Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Monday!

Stop what you are doing, because I have to tell you about this one right away.

Finnair just launched a 50% discount on Avios, and it is probably the best Avios sale we have seen this entire year. If you have ever thought about buying Avios, today is the day to pay attention.

And since it is the first Monday of November, we also have the new Flying Blue Promo Rewards, plus a useful IHG award discount for shorter stays.

Here’s what’s inside today’s post:

Discount: Up to 50%
Price: As low as $10.60 per 1,000 Avios when paying in Japanese yen
Deadline: November 16, 2026

This is a very special promotion!

Finnair has just launched a 50% discount on purchased Avios when you buy at least 85,000 points. At the best tier, starting at 100,000 Avios, you can buy them for approximately $10.60 per 1,000, as long as you select Japanese yen as your payment currency. That is considerably cheaper than paying in euros or US dollars.

What makes this even better is that Finnair uses Avios, the same currency as British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. You can move your Avios between these programs at a 1:1 ratio, which opens up a huge number of redemption options.

Here is a simple example. You could buy 100,000 Avios for around $1,060 and transfer them to Qatar Airways Privilege Club. A long-haul one-way business class flight at the 70,000 Avios saver level would then cost about $742 in points before taxes. For a flight that can cost thousands in cash, that is an incredible price.

One important restriction: you must have joined Finnair Plus before October 30, 2026, and have at least 50 Avios in your account to qualify. Those 50 Avios can come from a transfer from another participating program.

My take: this is definitely the most attractive points sale we've had this year. At $10.60 per 1,000 Avios, I would seriously buying.

Discount: 25% off selected award tickets, as usual
Booking deadline: November 30, 2026
Travel period: Through April 30, 2027

Every month, Flying Blue releases a selection of discounted award tickets known as Promo Rewards. These are some of my favorite recurring opportunities because Flying Blue has an extensive network and their points are relatively easy to get.

For November, there are five long-haul business class destinations included. All prices are one-way, business class, between Europe and the destination:

Keep in mind Fort-de-France is said to be exclusive to Flying Blue Extra subscribers, though we know this is not always the case.

I find the New York promotion particularly interesting. Flying between Europe and New York in business class for 45,000 miles is very good value, especially considering how expensive cash fares can be. Beijing and Cape Town also look attractive at 63,750 miles, particularly if you are planning a longer trip and can find availability on your dates.

Remember that the advertised prices are the minimum available. Flying Blue uses dynamic award pricing, so not every flight will be available at these rates.

Flying Blue has also recently introduced different award fare categories. These promotional prices correspond to the Light fare, which does not include lounge access or standard change and refund flexibility. Taxes and carrier surcharges are paid separately.

There are also some great opportunities for economy and premium economy. You can check all the offers below.

Discount: 15% off points redemptions
Eligible properties: Selected newly opened, newly added, and recently renovated IHG hotels
Travel deadline: Varies by property, with some offers through April 30, 2027

IHG is offering a 15% discount on award nights at a selection of newly opened and recently renovated hotels across different regions and brands. IHG keeps updating the list as new hotels become eligible.

There is one important thing to keep in mind. If you have an eligible IHG credit card that offers the fourth night free on award stays, that benefit is generally more valuable on four-night reservations. It effectively saves you 25% of the points on a four-night stay when nightly prices are equal, and unfortunately it cannot be combined with this 15% promotion.

For stays shorter than four nights, though, this promotion can be a very useful alternative.

You need to book directly through IHG while logged into your account, and the discount applies to points-only reward reservations at participating properties.

It is a nice opportunity for shorter stays, especially if you already have IHG points sitting in your account. I would not plan an entire trip around this discount, but it is worth checking before your next reservation.

That’s it for today. As always, compare the cash price before redeeming your points. A discounted award is only a good deal if the redemption makes financial sense.

Catch you in the clouds,
Tomi from Points Master

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