British Airways to change ways of earning Avios from October

On October 1, British Airways will be shaking up the way loyal customers can earn Avios points. The long-standing airline’s move to transform their Avios earning system promises to be good news for flyers, but one thing is certain: a lot will change come October! For frequent fliers who have long been loyal to British Airways, there are some important details to consider when it comes to understanding this new Avios system. Read on to find out the details and and how this revolutioninaed new system could benefit you.

1. Airline Miles – Bracing for Change

The Rewards Landscape

Air miles have been around for decades, providing loyal customers with tremendous value. However, changes to the way companies offer rewards points mean that savvy travellers now have it much harder to maximise their mileage potential. Airlines have drastically cut the ways in which customers can spend their points and credits, meaning that members must understand the new key factors in play.

The modern traveller should be well-versed in a new system of airline credit and rewards. First, it’s important to remember that some perks require subscriptions (think flight and lounge memberships). Secondly, there are now many more restrictions associated with rewards tier status. Third, taxes and fees now apply to many redemption options.

Opportunities in the New Status Quo

• Creative ways to accrue points
• Stacking of benefits
• Selective flights that offer special deals

Unfamiliar as they may feel, there are still viable rewards programs out there. Regular travellers can now make the most of their rewards points in new ways. In addition to access to exclusive offers, members can utilise ‘stacking’ of their regularly earned benefits with sign-up bonuses and credit card rewards for multiple benefits. The savvy traveller can be selective – if specific flights offer exclusive opportunities, members can look to book those, effectively maximising their points.

2. British Airways Offers Temporary Farewell to Avios Program

For travelers loyal to the British Airways Avios program, take heed – the beloved loyalty program is bidding its temporary farewell. To make way for the new and improved Avios program, the current iteration will officially cease to exist from November 16th, 2020 until early 2021. Meanwhile, many of the features currently included the Avios scheme will be unavailable until the start of the new rewards program.

As a part of the transitionary phase, British Airways has introduced a variety of changes to the Avios program to bring members up-to-date on the transition. All current members will automatically be granted compensation for any bookings invalidated by the swap. In addition, British Airways has issued a one-time discount reward for the exclusive use of Avios customers, allowing members the ability to save anywhere from 10-50% on their next global booking. Furthermore, members will have the option of transferring their Avios points to another loyalty partner, ensuring that no miles or points will go to waste.

• Current members will be compensated for invalidated bookings.
• Save 10-50% on next global booking.
• Option to transferring points to another loyalty partner.

3. Big Changes Coming For Avios Rewards Program

Exciting Opportunities to Redeem Avios Rewards at Lower Rates

The Avios rewards program is shaking things up with exciting new opportunities to redeem rewards. Members now have access to a range of options for lower-cost Avios rewards, such as:

• Preferred routes discounted up to 15%
• Enhanced Saturday night stay savings of up to 25%
• Faster ways to earn bonus Avios points

For those with a Vision Plus Credit Card, there’s even more savings to be enjoyed. By using your card to book flights and hotels, you’ll be able to take advantage of at least 10% discount on hotel bookings, as well as an extra 3% off flights. Plus, there are marked reductions on dining costs when using your credit card too.

These great opportunities make the Avios rewards program even more valuable and a great way to get the most out of your rewards. With bigger savings and more convenient ways to earn points, the Avios rewards program is continuing to set the bar as one of the best loyalty reward programs.

4. British Airways Reimagines Loyalty Points System

Partner Points
British Airways is rolling out its partner points system, which allows customers to earn points from other participating companies in a variety of categories. For instance, shoppers can earn points while shopping through the British Airways online store or they can get bonus points for booking trips through BA’s partners.

Benefits of Points
Using British Airways partner points, customers can gain access to upgraded seating or a discount when they book a flight. These points can also be used to purchase other British Airways products and services, such as seat upgrades, priority boarding, or complimentary lounge access. Furthermore, customers can use their points to upgrade to business class or purchase a companion ticket. All in all, shoppers have the opportunity to make the most of their points by reaping the benefits that come with them.

British Airways is making changes that could impact how you earn Avios beginning October 1, 2020. Whether these changes will benefit customers remains to be seen – but the reward possibilities, if successfully managed, are certainly tantalizing. As we continue to adapt to this constantly changing world, we can only hope that the airline’s new Avios earning strategies will help make our next flyer miles adventure even more rewarding.