How to Redeem British Airways Avios in Canada

This welcome bonus offer has changed since this was published. Please note that the following examples may not currently apply as they were based on previous offers.

How to Redeem British Airways Avios in Canada (Introduction)

In this post, you’re going to learn exactly what airlines you can use British Airways Avios for in Canada, how many points it will cost, and what direct routes you can fly from major Canadian airports.

If you collect British Airways Avios (or American Express points) in Canada, you’ll definitely want to keep this resource handy to make sure you’re getting the most out of your miles!

British Airways is part of the Oneworld alliance, a network of airlines that cooperatively work together, so you can use your Avios to get to nearly 150 countries worldwide.

Although Alaska Airlines isn’t apart of the Oneworld alliance yet (coming in 2021), they have a strategic partnership with British Airways allowing you to redeem Avios for them. This partnership is especially important for travellers departing from the West Coast, as Alaska Airlines operates a number of flights to popular destinations, especially from their main hub in Seattle, Washington.

How to Redeem Avios for Cheap Flights to Hawaii

If you’re on the West Coast and want to learn how to get 2 cheap round trip flights to Hawaii, you’ll definitely want to check out our separate post on that.

You’ll learn everything you need to know, from start to finish. From how to earn the points needed, to how to transfer your points, and how to book your flights. You’ll be kicking back on that Hawaii beach for less than you thought possible, and enjoying some complimentary food and drinks at the airport before your flight.

If Hawaii wasn’t on your radar before because you thought flights were too expensive, this post will definitely change your mind:

Check out our step-by-step guide for how to redeem Avios for direct flights on Alaska Airlines to Hawaii!

Transfer Your American Express points to British Airways and Fly For Less

If you’re looking for a travel rewards Card in Canada, make sure to consider the American Express Platinum Card which has a flexible travel rewards system.

When you transfer your American Express points to British Airways (points transfer at a 1:1 ratio), you can use those points on a number of different airlines, making American Express Membership Rewards so valuable.

Check out our step-by-step guide for how to transfer your American Express points to British Airways.

Airlines You Can Redeem British Airways Avios for

Below is a list of the airlines you can fly using British Airways Avios for.

British Airways

British Airways has its main hub London Heathrow, and offers flights to Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

See the complete list of British Airways destinations.

Aer Lingus

The flagship airline of Ireland, with service to 24 countries in Europe, North America, the Canary Islands, and the Asian portion of Turkey.

See the complete list of Aer Lingus destinations.

Alaska Airlines

Although not a member of any of the 3 major airline alliances, Alaska Airlines has codeshare agreements with 17 major airlines including British Airways. The fifth largest airline in the USA, and with its main hub in Seattle, WA, it services destinations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica.

See the complete list of Alaska Airlines destinations.

American Airlines

With hubs across the USA, including Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington DC, American Airlines offers flights to more than 330 destinations in 50 countries.

See the complete list of American Airlines destinations.

Cathay Pacific

A founding member of the Oneworld alliance, and Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, offering service to Asia, the Pacific, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.

See the complete list of Cathay Pacific destinations.

Comair

A South African based airline offering domestic flights within South Africa including Johannesburg and Cape Town.

See the complete list of Comair destinations.

Fiji Airways

The flagship carrier of Fiji, with international service to 13 countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore.

See the complete list of Fiji Airways destinations.

Finnair

With its Helsinki hub as a gateway between the Far East and Europe, Finnair flies to more than 65 destinations in 30 countries, including an increasing number of long haul international flights to and from Asia.

See the complete list of Finnair destinations.

Iberia

Spain’s flagship airline and the leading carrier between Europe and Latin America. With its hub in Madrid, Iberia flies across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.

See the complete list of Iberia destinations.

Japan Airlines

With major hubs in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Okinawa, Japan Airlines flies across Vancouver, BC, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

See the complete list of Japan Airlines destinations.

LATAM Airlines

With hubs in Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Lima, Quito and Guayaquil, and service to Toronto, ON, South America, United States, Europe, and New Zealand.

See the complete list of LATAM Airlines destinations.

Malaysia Airlines

With its main operating hub in Kuala Lumpur, and service to more than 60 destinations across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

See the complete list of Malaysia Airlines destinations.

Qantas

Flying to almost 80 destinations in 20 countries, and the only Australian airline in any global airline alliance, Qantas offers extensive domestic routes while serving points in Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, North and South America and Africa.

See the complete list of Qantas destinations.

