer your Avios from British Airways to Qatar Airways Privilege Club to book flights directly with Qatar Airways on their routes between Toronto or Montreal and Doha.
From Doha, you can connect to many of their routes in Asia, Africa, Australia and the Middle East.
Qatar Airways flies five times a week from Toronto and four times a week from Montreal. Both feature the famous Qsuites with private suites and closing doors in Business Class. Qsuites Business Class seats start at only 70,000 Avios one way.
To find Qatar Airways flights on these routes, you can search Qatar Airways using Seats.aero. Make sure to confirm availability directly with Qatar Airways before transferring your points.
Once you’re in the transfer tool on British Airways, pick Qatar Airways, sign into your Privilege Club account, and confirm how many Avios to send.
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Keep in mind that since June 2026, Qatar Airways Privilege Club limits who you can redeem Avios for, up to 10 people total across your “My List” and “Family & Friends” lists.
For Canadians, the only way to add someone to your list is once you’ve earned Avios by crediting a flight, like American Airlines.
Consider crediting a flight if possible, or book with British Airways instead if you’re travelling with your family.
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Bottom Line
Transferring Avios from British Airways to other programs can get you access to more award availability and better award rates and fees.
Transferring Avios between the oneworld Avios programs British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus and Finnair is free, and is typically instant.
Make sure to create all of your Avios accounts as early as possible, since they need to be at least 30 days old before you can transfer Avios between them.
Knowing how to transfer Avios between accounts is what lets you find the best award rates and lowest fees, instead of settling for whichever program you happen to have points in.
