Travelers searching for award space on British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus have long been limited to checking one date at a time. International Airlines Group, the parent company behind those carriers, has introduced a calendar view on the Avios website that displays a full month of availability in one screen. The free feature applies to redemptions through the British Airways Club, Iberia Club and Aer Lingus AerClub programs and requires only a basic Avios account.
How the Calendar Search Works
Users begin by entering departure and arrival airports, the number of passengers, the desired month and whether the trip is one-way or round-trip. Filters then allow selection by cabin class, such as business class with lie-flat seats. Results appear as circles on a monthly grid. A half circle signals limited seats while a full circle indicates stronger availability. Hovering over a date shows the exact number of seats, the cabins offered and the Avios cost. Selecting a date reveals flight times and permits direct progression to the operating airline’s booking site. The tool covers nonstop flights operated by the three carriers. It proves especially useful for routes into London Heathrow, Madrid or Dublin, where award space tends to cluster at each airline’s hub.
Remaining Limitations
Three constraints still apply. The search shows only nonstop flights, so connections remain hidden for now. Taxes and carrier surcharges do not appear, even though British Airways flights frequently carry higher fees than Iberia or Aer Lingus options. Booking must occur on the operating airline’s own site, which can complicate matters when a traveler holds points in one program but finds space on another carrier. Qatar Airways and Finnair, both Avios partners, are not yet included.
Practical Benefits for Frequent Flyers
The update removes a major friction point for members who previously spent considerable time scanning individual dates. For travelers targeting Europe from the United States, the ability to scan an entire month quickly can surface better dates or lower award prices that might otherwise be missed. Because availability is concentrated at the three main hubs, the tool works best for point-to-point searches. Separate queries from each hub remain advisable when a route could connect through more than one gateway.
Earning Avios Through Transfers and Cards
Avios remain straightforward to accumulate. Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt, Wells Fargo and Marriott Bonvoy points all transfer to the British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus programs. Capital One miles transfer to British Airways, while Citi ThankYou points reach Qatar Airways Privilege Club. Several cards currently promote welcome bonuses that convert directly into Avios. These include the American Express Gold and Platinum cards, the Capital One Venture and Venture X cards, and Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred cards. Points can move freely between the Avios programs at no cost. The new calendar view offers a clear time-saving step for members focused on nonstop flights to London, Madrid or Dublin. Further enhancements, such as connecting itineraries and surcharge details, would increase its reach, yet the current release already addresses a long-standing pain point for Avios users.
