V-Flyer

Is this too good to be true?

I was logging on to my AmEx account to pay my bill...pure fun reliving the prior month...AmEx US is having a promo to transfer Membership Rewards (MR) points to Avios with a 50% bonus. So I thought I'd have a glance at the BA site.

Looks like ORD (Chicago) to DCA (Washington - National) is 4,500 Avios (3,000 MR points at the current promo rate) with no taxes/YQ/fees/non-sense.

Seems too good to be true! That's $75.00 (AmEx MR US allows to buy points) for ORD-DCA. Am I missing something?

Seems OK... Found my BA Avois number and logon info. And I even can book the award online. Also saw this bit that was interesting (currently have a zero balance):

You require an additional 9000 Avios to make this booking with Avios & money. You can purchase 9000 more Avios at a cost of $ 272.50. Avios can be purchased in multiples of 1,000.
You may purchase up to or be given 24000 Avios in one calendar year (Jan-Dec).

Anyone know the AmEx MR USA to BA Avois transfer time?

mcmbenjamin wrote:Anyone know the AmEx MR USA to BA Avois transfer time?

I *think* it is instant, unlike the UK scheme, but it would be best to check on flyertalk.

They don't even charge the 5 dollar airport tax? I wouldn't expect to pay YQ on a US reward, but usually see the 5 bucks on there. Interesting if they eliminate that too, wonder how they do it as someone has to pay that for each pax.

I had to pay £3 for AA from Austin to Minneapolis in September (and 12000 Avios). From Barbados to Miami the charges were £39.60 (and 10000). now all I need is AA to open some reward seats from Miami to Austin and I'll be very happy.

Seems to be instant according to the good folks at FlyerTalk. I'll report once. I transfer.

BA does change the $2.50 - no issue as this is a legit tax (compared to YQ which is revenue).

Thanks MarkedMan and daharris!