Finnair Plus Avios Sale: Up to 50% Bonus
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Finnair Plus has launched a new promotion offering up to a 50% bonus on purchased Avios through May 22, 2026, and then up to a 40% bonus through June 1, 2026. This brings the cost down to as low as 1.45¢ per Avios, creating potential opportunities for premium cabin redemptions at a fraction of cash fares.
While this isn’t quite as generous as some past Finnair promotions, it still represents a solid opportunity to acquire Avios—especially considering you can transfer these points to other Avios programs like British Airways Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Iberia Plus. Let’s explore whether this deal makes sense for your travel plans.
Promotion Details
The current Finnair Plus Avios promotion runs from May 18 to June 1, 2026, with the 50% bonus offer running until May 22 and the 40% bonus offer taking over after that date. The discount is tiered based on how many Avios you purchase, and because Finnair’s points pricing is already tiered, you’ll find that the price per point will range even within the discount categories:
From May 18 to May 22, 2026:
- Buy 0-4,999 Avios: No bonus
- Buy 5,000–19,000: 30% bonus
- Buy 20,000-49,000 Avios: 35% bonus
- Buy 50,000-79,000 Avios: 40% bonus
- Buy 80,000-200,000 Avios: 50% bonus
Then, from May 23 to June 1, 2026:
- Buy 0-4,999 Avios: No bonus
- Buy 5,000–19,000: 25% bonus
- Buy 20,000-49,000 Avios: 30% bonus
- Buy 50,000-79,000 Avios: 35% bonus
- Buy 80,000-200,000 Avios: 40% bonus
The regular cost for Finnair Avios differs based on whether you’re paying in USD (2.17¢ each) or Euros (2.1¢ euro or 2.45¢ USD). If you were to maximize this promotion by purchasing 200,000 Avios (giving you a total of 300,000 Avios) with the 50% bonus, the cost would be approximately:
- When purchasing in EUR: €4,200 (~$4,875), which works out to about 1.63¢ per Avios
- When purchasing in USD: $4,340, which works out to about 1.45¢ per Avios
Since Finnair lets you choose which currency you purchase in, it can be helpful to note both prices, as above. In this case, purchasing in USD is cheaper during this promotion, so be sure to check the currency settings at the top of the purchase page to get this price.
Important eligibility requirements:
- Your Finnair account must be at least 30 days old
- Your account must have a minimum balance of 100 Avios to be eligible for the bonus (these can be transferred from other Avios programs)
- Purchased Avios may take up to 3 days to appear in your account
Which Credit Card Should You Use?
Finnair Plus Avios purchases are processed through Points.com rather than directly by Finnair. This means these transactions don’t code as airfare or travel purchases for the purposes of earning bonus points on your credit card.
Since the purchase may be processed in foreign currency (either EUR or USD, depending on your selection), there are a few strategic options:
- For foreign currency transactions: The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card offers 3x points on foreign purchases with no foreign transaction fees
- For everyday spending: Any card that offers good returns on non-bonused spending and has no foreign transaction fees, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (2x miles on all purchases)
- For meeting minimum spend: A new credit card where you’re working toward a welcome bonus
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $395 | |||
| $95 | |||
| $95 |
Is Buying Finnair Plus Avios Worth It?
Finnair Plus adopted Avios as its rewards currency in early 2024, completely overhauling its award pricing structure. Understanding the current redemption options is key to determining whether this promotion offers good value.
Finnair’s Award Chart
Finnair Plus uses a distance-based award chart for Finnair-operated flights. Here are the one-way redemption rates:
| Distance | Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|
| 0-600 miles | 7,500 Avios | 15,000 Avios |
| 601-1,200 miles | 12,500 Avios | 25,000 Avios |
| 1,201-2,000 miles | 20,000 Avios | 40,000 Avios |
| 2,001-4,000 miles | 30,000 Avios | 50,000 Avios |
| 4,001-6,000 miles | 42,500 Avios | 62,500 Avios |
| 6,001+ miles | 55,000 Avios | 82,500 Avios |
In addition to the Avios required, award tickets also incur carrier-imposed surcharges, though these are relatively modest compared to some other programs:
| Region | Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/Northern Europe | €25 (~$29) | €50 (~$58) |
| Europe | €50 (~$58) | €100 (~$116) |
| Intercontinental | €100 (~$116) | €150 (~$175) |
For connecting itineraries, you’ll only pay the highest applicable surcharge once, which is a customer-friendly policy.
When Buying Finnair Avios Makes Sense
- Premium cabin redemptions: Business class flights between the US East Coast and Helsinki require 62,500 Avios one-way. At 1.45¢ per Avios, that’s approximately $906 plus ~$175 in surcharges, compared to cash fares that often exceed $3,000.
