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American Express just turned on a 30% transfer bonus from Membership Rewards to Avios. The promotion covers British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. It runs from August 3 through September 27, 2026, giving readers with Membership Rewards points a real window to act. No enrollment is needed. You just transfer during the promotional period to lock in the bonus rate.
This is the second transfer bonus we’ve covered this month, following the 30% Virgin Atlantic promotion Amex ran recently. Amex is clearly loosening up on transfer bonuses after a quiet stretch.
What The 30% Avios Transfer Bonus Covers
Membership Rewards normally transfer to Avios at a flat 1:1 ratio. During this promotion, every 1,000 MR points converts to 1,300 Avios instead. That’s a 1:1.3 ratio, and it applies across British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus Avios accounts.
Amex has run bigger Avios bonuses before. Here’s how this offer stacks up against past history.
| Bonus Level | Ratio | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Historical high | 1:1.5 | Seen in past Avios promotions |
| Common rate | 1:1.4 | Frequent past offer level |
| Current promotion | 1:1.3 | Active now through Sept 27, 2026 |
This year has brought weak or nonexistent Amex transfer bonuses overall. That context makes even a 30% bump feel appealing right now.
Who Actually Benefits
If you already have a British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus redemption planned, this can be a good deal. Transferring now stretches your Membership Rewards balance further for that exact booking.
Readers weighing multiple transfer options might also compare this against the Citi Flying Blue transfer bonus running elsewhere right now. Stacking offers across programs can multiply value if you hold points in more than one bank.
Our Take
This offer is for readers with a specific Avios redemption already in mind. It’s not strong enough to justify speculative transfers.
If you have a British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus award booked or planned before September 27, transfer now and lock in the extra 30%. If you’re just sitting on Membership Rewards with no travel plans, skip this one and wait for a better bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bonus covers all three Avios partner airlines: British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. Points transferred to any of these programs during the promotional period qualify for the 1:1.3 ratio.
The promotion runs from August 3 through September 27, 2026. You need to complete your transfer before the deadline to lock in the bonus rate.
No enrollment is required. Simply transfer your Membership Rewards points to a qualifying Avios program during the promotional window and the bonus rate applies automatically.
No, Amex has offered stronger bonuses in the past. The historical high was a 1:1.5 ratio, and a 1:1.4 ratio has appeared frequently. The current 30% bonus translates to a 1:1.3 ratio, making it below average historically.
Speculative transfers are not recommended here. This offer makes the most sense if you already have a British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus award booked or clearly planned before September 27. If you have no specific redemption in mind, it may be worth waiting for a stronger future bonus.
