British Airways Shifts Loyalty Program to Spend-Based System
British Airways has announced major changes to its loyalty program, becoming the latest airline to implement a revenue-based system for earning elite status. Set to take effect on April 1, 2025, the revamped “British Airways Club” will shift from awarding Tier Points based on flight routes and cabin classes to a model where points are earned based on how much a traveler spends.
Under the current system, British Airways travelers earn Tier Points based on the route they fly and the fare class they book. Long-haul flights in premium cabins traditionally earn the most points, and passengers can earn additional Tier Points for flights operated by oneworld Alliance partners such as American Airlines or Cathay Pacific. To achieve elite status, travelers must accumulate a set number of Tier Points: 300 for Bronze, 600 for Silver, and 1,500 for Gold.
Starting in April, however, the British Airways Club will focus on revenue-based criteria. Travelers will now earn 1 Tier Point for every £1 (roughly $1.24) spent on flights, with higher levels of elite status requiring significantly more spend. Bronze status will now require 3,500 Tier Points, Silver will require 7,500, and Gold will need 20,000. This change means that travelers will need to spend considerably more to reach elite status compared to the previous model. For example, a business class ticket from New York to London would currently earn 140 Tier Points one way, enough for a small portion of Bronze status. Under the new system, the same ticket’s points would be calculated based entirely on its price.
In addition to flight tickets, travelers can earn points for non-flight expenditures such as seat selection, excess baggage, and contributions to sustainable aviation fuel. The program also rewards co-branded credit card purchases, although U.S. cardholders with the British Airways Visa Signature Card will no longer be eligible for these points starting in April 2025.
As part of the overhaul, British Airways is also introducing milestone rewards, offering bonus Avios miles at various Tier Point thresholds, including 2,500, 4,000, and 5,000 points. Avios is the loyalty currency for British Airways and its oneworld partners and can be used to redeem flights. More details on these milestone benefits are expected to be released in the coming months.
The shift to a spend-based loyalty program has raised concerns among some frequent travelers. Julian Kheel, founder of Points Path, warned that these changes may be detrimental for many passengers. “The airline is positioning these changes as being driven by customer feedback,” said Kheel, “but in reality, it primarily benefits high spenders and makes it harder for budget-conscious travelers to earn elite status.”
For those seeking distance-based loyalty programs, Kheel suggests looking into Alaska Mileage Plan, which rewards travelers based on the distance flown rather than the amount spent. Alaska, a member of the oneworld Alliance like British Airways, will also allow miles earned through award flights to count toward elite status starting in 2025.
In line with its focus on rewarding higher spenders, British Airways is also introducing a new first-class cabin in 2026. This cabin will feature 36.5-inch-wide seats that convert into 79-inch-long lie-flat beds, a 32-inch 4K TV, and a 60-inch curved wall for privacy, marking a new luxury experience for its premium customers.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=British+Airways