British Airways Executive Club rules are set to change: how will the new tier points program work?

British Airways has announced a monumental shake-up to its Executive Club loyalty program.

The points program has been rebranded as British Airways Club and from April 1, new points requirements will apply for those wishing to earn elite status.

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

The new system will see points awarded based on money spent – ​​rather than distance flown – at a rate of one tier point per £1.

The number of points members need to reach each status has also increased significantly.

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

British Airways said the changes are ‘based on member feedback’ and are part of British Airways’ overall £7 billion 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 change. The entry-level Blue level is open to everyone. It offers free Wi-Fi messaging on board and the ability to earn Avios points.

These are the new requirements for each status that will come into effect from April 1, 2025:

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

In addition, there is also:

• Gold Guest List – new member: 65,000 tier points (at least 52,000 of which are earned through British Airways-marketed flights and British Airways Holidays)
• Gold Guest List – renewal: 40,000 tier points (at least 32,000 of which are earned through British Airways marketed flights and British Airways Holidays

New ways to collect BA level points

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

Customers can earn up to 1,000 tier points per year by purchasing sustainable aviation fuel credits. They get one tier point and 10 Avios per £1 spent on sustainable aviation fuel credits.

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

For the first time, members can also collect tier points for additional expenses such as seat selection and excess baggage.

Customers can also earn one point per £1 spent with British Airways Holidays. For luxury vacationers, this can be an attractive way to earn status.

There will be milestone bonuses of 2,500 Avios at 5,500 level points, 4,000 Avios at 11,000 level points and 5,000 Avios at 16,000 level points.

Rob Burgess of frequent flyer website Headforpoints.com said: ‘The net effect is that earning Gold status will now be very, very difficult, almost impossible, for holidaymakers.’

‘Even silver will be a big challenge.

‘BA is essentially washing its hands of the leisure market and going all-in to attract the dwindling group of full-fare business travelers.’

Customers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the changes on X.

One customer wrote: ‘BA executive club has a major 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 traveling transatlantic with you for years but are switching to United Airlines.’

BA said customers who already have bookings for travel after April 1, 2025 will be awarded tier points based on a conversion from the existing method. All existing bookings will earn proportionately the same number of tier points, or more, as today.

What does this mean for the oneworld status?

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

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 earn Silver or Gold equivalent status via another oneworld airline – you would get much the same benefits apart from Gold access to extra Economy Avios- inventory.’

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

Colm Lacy, Chief Commercial Officer of British Airways, 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 implemented – including the way customers collect Avios and their membership year – in a way we believe better rewards their loyalty and reflects their changing travel needs.’