British Airways is the most recent provider to make sweeping modifications to its loyalty program, following an analogous transfer from United Airways this fall. Vacationers who’ve earned elite standing with the airline previously—or are contemplating crediting flights sooner or later—could also be in for a impolite awakening with the brand new spend-based system.
As a part of the brand new program, which has been rebranded “the British Airways Membership,” vacationers will now earn factors based mostly on the price of a flight, incomes 1 Tier Level for each £1 (US$1.24) spent. It’s all a part of a serious shift for many airways globally to award the very best spenders, no matter what number of miles they fly. Adjustments are set to enter impact on April 1, in line with the provider.
At present, British Airways fliers earn Tier Factors relying on the route and the fare class booked, with long-haul flights in premium cabins incomes essentially the most factors. Tier Factors are awarded in several methods, based mostly on whether or not the flight is operated by British Airways or a oneworld Alliance accomplice, similar to American Airways or Cathay Pacific. To achieve Bronze standing, 300 Tier Factors are essential; for Silver, it’s 600 Tier Factors; and for Gold, it’s 1,500 Tier Factors.
Nonetheless, starting this spring, the revamped British Airways Membership can be strictly income pushed, with qualifying spending as the first means for vacationers to realize elite standing. Beginning in April, Bronze standing would require 3,500 Tier Factors, Silver standing would require 7,500 Tier Factors, and Gold standing would require 20,000 Tier Factors.
For comparability: At present, a traveler flying British Airways enterprise class between New York and London would earn 140 Tier Factors a method, about midway towards Bronze standing. Below the brand new standards beginning in April, Tier Factors could be calculated based mostly completely on the price of the ticket. Bear in mind, it’s 1 Tier Level for each £1 spent.
In addition to buying tickets, vacationers can earn factors for nonflying expenditures, like seat choice and extra baggage. Members may also accumulate an additional 1,000 factors per yr by buying a contribution to sustainable aviation gas. Lastly, fliers can rise up to 2,500 Tier Factors yearly on cobranded bank card purchases. Sadly, U.S. cardholders with the British Airways Visa Signature Card won’t be eligible come April.
Along with altering how standing is earned, British Airways will present new milestone advantages between standing ranges. As an illustration, members will obtain rewards once they hit varied Tier Level thresholds, together with 2,500, 4,000, and 5,000 bonus Avios miles. (Avios—the loyalty foreign money for British Airways and its accomplice airways—can be utilized to redeem British Airways or accomplice flights.) The airways mentioned they’d reveal extra particulars about these milestone advantages within the coming months.
Total, it’s a web detrimental for many vacationers, says Julian Kheel, the founding father of Factors Path, an organization that helps individuals use their journey rewards. “The airline is spinning these modifications as being pushed by buyer enter.” As a substitute, Kheel says, “Vacationers seeking to earn elite standing that may be utilized on British Airways flights ought to look to Alaska Mileage Plan.” Alaska is among the few remaining packages that primarily rewards vacationers based mostly on the space flown, not the quantity spent. “The airline is a member of the identical oneworld Alliance as British Airways, and beginning in 2025, award flights redeemed with Alaska miles will rely towards incomes elite standing.”
The loyalty program modifications come as British Airways is seeking to courtroom and reward increased spenders in different methods. They embrace a brand new first-class cabin with 36.5-inch-wide seats that convert into 79-inch-long lie-flat beds, a separate ottoman, a 32-inch 4K TV display screen, and a 60-inch curved wall for privateness. The brand new premium seats are anticipated to hit the skies in mid-2026.