British Airways’ April 2026 changes explained
Douglas12 Apr 2026
Last Updated: 06 Jul 2026
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DouglasLast Updated: 06 Jul 2026
DouglasLast Updated: 06 Jul 2026
British Airways’ move to a spend-based system last year made one thing clear: earning status had become a lot harder. As of 1 April 2026, BA is easing that pressure slightly by introducing new ways to earn Tier Points through fare-based bonuses, partner flights, and additional spend.
To be clear, the airline is not abandoning its spend-based loyalty model but adding a few new levers for those looking to optimise their path to status.
If you care about British Airways Club status, this is one of those updates worth paying attention to.
One of the key updates is how Tier Point bonuses are applied to British Airways flights. Until now, earnings were mostly linked to how much you spent and the cabin you flew in. From April 2026, fare type will also have an impact on how many Tier Points you earn.
Flexible and semi-flexible fares will earn more Tier Points than cheaper basic fares in the same cabin, which means two passengers on the same flight could end up with very different totals depending on what they paid.
Anyone already using a British Airways tier point calculator to track progress toward status will need to revisit those projections, as the figures have shifted across nearly every cabin.
The airline has introduced the following bonus Tier Point ranges on its flights:
Flexible fares sit at the top of those ranges, while the cheapest fares sit at the bottom. The gap is widest in long-haul Business Class, where the difference between the lowest- and highest-earning ticket is 600 Tier Points on a single segment.
Someone flying on a fully flexible Club World ticket could now earn up to 1,400 additional Tier Points on a return journey. In some cases, Gold status could be within reach after just two long-haul trips, assuming high fares.
Another knock-on effect is that segments matter more again. If you route via a connection instead of flying direct, you may be able to pick up additional bonus Tier Points along the way.
Here’s a quick look at the changes:
| Cabin | Old Bonus (per segment) | New Range (per segment) | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-haul Economy | 75 | 75 – 275 | Wider spread based on fare |
| Short-haul Business | 175 | 175 – 375 | More upside for flex fares |
| Long-haul Economy | 150 | 150 – 450 | Mid-tier fares gain more |
| Premium Economy | 275 | 275 – 575 | Bigger gap between fare types |
| Business Class | 400 | 500 – 1,100 | Massive jump at top end |
| First Class | 500 | 650 – 1,250 | High earners benefit most |
British Airways is also increasing the Tier Points available through add-ons. Seat selection and baggage purchases now earn 2 Tier Points per £1 spent.
It might not sound like much, but it can build up faster than you’d expect, especially on long-haul trips where extras aren’t cheap. If you’re already paying for seats or bags, you’re now getting something back for it, which makes the overall earnings feel a bit less rigid than before.
Purchases of Sustainable Aviation Fuel now earn 2 Tier Points per £1, with an annual cap of 2,000 Tier Points. That gives members another way to build their status balance without booking an additional flight, which could make the difference when you’re just short of a threshold.
There’s also a niche angle here for points-focused travellers. SAF can be purchased using Avios, which effectively allows you to convert Avios into Tier Points, although the value won’t suit everyone.
The new bonus structure also applies to eligible American Airlines and Iberia flights credited to the British Airways Club. The earning rates are more consistent with BA’s own structure, which makes it easier to plan mixed itineraries without second-guessing how many Tier Points you’ll get. That brings a lot more clarity for members who regularly combine BA flights with key partners.
However, it’s not a complete overhaul, and the main status thresholds remain the same:
The programme is still spend-based at its core, so the new rules are an adjustment to how Tier Points are earned rather than a complete overhaul of the British Airways Club.
These changes tilt the programme further towards higher-paying travellers.
The new rules reward those who book flexible fares, purchase extras, or fly in higher-priced cabins. Those who always choose the cheapest ticket will find the programme less generous than before and will likely see slower progress, even if their overall spend is similar. The gap between fare types within the same cabin is now wide enough to materially affect how quickly you move through the tiers.
Fare choice has become more strategic as a result. A slightly pricier ticket may now generate enough additional Tier Points to make a difference at the end of the year, potentially removing the need for an extra trip.
In short, the system has become more layered. Status is easier to reach for those willing or able to spend in the “right” way. For everyone else, it may take longer than before.
At the same time, this leans heavily towards corporate travellers. Flexible fares are often booked through company travel policies, sometimes with rebates behind the scenes, which means those passengers can earn more Tier Points for effectively less out-of-pocket cost.
Here’s a quick look at how these changes affect different travellers:
| Traveller Type | Impact |
|---|---|
| Flexible fare/business travellers | Can now earn a lot more Tier Points |
| Premium cabin flyers | Can benefit from higher bonus ranges |
| Frequent short-haul travellers | Can gain from segment-based earning |
| Leisure travellers on cheap fares | Slower progress toward status |
| Points-focused travellers | More ways to optimise earnings |
Tier Points and Avios still serve different purposes, but the gap between them is starting to blur slightly. The best Avios reward flights are often released in limited numbers, and holding a higher status gives you better access to them, which makes your Avios more valuable.
The key now is balance. Instead of treating status and Avios as separate goals, it makes more sense to think about how one supports the other. Paid bookings that generate strong Tier Point returns can sit alongside reward flights, helping you build both sides of the equation over time.
Approaching the British Airways Club this way makes it easier to balance status progression with long-term Avios points value, rather than treating them as separate goals.
In the end, yes, the British Airways Club is becoming more nuanced, and that’s not really a bad thing for travellers. Now, the way you book matters as much as how often you fly. Travellers who take time to understand the new earning structure will be better placed to reach and hold status than those who don’t.