Qatar Airways

An extensive network across the Middle East and service to North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America.

See the complete list of Qatar Airways destinations.

Royal Jordanian

The national airline of Jordan and serving approximately 60 destinations in 40 countries throughout the Middle East, where it offers one of the most extensive networks of any airline to Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

See the complete list of Royal Jordanian destinations.

S7 Airlines

Russia’s largest domestic carrier, S7 operates flights to more than 80 destinations in 20 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia (including 45 destinations in Russia).

See the complete list of S7 Airlines destinations.

SriLankan Airlines

The national airline of Sri Lanka. The airline currently operated to 32 destinations in 20 countries. with a fleet of over 20 aircraft, they cover a vast area of South Asia.

See the complete list of SriLankan destinations.

SUN-AIR of Scandinavia

A British Airways franchise partner in Scandinavia.

See the complete list of Sun-Air of Scandinavia destinations.

How to Redeem American Express Points in Canada for Air Canada and WestJet Flights

After seeing that list, you’re probably wondering how you can use American Express points for flights on major Canadian airlines such as Air Canada or Westjet. The great news is, you can!

We’re focusing on British Airways Avios for this article, but coming soon, we’ll take a detailed look at how you can transfer your American Express points to Aeroplan for Air Canada Flights, and Delta SkyMiles for WestJet flights, so stay tuned!

Airlines You Can Redeem British Airways Avios for in Canada (and their Direct Routes)

Since we can redeem British Airways Avios per flight segment, let’s take a look at the direct destinations we can use British Airways Avios for that depart from major Canadian airports.

Remember, we can take advantage of transferring our Amex points to British Airways and then use those points to fly on airlines in the Oneworld alliance, and Alaska Airlines because they also have a partnership with British Airways.

This table is by no means a comprehensive list of destinations you can use Avios for, but rather a starting point to help you plan how you’ll use your points! By seeing what destinations you can fly direct to from Canadian airports, you can then piece together a connecting itinerary if any of the direct routes listed are not your final destination.

You can also use FlightConnections.com to find what airlines fly from what airports, and how many miles the trip is.

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Behold! The 30% Transfer Bonus in Canada When You Transfer American Express Points to Avios

Sweet Spot

This transfer bonus should get you really excited! You’ll get 30% more points when you transfer your American Express points to Avios during the promotional period. That’s a huge savings, and a great opportunity to stretch your points farther.

Historically, this transfer bonus has been offered to Canadians around September/October and usually lasts a couple of months. Since this promotion seems to roll around every year, mark it on your calendar so you can plan your next trip accordingly and transfer your points during this time frame to get the maximum value.

Remember, you just need to transfer your points during that promotion, but you can hold off to book your trip until the time is right for you.

It’s worth noting, that even though this promotion is a net win, Canadians still get the shaft, as Americans receive a higher value 40% transfer bonus instead. Aren’t we used to that by now though?

This welcome bonus offer has changed since this was published. Please note that the following examples may not currently apply as they were based on previous offers.

Math Time

If you were to sign up for the Amex Platinum Card, you’d receive a welcome bonus of 50,000 points (once you’ve met the minimum spend requirement of $3,000 in the first 3 months.) If you were to spend that $3,000 at a base earning rate (not on travel or restaurants in Canada), you would earn a minimum of 3,000 points, bringing you up to 53,000 points total.

With the transfer bonus of 30% that would be 53,000 x 1.30 = 68,900 Avios miles for you to spend on flights, for the annual cost of the Card which is $699, which includes a $200 travel credit, bringing the total down to $499.

Example Time

What can you do with 68,900 Avios for $499?

• You’d have enough points for a round trip flight from Vancouver to Tokyo.
• Or how about 3 round trip plane tickets from Toronto to Miami.
• If you’re in Calgary, you can fly to Chicago or Dallas round trip 3 times.
• Or 2 round trip nonstop tickets from Vancouver to London (Heathrow). If you’re leaving from Toronto, make that 3 round trip tickets.
• You can fly from Montreal to Qatar in the Middle East round trip, with almost 7,000 points leftover to put towards your next flight.
• If you’re in BC and can get down to Seattle, you can easily fly 2 people round trip to Hawaii or Mexico with almost 17,000 points leftover!
• 2 round trip flights to Hawaii for the annual cost of the Amex Platinum of $699 ($350 CAD per person plus approximately $100 total in taxes and fees) is a great deal with plenty of points leftover is completely doable for a travel hacking beginner in Canada!