Accor devalues its Avios points conversion rate again

When the BA and Iberia loyalty schemes were brought together in November 2011, the biggest inconsistency was in the treatment of points transfers from LeClub Accorhotels.  This covers Novotel, Sofitel, Mercure, M Gallery etc.

Historically, you could transfer 2 Accor points into FIVE Iberia Plus Avios points.

With British Airways Executive Club, however, 2 Accor points only got you 1 BA Avios point.

During early 2013, there was a partial move made to close the gap.

Iberia Plus went to exchanging 2 Accor points into 2 Avios

British Airways remained at 2 Accor points getting 1 Avios

You were still 50% worse off with BA, but it used to be 80% worse!

Now, though, Accor has finally equalised the two schemes.  With no notice, the rate for Iberia has now changed.

You now get 1 Avios for 2 Accor points, regardless of whether you credit to British Airways or Iberia.

Accor has actually made a number of changes to its airline transfer rates.  Whilst some have got worse, such as Iberia, they have actually improved the transfer rate to Asia Miles, Thai and Singapore Airlines.  All three of these airlines now earn you 0.8 miles per Accor point, compared to 0.5 with the Avios schemes.

Two arbitrages down, one to go?

On Saturday, I also reported that IHG Rewards Club has equalised the earnings rate between BA Avios and Iberia Plus Avios.  You used to get 360% more Avios by crediting hotel stays to Iberia!

This only leaves Hilton as the last major hotel group to give more Avios to Iberia Plus members.

In British Airways Executive Club, you earn 500 Avios per stay at Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Hilton Grand Vacations. You earn 100 Avios per stay at Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites.

In Iberia Plus, you earn 750 Avios per stay at Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Hilton Grand Vacations. You earn 150 Avios per stay at Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites and earn 100 Avios per stay at Home2 Suites.

Yes, I know its complicated.  But it keeps this site in new material every day, if nothing else.

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