Finnair Plus

Finnair Plus is one of the four Avios-based loyalty programs (alongside British Airways, Iberia Club, and Qatar Privilege Club). While it may be the least well-known of the four, Finnair Plus has quietly become one of the most valuable Avios programs for Canadian travellers – especially for premium cabin redemptions on Cathay Pacific.

As a member of the oneworld alliance, Finnair gives you access to a wide partner network. But the real draw is Finnair’s own partner award chart, which prices Cathay Pacific business class at just 85,000 Avios – a savings of 23,000 points compared to booking the same seat through British Airways.

How to Earn Finnair Plus Avios

Since there’s no Finnair co-branded credit card in Canada, earning Avios for Finnair Plus relies on transferring points from other programs. Here are the best options for Canadians:

Transfer from Amex Membership Rewards (via British Airways)

The most accessible path for Canadians is a two-step transfer: Amex Membership Rewards → British Airways Avios → Finnair Plus via Combine My Avios. The transfer from Amex MR to BA is at 1:1, and combining Avios between BA and Finnair is also 1:1.

Transfer from RBC Avion (via British Airways)

RBC Avion points transfer to British Airways Avios at 1:1, and from there you can combine into Finnair Plus. RBC periodically offers 30% transfer bonuses to BA Avios, making this an excellent path when bonuses are active.

Combine My Avios

Combine My Avios lets you move Avios freely between British Airways, Finnair Plus, Iberia Club, and (previously) Qatar Privilege Club at a 1:1 ratio. This is the key mechanism that makes Finnair Plus accessible to Canadians. Note that the service was suspended in August 2025 – check the current status before planning a transfer.

How to Redeem Finnair Plus Avios

Finnair uses a zone-based award chart with no peak/off-peak pricing – a significant advantage over British Airways, which charges premium rates during peak travel periods. Awards are priced per segment.

Finnair’s Own Metal

Finnair’s award chart divides the world into eight zones radiating from Helsinki. Key pricing:

• Zone 1 (Nordics): 6,500 Avios in economy, 10,000 in business
• Zone 4 (Middle East, North Africa): 18,000 Avios in economy, 36,000 in business
• Zone 6–7 (Asia, North America): 30,000 Avios in economy, 62,500 in business

A key perk: connections within Zone 1 (the Nordic region) are free when connecting through Helsinki, effectively giving you a stopover in Finland.

Partner Awards: Where the Real Value Is

Finnair publishes separate award charts for each oneworld partner. The standout sweet spots include:

• Cathay Pacific business class: 85,000 Avios – 23,000 fewer than British Airways charges for the same seat
• Alaska Airlines: Continental US flights for just 11,000 Avios flat
• Japan Airlines business class: Competitive zone-based pricing
• Qatar Airways: Access to Qsuites through Finnair’s chart

Sweet Spots

Finnair Plus offers several compelling redemption sweet spots that differentiate it from other Avios programs.

Cathay Pacific Business Class for 85,000 Avios

This is Finnair Plus’s headline sweet spot. Cathay Pacific business class from North America to Asia costs 85,000 Avios through Finnair, versus 108,000 through British Airways – a 21% savings on the exact same seat. The Cathay business class product is widely regarded as one of the best in the sky, with reverse herringbone seats and exceptional catering.

Helsinki to North America in Business for 62,500 Avios

Finnair’s own Helsinki–North America business class route costs 62,500 Avios with significantly lower surcharges than British Airways charges for equivalent distances. Taxes on Finnair metal are typically $200–400 CAD versus $800+ on BA.

Free Nordic Connections

Any flight connecting through Helsinki to a Nordic destination (Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, etc.) counts as a single Zone 1 segment – meaning the Nordic leg is effectively free when added to a longer itinerary.

Key Rules and Limitations

There are a few important rules to be aware of before committing your Avios to Finnair Plus:

• Avios expiry: 18 months of inactivity (shorter than BA’s 36 months)
• Booking window: 361 days in advance
• Cancellation fee: €50 per booking
• Availability: Finnair guarantees at least 2 business class award seats per flight on their own metal
• No peak pricing: Unlike BA, Finnair does not charge more during holidays or summer

Finnair Plus vs. British Airways: Which Avios Program?

For Canadian travellers, the choice between Finnair Plus and British Airways depends on your redemption goals:

• Cathay Pacific business class: Finnair Plus wins (85K vs. 108K)
• Short-haul flights from London: BA wins (lower taxes on BA metal)
• Surcharge-sensitive travellers: Finnair Plus often wins (lower carrier-imposed fees)
• Family pooling: BA wins (Household Account supports up to 7 members)

In practice, many points enthusiasts maintain both accounts and use Combine My Avios to move points to whichever program offers the best rate for a specific trip.

Conclusion

Finnair Plus is the dark horse of the Avios family. For Canadians who earn Amex MR or RBC Avion points and want to fly Cathay Pacific business class to Asia, Finnair Plus is simply the best program to use – saving you 23,000 points on every booking compared to British Airways. The lack of peak pricing and lower surcharges on many routes make it a compelling choice even beyond the Cathay sweet spot.