1 American Express Membership Rewards points is worth MORE than 1 Avios. This is because, as well as converting to 1 Avios, it will also convert into 1 Virgin Point, 1 Etihad mile, 1 Flying Blue mile, 2 Hilton points, 1.5 Marriott points, 3 Radisson points, 0.5p of shopping vouchers, 0.45p of statement credit etc etc.

Whether it is "better" to convert American Express Membership Rewards points to Avios (the currency for British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Iberia) depends entirely on your redemption goal in 2026. It is a fantastic move if you are looking for short-haul flights within Europe or Asia, where Avios offers incredible value on partner airlines like Finnair or Cathay Pacific. It is also an elite strategy if you transfer them to Qatar Airways Privilege Club to book their world-class Qsuite, which often has better availability when booked with Avios. However, it is a poor move if you are booking long-haul flights through British Airways directly from the U.S., as the fuel surcharges can often exceed $800–$1,000 per ticket, even when using points. In 2026, a "best practice" is to wait for a 30% transfer bonus, which Amex frequently offers. If there is no bonus and you aren't booking a specific high-value Qsuite or a short-haul "sweet spot" flight, you might find better value transferring points to Virgin Atlantic or Air Canada Aeroplan for lower fees.