New Transfer Bonus: Get 30% To Avios From American Express

American Express is offering 30% more Avios on transfers through September 27. That means business class to Spain, Qatar Qsuites, and even the Philippines for a lot fewer points. Here is how it works and how to use it.

How to Get 30% More Avios With American Express (and Book Business Class for Less)

by Julia Portela

August 3, 2026 Reading Time: 5 min read

Advertiser Disclosure: Journey on Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products and may receive a commission at no cost to you.

American Express just announced a transfer bonus that gives you 30% more points when you move Membership Rewards to Avios. It runs through September 27, which is plenty of time to find a great flight and plan your booking. Let me explain what is happening, the free trick that makes it even better, and some of the best ways to use it.

In this post:

• What's happening
• The trick: move Avios between airlines for free
• Iberia: business class to Spain
• British Airways: another way to Madrid
• Qatar Airways: Qsuites to Doha
• Qatar Airways: business class to the Philippines
• How to earn more Amex points
• Bottom line

What's Happening

Right now, American Express is running a 30% transfer bonus to Avios.

Normally, 1,000 Amex points get you 1,000 Avios. During this promotion, 1,000 Amex points get you 1,300 Avios. That is 30% more, simply for transferring during the sale.

Avios are the points used by British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways. The bonus applies when you transfer to British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus, and it runs through September 27, 2026.

The Trick: Move Avios Between Airlines for Free

Here is what makes this so flexible: all of these airlines use the same points (Avios), and you can move Avios between them for free.

So you transfer your Amex points into whichever program gets the 30% bonus (British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus), then shift those Avios for free to whatever airline you actually want to fly, including Qatar Airways. You do this at avios.com. It is free, 1:1, and usually done within an hour. Just make sure all of your airline accounts use your same name and email.

This is why even Qatar redemptions below become cheap: you get the bonus in one program, then combine your Avios into Qatar for free.

Because of the 30% bonus, you always need fewer Amex points than the Avios price. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it.

Iberia: Business Class to Spain

There is great Iberia business class award space between Miami and Madrid right now. With the bonus:

• Off-peak: 50,500 Avios becomes about 39,000 Amex points
• Peak: 74,000 Avios becomes about 57,000 Amex points

Plus taxes of about $136.90 to $174.23 each way. A lie-flat seat to Spain for around 39,000 points is a great deal.

British Airways: Another Way to Madrid

If you would rather route through Dublin on Aer Lingus, you can book it with British Airways Avios. The full price is 56,500 Avios plus $150.80. With the bonus, that is about 43,500 Amex points plus $150.80. A nice backup if Iberia space is tight on your dates.

Qatar Airways: Qsuites to Doha

Qatar's Qsuite is one of the best business class seats in the world. A US to Doha Qsuite flight that normally costs 70,000 Avios (saver award price) becomes about 54,000 Amex points with the bonus.

Remember the trick here: transfer your Amex points to Iberia, British Airways, or Aer Lingus to earn the bonus, then move those Avios to Qatar Airways for free before you book. ALWAYS check availability before transferring your points.

Qatar Airways: Business Class to the Philippines

You can also use Qatar Airways Avios to book Philippine Airlines business class to Manila. With the bonus:

• From the West Coast: 110,000 Avios becomes about 85,000 Amex points
• From the East Coast: 154,500 Avios becomes about 119,000 Amex points

Same trick applies: earn the bonus in Iberia, British Airways, or Aer Lingus, then move your Avios to Qatar for free.

How to Earn More Amex Points

If you want to build up your Membership Rewards balance to take advantage of this, here are four cards to look at:

PREMIUM BEST FOR LOUNGE ACCESS

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee: $895

WELCOME BONUS

Earn 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $12,000 on eligible purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year)

5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel

1X points on everything else

Noteworthy Perks

• Up to $200 a year in airline incidental fee credits at one qualifying airline
• Up to $600 in prepaid hotel credits, semi-annually ($300 Jan to June, $300 July to Dec) on Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection
• Up to $100 per calendar quarter in credits at U.S. Resy restaurants
• Up to $25 per month on select digital subscriptions (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium and YouTube TV)
• Up to $120 Global Entry credit or $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years
• $15 in monthly Uber Cash for U.S. rides or Uber Eats (an extra $20 in December)
• Up to $120 a year in credits toward an auto-renewing U.S. Uber One membership
• Up to $300 a year at U.S. lululemon (up to $75 per quarter)
• Up to $219 CLEAR Plus credit per calendar year
• Up to $12.95 (plus tax) a month for a Walmart+ membership
• Up to $200 back each calendar year on an Oura Ring purchased through Ouraring.com
• Global Lounge Access: Priority Pass (lounges only) with 2 guests, Centurion Lounges, and Delta Sky Club when flying an eligible Delta flight (10 visits a year, more after $75K annual spend)
• Rental car elite status
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• Hilton Honors Gold status
• Leading Hotels of the World Sterling status

Enrollment required for some benefits. Terms apply.

