Starting January 25, 2021, Nectar members can convert their balances and future points collected into Avios which can be redeemed through the British Airways Executive Club for amazing travel experiences.
On Thursday (January 21, 2021), British Airways announced a new partnership between Nectar and Avios which will allow Nectar members to convert existing balances and future points into Avios starting January 25, 2021. Once converted, Avios can be redeemed through the British Airways Executive Club for amazing travel experiences including flights, upgrades, hotel stays and more. The partnership allows mutual conversion between the programs where 400 Nectar points can be converted to 250 Avios or 250 Avios can be converted into 400 Nectar points. As an example, only 4,000 Avios would be required for a flight to Amsterdam, meaning that Nectar customers can now turn everyday purchases into exciting travel experiences.
To celebrate the new partnership, customers will receive a one time 500 Avios bonus when they convert 1,600 Nectar points by February 14, 2021. Additionally, Sainsbury’s customers will be rewarded with 2x Nectar points through April 19, 2021. In Thursday’s announcement, Nectar’s Managing Director, James Moir, said,
“Partnering with British Airways allows us to provide another exciting way to reward our Nectar customers. Although the past year has been uncertain, it’s important to have something to look forward to. We are delighted to offer customers the chance to turn their points into some incredible future travel experiences via Avios and for the first time, Avios can be turned into Nectar points so customers can make the most out of their everyday spending.”
Also commenting on the new partnership, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, Carolina Martinoli, added,
“Today’s announcement will give our loyal Executive Club Members even more ways to collect and spend Avios and we are excited about the opportunities this new partnership will bring. Everyday spending can quickly become a flight, upgrade or hotel stay giving members of Nectar and the Executive Club something to look forward to after a difficult last year.”
Further commenting on the exciting new opportunity for members of both programs, Avios’ CEO, Adam Daniels, stated,
“Like Nectar, we pride ourselves on working with a wide range of partners for the benefit of our members, so working together was a natural step. Nectar will join hundreds of partners who all offer a whole host of exciting and varied ways to collect and spend Avios.”
The Avios loyalty program offers exceptional flexibility, as they don’t expire providing a member collects, uses or purchases at least one Avios every 36 months. Additionally, if customers change their mind about a flight, they won’t lose their Avios, as changes and cancellations are permitted up to 24 hours prior to departure for a modest fee.
Nectar is the United Kingdom’s largest coalition loyalty program and is owned by Sainsbury’s. Over the last 18 years, the program has rewarded British shoppers with £3 billion in rewards, including money of shopping, travel and hot beverages. More than 18 million members collect Nectar points when shopping for groceries or buying fuel. Collectors can also earn Nectar points when they shop online on via nectar.com at nearly 300 leading online retailers.
Sainsbury’s was founded in 1869 by John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury. Today, the company remains committed to inspiring and delighting customers with tasty food, great value and convenient shopping. Sainsbury’s has 172,000 team members and operates more than 600 supermarkets and over 800 convenience stores. The retailer’s brands include Argos, Tu Clothing, Habitat, Sainsbury’s Bank and Nectar.
The Executive Club is British Airways’ customer loyalty program which is free to join and has over 10 million members worldwide. The reward points are called Avios and guests collect points when they fly British Airways and oneworld® partner airlines. Customers can also collect Avios through a range of travel, shopping and lifestyle partners. Avios can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotels, rental cars and other travel rewards. Reward flights can be booked with Avios on British Airways, Iberia, oneworld® and other partner airlines, when available.
When booking reward flights, customers pay with Avios, plus a cash amount to cover taxes, fees and carrier charges. Avios part payment is also available where a combination of Avios and cash can be used to purchase flights. In addition to collecting Avios, members also collect Executive Club Tier Points, providing an opportunity to earn even greater benefits such as lounge access, priority check-in and boarding and free seat selection.
Source: British Airways