Can you transfer Avios points to someone else?

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Can you transfer your Avios points to someone else? Today I want to look at whether it is possible to move your Avios points to the account of another person.

As with many things to do with Avios, the question is never that simple.

For most members, you cannot transfer your Avios points to someone else without paying.

However, let’s look at some different permutations because there are way around it:

Can you transfer your Avios points to another person for free?

If you are a Blue, Bronze or Silver member of British Airways Executive Club, you cannot transfer your Avios to another person for free.

However, if you are a Gold member of British Airways Executive Club, you can give them to another member for free. You can send a maximum of 27,000 Avios per year from your account to the account of anyone on your ‘Friends & Family’ list. The maximum number of Avios you can transfer in total is 162,000 per year.

Full details are on this page of ba.com.

Can you transfer your Avios points to another person if you are willing to pay?

Yes you can. Take a look at this page of ba.com.

You can send up to 27,000 Avios per person per calendar year, up to an annual cap of 162,000 Avios.

The snag is that you have to pay – and it is quite a lot. The current fees are:

1,000 to 6,000 Avios – £25

7,000 to 12,000 Avios – £65

13,000 to 18,000 Avios – £100

19,000 to 24,000 Avios – £140

25,000 to 27,000 Avios – £175

These are extortionately high and I don’t recommend paying them unless 100% necessary. It is shocking that BA would take £175 off you simply for moving some Avios from one account to another. No new points are being created so it is pure profit for the airline.

Can you book an Avios flight for another person from your account?

Instead of transferring your Avios points to another person, can you simply book a flight for them from your account? If you don’t have enough to book a return, remember that you can book one-way Avios flights.

This article explains how to book an Avios flight for someone else using your points.

Can you pool your points for free by forming a Household Account?

One other option is to form a Household Account with someone else. You would need to change your addresses so they match, but once that was done you can form a Household Account.

This pools both sets of Avios together and any person in the Household Account can make a redemption for themselves or for anyone else in the account.

This article explains in more detail how British Airways Avios household accounts work. You may find it a more convenient – and of course far cheaper – option than paying to transfer points to someone else.

(This article is part of our ‘BA Q&A’ series which explains how British Airways Executive Club works. You can see all of our ‘BA Q&A’ articles here. )

(Head for Points is the UK’s biggest frequent flyer website with 1.8 million monthly page views. Want to learn more about earning and spending Avios? Click here to read our latest news stories, click here to join our email list and click here to read our ‘Avios Redemption University’ series.)

How to get 20,000 Avios from Amex Gold or 30,000 Avios from Amex Platinum (December 2021 offer)

The sign-up bonus on American Express Preferred Rewards Gold converts to 20,000 Avios and the card is free for the first year. You can apply here.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

You don’t qualify for the Amex Gold bonus if you have a British Airways American Express card. You DO qualify for the bonus on The Platinum Card, which converts into 30,000 Avios. You can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

If you have your own small business, the best way of earning Avios is via the Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa. It has a sign-up bonus which converts to 10,000 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

You should also look at the British Airways Accelerating Business card, because it currently has a limited time offer of 60,000 Avios when you sign up by 14th November. You can apply here.