American Express points are the single biggest source of Avios for most UK collectors. Here is exactly how the transfer works, which cards feed it, and the one rule that stops you wasting points.
Most people think you earn Avios by flying. In reality, the fastest way to build a balance in the UK is a Membership Rewards credit card and a single click that turns those points into Avios at 1:1. Master this one mechanic and you will out-earn any frequent flyer who only collects in the air.
Membership Rewards is American Express’s own points currency. You earn them on eligible Amex cards — typically one point per £1 of spend — and, crucially, they are transferable. Rather than being locked to one airline, they can be moved to a range of airline and hotel partners, of which British Airways Club (Avios) is the most popular in the UK.
That flexibility is the whole point. While the points sit in your Amex account they keep their options open. The moment you transfer them to Avios they become Avios — useful, but committed. Understanding that trade-off is the key to using them well.
The mechanics are refreshingly simple, but the details matter:
The 1:1 rate makes Membership Rewards worth at least as much as Avios — and potentially more, because they can also become Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar or hotel points. Our ratio explainer breaks the numbers down further.
This trips up a lot of beginners. Only certain Amex cards earn transferable Membership Rewards. The British Airways Amex cards do not — they earn Avios directly, so there is nothing to transfer.
| Card | Earns | Transfers to Avios? |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred Rewards Gold | Membership Rewards | Yes, 1:1 |
| The Platinum Card | Membership Rewards | Yes, 1:1 |
| Membership Rewards Credit Card | Membership Rewards | Yes, 1:1 |
| BA Amex / BA Premium Plus | Avios directly | N/A — already Avios |
Not sure which card to hold? Our best Amex cards for Avios comparison ranks them for different spenders.
Make sure the name, and ideally date of birth, on your Amex and BA accounts match. Mismatched details are the most common reason a transfer link fails.
The golden rule: transfer only when you have found the seat you want to book. Because the move is irreversible, speculatively topping up your Avios balance strips away all the flexibility that made Membership Rewards valuable in the first place.
Always confirm availability first — see our guide to finding reward seats before you move a single point.
Avios is a shared currency. Once your Membership Rewards land as Avios, you can move them on — at 1:1 — between British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club to book with whichever programme prices your flight best.
For example, transferring to Iberia Plus can slash the surcharges on transatlantic business class, while Qatar Privilege Club opens up Qsuites. Decide the destination programme before you leave Amex, and you will never overpay.
The co-branded route earns Avios directly — ideal once you know BA is your programme.
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The AviosArcana Editorial Team
We decode the British Airways loyalty programme in plain English, cross-checking every figure against BA’s published rules and the tools as they actually behave.