British Airways Is Changing How Customers Earn Avios

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 prospects’ mileage earnings to how a lot cash they spend as a substitute of how far they fly. The adjustments will start Oct. 18, affecting all flight reservations ticketed from that date ahead.

As a part of the shift, British Airways Govt 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 luggage.

Nevertheless, the provider is, notably, not making adjustments to how prospects earn elite standing or redeem Avios for flights.

Right here’s a rundown of the adjustments and what they imply to your future British Airways journey.

At the moment, the value 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 a better charge:

Beneath the brand new setup, Govt Membership members will earn Avios primarily based on how a lot they spent on their ticket, airline-imposed costs 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 a better charge, although not as excessive as earlier than for some tiers. Right here’s the way it breaks down for flights offered by British Airways:

At the moment, as a Gold member, you’d earn 100% extra, or double. With the brand new formulation, you’d truly earn solely 50% extra. If you buy a ticket in one other forex (reminiscent of U.S. {dollars}), the airline will decide your Avios earnings primarily based on change charges on the time of buy.

The brand new incomes charges additionally apply to flights booked via Iberia, a Spanish airline that merged with British Airways. As a substitute of getting a sure variety of Avios per pound, you’ll obtain 6, 7, 8 or 9 Avios per euro.

The adjustments to how prospects earn Avios have an effect on flights marketed by British Airways and Iberia, primarily based in Spain.

Meaning it applies to flights reserved via British Airways’ and Iberia’s reserving channels and credited to that member’s Avios account. Flights booked via 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 via 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 adjustments would haven’t any bearing on the way you earn AAdvantage miles.

The brief reply is, nothing.

Prospects ceaselessly bemoan the hefty surcharges confronted even when reserving award flights on British Airways. It may well add lots of 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 accomplice 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 adjustments, prospects 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 underneath the brand new system.

Govt Membership elite standing qualification and the price construction for redeeming Avios for flights will stay unchanged, the airline says.

So, for those who have been contemplating reserving an award flight on British Airways or transferring bank card factors to your Govt Membership account, these adjustments doubtless gained’t have to think about to your choice.

Whether or not British Airways’ shift to a revenue-based mannequin for Avios earnings helps or hurts prospects will depend on the flyer, the fare and the route.

In an announcement saying the adjustments, the provider touted it as a option to “simplify the best way we reward our Govt Membership members.”

The airline additionally gave examples of how a member might earn extra Avios due to the adjustments, 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 underneath the brand new incomes construction as a substitute of 648 Avios underneath the present methodology.

Govt Membership members who spend lots on premium cabins or last-minute flights may gain advantage, particularly in the event that they often fly solely brief distances.

Prospects who discover a closely discounted long-haul ticket may 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 might reap the advantages of an affordable fare whereas incomes as many Avios as a pricier ticket.

Additionally, top-tier Govt Membership Gold members gained’t see as vital of an earnings increase. 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 affordable flight will doubtless earn fewer Avios.

(High picture courtesy of British Airways)