The British Airways loyalty program, also known as the Executive Club, offers more than just free flights. With the right strategies, you can turn everyday spending and travel into a range of valuable rewards—upgrades, lounge access, and luxury travel experiences. Whether you're new to the program or a seasoned member, learning how to fully leverage your Avios and Tier Points can significantly enhance your travel game.
In this blog, we’ll walk through key tips and insider strategies to help you maximize your miles and get the most out of the British Airways loyalty program.
The Executive Club operates on two key metrics:
While Avios help you unlock rewards, Tier Points grant you access to status benefits like lounge access, priority check-in, and bonus Avios. The more you earn, the more comfortable and rewarding your journeys become.
You don’t have to be a frequent flyer to rack up Avios. In fact, many Executive Club members earn the bulk of their Avios on the ground.
By linking your everyday spending to the British Airways loyalty program, you can watch your Avios balance grow without ever boarding a plane.
When it comes to redeeming Avios, not all flights offer the same value. Some of the best redemptions include:
Avoid using Avios for taxes-heavy destinations unless the value of the flight justifies it. In some cases, booking a Reward Flight Saver (which includes taxes and fees for a fixed rate) gives you better value.
Pro tip: Use Avios for partner flights with low taxes, such as those operated by Iberia or Qatar Airways.
British Airways uses a peak and off-peak calendar for Avios redemptions. Traveling during off-peak periods can significantly reduce the number of Avios required for a reward flight.
For example, a return Club Europe flight might cost 18,500 Avios off-peak vs. 22,000 during peak times. If you have flexible travel dates, this is a simple way to stretch your Avios further.
While collecting Avios brings short-term rewards, earning Tier Points and climbing the status tiers unlocks long-term benefits that enhance every trip.
Strategically booking business or premium economy flights—even just a few times per year—can help you fast-track your way to higher status. The value of lounge access, especially on international trips, can't be overstated.
One major perk of the British Airways loyalty program is its connection to the oneworld alliance. This includes airlines such as American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, and more.
You can earn Avios and Tier Points when flying on these partners, as long as your BA Executive Club number is added to the booking. Often, partner airlines offer attractive business class fares and routes that can help you earn status faster or save Avios on redemptions.
Avios stay active as long as you earn or spend at least 1 Avios every 36 months. With so many ways to earn—from shopping to credit card spend—it’s easy to keep your account active. But don’t forget to log in regularly and make sure your activity is being recorded.
Not quite ready for a full redemption? You can use “Part Pay with Avios” to reduce the cash cost of a paid ticket. This is especially useful for short-haul flights or when Avios balances are low.
While not always the best value per point, it adds flexibility to how you use your rewards—another hallmark of the British Airways loyalty program.
The British Airways loyalty program is one of the most versatile and rewarding frequent flyer programs available—if you know how to use it right. From earning Avios on everyday purchases to booking high-value redemptions and enjoying elite perks through tier status, there are countless ways to make your miles go further.