British Airways’ move to a spend-based system last year made one thing clear: earning status had become a lot harder. As of 1 April 2026, BA is easing that pressure slightly by introducing new ways to earn Tier Points through fare-based bonuses, partner flights, and additional spend.
To be clear, the airline is not abandoning its spend-based loyalty model but adding a few new levers for those looking to optimise their path to status.
If you care about British Airways Club status, this is one of those updates worth paying attention to.
One of the key updates is how Tier Point bonuses are applied to British Airways flights. Until now, earnings were mostly linked to how much you spent and the cabin you flew in. From April 2026, fare type will also have an impact on how many Tier Points you earn.
Flexible and semi-flexible fares will earn more Tier Points than cheaper basic fares in the same cabin, which means two passengers on the same flight could end up with very different totals depending on what they paid.
Anyone already using a British Airways tier point calculator to track progress toward status will need to revisit those projections, as the figures have shifted across nearly every cabin.
The airline has introduced the following bonus Tier Point ranges on its flights:
Flexible fares sit at the top of those ranges, while the cheapest fares sit at the bottom. The gap is widest in long-haul Business Class, where the difference between the lowest- and highest-earning ticket is 600 Tier Points on a single segment.
Someone flying on a fully flexible Club World ticket could now earn up to 1,400 additional Tier Points on a return journey. In some cases, Gold status could be within reach after just two long-haul trips, assuming high fares.
Another knock-on effect is that segments matter more again. If you route via a connection instead of flying direct, you may be able to pick up additional bonus Tier Points along the way.
Here’s a quick look at the changes:
| Cabin | Old Bonus (per segment) | New Range (per segment) | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-haul Economy | 75 | 75 – 275 | Wider spread based on fare |
| Short-haul Business | 175 | 175 – 375 | More upside for flex fares |
| Long-haul Economy | 150 | 150 – 450 | Mid-tier fares gain more |
| Premium Economy | 275 | 275 – 575 | Bigger gap between fare types |
| Business Class | 400 | 500 – 1,100 | Massive jump at top end |
| First Class | 500 | 650 – 1,250 | High earners benefit most |
British Airways is also increasing the Tier Points available through add-ons. Seat selection and baggage purchases now earn 2 Tier Points per £1 spent.
It might not sound like much, but it can build up faster than you’d expect, especially on long-haul trips where extras aren’t cheap. If you’re already paying for seats or bags, you’re now getting something back for it, which makes the overall earnings feel a bit less rigid than before.
Purchases of Sustainable Aviation Fuel now earn 2 Tier Points per £1, with an annual cap of 2,000 Tier Points. That gives members another way to build their status balance without booking an additional flight, which could make the difference when you’re just short of a threshold.
There’s also a niche angle here for points-focused travellers. SAF can be purchased using Avios, which effectively allows you to convert Avios into Tier Points, although the value won’t suit everyone.
The new bonus structure also applies to eligible American Airlines and Iberia flights credited to the British Airways Club. The earning rates are more consistent with BA’s own structure, which makes it easier to plan mixed itineraries without second-guessing how many Tier Points you’ll get. That brings a lot more clarity for members who regularly combine BA flights with key partners.
However, it’s not a complete overhaul, and the main status thresholds remain the same:
The programme is still spend-based at its core, so the new rules are an adjustment to how Tier Points are earned rather than a complete overhaul of the British Airways Club.
These changes tilt the programme further towards higher-paying travellers.
The new rules reward those who book flexible fares, purchase extras, or fly in higher-priced cabins. Those who always choose the cheapest ticket will find the programme less generous than before and will likely see slower progress, even if their overall spend is similar. The gap between fare types within the same cabin is now wide enough to materially affect how quickly you move through the tiers.
Fare choice has become more strategic as a result. A slightly pricier ticket may now generate enough additional Tier Points to make a difference at the end of the year, potentially removing the need for an extra trip.
In short, the system has become more layered. Status is easier to reach for those willing or able to spend in the “right” way. For everyone else, it may take longer than before.
At the same time, this leans heavily towards corporate travellers. Flexible fares are often booked through company travel policies, sometimes with rebates behind the scenes, which means those passengers can earn more Tier Points for effectively less out-of-pocket cost.
Here’s a quick look at how these changes affect different travellers:
| Traveller Type | Impact |
|---|---|
| Flexible fare/business travellers | Can now earn a lot more Tier Points |
| Premium cabin flyers | Can benefit from higher bonus ranges |
| Frequent short-haul travellers | Can gain from segment-based earning |
| Leisure travellers on cheap fares | Slower progress toward status |
| Points-focused travellers | More ways to optimise earnings |
Tier Points and Avios still serve different purposes, but the gap between them is starting to blur slightly. The best Avios reward flights are often released in limited numbers, and holding a higher status gives you better access to them, which makes your Avios more valuable.
The key now is balance. Instead of treating status and Avios as separate goals, it makes more sense to think about how one supports the other. Paid bookings that generate strong Tier Point returns can sit alongside reward flights, helping you build both sides of the equation over time.
Approaching the British Airways Club this way makes it easier to balance status progression with long-term Avios points value, rather than treating them as separate goals.
In the end, yes, the British Airways Club is becoming more nuanced, and that’s not really a bad thing for travellers. Now, the way you book matters as much as how often you fly. Travellers who take time to understand the new earning structure will be better placed to reach and hold status than those who don’t.
