I’ll admit it — I procrastinated.
Five months ago, British Airways sent me an email letting me know my Avios were set to expire if there was no account activity. I saw it, made a mental note to deal with it later… and then forgot all about it.
It wasn’t until AwardWallet alerted me this week that I realized I had just six days left before my points vanished for good.
Time to find a way to extend their lifespan — fast.
Fortunately, British Airways makes it pretty easy to keep your Avios (and your Executive Club account) active. Even a small amount of activity is enough to reset the clock.
According to the Executive Club terms and conditions website:
Your Avios stay with you as long as you collect, spend, buy or share at least one Avios every 36 months — any longer and your Avios will expire and be removed, so remember to take action before those three years are up.
That’s a generous policy. Just one qualifying action — earning, redeeming, transferring, or even sharing Avios — is all it takes to extend your balance for another 36 months.
Easy Ways to Keep Your Avios Alive
One way to generate qualifying activity is by renting a car from Avis or Budget, both British Airways partners. Just add your Executive Club number to the reservation, and you’ll earn Avios for the rental.
But let’s be honest — you’re not always renting a car, and when you are, those companies might not offer the best prices.
A more convenient option is the British Airways shopping portal. Simply click through the portal before making an online purchase, and you’ll earn Avios once the transaction is posted.
Of course, that method comes with a delay — it can take several days or even weeks for those points to show up in your account. If you’re short on time (like I was), you may want something faster.
The Fastest Fix: Transfer Points
British Airways partners with several major flexible points programs, including:
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Capital One Miles
- Bilt Rewards
According to this Frequent Miler post, all of these transfer partners now post Avios almost instantly. That’s a huge benefit when you’re working with a short window.
You’ll have to decide which point currency makes the most sense for you. In my case, I chose to transfer 1,000 points from American Express Membership Rewards.
Just like that, I was good for another 36 months.
What About Marriott Bonvoy?
Marriott Bonvoy is also a transfer partner, but unless you’re transferring in 60,000-point chunks (which earns a 5,000 Avios bonus), the transfer ratio isn’t great. Still, if you’re desperate and don’t want to dip into your flexible points, it’s a viable last-resort option.
Please Don’t Buy Avios (Unless You Have No Choice)
If you’re truly out of options, you can always buy Avios. The smallest bundle currently available is 2,000 Avios for $65. It works — but that’s a steep price to pay to keep your account alive.
Timing Matters
One last thing to keep in mind: not all activity posts immediately. Shopping portal purchases and car rentals can take time, and even point transfers might take a day or two, depending on the program, though in my case, the AMEX transfer was instant.
That’s why you don’t want to wait until the literal last minute like I almost did. If you give yourself even a short buffer, there’s usually no need to waste money buying miles.
Final Thoughts
Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity — but fortunately, keeping your account active is usually quite simple. Whether it’s earning, spending, transferring, or even sharing Avios, almost any activity will reset the clock. That said, your options become more limited as the expiration deadline approaches.
In my case, I transferred 1,000 points from my American Express Membership Rewards account. It was fast, easy, and gave me peace of mind. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for everyone. Whether you use a shopping portal, transfer from another partner, or rent a car, the key is to act before it’s too late.
Your Avios are valuable — don’t let them slip away just because the calendar got ahead of you.
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2 comments
You can buy a song on iTunes for $1 or more through the British Airways Avios eStore (shopping portal) to extend the expiration date on your Avios for 36 months:
https://www.shopping.ba.com/retailers/itunes-usa
Per the website, “Your purchase will be shown in your account around 14 working days from the date of your purchase.” When I just entered the site now, however, I was prompted, “Your eStore transaction has successfully tracked / If you have made a transaction the Avios will show as pending in your account in the next five days.” If memory serves, it can take about 45 days for the Avios from your purchase to actually post. Just to be safe, I buy a song about three months before the expiration date.
when buying online, go through their shopping portal, ev rewards seems to show their link. pretty easy and free, just do it with enough time and confirm the points registered. and you get extra points—