Apply Now

APPLY WITH CONFIDENCE

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

BEST FOR GROCERIES AND DINING

American Express Gold Card

Annual fee: $325

WELCOME BONUS

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after $8,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms apply.

4X points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X)

4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X)

5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel

3X points on flights booked through Amex Travel or directly with airlines

2X points on prepaid car rentals and cruises booked through Amex Travel

1X points on everything else

Noteworthy Perks

• Up to $120 Dining Credit: up to $10 in monthly statement credits at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. Enrollment required.
• Up to $100 Resy Credit a year (up to $50 semi-annually) at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required.
• Up to $84 Dunkin' Credit a year ($7 in monthly statement credits at U.S. Dunkin' locations). Enrollment required.
• Up to $120 Uber Cash a year ($10 each month for U.S. rides and orders when you add your Card to your Uber account).
• Complimentary Hertz Five Star status, with perks like skipping the counter, a free additional driver, and vehicle upgrades. Enrollment required.
• Up to $100 credit on The Hotel Collection bookings through Amex Travel (two-night minimum stay).
• Pay It and Plan It: pay small purchases quickly or split big ones into fixed monthly payments with a set fee.
• Amex Travel booking support and 24/7 Member Services.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Enrollment required for some benefits. Terms apply.

Apply Now

APPLY WITH CONFIDENCE

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

PREMIUM BEST FOR LOUNGE ACCESS

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee: $895  ·  APR: 17.74% to 28.49% Variable  ·  Credit recommended: Good to Excellent

WELCOME BONUS

You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms apply.

5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com

2X points on eligible U.S. business categories (hardware, electronics, software and cloud, shipping) and on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million per year

1X points on all other eligible purchases

Noteworthy Perks

• Global Lounge Collection: complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140+ countries, the most of any card issuer as of 01/2026.
• Up to $600 a year in prepaid hotel credits ($300 semi-annually) on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection through Amex Travel (two-night minimum for The Hotel Collection).
• $200 airline fee credit a year on baggage and incidentals with one selected qualifying airline.
• Up to $200 a year back with Hilton for Business on eligible Hilton purchases. Enrollment required.
• Up to $219 a year in CLEAR Plus credits (subject to auto-renewal).
• Up to $150 a year in Dell Technologies credits, plus a $1,000 credit after $5,000 in eligible spend on the Card. Enrollment required.
• Up to $300 a year in ChatGPT Business credits (subject to auto-renewal). Enrollment required.
• $250 statement credit after $600 or more in Adobe purchases per year. Enrollment required.
• Up to $360 a year in Indeed credits ($90 per quarter). Enrollment required.
• Up to $120 a year in wireless credits ($10 per month with a U.S. wireless provider). Enrollment required.
• No preset spending limit: your buying power adjusts with your spending and payment history.
• Over $4,000 in annual business and travel value after meeting qualifying spend thresholds. Terms apply.

Enrollment required for some benefits. Terms apply.

Apply Now

APPLY WITH CONFIDENCE

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express Business Gold Card

Annual fee: $375  ·  APR: 17.74% to 28.49% Variable  ·  Credit recommended: Good to Excellent

WELCOME BONUS

You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms apply.

4X points on the top 2 eligible categories where your business spends the most each month (from 6 categories), on the first $150,000 in combined purchases per year, then 1X

3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com

1X points on all other eligible purchases

Noteworthy Perks

• Up to $240 a year in statement credits: up to $20 monthly on eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx (through 10/01/2026), Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. Enrollment required.
• Up to $300 a year in ChatGPT Business credits (subject to auto-renewal). Enrollment required.
• Up to $150 a year in Squarespace credits (subscriptions subject to auto-renewal). Enrollment required.
• Up to $12.95 (plus tax) a month back on a Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Choose from three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold, and White Gold, selected when you apply.

Enrollment required for some benefits. Terms apply.

Apply Now

APPLY WITH CONFIDENCE

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Bottom Line

This 30% bonus runs through September 27, so you have time to find award space and plan a redemption you will actually love. Transfer your Amex points into a bonus program (Iberia, British Airways, or Aer Lingus), move them for free to the airline you want to fly, and you can book business class to Spain, Qsuites to Doha, or Philippine Airlines to Manila for far fewer points.

One important reminder: always confirm your award seat is available before you transfer, because transfers cannot be reversed.

Advertiser Disclosure: Journey on Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products and may receive a commission at no cost to you.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.