British Airways backtracks on new loyalty scheme with 2 big changes, plus how to earn bronze, silver & gold in new rules
BRITISH AIRWAYS has backtracked on some of the controversial changes to its loyalty programme, that were introduced after Christmas.
The airline made headlines when it first touted the revamp of its frequent flyer club, which switched from awarding points based on distance flown and fare class, to the amount of money spent.
In the new system, passengers earn one point for every pound spent and a range of ways to do so, including seat selection, extra baggage charges and trips on BA Holidays.
But the changes infuriated BA Club members, who said the new system would make it impossible for economy travellers and self-funded leisure travellers to earn gold status - something which gets them benefits like access to First Class lounges and extra baggage allowance.
But it has now tweaked the system, to allow a bonus offer that enables customers to earn up to 550 additional points per flight based on their cabin class to be extended for the rest of the year.
The offer applies only to bookings on flights with a BA code, made from now until December 31, 2025 for flights taken from April 1, 2025.
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It has also introduced a guarantee of bronze status for anyone taking at least 25 flights annually, such as commuters.
Benefits for this status include access to business class check-in desks and free seat selection from seven days before departure, even if travelling on an economy ticket.
BA has maintained that its new system will still allow just as many travellers to achieve silver and gold status, as the number of points earned on trips are far greater in the new system.
They say that the new system aims to reward loyal customers, instead of those who are gaming the system by using loopholes that allows them to earn more points.
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British Airways chief commercial officer Colm Lacy said awarding points for spending is "the best way of recognising our customers' loyalty and we're confident it's the right thing to do".
In the past, some customers opted to take multiple flights on indirect routes to reach their destination, as often these cheaper, inconvenient fares helped them achieve statuses.
So how does the new system differ to the old system?
Here are some real-life examples – including the Tier Point bonus offer - based on average fares.
BRONZE
| Needs 3,500 Tier Points, an example below: | |
| 1x Geneva in Euro Traveller (economy), with bag | 343 |
| 1x Singapore in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) | 2,561 |
| 1x British Airways Holiday package to Tenerife in Euro Traveller | 759 TOTAL: 3,663 |
SILVER
| Needs 7,500 Tier Points, an example below: | |
| 1x Geneva in Euro Traveller (economy), with bag | 343 |
| 1x New York in Club World (business) | 3,240 |
| 1x Singapore in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) | 2,561 |
| 1 x BAH package to Barbados in World Traveller (economy) | 1,429 |
| £300 spent on Sustainable Aviation Fuels | 300 |
| TOTAL: 7,873 |
GOLD
Needs 20,000 Tier Points, an example below:
| 13x return flights to Geneva (e.g. a commuter) in Club Europe (business class) | 9,971 |
| 3x return flights to Club World (business class) to JFK | 9,720 |
| A British Airways Holidays package to Tenerife in Euro Traveller economy) | 759 |
| TOTAL: 20,450 |
