British Airways Executive Club: Avios, Tier Points, and Lounge Access

What are Avios?

Avios are the currency of the British Airways Executive Club. Think of them as miles you earn and can use to unlock flights, upgrades, and more. Whenever you fly with British Airways, partner airlines, or even when you shop with certain brands, you collect Avios.

How to Earn Avios:

Flying: The more you fly, the more Avios you earn. The amount depends on your flight's distance, class, and fare type. Business and First-Class travelers earn more Avios than those flying economy.
Everyday Spending: Use the British Airways American Express card to earn Avios on daily purchases. You can also earn through shopping and spending with over 2,000 partner brands across sectors like fashion, travel, and dining.
Hotel Stays & Car Rentals: Book your hotels and rental cars with British Airways or its partners, and earn Avios on your stays and rentals.
Online Shopping: Use the British Airways shopping portal, which connects to popular retailers, or link your payment cards to earn Avios while shopping in-store with participating partners.
Convert Nectar Points: Through a partnership with Nectar, you can convert Nectar points from shopping at Sainsbury's, Argos, eBay, and more into Avios.
The Wine Flyer: Earn Avios when you purchase wine through The Wine Flyer.
Heathrow Rewards: Collect Heathrow Rewards points on shopping, dining, and services at Heathrow, and convert them into Avios.
Taking Surveys: Sign up for services like Rewards for Thoughts or eRewards, where you can earn Avios by completing surveys.
Buying Avios: If you're short of Avios for a reward, you can buy additional Avios directly from British Airways, sometimes with promotional bonuses.

How to Redeem Avios for Flights

Redeeming Avios for flights is one of the most popular ways to use your rewards, offering flexibility and value for frequent travelers. Here’s how you can book your next trip using Avios:

Log in to Your Executive Club Account:

Go to the British Airways website or use the mobile app, and log in to your Executive Club account.

Search for Reward Flights:

Select the "Book with Avios" option to start your search for reward flights. Enter your travel dates, destination, and the number of passengers.
You can choose to search for one-way, return, or multi-city journeys.

Select Your Preferred Flight:

The search results will display available flights with the Avios cost, along with any applicable taxes, fees, and carrier charges. You can filter results by cabin class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First Class) or choose the "lowest price" option.
Remember, Avios reward seats are subject to availability, so flexibility with your dates may help you find the best deal.

Choose the Payment Option:

Full Avios Payment: Pay entirely with your Avios, covering the flight's cost. You’ll still need to pay any additional taxes, fees, and charges separately.
Avios & Money: You can part-pay with Avios, reducing the cost of your ticket while using fewer Avios. This option allows you to stretch your rewards over more trips.

Complete Your Booking:

Once you have selected your preferred flights, proceed to the checkout to confirm your booking. Enter your payment details to cover any taxes, fees, or additional costs.

Using Avios with Partner Airlines:

Avios can be used to book flights not only on British Airways but also on Oneworld alliance partner airlines like American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and more. This extends your travel options across the globe.
When booking with partner airlines, the process is similar—simply search and select the flights that suit your travel plans.

Tip: Keep an eye out for Reward Flight Saver (RFS) fares, which offer great value for Avios on short-haul flights within Europe and beyond, with capped taxes and fees. Additionally, using a Companion Voucher (if you have one) can make your Avios go further when booking for two.

Can You Upgrade with Avios? Yes, Avios can also be used to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher class. For example, if you've booked a Premium Economy ticket, you may be able to use Avios to upgrade to Business Class. Upgrades depend on availability, and the rules may vary based on your original ticket fare.

Do Avios Expire? Yes, but it’s easy to keep them active. Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity. Earning, spending, or transferring Avios resets the 36-month clock, so regular activity will ensure they don’t expire.

Remember: reward flights booked using Avios do not earn Tier Points or Avios. Since these flights are considered redemption bookings, they don't contribute to your Tier Points or help you accumulate more Avios. If you book a flight using the "Avios & Money" option (where you part-pay for the flight with Avios and cash), it's essential to check the fare conditions. Typically, even with this option, you won't earn Tier Points or Avios, but it depends on the specific terms of the fare you choose.

To sum up, using Avios to book flights is a great way to redeem your rewards, but it won't help you progress through membership levels or add more Avios to your account.

What are Tier Points?

Unlike Avios, Tier Points are not a currency. They are a measure of your progress within the British Airways Executive Club loyalty program. Tier Points determine your membership level, ranging from Blue to Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The more Tier Points you earn, the higher your membership tier, unlocking additional perks and benefits. As you accumulate Tier Points, you move up in the loyalty program, gaining access to exclusive lounges, priority boarding, and other privileges.

Membership Levels and Benefits:

Blue (Entry Level):

Earn Avios: Begin collecting Avios on flights and with partners.
Access to Exclusive Offers: Receive deals and promotions tailored for members.
Manage Bookings Online: Use your Executive Club account to manage bookings, check Avios balance, and more.

