Overview
The airline and hotel loyalty world is in a constant state of flux. Programs from all corners of the world are constantly adapting the way they operate to match the desires and habits of their customers and, above all, the profit goals of the company.
Frustratingly for the average person, profit drives more of the changes than their own hopes for the program, and we’re seeing immense shifts away from genuine loyalty programs to revenue-based models that reward big spenders instead of customers that may have been loyal for years.
British Airways is the next in a long line of airlines to make significant changes to its loyalty program. As of April 1st, 2026, those are fully operational, meaning you need to consider the ways you’re using the airline — if at all. Let’s take a look at all the changes to the British Airways Club and its Avios and Tier Points Earning Schemes.
What is The British Airways Club?
The British Airways Club, previously the British Airways Executive Club, is the umbrella name for the British flagship carrier, covering its tiered elite ladder and Avios earning system. Once upon a time, it was one of the most valuable programs on the market, but significant devaluations and soaring fuel surcharges have dampened that reputation considerably over the years.
With that said, it still retains some solid value, especially for bouncing around on short flights throughout Europe and some partner redemptions in the US. I’ve used it multiple times for longer haul flights with great success, so it’s not a program you should be ruling out.
What are its Elite Tiers?
Similar to other airlines, British Airways segments its elite tiers into four distinct brackets, each providing its own benefits, earning opportunities, and add-ons. Blue is the lowest tier, followed by Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Simple enough? Great.
To hit a tier, you need to collect a specific number of “Tier Points”. You earn these by booking flights or holidays, and other British Airways spending opportunities. You can also hit tiers by flying a specific number of flights each year between March 31st and April 1st.
What are Avios?
Avios, as opposed to Tier Points, are British Airways’ redeemable currency. Avios earned can be used to redeem flights, upgrades, and other things. It shares the Avios program with multiple airlines, including Qatar Airlines, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Finnair.
You can earn Avios by spending on British Airways flights, transferring from a credit card issuer partner, or moving them between other Avios-earning airlines. Currently, you can transfer from almost all major issuers, including:
Technically, Citi ThankYou Points don’t transfer to Avios, but as all Avios programs allow transfers between them, you’d just need to transfer points to Qatar Airways then on to British Airways from your ThankYou account. Easy.
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What Changes Have Come Into Effect?
The airline already announced an overhaul around the same time in 2025, veering heavily towards a revenue-based earning model. It’s doubling down on that tactic this year, with some specific changes more noticeable than others.
Thankfully, Avios-earning hasn’t been impacted this time around. The earning model for Avios was shifted to a revenue-based model in 2023, where it previously rewarded distance. In short, you’re offered more if you spend more, not for actually flying with the airline. You could fly five times with the airline and be awarded less than someone who flew once but paid more.
This year, it’s the Elite Tiers going through the changes. It was already fairly revenue-centric, but the airline has gone further in 2026, putting more emphasis on what you’re spending on, as opposed to simply how much you’re spending. Things like flexible flights and seat options are given earning boosts. Interestingly, it feels like it’s an attempt at correcting the previous changes, but I’m not sure it works.
How Many Tier Points Do You Need?
The number of tier points required for each level is fairly straightforward. You need the following:
Blue Tier: 0 Tier Points
Bronze Tier: 3,500 Points
Silver Tier: 7,500 tier Points
Gold: 20,000 Tier points
Tier points must be earned between April 1st and March 31st, and will expire at the end of that period. In short, they can’t be carried over.
You can still earn status by flying a certain number of flights, too. This was removed in 2024, then re-added in response to collective outrage. It only applies to Bronze and Silver, though. You’ll need to fly 25 flights with BA within the same timeframe mentioned earlier to earn Bronze, and 50 to earn Silver.
How do you earn tier points
At a core level, the way you earn tier points hasn’t changed. You’ll earn 1 Tier Point per £1 of eligible spend on British Airways flights. On top of this, you’ll earn 2 tier points for every £1 spent on add-ons like baggage, seating, and Sustainable Aviation Fuels contributions. For those paying in USD, that rate will be converted at whatever the exchange rate suggests at that moment. At the time of writing, you can expect anywhere between $1.25-1.35 to £1.
New Tier Points Earning Options
Starting April 1st, 2026, customers will earn more on specific types of tickets. In particular, flexible tickets are rewarded heavily, encouraging a higher spend in almost every case.
Short haul flights
Euro Traveler | Club Europe | |
Plus/ Business | 75 Bonus Tier Points | 175 Bonus Tier Points |
Semi-Flex | 175 Bonus Tier Points | 275 Bonus Tier Points |
Fully Flex | 275 Bonus Tier Points | 375 Bonus Tier Points |
Long haul flights
World Traveler | World Traveler Plus | Club World | First | |
Standard | 150 Bonus Tier Points | 275 Bonus Tier Points | 500 Bonus Tier Points | 650 Bonus Tier Points |
Semi-Flex | 250 Bonus Tier Points | 375 Bonus Tier Points | 700 Bonus Tier Points | 850 Bonus Tier Points |
Flex | 350 Bonus Tier Points | 475 Bonus Tier Points | 900 Bonus Tier Points | 1,050 Bonus Tier Points |
Fully Flex | 450 Bonus Tier Points | 575 Bonus Tier Points | 1,100 Bonus Tier Points | 1,250 Bonus Tier Points |
Based on the new earning rates, you can see the different earning examples on this London to New York flight. Note that basic economy flights don’t earn any bonuses.
Economy
Economy Basic: 711 Tier Points
Economy standard: 916 Tier Points
Semi-Flex: 1,066 Tier Points
Fully Flex: 1,336 Tier points
Business
Business: 8,521 Tier Points
Business Semi-Flex: 9,051 Tier Points
Business Flex: 9,251 Tier Points
Business Fully Flex: 9,759
What Can We Take From the Changes
British Airways, despite marketing it as an “easier way” to attain elite status, has reinforced its desire to turn its loyalty program into a club for corporate flyers. By awarding those booking semi- flexible and fully flexible tickets (a category the average leisure traveler won’t opt to do), the carrier is rewarding business flyers considerably.
Even if a customer opted for a business class, spending an average of £1,000 each flight, it would take more than 13 flights to achieve Gold Status. A business traveler opting for fully flexible business flights would achieve the same status in just over nine flights. That’s a statement in itself.
Is It Worth Opting for the Flexible Tickets?
Flexible tickets are handy, but unless you’re an absolute die-hard British Airways customer, it’s not something you should necessarily opt for. Remember, the bulk of the business travelers this helps aren’t spending their own money, and many businesses get tax rebates and write-offs for booking these flights.
As always, I recommend focusing on a broader strategy. If you have the opportunity to earn elite status with an airline that makes sense for you, go for it, but focusing on redeemable points is what will save you money in the long run.
The Point
British Airways’ new changes aren’t out of the ordinary. They’re emblematic of a push towards high-spending customers instead of true loyalty. When one business class round-trip can earn Gold Status for someone over an economy flyer that flies 25 times a year, there’s a clear pattern. It’s not worth changing strategy for this, unless you’re frequently traveling with British Airways for work.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
