How to transfer Avios points

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.

1. 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)

2. Locate the ‘Transfer Avios’ or ‘Give Avios’ option - Within your account menu look for the ‘Transfer Avios’, ‘Give Avios’ or ‘Move Avios’ section

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

Can I buy Avios as a gift instead of transferring my own?

Yes, you can buy new Avios as a gift for another member rather than transferring points from your existing balance - just choose 'Gift Avios' on Avios.com, enter the recipient's membership details and choose how many points to purchase.

You can gift between 2,000 and 200,000 Avios, subject to annual limits - you'll see the price before paying and can include a personal message, while you can also arrange delivery for a future date. The recipient must be at least 18 and have held their loyalty account for at least seven days.

Watch out for fees, limits and delays

Each transfer comes with terms and conditions that you should be aware of before proceeding. These include:

1. Transfer fee - In many cases there is a flat fee to transfer points to another individual 

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

How does Avios Wallet work for linking accounts?

Avios Wallet lets you combine the Avios balances of your Vueling Club and Iberia Club accounts without manually transferring points each time. To use it, just link both accounts through Vueling's Avios Wallet - your personal details must match across both accounts.

Once linked, you'll see your combined Avios balance when logging in to either programme. When you spend Avios, the points are deducted proportionally from each linked account based on its available balance.

This is different to 'Combine My Avios', which moves points manually between eligible loyalty programmes.

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.

Watch out for fees, limits and delays

The cost of moving Avios depends on how you choose to transfer or share them.