Amex MR → Avios: BA Short-Haul Partner Flights
Transfer Amex MR 1:1 to British Airways Avios, then redeem for American Airlines partner flights under 650 miles for 13,500 Avios one-way following the December 15, 2025 BA partner-chart devaluation (up from 12,000; the old 7,500 rate is long gone). Cheap economy hops. Transfers to BA Avios are instant. The Avios can also be used for Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling at the same rate.
Why this redemption is worth chasing
At 1.5¢ per point this is a modest but real redemption. The cash ticket of around $200 doesn't make this a steal, but it's a fair use of 13,500 points if you weren't going to redeem them for anything better.
How to earn 13,500 American Express Membership Rewards points
American Express Membership Rewards accepts transfers from these credit cards. One sign-up bonus from any of them gets you most or all of the way to this redemption.
How to book this redemption
Confirm award space before you transfer. Transfers are usually irreversible, and award costs here are published-pricing estimates.
- 1Confirm award space first. American Airlines award seats can disappear in minutes. Search for the specific dates you want directly on the American Express Membership Rewards website (or use our sweet-spot library to compare programs side-by-side first).
- 2Earn or transfer the points. If you don't already have 13,500 American Express Membership Rewards points, transfer from a flexible bank-points card (e.g. Citi Strata Premier Card, Citi Custom Cash). Transfers usually complete within minutes.
- 3Book immediately after the transfer lands. Award seats can vanish between your transfer and your booking. Have the search results open when you transfer.
- 4Pay any fuel surcharges or taxes. Most awards carry $50-$300 in cash fees on top of the miles. Check the estimate before you transfer, it should still be a fraction of the cash ticket.
Common questions
- How many points do you need to fly American Airlines economy class to North America?
- 13,500 American Express Membership Rewards points one-way for economy class on American Airlines. Cash equivalent runs around $200, putting this redemption at roughly 1.5 cents per point.
- Is 13,500 American Express Membership Rewards points a good redemption?
- Yes, at 1.5¢ per point this beats the typical 1¢ baseline by 50%. Worth doing if you have the points; not worth optimizing for.
- What credit cards transfer to American Express Membership Rewards?
- American Express Membership Rewards accepts transfers from major flexible-points programs. Check the program's transfer partners on each bank's portal. Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards each partner with different airline programs.
- When should I transfer points to American Express Membership Rewards?
- Transfer only after you've confirmed award space on the specific date you want. Transfers are non-reversible. American Express Membership Rewards can devalue their award chart at any time, so if you have the points and the seat is available, book the same day you transfer.
Award pricing is set by American Express Membership Rewards and can change with little notice. The 13,500-point figure reflects the most recent published award chart we've verified. Confirm current pricing and availability inside your American Express Membership Rewards account before transferring, transfers are non-reversible.