BRITISH Airways has angered customers by overhauling its loyalty scheme.
But what is happening, and what does this mean for you?
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James Flanders explains what your options are and how to fly with first-class perks without forking out extra cash.
BA SHAKE-UP
The airline is set to rebrand its British Airways Executive Club as the British Airways Club and introduce changes to its tier points system from April 1 this year.
These changes will make it harder to retain an elite status.
Currently, members who fly with BA or its Oneworld alliance partner airlines both earn Avios and tier points.
Avios can be redeemed for discounted flights, while tier points contribute towards achieving a higher frequent flyer status.
The programme consists of four membership tiers: Blue, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Blue status is automatically granted to anyone who signs up, allowing members to start collecting Avios on every flight or holiday booking.
Around half of the scheme’s 13million members have a bronze status or above.
These higher-tier statuses unlock perks, including complimentary seat selection, priority check-in, additional hold baggage allowance and access to the airline’s airport lounges.
In February, the airline said it would adjust the revamped scheme in response to customer backlash, making it easier to retain an elite status but still harder than before.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
From April, all members will have their tier point collection period standardised and it will run from April 1 to March 31 the following year.
Currently, members have varying collection periods, which can make it more complex for both customers and the airline to track and manage.
But, the biggest change to the airline’s scheme is the overhaul of its tier points.
Previously, tier points were collected based on how far you have travelled and how many flights you booked.
For example, taking 25 flights in a year would automatically get you Bronze status.
However, from April 1, tier points will be collected based on how much you spend.
Customers will earn one tier point for every £1 spent on flights and holiday packages.
The airline is also changing the thresholds to qualify for Bronze, Silver, and Gold status.
To retain Bronze status, customers will need to spend £3,500 annually with the airline, £7,500 for Silver, and an eye-watering £20,000 for Gold.
When the revamp was announced in December, it caused outrage with customers.
In response to the backlash, BA backtracked on some of the changes.
In February, it said that customers will still be able to earn a higher status based on the number of flights they book.
For a Bronze member that would remain at 25 flights per year.
The airline is also extending its bonus tier point scheme by rewarding customers with additional points.
It was due to end on February 14 but it has been extended until December 31, 2025.
For instance, customers can earn an extra 75 tier points for booking a short-haul economy flight and an additional 150 tier points for a long-haul economy flight.
However, to benefit from this tier point boost, you must register your Executive Club membership number by visiting britishairways.com/content/executive-club/offers/tier-point-bonus.
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO AVIOS?
Avios is the reward currency used by BA and its partner airlines, including Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling, and Qatar Airways.
You earn Avoid points by booking flights with BA and partner airlines, hotel stays, car hire and spending on credit and debit cards.
Each Avios point is typically worth around 1p, although its value can rise to as much as 1.5p depending on how you choose to redeem it.
These points can be used to book flights in full or to reduce the overall cost of your next trip.
The changes BA has made to its loyalty scheme will not impact the way Avios points are earned or redeemed.
However, they will make it more difficult for customers to retain their Bronze, Silver, or Gold status, which in turn impacts the amount of Avios earned with each booking.
Higher-tier members enjoy increased Avios earning rates.
For example, Blue members earn six Avios for every £1 spent, Bronze members receive seven Avios per £1 spent, and Silver members earn an even more rewarding eight Avios for every £1 spent.
CAN YOU BOOST YOUR POINTS
The easiest way to boost your Avios points is to use a credit or debit card that collects points when you spend, as long as you remember to pay your bill in full.
For instance, the fee-free BA American Express card rewards cardholders with one Avios for every £1 spent.
New cardmembers can also get 5,000 bonus Avios when spending £2,000 within the first three months of membership.
Linking your Uber account allows you to collect Avios every time you book a ride.
Another option is to shop online via the BA e-store portal, which offers the opportunity to earn Avios through purchases made with affiliated retailers.
SHOULD YOU DITCH BA?
If you fly regularly – especially as part of your job – then the programme may still be beneficial for you.
But you should never book a flight with BA or an affiliated airline just to earn points if money is tight.
If your priority is cutting costs, concentrate solely on finding the lowest ticket price.
Platforms like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak allow you to tailor your search to highlight the most affordable options.
You can convert Avios into Nectar points.
These can be redeemed for shopping, used to save 5p per litre on fuel, or even put towards other purchases
For example, 500 Nectar points can be exchanged for £2.50 off at retailers like Argos or Sainsbury’s.
BA says the changes are based on customer behaviour and it believes a “large number” of customers will still benefit.
FLY LIKE A GOLD MEMBER FOR LESS
It is possible to get Gold member perks for free or cheap.
You might assume that luxury perks like lounge access and fast-track security are exclusive to frequent or business class flyers, but that’s not the case.
Cheap or ‘free’ lounge access
Airline lounges are usually reserved for frequent flyers or business class passengers – but there are ones such as No1 Lounges that you can pay to get access to.
If you have a NatWest or Barclays Premier bank account then you can get free access to some lounges.
On the Beach is offering free airport lounge access with 5-star holiday bookings for 2025.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is free to join and you can get discounts on passes to No1 Lounges.
Rob Burgess, editor of frequent flyer website headforpoints.com said: “You could get a credit card which comes with a Priority Pass lounge card.
“Good options are the free for a year Amex Gold card (four free airport lounge passes per year), Amex Platinum (unlimited lounge access for up to four people) or the Lloyds World Elite Mastercard, which is £15 per month but offers unlimited airport lounge access.”
But always remember to pay off your balance in full each month, as interest charges may outweigh the perks.
If you can’t get free entry then prices start around £20.
This can work out cheaper than paying for a meal and drink at the airport – but you need to weigh up the costs.
Read reviews before you book as the facilities vary.
Baggage loopholes
If you fly with Easyjet then there is a loophole to get a second hand luggage bag for free.
You are allowed to bring one bag from Duty Free – but MoneySavingExpert says it’s heard from customers who have used this to store their handbag.
Cheaper and better seats
It is possible to sit together for free if you’re flying BA, EasyJet or Virgin – if you know the tricks.
Try and check in as soon as it opens online and you will usually be able to sit together.
With EasyJet you can check in 30 days in advance.
You have to pay to get a specific seat, but the earlier you check-in the more likely you are to get a better one and be able to sit together.
BA, Virgin Atlantic and Tui guarantee that kids under 12 will be sat with at least one adult.
If you’re flying with Ryanair, MoneySavingExpert says it can be cheaper to select the basic fare and then add extras rather than selecting the regular one.
It says its seen costs of baggage and seat allocation can be up to 60% cheaper using this trick.