Ep 004 – All About Avios

/ Podcast / Ep 004 – All About Avios

In Episode 4 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Reed, Josh, Daniel, and Jeff explore the Avios program in depth. The episode begins with a new segment, ‘What’s That Credit Card?’, where the group guesses a featured credit card with aspects of the credit card hinted at by Reed. 

The team discusses the basics of the Avios program and how Canadians can best earn Avios points, with a focus on RBC and American Express credit cards.

From there, the team explores the various frequent flyer programs within Avios: British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Finnair Plus, and Iberia Plus. The team shares various tips and unique redemption opportunities, including transfer bonuses and sweet spots for each Avios program.

The episode wraps up a discussion surrounding a listener’s question about the value proposition of Air Canada Aeroplan versus competitor programs in Canada.

(00:37) New Segment – What’s That Credit Card?

Reed shares hints about a certain credit card while the rest of the team attempts to guess the card that he is thinking of.

(05:26) The Basics of Avios

Avios is a multi-faceted loyalty program and currency that is shared between multiple programs, including British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Finnair Plus, and Iberia Plus. Points can be transferred back and forth between programs for flight redemptions in a specific program.

(07:21) Earning Avios in Canada

RBC credit cards are the best opportunity to accrue Avios in Canada as they offer a number of credit cards that earn Avion Rewards which can be transferred to Avios (plus they offer a card that earns British Airways Avios points natively). Learn more about which points can be transferred to Avios and at what ratio by using our Miles & Points Transfer Tool.

(12:12) Earning Avios in the United States

Since there is no shortage of opportunities to earn Avios in Canada, there isn’t as much of a need to look to US credit cards to earn. However, there are some great options for earning in the United States, including transferring from various bank loyalty programs and a few co-branded credit cards.

(15:35) Transferring & Combining Avios Between Programs

Avios can be moved freely between all participating programs in the ecosystem, including British Airways, Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus, Finnair, and Iberia. This opens up opportunities to benefit from better award chart pricing and more favorable award ticket change/cancellation terms.

(26:05) Avios Peak & Off-Peak Pricing

Peak and off-peak pricing is prominent throughout the Avios programs, so be aware when you are searching as prices can fluctuate from depending on the time of year. However, peak and off-peak is spread pretty fairly throughout the calendar year.

(31:00) Sweet Spots & Redemption Strategies

The Avios programs are rife with sweet spots and high-value flight redemptions to be made if you do a bit of digging. Each Avios program also opens up award availability on different timelines.

(37:16) The Value Offered By Each Avios Program

Each Avios program offers something different, whether it’s a standout feature or redemption, showcasing the value of participating in the Avios loyalty program and moving points between all of the programs involved.

  • British Airways Avios: Household account pooling makes it easy to accrue points quickly for your next redemption.
  • Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios: Itinerary pricing for award flight redemptions plus the ability to book a first class segment at the same cost as business class is a massive benefit.
  • Aer Lingus AerClub Avios: Great award pricing from North America to Dublin that can be booked 361 days in advance.
  • Finnair Plus Avios: Excellent award pricing from North America to Helsinki; 62,500 Avios per person in business class.
  • Iberia Plus Avios: Cheap award pricing from the US East Coast to Madrid or Barcelona for 34,000 Avios one way in business class.

(41:32) Listener Question – Air Canada Aeroplan

The team answers a question about Air Canada Aeroplan from a reader, who is a bit hesitant to participate in the Aeroplan loyalty program since they have had some bad experiences with Air Canada.

(47:00) Conclusion & Next Episode Preview

Submit episode-specific questions on the episode page and if you have any questions you would like us to answer on Miles Ahead, submit them here.

Join us for the next episode, where we will be doing a deep dive into everyone’s favorite frequent flyer program, Air Canada Aeroplan.

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6 comments on “Ep 004 – All About Avios”

  1. I have a few more questions Reed:

    1) I’ve had my RBC Platinum card now two bill cycles, I want to make a product switch for the card now since I have collected the WB. Just wondering would it raise eye brows at rbc if I make the product switch now or should I wait a few more Bill cycles?

    2)For the product switch I’m looking at the ion+ card that has annual fee of $48 just wondering is it worth getting this card or the free ion card.

    I know from the podcast, if I use ion+ for gasoline purchases I earns 3 pts instead of 1pts . Just wondering if you have some personal stats about how much pts you gain in a year using the Ion+ card from gasoline purchases.

    3) when I make the product switch to the Ion card does that count as a new application for a credit card? meaning do I need to wait 90 days before I apply for any new RBC cards?

    4) I dont have Marriot Bonvoy CC yet for hotels. Can you recommend a loyalty program for hotel redemptions other than the MB loyalty program? I have been using Avion and TD loyalty programs for hotel redemption so far but I dont know if thats the best loyalty programs for hotel redemptions.

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Hey Mike,
      1) I’m not sure on that.
      2) That would really depend on your personal spending on those category of purchases. You’d need to spend between $800 and $1600 on gas depending on whether you value Avion at 1 cent per point or 2 cents per point.
      3) No it does not.
      4) Amex Membership Rewards is really the only other one, as it can be transferred to hotel programs. Unfortunately we don’t have a lot of options in Canada. US credit cards let you access Hilton.

      Reply

  2. Hi Reed,

    What if you don’t live in a City that doesn’t have a hub for One Alliance Flights? Would you need to book seperate flights to Toronto or montreal then catch a flight from there using your Avios points?

    Reply

      • Does Edmonton have any Avios air lines??

        For connecting flights you would have to atleast be 3 hrs before you flights take off rite?? Also what happens if a flights gets cancelled that isnt part of the avios flight.

        Reply

        • No unfortunately they won’t be of much use for domestic flights in Canada.

          Technically, its a minimum of 2 hours for most trip interruption insurance to be valid. But I would say err on the side of caution. 3-4 hours is ideal.

          In that case, it can be good to have the trip booked with a card with travel insurance that covers award flights. In addition to that, you’d have to contact the airline and/or Avios and ask nicely if they can re-accommodate, re-book, etc.

          Reply

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. For complete and current information, please consult the entity's website.