American Express surprised many today with the option of transferring your hard earned Membership Reward points to British Airways Executive Club Avios at 1:1 ratio.

You can transfer in increments of 250, from your Membership Rewards account to your British Airways Executive Club account at the 1:1 ratio.  Not since 2015 have you been able to transfer at this ratio.  Long has it been you had to transfer at the unfavorable rate of 5:4.

Avios are great for redeeming short haul flights on American Airlines, Cathay Pacific or British Airways since British Airway Executive Club flight redemptions are based on distance.

American Express has made no statement if this is a temporary increase or permanent.