Finnair is becoming the sixth airline, and third operator, to use Avios as its loyalty currency, with a switchover set for early next year, replacing its Finnair Plus program. Finnair Plus points will be converted to Avios at a 3:2 ratio.
The switch means more flexibility for loyalty plan members, since Avios can be freely transferred among a member’s accounts with the airlines that use it, although each airline keeps its own programs.
Avios were originally the currency of British Air, and were then adopted by Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus as those airlines were acquired by BA’s parent, International Airlines Group. Qatar also adopted the currency last year. Qatar, BA and Finnair are all OneWorld alliance members.