Bronze (300 Tier Points or 25 Flights):

Priority Check-In: Enjoy priority check-in, even if traveling in economy class.
Free Seat Selection 7 Days Before Departure: Choose your seat up to 7 days before your flight without extra cost.
Bonus Avios: Earn 25% more Avios on flights with British Airways and select partners.
Priority Boarding: Board earlier and secure space for your hand luggage.

Silver (600 Tier Points or 50 Flights):

Lounge Access: Complimentary access to British Airways Business lounges and partner Oneworld lounges worldwide. Silver members can bring one guest to the lounge. The guest must be traveling on the same day on a British Airways or Oneworld flight.
Free Seat Selection at Booking: Choose your seat for free as soon as you book your flight.
Extra Baggage Allowance: Benefit from an additional baggage allowance on top of the standard limit.
Priority Boarding & Check-In: Skip the queues with dedicated check-in desks and priority boarding.
50% Bonus Avios: Earn more Avios on eligible flights, getting you closer to reward flights faster.

Gold (1,500 Tier Points):

First Class Lounge Access: Enjoy First Class lounges, including the Galleries First Lounge and Oneworld partner lounges. Gold members can bring one guest to the lounge.
Free Seat Selection at Booking: Complimentary seat selection across all cabins, including long-haul flights.
Fast Track Security: Access fast-track lanes at participating airports, saving you time.
Extra Baggage Allowance: Enhanced baggage allowance for additional flexibility.
100% Bonus Avios: Double your Avios earnings on British Airways and partner flights.
Additional Benefits:

Priority Boarding and Check-In: Dedicated check-in desks and early boarding privileges.
Access to Special Assistance Services: Ensure smoother connections and travel experiences.
Access to The First Wing: At London Heathrow, Gold members can access The First Wing, which offers a private check-in area, fast-track security, and direct access to the lounges. Gold members can bring one guest through The First Wing, regardless of their class of travel.
Guaranteed Availability: Gold members can reserve an economy class seat on a full flight if they book at least 24 hours before departure (subject to certain conditions).
Extra Guest Invitations to Lounges: In addition to bringing one guest, Gold members can sometimes receive special invitations to bring extra guests during promotions.

Gold Guest List (5,000+ Tier Points in a Membership Year): For members who earn 5,000 Tier Points or more in a single membership year, British Airways offers Gold Guest List status. This tier is a step above standard Gold and provides additional exclusive benefits:

Priority Seat Availability: Members can access additional seats on flights, even if they are not showing as available for standard reward bookings.
Enhanced Baggage Allowance: Enjoy even more generous baggage allowances.
Extra Guest Access: Invite a guest to join you in lounges, even if they are not flying with you. This benefit can sometimes extend to an additional guest or family members during special promotions.
Additional Complimentary Upgrade Vouchers: Rewarded for your loyalty, making it easier to upgrade to a more comfortable cabin.
Personalised Assistance: Access to a dedicated helpdesk and special assistance for smoother travel.
Complimentary Spa Treatments: Gold Guest List members can enjoy complimentary treatments at the Elemis Travel Spa at selected lounges (subject to availability).
The Concorde Room Card: When you reach 5,000 Tier Points, you also receive the Concorde Room Card, which grants access to the exclusive Concorde Room at London Heathrow Terminal 5.
Access to Chelsea Lounge at JFK: At JFK, Gold Guest List members have access to the Chelsea Lounge, which is the most exclusive, akin to the Concorde Room.
Gifting Gold and Silver Memberships: Gold Guest List members can gift one Gold partner card and two Silver partner cards upon reaching 5,000 Tier Points, and renew this benefit with 3,000 Tier Points in subsequent years. This allows them to share premium benefits, including lounge access and priority boarding, with family, friends, or colleagues.
Exclusive Invitations and Events: Gold Guest List members may receive invites to exclusive events, special offers, and unique experiences.

Lifetime Tier Points:
In addition to your annual Tier Points, British Airways tracks Lifetime Tier Points, which are the total Tier Points you've accumulated over the course of your membership. These don't reset at the end of each membership year. Reaching certain thresholds of Lifetime Tier Points (such as 35,000 for Lifetime Gold) grants you permanent elite status, meaning you retain that level of membership for life, regardless of how many Tier Points you earn in future years. This is a way to reward long-term loyalty from frequent flyers.

How to Earn Tier Points:
Tier Points are earned on flights operated by British Airways and partner airlines in the Oneworld alliance. The amount you collect varies based on the route, class, and fare.

Flights That Earn Tier Points:

British Airways flights, including codeshare flights with partner airlines.
Oneworld alliance flights (e.g., American Airlines, Qatar Airways).

Flights That Do Not Earn Tier Points:

Reward flights booked entirely with Avios, including those using a Companion Voucher.
Some Basic Economy or “hand baggage only” fares may not qualify.

