For those who’re a frequent or occasional British Airways flyer, heads up. Adjustments are on the best way that can have an effect on how vacationers earn Avios, the airline’s loyalty factors.
Beginning this fall, the U.Ok.-based provider will comply with within the footsteps of quite a few U.S. airways in tying clients’ mileage earnings to how a lot cash they spend as a substitute of how far they fly. The modifications will start Oct. 18, affecting all flight reservations ticketed from that date ahead.
As a part of the shift, British Airways Government Membership members with out elite standing will earn 6 Avios per British pound spent on flights. Moreover, the airline will start permitting flyers to earn Avios for ancillary purchases, like cabin upgrades, seat choice and checked baggage.
Nonetheless, the provider is, notably, not making modifications to how clients earn elite standing or redeem Avios for flights.
Right here’s a rundown of the modifications and what they imply to your future British Airways journey.
How are Avios altering?
At the moment, the worth you pay for a ticket on British Airways has no bearing on what number of Avios you earn. Avios earnings are primarily based on the kind of ticket you buy and the way far you fly.
For now, elite standing members earn at the next fee:
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Bronze members earn 25% additional.
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Silver members earn 50% additional.
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Gold members earn 100% extra.
New Avios components
Underneath the brand new setup, Government Membership members will earn Avios primarily based on how a lot they spent on their ticket, airline-imposed expenses and add-on prices like seats and baggage.
Entry-level members with out elite standing will earn 6 Avios per British pound (on the time of writing, £1 equals roughly $1.30).
Elite standing members will proceed to earn at the next fee, although not as excessive as earlier than for some tiers. Right here’s the way it breaks down for flights offered by British Airways:
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Government Membership Blue (non-elite) members: Earn 6 Avios per pound.
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Government Membership Bronze: Earn 7 Avios per pound.
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Government Membership Silver: Earn 8 Avios per pound.
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Government Membership Gold: Earn 9 Avios per pound.
At the moment, as a Gold member, you’d earn 100% extra, or double. With the brand new components, you’d truly earn solely 50% extra. If you buy a ticket in one other foreign money (equivalent to U.S. {dollars}), the airline will decide your Avios earnings primarily based on alternate charges on the time of buy.
The brand new incomes charges additionally apply to flights booked by way of Iberia, a Spanish airline that merged with British Airways. As an alternative of getting a sure variety of Avios per pound, you’ll obtain 6, 7, 8 or 9 Avios per euro.
Which flights are affected?
The modifications to how clients earn Avios have an effect on flights marketed by British Airways and Iberia, primarily based in Spain.
Meaning it applies to flights reserved by way of British Airways’ and Iberia’s reserving channels and credited to that member’s Avios account. Flights booked by way of British Airways’ airline companions (together with Oneworld members) will proceed to earn Avios primarily based on distance flown.
For those who ebook an American Airways-operated flight by way of British Airways, you’ll earn Avios primarily based on how far you fly. For those who ebook a flight on, say, American Airways and your flight is operated by British Airways, these modifications would don’t have any bearing on the way you earn AAdvantage miles.
What this implies for British Airways surcharges
The quick reply is, nothing.
Clients ceaselessly bemoan the hefty surcharges confronted even when reserving award flights on British Airways. It will possibly add a whole bunch of {dollars} to your invoice on transatlantic flights to the UK.
As an illustration, a September 2023 award flight from Washington Dulles to London Heathrow booked through Oneworld associate American Airways (however operated by British Airways) would value 60,000 AAdvantage miles spherical journey, plus an eye-popping $656.45.
As a part of the modifications, clients can earn Avios on carrier-imposed surcharges for paid flights. They won’t earn Avios for government-imposed charges and taxes on paid flights.
For award flights, British Airways members additionally will not earn Avios for any surcharges, charges or taxes incurred as a part of award flights.
For an $827 spherical journey from New York to London, the member would calculate their Avios by deducting $256 in government-imposed taxes and charges.
That involves round $571 — which converts to about £441. A non-elite member would earn 2,646 Avios for this flight beneath the brand new system.
No modifications for redeeming Avios
Government Membership elite standing qualification and the fee construction for redeeming Avios for flights will stay unchanged, the airline says.
So, in case you have been contemplating reserving an award flight on British Airways or transferring bank card factors to your Government Membership account, these modifications possible gained’t must consider to your determination.
Are Avios modifications good or unhealthy for purchasers?
Whether or not British Airways’ shift to a revenue-based mannequin for Avios earnings helps or hurts clients relies on the flyer, the fare and the route.
In a press release saying the modifications, the provider touted it as a strategy to “simplify the best way we reward our Government Membership members.”
The airline additionally gave examples of how a member may earn extra Avios due to the modifications, together with a £149 ($192) base fare flight from London to Good, France, with a £14 ($18) add-on for seat choice.
The non-elite (Blue) flyer would earn 978 Avios beneath the brand new incomes construction as a substitute of 648 Avios beneath the prevailing technique.
Government Membership members who spend loads on premium cabins or last-minute flights may benefit, particularly in the event that they often fly solely quick distances.
Clients who discover a closely discounted long-haul ticket would possibly miss out as a result of fewer {dollars} spent will now translate to fewer Avios earned. Beforehand, distance and cabin have been the one elements, so you possibly can reap the advantages of an inexpensive fare whereas incomes as many Avios as a pricier ticket.
Additionally, top-tier Government Membership Gold members gained’t see as vital of an earnings enhance. At the moment, Gold members earn 100% extra Avios in contrast with non-elite (Blue) members. Now, they’ll earn 9 Avios per pound spent as a substitute of 6 — only a 50% spike.
Briefly, massive spenders with British Airways ought to have the ability to earn extra Avios, whereas occasional flyers who discovered an inexpensive flight will possible earn fewer Avios.
(Prime picture courtesy of British Airways)
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