Last Updated: 22 Apr 2024
British Airways announced significant changes to its Executive Club loyalty program. On the 18th of October 2023, the airline streamlined how you earn Avios on cash flights and, for the first time ever, allowed people to earn points on select ancillary purchases. How many Avios you earn is now based on how much you spend on your flight, not how far you fly.
What does this mean in practice? Well, your Avios points directly correlate with the cash amount you spend on your ticket, rather than the miles you clock up in the sky. It's a switch from geography to economy, which BA had said made the earning process more straightforward for everyone. They also noted this system gives a fairer reward for your investment, placing value on every pound spent. Essentially, the more you spend, the more you earn.
Eager to dive into the details? Read on to learn more.
Detailed Explanation of Changes
The Avios earning model was a shift, but it's pretty simple to get the hang of. Let's do a little math (don't worry, it's easy) and see how your Executive Club Tier status can amplify your points earnings. Here's a breakdown of how many Avios you can collect, for each qualifying £1 spent, depending on your status, based on the BA Tier Point calculator:
- If you hold a Blue membership, you'll be earning 6 Avios per £1 spent.
- As a Bronze member, you'll collect 7 Avios per £1 spent.
- For Silver Flyers, you’ll collect 8 Avios per £1 spent.
- Gold members will get 9 Avios per £1 spent.
So, what counts as a 'qualifying cost'? It includes the base fare and carrier-imposed charges on commercial tickets on any British Airways and Iberia marketed and operated flights. It also includes the cost of buying upgrades (online or at the airport), pre-paid seating charges, or fees for excess baggage. Earning Avios on these extra charges is completely new, so it's an added bonus for Avios collectors.
Speaking about the changes, Ian Romanis, British Airways’ Director of Retail and Customer Relationship Management, said, “We continue to listen to our customers’ feedback and ideas to evolve our Executive Club. This is a simpler and more transparent system offering more opportunities to collect Avios than ever before and rewarding loyalty based on customers’ cash spent. It’s a tried and tested model already used by a number of global airlines, including our sister airline Iberia.”
While these changes have broadened the scope of points collection, there are still areas where earning is off the table. Specifically, you won't be able to rack up points on Avios reward flights. So, when you're planning your points strategy, keep in mind that any journey made on reward seats won't be contributing to your Avios pot.
Planning how to use your Avios reward flights effectively is also essential. By understanding how the process works, you can optimise your rewards and potentially unlock opportunities you never thought possible. Using tools like the BA Tier Point calculator allows you to easily map out your Tier Points, guiding you on how close you are to that coveted next Tier level. Meanwhile, the Reward Flight Finder is your go-to tool for future travels. It offers a comprehensive overview of reward flight availability, helping you pinpoint the best times to redeem your hard-earned points.
Wider Avios Collection Opportunities
While the shift in Avios collection methods on British Airways flights might be the headline news, let's not forget the broader ecosystem that provides additional opportunities to earn points.
Collect on the go
Using your British Airways American Express Credit Card for routine purchases is an easy way to accrue points without any additional spending. Also, did you know that you can earn Avios every time you book an Uber ride? Talk about earning points on the go.
Collect as you shop
And if you're a fan of online shopping, be sure to check out the British Airways Avios eStore. With a choice of over 1,500 outlets, your online shopping spree could become an Avios earning spree. Everything from your weekly grocery shopping to that shiny new gadget could earn you points. You can even convert your Nectar points into Avios - an excellent option for those with a stockpile of Nectar points to use.
So, while the new British Airways changes are important, let's remember to explore all the other ways you can maximise your point collection and get closer to your dream holidays.
So, what's the bottom line? The changes to the Avios collection were a significant shift, but they're also an opportunity to adapt your strategy and potentially reap greater rewards. Iberia made similar changes not too long ago, and BA followed. The shift was geared towards simplicity and transparency. Make sure to stay tuned with Reward Flight Finder for all the latest news and updates as these changes unfold.