From Amex to Avios: the right calculation for British Airways and Iberia

Start with the actual ratio

The Italian Membership Rewards catalogue lists five MR for four Avios for British Airways Club and Iberia Club. That is 80% arithmetically: 100,000 MR become 80,000 Avios, not 100,000. This does not establish a 20% loss in value because the currencies have different purchasing power. Assess the award you could actually book.

Calculate the shortfall

Obtaining 4,000 Avios arithmetically requires 5,000 MR. Partner increments still apply: Iberia specifies at least 500 MR in 500-point blocks; British Airways at least 800 in 400-point blocks. In this example, Iberia accepts 5,000, while BA would require 5,200 MR for 4,160 Avios. Always inspect the final quote before confirming.

The booking programme still matters

Holding Avios does not make programme offers identical. Search the same trip through relevant channels and compare points, charges, cancellation and seat counts. Combine Avios supports transfers between eligible accounts of the same member under its conditions. Do not add an intermediate programme merely because it is technically possible; it can complicate an urgent purchase.

Timing and cash complete the picture

The published estimate for Amex to BA and Iberia is up to 30 minutes, without holding an award seat. Before transferring, record cash charges and the price of the alternative you would buy. A flight with supplements is not free, and a transfer bonus belongs in the calculation only when current applicable terms provide it. Moving points is useful when it serves a checked decision.

14 October: announced maintenance

American Express Italy warns that routine system maintenance on 14 October 2026 may interrupt reward requests on the Membership Rewards website and through its telephone service. It gives no hours; this does not establish a full-day outage. Source: American Express Italy, Programmi Fedeltà, Notizie section (link under Sources & verification).

For an urgent award booking, first check whether a transfer request can be made and seats are still available. Do not treat the 30-minute estimate as a guarantee during maintenance, or move points solely to get ahead of a possible interruption: flight availability and the applicable conditions still matter.