- Intra-European flights: Short-haul flights within Northern Europe can provide good value, especially during peak travel periods when cash fares are high.
- Upgrades on paid Finnair tickets: Using Avios for upgrades can be an efficient way to experience premium cabins at a fraction of the cost.
- Transferring to other Avios programs: Finnair Avios can be transferred 1:1 to The British Airways Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub, opening up numerous additional redemption opportunities.
Key Advantages of Finnair Plus Redemptions
- Award seat guarantee: Finnair Plus offers an award seat guarantee when booking far in advance, making it easier to secure premium cabin seats compared to some other programs.
- Reasonable surcharges: While not surcharge-free, Finnair’s fees are moderate compared to programs like the British Airways Club.
- Simplified connecting pricing: For flights within Finland and Northern Europe, connecting flights don’t incur additional Avios costs.
- Flexible currency: The ability to transfer Avios between different programs provides valuable flexibility.
Other Ways to Earn Finnair Avios
Before purchasing Avios, consider these alternative methods of earning Finnair Plus Avios:
Transfer Partners
Finnair Plus partners with Capital One, allowing you to transfer Capital One miles to Finnair at a 1:1 ratio. Transfers are typically instant, making this a flexible option if you already have Capital One miles.
Transfers from Other Avios Programs
You can transfer Avios freely and instantly between Finnair Plus and other Avios programs, including:
- British Airways Club
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Iberia Plus
- Aer Lingus AerClub
This means you can also indirectly transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points to Finnair Plus by first transferring to one of these other Avios programs.
Bottom Line
This Finnair Plus promotion offering up to a 50% bonus on purchased Avios represents a solid opportunity to acquire these valuable points at a reduced cost. While not the absolute best deal we’ve seen from Finnair (which has offered Avios for as low as 0.7¢ each in the past), the current rate of as low as 1.45¢ per Avios can still provide excellent value for specific redemptions.
The most compelling use cases include:
- Business class flights between the US and Europe, where purchasing Avios can save you 50% or more compared to cash fares
- Intra-European flights, especially during peak travel periods
- Transferring to other Avios programs for their sweet spot redemptions
As with any points purchase, it’s best to have a specific redemption in mind rather than buying speculatively. Always compare the total cost (Avios purchase plus surcharges) against cash fares to ensure you’re getting good value.
Remember that this promotion ends on June 1, 2026, so if you’re planning to take advantage of it, make sure tofinalize your purchase before then.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will purchased Finnair Avios post to my account?
According to the terms of the promotion, purchased Avios may take up to 3 days to appear in your Finnair Plus account. In practice, they often post much faster, sometimes within a few hours. If you’re purchasing Avios for an imminent booking, it’s still advisable to allow at least 24-48 hours for processing.
Can I transfer Finnair Avios to other Avios programs?
Yes, Finnair Avios can be transferred freely and instantly at a 1:1 ratio to other Avios programs, including British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub. This makes Finnair Avios particularly flexible, as you can leverage the sweet spots across multiple programs. To transfer Avios between programs, you’ll need to link your accounts through the Avios.com portal.
What is Finnair’s award seat guarantee?
Finnair Plus offers an award seat guarantee on Finnair-operated flights when booking far in advance. This means that as long as there are standard seats available for sale on a flight, you should be able to book them using Avios. This is a significant advantage compared to many other frequent flyer programs that have limited award availability, especially in premium cabins. However, the guarantee doesn’t apply to partner airline flights.
How are connecting flights priced with Finnair Avios?
For most connecting itineraries, each flight segment is priced separately based on its distance. However, for flights within Finland and Northern Europe, connecting flights are included in the price of the main segment. For example, if you’re flying from New York to Rovaniemi via Helsinki, you’ll pay for the long-haul segment (New York to Helsinki) plus the short-haul segment (Helsinki to Rovaniemi). For intercontinental connections, this can make awards more expensive than with some other programs.
Do Finnair Plus Avios expire?
Yes, Finnair Plus Avios expire after 18 months of inactivity in your account. Any activity that involves earning or redeeming Avios will reset the expiration clock. This includes flights, transfers from partner programs, or redemptions. If you’re concerned about expiration, transferring even a small amount of Capital One miles or Avios from another program will extend the life of your entire balance.
Can I cancel a points purchase if I change my mind?
Generally, Avios purchases are non-refundable. However, if you have issues with your purchase or believe it was made in error, you can contact Finnair’s customer service for assistance. It’s always best to be certain about your redemption plans before purchasing Avios.
