How to transfer Avios points
Avios reward points have many handy uses, from booking flights to car hire and hotels, but what happens when you want to give your points to someone else?
Key takeaways
You can transfer Avios points to another person through your British Airways Executive Club account, though fees and limits may apply
Transfers usually take a few hours to several days, depending on the airline programme and verification process
Setting up a Household Account can be a smarter, fee-free way to pool Avios with family members living at the same address
Transferred Avios retain their full redemption value but don’t count towards Tier Points or status levels
What are Avios points?
Avios points are the loyalty currency used by the Avios scheme, primarily through the British Airways Executive Club, and other airline partners. You can collect them by flying, spending with partner retailers, using Avios-earning credit cards or converting other loyalty points.
Once you’ve built up a balance you can spend them on flights, upgrades, hotels, car hire, experiences or shopping.
How to transfer Avios points
Transferring Avios between accounts can help you either give points to a friend or family member, or move them around to make better use of redemption opportunities. Note that transfers may take time to process and may incur fees or limits, so it’s best to know the steps ahead of time. T
he following process is how an Individual account holder can transfer their Avios to another person.
Log into your Avios/Executive Club account - Visit your Avios or British Airways Executive Club online account and ensure your details are up to date (name, email, contact details).
Locate the ‘Transfer Avios’ or ‘Give Avios’ option - Within your account menu look for the ‘Transfer Avios’, ‘Give Avios’ or ‘Move Avios’ section.
Enter the recipient’s details - You’ll generally need the recipient’s Avios membership number (British Airways Executive Club number or other linked programme), full name as registered, and sometimes email.
Enter the number of Avios to transfer - Specify how many points you wish to move. Double-check you have enough Avios in your account to cover the transfer.
Check and accept any fees or terms - Many transfers incur a fixed fee (for example a flat amount in British pounds) and may have minimum or maximum transfer limits.
Confirm the transfer - Once you’re happy that everything is correct, confirm the transfer. You may need to enter a verification code or pass an additional security step.
Wait for the points to arrive - Transfers may be instant, or they may take a few hours to several days depending on the programme. Make sure both you and the recipient check your balances afterwards.
Confirm completion -It’s sensible to check the recipient has received the Avios. If the points don’t appear after the expected time, contact customer services referencing your transfer.
Watch out for fees, limits and delays
Each transfer comes with terms and conditions that you should be aware of before proceeding. These include:
Transfer fee - In many cases there is a flat fee to transfer points to another individual
Minimum/maximum limits - There may be minimum or maximum numbers of Avios points you can move in one go, or within a certain time period
Processing time - While some transfers are instant, others may take up to several days. Make sure you allow time if the recipient needs the points for a specific booking
Name/registration match - If the sender or recipient’s account details, such as full name or membership number, don’t match exactly the registered details, the transfer may be delayed or rejected
Redemption eligibility - Transferred points may still count toward your balance but check whether they affect redemption eligibility or promotional offers – some offers exclude transferred points)
How do Household Avios Accounts work?
Many loyalty programmes (including British Airways Executive Club) offer a Household Account or ‘Household Member’ feature which allows multiple eligible people, typically members of the same household, to pool their Avios.
A household account could be an alternative to transferring points, but you should first weigh up the pros and cons.
Advantages
You pool points with other household members, meaning one person can redeem using the combined balance – useful if one person has collected lots of Avios and others haven’t.
Often no or lower transfer fees between household members compared with standard individual transfers.
Simplifies redemption since you don’t need to individually transfer between accounts.
Disadvantages
All participating members must meet the programme eligibility criteria. This usually includes residing at the same address.
Once you commit to a Household Account, certain rules may apply (for example, minimum number of members, joint redemption permissions).
Points pooling means all members’ balances are visible within the household, which may matter if you prefer separate control.
Is a Household Account a better option?
If you live with your partner or children and you’re all collecting Avios for a shared goal, such as a family holiday, a Household Account is often the smoother and more cost-efficient way to share points. If you want to give Avios to someone outside your household, such as a friend, you’ll need to use an individual transfer instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer Avios between different airline loyalty programmes?
Yes, programmes that use Avios, such as British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, Qatar Privilege, often allow 1:1 transfers between accounts. But you’ll need matching account details and waiting times may vary.
Can I transfer Avios to someone who lives abroad?
Generally yes, as long as the recipient has an eligible Avios-linked membership in a supported country. But be aware of any regional restrictions, currency or tax implications.
Will transferred Avios count toward my Tier Points/status?
No, transferring Avios typically affects only your points balance. Tier Points, which help determine status in the Executive Club, are usually earned through flying and cannot be transferred.
Is there a minimum holding period after transfer before I can spend the points?
Some programmes may impose a short holding period after a transfer before redemptions are permitted. Always check the terms of the programme – while many transfers are immediate, others may have small delays.
Do transferred Avios expire the same way as normal points?
Yes, transferred Avios still sit in the recipient's account and are subject to the usual expiry rules (for example, if no earning or spending happens in 36 months). Ensure you use or move them within expiry terms.
How much will it cost me to transfer Avios points?
For the Avios scheme via British Airways Executive Club in the UK, the current fee is a flat £50 per transfer transaction to another person (unless you hold Gold status, in which case transfers are free).
Can I transfer Avios to myself (between my own accounts) for free?
Yes, you can transfer or combine Avios between your own linked accounts across Avios-currency programmes (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, etc.) typically at no cost.
Is there a limit on how many Avios I can transfer per year?
Yes, for transfers to another person via British Airways’ route there is a cap of 60,000 Avios per person per calendar year under the current scheme.
Do the transferred Avios become available immediately for the recipient to use?
Often yes, but not always. While many transfers are instant, there may be delays of several hours or up to a few days depending on system / account checks.
Will transferring Avios affect the value of the points or my redemption eligibility?
No, transferred Avios retain the same value once in the recipient’s account, but note that they do not count towards Tier Points (used for status), so redemption value remains, but status benefits remain unaffected.
Are there any workarounds to avoid the standard transfer fee?
Yes, for example, via the Finnair Plus programme you can route Avios via a Finnair Plus account with a flat fee of €10 (and no annual cap) instead of the £50 BA route.
Author
Alan Cairns
Senior Content Editor
Alan helps MoneySuperMarket break down complicated financial topics into plain English, to help you find the right deals. When he’s not writing or editing you might find him cycling the South Downs.