How Many Tier Points Will My Flight Earn?
You can use the BA Avios and Tier Point Flight Calculator (https://www.britishairways.com/travel/flight-calculator/public/en_gb) to discover how many Tier Points and Avios a flight will earn you.

Do Tier Points Expire? Yes, Tier Points reset each membership year. However, your Lifetime Tier Points continue to accumulate and do not reset, providing a long-term path to achieving permanent elite status. Annual Tier Points determine your membership tier for the following year, giving you time to requalify.

Companion Vouchers

A Companion Voucher allows you to book a reward seat (paid for in Avios) and use the companion voucher to get a second seat on the same flight. You pay only the taxes, fees, and charges. This effectively doubles the value of your Avios, making it easier to travel with someone without extra Avios.

Can a Companion Voucher be Used by a Single Traveller? Yes, since September 1, 2021, Companion Vouchers can also be used by a single traveller. If you're traveling solo, you can redeem the voucher to receive a 50% discount on the Avios cost of a reward flight. This feature provides more flexibility, enabling cardholders to make use of the voucher even when not accompanied by a companion. You would still need to cover the applicable taxes, fees, and carrier charges, but the Avios requirement will be halved, effectively making your Avios go further.

Types of Companion Vouchers:

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card:

New Spend Requirement: £15,000 per membership year (previously £10,000).
Validity: The voucher is valid for 2 years and can be used in all cabin classes (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class).

British Airways American Express Credit Card (Standard):

New Spend Requirement: £15,000 per membership year (previously £12,000).
Validity: The voucher remains valid for 1 year and is restricted to Economy class flights (Euro Traveller and World Traveller).

Do You Earn Tier Points or Avios When Using a Companion Voucher? No, neither the primary traveller nor the companion earns Avios or Tier Points on flights booked using a Companion Voucher. These are treated as reward flights, which do not qualify for earning points.

British Airways & Oneworld Lounges

British Airways Lounges: British Airways operates over 30 dedicated lounges around the world, including several at major airports like London Heathrow, Gatwick, and New York JFK. These lounges offer different tiers based on the type of traveller and their loyalty status:

Concorde Room: Located at London Heathrow (Terminal 5), this is British Airways’ most exclusive lounge, offering a luxurious experience with private dining, fine wines, and personal service. Access is available to British Airways First Class passengers and those holding a Concorde Room Card.
Chelsea Lounge at JFK: British Airways no longer operates a Concorde Room at JFK. Instead, the Chelsea Lounge offers an equally exclusive experience with amenities similar to the Concorde Room, such as a Champagne bar, private dining, and a relaxing environment. It’s accessible to First Class passengers, Gold Guest List members, and select American Airlines premium passengers.
Galleries First Lounges: Available to First Class passengers on British Airways or any Oneworld member airline. It is also accessible to British Airways Executive Club Gold members and Oneworld Emerald members, regardless of the cabin they are flying in. Those elligable to enter can bring one guest into these lounges.
Galleries Club Lounges: Open to Business Class passengers (Club World or Club Europe) on British Airways and Oneworld airlines. It is also accessible to Executive Club Silver members and Oneworld Sapphire members, regardless of the cabin they are flying in. Those elligable to enter can bring one guest into these lounges.
Arrivals Lounges: Located at key locations like London Heathrow, these lounges are available for passengers arriving in First or Business Class on long-haul flights with British Airways or Oneworld partners. Access is extended to Gold members travelling in any cabin.

Oneworld Lounges: As part of the Oneworld alliance, British Airways Executive Club members can access over 600 Oneworld lounges globally. The eligibility depends on your Oneworld tier:

Emerald (Equivalent to BA Gold): Access to First Class, Business Class, and frequent flyer lounges across the Oneworld network, regardless of the class of travel. Members can also invite one guest, provided they are flying on a Oneworld airline.
Sapphire (Equivalent to BA Silver): Access to Business Class lounges. Similar to Emerald, Sapphire members can also bring one guest, provided the guest is traveling on a Oneworld airline.
First and Business Class Passengers: If you are traveling in First or Business Class on any Oneworld flight, you are entitled to lounge access, regardless of your frequent flyer status. However, certain premium lounges like the British Airways Concorde Room are excluded from this access.

Summary:

The British Airways Executive Club is designed to reward frequent flyers through a combination of Avios, Tier Points, and exclusive benefits. Avios are the currency you collect and use for flights, upgrades, and other perks, while Tier Points help you progress through membership levels, unlocking benefits like lounge access, priority services, and extra baggage allowance. Higher membership levels such as Silver, Gold, and Gold Guest List offer even greater advantages, including the ability to gift membership, access to more exclusive lounges, and personalized assistance. Companion Vouchers can be used to bring a guest or as a 50% Avios discount for solo travelers. Whether you're just starting your journey with Blue membership or aiming for the top tiers, understanding how to earn and use these rewards will enhance your travel experience, making every flight more enjoyable and rewarding.