Make the most of your Accor ALL Reward Points and Avios.

If you're an Accor Live Limitless (ALL) member with a collection of reward points, you might be eager to transfer them to British Airways Avios for your next flight booking. However, before you make that direct transfer, there's a strategic detour that could significantly increase the value of your hard-earned points.

The Direct Transfer Trap

Most travelers know that Accor ALL points can be transferred directly to British Airways Executive Club, but what many don't realize is that this direct route offers poor value at almost 0.5:1 ratio. This means you'd need roughly 2,000 Accor points to get just 1,000 Avios – hardly an attractive proposition for savvy points collectors.

The Iberia Advantage

Here's where the magic happens: Accor Live Limitless offers a much more generous 1:1 transfer ratio to Iberia Plus, the loyalty program of Spain's flag carrier. Since Iberia Plus and British Airways Executive Club are both part of the International Airlines Group (IAG), Avios earned in either program can be used across both airlines and their extensive partner networks.

Why This Works

The reason for this discrepancy lies in the different partnership agreements Accor has negotiated with each airline. Iberia has positioned itself as a more attractive transfer partner, likely to encourage program growth and customer acquisition in the competitive European market. British Airways, already having a strong position in the UK market, offers less generous transfer rates.

Step-by-Step Transfer Process

Step 1: Set Up Your Iberia Plus Account

If you don't already have an Iberia Plus account, create one at iberia.com. The process is straightforward and free. Ensure your name matches exactly with your Accor ALL account to avoid transfer complications.

Step 2: Transfer Accor Points to Iberia

1. Log into your Accor Live Limitless account
2. Navigate to the "Use Points" or "Transfer Points" section
3. Select Iberia Plus as your transfer partner
4. Enter your Iberia Plus membership number
5. Specify the number of points to transfer (minimum usually 2,000 points)
6. Confirm the transfer

Transfers typically take 3-5 business days to process.

Step 3: Use Your Iberia Avios

Once the points appear in your Iberia Plus account, you can:

• Book Iberia flights directly
• Book British Airways flights through the Iberia website
• Access the broader Oneworld alliance network
• Combine with existing British Airways Avios if you have both accounts

Maximizing Your Strategy

Timing Considerations

• Transfer Bonuses: Occasionally, Accor offers transfer bonuses to airline partners. While these are rare for Iberia, they're worth waiting for if you're not in a rush.
• Award Availability: Check award seat availability before transferring, as Avios are most valuable when you have specific redemption plans.

Account Management

• Keep Both Programs Active: Maintain activity in both your Iberia Plus and British Airways accounts to prevent points expiration
• Family Pooling: Both programs offer household account features that can help combine points from family members

Alternative Uses

Remember that Accor points have other valuable uses too:

• Hotel stays within the Accor network
• Experiences and merchandise
• Other airline transfer partners

Only transfer when the airline redemption offers better value than hotel stays.

The Numbers Game

Let's put this into perspective with a practical example:

• 20,000 Accor ALL points transferred directly to British Airways = ~10,000 Avios
• 20,000 Accor ALL points transferred to Iberia Plus = 20,000 Avios

That's a 100% increase in value simply by choosing the right transfer path!

Potential Drawbacks

Account Complexity

Managing an additional loyalty program account requires some organization, but the value gained typically outweighs this minor inconvenience.

Transfer Times

The two-step process (Accor to Iberia, then booking) takes longer than a direct transfer, so plan accordingly if you have immediate travel needs.

Program Changes

Transfer ratios can change, though they typically remain stable for extended periods. Always verify current rates before transferring.

Expert Tips for Maximum Value

1. Combine Strategies: If you have both British Airways and Iberia Avios, you can strategically use each program's sweet spots for different routes.
2. Off-Peak Redemptions: Both programs offer off-peak pricing for certain routes and times – plan transfers around these opportunities.
3. Short-Haul Focus: Avios are particularly valuable for short European flights where the fixed points requirements make premium cabin upgrades very affordable.
4. Monitor Promotions: Both Iberia and British Airways regularly run promotions offering bonus Avios for specific routes or booking periods.

Conclusion

The world of points and miles is full of these hidden optimization opportunities. By taking the slightly longer route through Iberia Plus, you can double the airline value of your Accor Live Limitless points compared to transferring directly to British Airways.

While this strategy requires a bit more account management and planning, the 100% increase in value makes it worthwhile for anyone serious about maximizing their loyalty program benefits. Remember to always compare the value of keeping your Accor points for hotel stays versus transferring them to airlines, but when you do decide to transfer, this Iberia route is clearly the superior choice.

Next time you're sitting on a pile of Accor points and dreaming of your next flight, remember: sometimes the scenic route really is the better path to your destination.