As of today, May 22, 2024, Finnair has enabled the ability to transfer Avios between Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club accounts.
This change marks a significant enhancement in the flexibility and usability of Avios for frequent flyers. Finnair's adoption of Avios as its rewards currency back in March already brought it in line with other oneworld carriers like British Airways and Qatar Airways.
However, the real benefit begins today, with the ability to move Avios seamlessly between your Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club accounts.
The New Transfer System
With the new system, transferring Avios between Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club is straightforward and, importantly, free of charge.
Avios maintain their value across both programs, meaning 1 Avios in Finnair Plus is equivalent to 1 Avios in British Airways Executive Club.
This can be done as often as needed, providing great flexibility for travelers. It's worth noting, however, that while you can transfer Avios between British Airways and Finnair directly, transfers involving other carriers, such as Qatar Airways, require British Airways as an intermediary.
This flexibility means that frequent flyers can now consolidate their Avios across different oneworld airlines, potentially making it easier to book award flights, upgrade travel experiences, or access other rewards within the alliance.
Benefits for CIMB Credit Cardholders
One of the most significant benefits of this new transfer capability is for CIMB credit cardholders in Malaysia. CIMB credit cards, such as the CIMB Travel World Elite, are the only cards in Malaysia that offer direct conversion to British Airways Avios.
This opens up a wealth of new opportunities for cardholders:
Direct Conversion to Finnair Avios: Previously, converting CIMB Bonus Points to Avios was only beneficial for British Airways redemptions. Now, these points can effectively be converted to Finnair Avios, allowing cardholders to take advantage of Finnair's extensive network, particularly within the Scandinavian region.
Expanded Travel Options: Finnair's inclusion in the oneworld alliance means that award seats which might be unavailable or sold out on other oneworld carriers could be accessible via Finnair. This is a significant advantage for those looking to book last-minute award travel or for routes that are typically in high demand.
Maximizing Redemption Value: Given Finnair's competitive award chart, transferring Avios to Finnair Plus might yield better redemption values compared to other carriers. This is particularly true for flights within Europe and Asia, where Finnair operates numerous routes.
Using Finnair's Online Portal
Another significant advantage of this development is the ability to use Finnair's online portal to directly redeem flights on other oneworld airlines such as:
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Iberia
Japan Airlines
Qantas
Qatar Airways.
For those looking to fly on Qatar Airways' QSuites, often hailed as the best business class product in the sky, having an additional source of award availability through Finnair is a substantial benefit.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of Avios transfer capabilities between Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club is a notable enhancement for frequent flyers, particularly those who leverage CIMB credit cards for their travel rewards.
By enabling seamless transfers and maintaining Avios value across programs, Finnair has significantly increased the flexibility and utility of its loyalty program.
For CIMB cardholders, this change not only expands travel possibilities within the oneworld network but also enhances the value of their credit card rewards. Whether you're planning a trip to the Scandinavian region or looking for the best way to fly in luxury with Qsuites, this new capability opens up a world of opportunities.
Comments