A Really Neat Use for Avios with the 40% Transfer Bonus

Several weeks ago, American Express announced a really lucrative transfer bonus for American Express Membership Rewards to British Airways Avios, whereby you would receive 40% more Avios. So, for every 1,000 Membership Rewards you transfer, you receive 1,400 Avios – a pretty sweet deal.

To really maximize this bonus, your best bet will almost always be to use Avios for airline tickets. If you’re looking to fly short-haul, sub 650-mile trips, you’ll benefit greatly, since you pay 40% less than the usual 4,500 mile price-tags requirement.

I was browsing the British Airways site this morning and stumbled upon a use for Avios I hadn’t really thought of, that could be fairly beneficial to those of you who like to travel and experience cultural activities once in your destination. British Airways offers excursions and other entertainment options that you can use Avios on.

For only 1,900 Avios, you can do 2.5 hour tour of James Bond film locations in London. Again, this is without the transfer bonus, so deduct 40% off this price.

 

You can also do a tour of Stonehence, Windsor Castle and Bath for 12,800 Avios prior to the discount. This is an 11 hour guided excursion from London which will price out several hundred dollars if you pay cash.

 

Or, how about a Thames River cruise with Afternoon Tea? It’s 4,300 Avios prior to the transfer bonus.

 

You can choose excursions and events in other cities as well and not just in London. I know many of you may not know how to use Avios on flights, or have any interest in using them on flights. You probably do have a use for things to keep you occupied once you arrive in your destination, so I see this as a fairly lucrative offer, even for the experienced traveler. While it may still be more beneficial to use Avios on Business Class flights, I can’t argue on saving money on tours and trips I probably would have taken anyway once I arrive in my destination city.