The Finnair Plus loyalty program does Avios passed is its loyalty currency and you can now transfer Avios between Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club, opening up all kinds of new earning and redemption opportunities.
Finnair joins British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways and other airlines Use this popular loyalty currency.
Although Finnair Plus has standardized some conversion prices to match British Airways Executive Club (largely in line with Iberia Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club), there are some newfound attractions.
Unlike other Avios programs that use a distance-based award chart, Finnair Plus uses a zone-based chart.
Here are some interesting points about using Finnair Plus Avios.
Finnair flights from the United States to Helsinki
One-way flights operated by Finnair from the United States to Helsinki Airport (HEL) are priced as follows:
- 30,000 Avios in economy
- 43,500 Avios in premium economy
- 62,500 Avios in business class
However, this is the same price that BA’s Executive Club charges BA adds a surchargeTherefore, booking transatlantic flights operated by Finnair through Finnair Plus will be cheaper than booking through Executive Club.
Note that Finnair connecting flights outside of Helsinki will be charged separately unless it is a domestic flight within Finland.
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Related: Long haul without reclining: Finnair business class review on the A350-900
Intercontinental domestic flights in economy class
Domestic flights to anywhere in the continental US on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines cost 11,000 Finnair Plus Avios each way in economy class. For short flights up to 650 miles in length, it’s cheaper to use Avios through British Airways, charging just 8,250 Avios for the same flight.
For flights between 651 and 1,151 miles, both programs charge 11,000 Avios.
However, the sweet spot in the Finnair program is domestic flights longer than 1,152 miles, such as from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Miami International Airport (MIA), or any of the services from coast to coast. These routes cost just 11,000 Finnair Plus Avios, while BA will charge up to 16,000 Avios for the same flights.
Related: Review of American Airlines first class on the Airbus A321neo from Philadelphia to San Francisco
Cathay Pacific business class flight
Another notable attraction is the flights operated by Cathay Pacific from anywhere in North America to Asia.
While it’s difficult to find awards in premium cabins, British Airways Executive Club charges 108,250 Avios plus £118.50 (about $151) for the long-haul from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in Cathay Pacific business class.
Meanwhile, you can book the same flight through Finnair Plus for just 75,000 Avios plus the same minimal fees, taxes and surcharges, saving you over 30,000 Avios.
Unfortunately, premium economy redemptions on Cathay Pacific, incl Exciting new premium economy seats Cathay will start flying later this year, not available through Finnair Plus.
Economy seats from North America to Asia cost just 35,000 Finnair Plus Avios, and in the rare case you can find a first class award seat on Cathay, they’ll cost 120,000 Finnair Plus Avios.
Finnair Plus prices from Europe and South America to Asia are similar to BA prices, although still slightly cheaper at 31,000 Avios (economy), 72,500 Avios (business class) and 110,000 Avios (first class).
Flights from the East Coast to Hawaii
Another attraction of Finnair Plus is if you want to travel from the East Coast to Hawaii on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines. While nonstop flights from the West Coast are a great perk of BA Avios at just 23,000 miles, if you need to connect from elsewhere in the country to Hawaii, BA will charge a per-segment fee.
Luckily, Finnair Plus, with its regional award chart, charges a single price. For example, American Airlines flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) with a connection at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) will cost 15,000 Avios .
Looking at Alaska Airlines’ itineraries, you’ll only need 13,500 Avios to get to Hawaii from anywhere in the United States. This is a great deal if you’re coming from the East Coast and connecting through an Alaska hub at San Diego International Airport (SAN) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
You’ll need to fly the same carrier on both legs because unfortunately you can’t combine carriers on a single award (unless Finnair is one of the carriers).
Related: I took a vow to leave Hawaii during the pandemic — here’s why I returned (and plan to return)
When should you avoid using Finnair Plus Avios?
Finnair Plus’s regional award rankings have their own advantages over other programs’ distance-based award rankings, but there are also some disadvantages.
Shorter flights from one region to another – for example, American Airlines’ fairly fast route from New York to Heathrow Airport (LHR) – will be cheaper via British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus.
Finnair has applied the same pricing to flights operated by British Airways as BA’s Executive Club, so there’s no need to complicate your travel by adding another Avios to your list. Its your item if you want to fly BA.
Qatar Airways QSuite flights cheaper through BA or Qatar Airways Privilege Club, as well The sweet spot for Iberian entrepreneurs to Spain via Iberia Plus.
Related: Review of Iberia’s business suites on the A350-900 from Madrid to Mexico City
How to get Finnair Plus Avios
The easiest way to earn Finnair Avios without flying is to sign up for a Capital One credit card, as Capital One miles can be transferred directly to Finnair Plus.
Below is a list of some of the consumer products currently available card earns transferable capital One mile:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per dollar on other purchases. Additionally, you can earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening; $395 annual fee (see exchange rates and fees).
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotel and car rental purchases with Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on other purchases. Additionally, you can earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening; $95 annual fee (see exchange rates and fees).
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotel and car rental bookings with Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per dollar on other purchases. Additionally, you can earn 20,000 bonus miles when you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening; $0 annual fee (see exchange rates and fees).
If you’re looking for business cards, here are some options to help you earn Capital One miles:
- Capital One Venture X Business: Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotel and car rental bookings through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on other purchases. Additionally, you can earn 150,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 in the first three months of account opening; $395 annual fee (see exchange rates and fees).
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotel and car rental purchases with Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on other purchases. Additionally, you can earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles when you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening; $0 annual introductory fee for the first year, then $95 after that (see exchange rates and fees).
- Capital One Spark Miles Select for business: Earn 1.5 miles per dollar on purchases. Additionally, you can earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles when you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening; $0 annual fee.
Information about Capital One Spark Miles Select has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Avios is a popular and valuable loyalty currency, so it’s no surprise that Finnair adopted it.
The ability to transfer Avios in any direction at a 1:1 ratio between so many different programs opens up great options for travelers. While the majority of prices are standardized between Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club (the largest program using Avios), some unique attractions are available within the Finnair program. So if you have Avios on any program, you might consider transferring them to Finnair Plus if you intend to redeem.
