Can I Transfer British Airways Miles To American Airlines?

Writing By / Posted On:
admin
Chief Editor of - Book Premium Flight

British Airways and American Airlines are two of the biggest and most popular airlines in the world. Both offer their customers loyalty programs that allow them to earn miles or points, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. However, what happens if you want to transfer your British Airways miles to American Airlines? Is it possible? In this article, we’ll explore this question and provide you with all the information you need to know.

Many travelers are often curious about whether they can transfer their British Airways miles to American Airlines. After all, both airlines are part of the oneworld alliance, which allows passengers to earn and redeem miles across different airlines. But is it possible to transfer miles from one airline to another within the same alliance? Let’s find out.

Unfortunately, British Airways miles cannot be transferred directly to American Airlines. However, both airlines are part of the OneWorld alliance, which means you can redeem British Airways miles for American Airlines flights and vice versa. You can also use a points transfer service like Points.com to convert your British Airways miles into American Airlines miles. Keep in mind that there may be fees and restrictions involved in the process.

Can I Transfer British Airways Miles to American Airlines?

Can I Transfer British Airways Miles to American Airlines?

If you are a frequent flyer, you know that loyalty programs can be a great way to earn miles and redeem them for free flights or other travel benefits. However, sometimes you may find yourself with miles in one program and want to use them in another program. In this article, we will explore whether you can transfer British Airways miles to American Airlines and how to do it.

Can You Transfer British Airways Miles to American Airlines?

Unfortunately, British Airways and American Airlines are not part of the same airline alliance, which means that you cannot transfer miles directly from one program to the other. However, there are still a few ways to use your British Airways miles to book flights on American Airlines.

Book American Airlines Flights Using British Airways Avios

British Airways Avios is the currency used by the British Airways loyalty program. You can use Avios to book flights with British Airways and its partner airlines, including American Airlines. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account
  2. Click on “Book a reward flight”
  3. Enter your travel details and select “Search”
  4. Choose the American Airlines flight you want to book
  5. Follow the prompts to complete your booking

Transfer British Airways Avios to Iberia Plus

Iberia is a Spanish airline that is part of the same company as British Airways and is also a partner of American Airlines. If you transfer your British Airways Avios to the Iberia Plus program, you can then use them to book flights on American Airlines. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account
  2. Click on “Combine my Avios” and select “Iberia Plus”
  3. Follow the prompts to complete the transfer
  4. Log in to your Iberia Plus account
  5. Book your American Airlines flight using your transferred Avios

Benefits of Using British Airways Miles to Book American Airlines Flights

While it may seem like an inconvenience to not be able to transfer your British Airways miles directly to American Airlines, there are actually some benefits to using your Avios to book American Airlines flights.

Lower Taxes and Fees

When you book a flight using British Airways Avios, you will usually pay lower taxes and fees than if you book the same flight using American Airlines miles. This is because British Airways has a different pricing structure for award flights, which can result in significant savings.

More Availability

British Airways and American Airlines have different award availability, which means that if you are having trouble finding award space on American Airlines, you may be able to find it using British Airways Avios. Additionally, British Airways allows you to book one-way award flights, which can be helpful if you only need a one-way ticket.

British Airways Miles vs. American Airlines Miles

While you cannot transfer British Airways miles to American Airlines, it’s worth comparing the two loyalty programs to see which one may be a better fit for your travel needs.

Earning Miles

British Airways Executive Club members can earn Avios by flying with British Airways and its partner airlines, as well as by using co-branded credit cards and shopping with partners. American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn miles in a similar way, but also have the option to earn miles through hotel stays, car rentals, and more.

Redeeming Miles

As we’ve already discussed, British Airways Avios can be used to book flights with British Airways and its partner airlines, while American Airlines miles can be used to book flights with American Airlines and its partner airlines. The redemption rates for award flights can vary between the two programs, so it’s important to compare them before deciding where to credit your miles.

Elite Status

Both British Airways and American Airlines have elite status tiers that offer additional benefits to frequent flyers, such as lounge access, priority boarding, and extra baggage allowance. However, the requirements for achieving elite status and the benefits offered at each tier can differ between the two programs.

Conclusion

While you cannot transfer British Airways miles to American Airlines, there are still ways to use your Avios to book flights on American Airlines. By comparing the benefits of each loyalty program, you can decide where to credit your miles and make the most of your travel rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about transferring British Airways miles to American Airlines:

What is the process for transferring British Airways miles to American Airlines?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to transfer British Airways miles directly to American Airlines. However, you can use your British Airways Avios to book flights on American Airlines through the British Airways website. You may also be able to transfer your British Airways Avios to Iberia Plus or Aer Lingus AerClub and then book American Airlines flights through those programs.

Can I use my British Airways Avios to book flights on American Airlines?

Yes, you can use your British Airways Avios to book flights on American Airlines through the British Airways website. You will need to search for award availability on the British Airways website and then call British Airways to book the flight using your Avios. Keep in mind that British Airways charges fuel surcharges on award flights, which can make the flight more expensive than booking through American Airlines directly.

Can I transfer my British Airways Avios to Iberia Plus or Aer Lingus AerClub and then book American Airlines flights through those programs?

Yes, you can transfer your British Airways Avios to Iberia Plus or Aer Lingus AerClub and then book American Airlines flights through those programs. However, you will need to create separate accounts with those programs and transfer your Avios to the appropriate program. Keep in mind that the transfer process can take a few days and there may be transfer fees involved.

Can I transfer my American Airlines miles to British Airways?

Yes, you can transfer your American Airlines miles to British Airways through the American Airlines website. However, the transfer ratio is not always favorable and there may be fees involved. It is generally not recommended to transfer American Airlines miles to British Airways unless you have a specific redemption in mind that is not available through American Airlines.

What are some other ways to earn British Airways Avios?

You can earn British Airways Avios by flying on British Airways, its partner airlines, or through credit card sign-up bonuses and spending. You can also earn Avios through shopping portals, car rentals, and hotel stays. Additionally, British Airways offers a co-branded credit card that allows you to earn Avios on all of your purchases.

How to use Avios to fly on American


In conclusion, transferring British Airways miles to American Airlines is possible but it may not be the most cost-effective option. While the two airlines are partners, the transfer ratio is not 1:1 which means that you may end up losing some value in the process. Additionally, there may be fees involved in the transfer process which could further reduce the value of your miles.

If you do decide to transfer your British Airways miles to American Airlines, make sure to do your research beforehand to determine the best transfer ratio and fee structure. It may also be worth considering other options such as using your British Airways miles to book flights with American Airlines or one of their other partners.

Ultimately, whether or not you transfer your miles will depend on your individual travel needs and preferences. So take some time to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision and happy travels!

adminChief Editor of - Book Premium Flight

Scroll to Top