Avios points cannot be sold. That is the short answer for any British Airways Executive Club member who has wondered whether their balance can be turned into cash. As Head for Points explains, selling Avios is explicitly against The British Airways Club terms and conditions, and attempts to do so through third-party adverts carry a serious risk of fraud or account compromise.
There is, however, a legitimate route that gets reasonably close to the same outcome. For members based in the UK, transferring Avios into the Nectar loyalty scheme allows those points to be spent at Sainsbury's, Argos and, since 2026, on Uber rides and Uber Eats credit.
Why Selling Avios Points Is Against the Rules
According to Head for Points, social media advertisements regularly offer members the chance to sell their Avios. The site strongly advises against engaging with any of them. Beyond the terms and conditions breach, members who hand over account access risk having their accounts hacked or their points stolen outright. British Airways has previously closed accounts it believed were involved in point-selling, even where the member believed they had done nothing wrong.
How the Avios to Nectar Transfer Works
Since January 2021, Sainsbury's has been the official Avios supermarket partner, replacing Tesco. That relationship means British Airways members can move Avios into Nectar points and, separately, move Nectar points into Avios, though the rates differ in each direction.
The minimum transfer is 400 Avios. Head for Points reports that the conversion rates are as follows: 400 Avios converts to 400 Nectar points, while 400 Nectar points converts back to only 250 Avios. Anyone who transfers Avios to Nectar and then changes their mind will lose a significant portion of their original balance on the return journey.
To begin a transfer, members need a Nectar account, available through the Nectar app or in larger Sainsbury's stores. The conversion itself is completed via the British Airways website.
What Value Do You Actually Get?
The headline figure is 0.5p per Avios point. As Head for Points sets out, 400 Nectar points spent at Sainsbury's or Argos delivers £2 of value, meaning each of the 400 Avios exchanged is worth half a penny. The site notes that its own tracked redemptions over thirteen years have averaged 1.2p of value per Avios when used for premium cabin flights, making the Nectar route a significantly lower-yield option.
That said, 0.5p per point is the best legitimate rate available for members who genuinely need to convert their balance into everyday spending power rather than travel.
Where Nectar Points Can Be Spent
Once Avios have been transferred into a Nectar account, Head for Points lists three main redemption channels. At Sainsbury's, members scan their Nectar card at the till and choose to pay with points. At Argos, up to £500 (100,000 Nectar points) can be redeemed per transaction. Uber joined as a Nectar partner in 2026, allowing points to be used for rides or Uber Eats credit.
The breadth of those options means Nectar points function, in practice, much like a restricted form of cash for day-to-day spending.
The Key Risks to Keep in Mind
The conversion to Nectar is a one-way decision in practical terms. Because the return rate from Nectar back to Avios is less favourable, members should be confident they want to use the points for shopping rather than travel before initiating a transfer.
The risk of the third-party selling route is a separate and more serious matter. Any scheme offering to buy Avios directly is operating outside British Airways Club rules, and members who participate put their account, and any remaining points balance, at risk. You can use our Airline Search to find more coverage of British Airways and other carriers.
The Bottom Line
For British Airways Executive Club members who want to turn Avios points into something close to spending money, the Nectar route is the only legitimate option available in the UK. It returns 0.5p per point, which is well below the value experienced travellers achieve on premium cabin redemptions, but it is safe, straightforward and does not breach any programme rules.
Anyone tempted by social media offers to sell Avios outright should avoid them. The risks, account closure, fraud and data compromise, make the modest potential return not worth considering.
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