British Airways Executive Club rules will change: How will the new tier points scheme work?

British Airways has announced a monumental restructuring of its Executive Club loyalty program.

The points program has changed its name to British Airways Club and from April 1, new tier points requirements will apply for those seeking elite status.

Thereafter, members will earn tier points, which are separate from Avios, based on the cost of their flight.

The new scheme means points will be awarded based on money spent, rather than distance travelled, at a rate of one tier point per £1.

The number of points that members will need to achieve each status has also increased considerably.

To qualify for Gold status, which includes benefits such as access to the first lounges and increased baggage allowance, customers will need to earn 20,000 points in a year, up from 1,500 points currently.

British Airways said the changes are “based on member feedback” and are part of British Airways’ overall £7bn transformation programme, announced in 2024.

We look at what’s changing for Executive Club members and whether it’s worth being part of the loyalty program.

How is BA Executive Club changing?

The qualifications for each elite status are changing. The basic Blue level is open to everyone. It offers free Wi-Fi messaging on board and the chance to earn Avios points.

These are the new requirements for each state that will go into effect starting April 1, 2025:

• Bronze: 3,500 level points
• Silver: 7,500 level points
• Gold: 20,000 level points

In addition there are also:

• Gold Guest List: New Member: 65,000 Tier Points (with at least 52,000 earned through flights marketed by British Airways and British Airways Holidays)
• Gold Guest List – Renewal: 40,000 Tier Points (with at least 32,000 earned through British Airways marketed flights and British Airways holidays)

New ways to accumulate BA level points

As part of its rollout of changes, BA also announced new ways to earn tier points.

Customers will be able to earn up to 1,000 tier points per year by purchasing sustainable aviation fuel credits. They will earn one tier point and 10 Avios for every £1 spent on sustainable aviation fuel credits.

Later in 2025, members can also expect tier points on credit card spending. BA American Express Premium Plus cardholders can earn up to 2,500 tier points per year by spending with their card, although it’s not yet known what the conversion rate will be.

For the first time, members will also be able to earn tier points for ancillary expenses such as seat selection and excess baggage.

Customers will also be able to earn one point for every £1 spent on British Airways Holidays. For high-end leisure travelers, this could be an attractive way to gain status.

There will be milestone bonuses of 2,500 Avios with 5,500 Tier Points, 4,000 Avios with 11,000 Tier Points and 5,000 Avios with 16,000 Tier Points.

Rob Burgess, of frequent traveler website Headforpoints.com, said: “The net effect is that obtaining Gold status will now be very, very difficult, almost impossible, for leisure travelers.”

‘Even Silver will be an important stretch.

“BA is washing its hands of the leisure market and doing everything it can to attract the shrinking pool of full-fare business travellers.”

Customers have expressed discontent with the changes to X.

One customer posted: ‘BA Executive Club has a significant influence on my choice of airline for business and leisure travel. The new frequent flyer program is no longer useful or attractive to me.

While another said: “We’ve been flying transatlantic with you for years, but we’re switching to United Airlines.”

BA said customers already booked for travel after April 1, 2025 will receive tier points based on a conversion from the existing method. Any existing reservations will earn proportionately the same amount of Tier Points, or more, as they would earn today.

What does it mean for oneworld status?

BA Executive Club members can use their points, and also access benefits such as lounge access, when traveling with other airlines that also use the ‘oneworld’ joint rewards system.

Some may now find it easier to gain higher status with other oneworld airlines and still get many of the same benefits when traveling with BA.

Burgess said: “I suspect most people will now find it easier to get the equivalent Silver or Gold status through another oneworld airline – they would get pretty much the same benefits except for Gold access to additional Avios Economy inventory.” .

As an example, Burgess said: “Oneworld member Royal Jordanian will give you 12 months of equivalent BA Bronze status for just $49 if you have hotel or airline elite status elsewhere.”

Colm Lacy, British Airways chief commercial officer, said: ‘The changes we have announced underline our continued investment in our loyalty program and our customers.

“Based on feedback from our members, we’ve built on the changes we’ve already made, including how customers earn Avios and their membership year, in a way we believe best rewards their loyalty and reflects their changing travel needs. “.