British Airways and Avios, explained
One currency, four airlines: British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Qatar Airways all use Avios. How the British Airways Club works after two price rises, where Avios still go far, and the Chase cards that come with companion tickets.
Avios are the shared currency of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Qatar Airways, and they can move between those programs. British Airways itself has made its awards more expensive twice in six months, and its long-haul flights carry high cash charges. The value now lies mostly in the partners: Qatar’s Qsuite business class, Iberia and Aer Lingus across the Atlantic, and short flights on partner airlines.
British Airways · oneworld
At a glance
The British Airways Club (Avios)
Qatar Qsuites, Iberia and Aer Lingus to Europe, and short partner flights; British Airways’ own long-haul awards carry heavy cash charges.
- Typical value per Avios
- 1.4¢
- Share Avios: BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar
- 4 airlines
- Qsuite business to Doha, priced in Avios
- By distance
- Reach Avios, directly or through Qatar
- 5 banks
What changedWhere Avios go furthestWhat to avoidHow to earn AviosThe credit cardsStatus, briefly
What changed
Where Avios go furthest
U.S. to Doha
Qatar Airways Qsuite
By distanceAvios one-way in business; price varies by route and date
Qatar’s Qsuite from the U.S. to Doha. Book through Qatar Privilege Club, which shares Avios with British Airways, and check Qatar’s calculator for the current price before transferring.
Peak dates cost more
U.S. East Coast to Spain
Iberia to Madrid
about 40,500Avios one-way in business, off-peak · 59,000 peak
Cash charges on Iberia-operated awards differ from British Airways’ own, so compare both before booking.
Off-peak dates on Iberia’s calendar
U.S. to Ireland
Aer Lingus to Dublin
50,000Avios one-way in business, off-peak · 13,000 economy
A short transatlantic flight; New York–Dublin is priced at these levels, according to Aer Lingus.
Pairs with the Aer Lingus card’s companion ticket
Within Japan, Europe and Australia
Short-haul partners
By distanceAvios one-way; check British Airways’ search for the exact figure
Short flights on partner airlines, priced by distance. Useful add-ons to a long trip.
Book through British Airways
Moving Avios between airlines
After linking a Qatar Privilege Club account to a British Airways Club account, Avios can move between them, according to British Airways. That means points sent to British Airways can pay for a Qatar Qsuite, and Citi points, which reach Qatar but not British Airways, can be moved on to British Airways the same way.
What to avoid
- British Airways long-haul from the U.S. The Avios price is moderate, but the cash charges are not: about $998 round-trip in Club World on British Airways’ own example.
- American Airlines domestic flights through British Airways. Once a sweet spot, they now cost noticeably more Avios. Check American’s own price first.
- American Airlines transatlantic business booked with Avios: the cash charges can be high, so check the total before transferring.
How to earn Avios
Transfer from a bank
Capital One to British Airways and to Qatar at 1:1, according to Capital One. American Express and Chase to British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus at 1:1, and Bilt to all four. Citi transfers to Qatar only.
Watch for bonuses
British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus run transfer bonuses with the banks from time to time; current offers are on the transfer bonuses page.
The Chase Avios cards
See below.
The credit cards
All three U.S. Avios cards are issued by Chase, each with a $95 annual fee. Offers as shown by Chase.
British Airways Visa Signature
The Travel Together Ticket: after $30,000 of spending in a calendar year, a companion flies on the same Reward Flight for no extra Avios, in any cabin, on British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus, booked at ba.com; taxes, fees and carrier charges still apply. Also up to $600 a year in Reward Flight credits. British Airways’ own site showed a limited-time 90,000 offer.
Current offer at the issuer →
Iberia Visa Signature
A $1,000 discount voucher for two tickets on the same Iberia flight after $30,000 of spending in a year.
Current offer at the issuer →
Aer Lingus Visa Signature
An economy companion ticket on an Aer Lingus-operated U.S.–Ireland round trip after $30,000 of spending in a calendar year, plus priority boarding.
Current offer at the issuer →Status, briefly
British Airways status is now based on spending: Bronze at 3,500 Tier Points, Silver at 7,500 (business lounges) and Gold at 20,000 (first-class lounges and more reward seats), according to British Airways.
Where it shines
- One currency across four airlines, movable between them
- Qatar Qsuite business at a reasonable Avios price
- Iberia and Aer Lingus offer lower cash charges to Europe
- Every major bank reaches Avios, directly or through Qatar
Where it falls short
- British Airways long-haul awards carry high cash charges
- Two increases between December 2025 and May 2026
- American domestic flights are no longer cheap with Avios
- No published full award chart from British Airways
The Atelier Take
Collect Avios for Qatar, Iberia and Aer Lingus, not for British Airways itself; book through whichever of the four programs charges the least cash for the seat.
Airline, hotel and card names and logos are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify their programs. Points Atelier is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
