British Airways has recently made an announcement regarding changes to the Avios earning system for Executive Club members who book American Airlines flights.
The new spend-based system will come into effect from 18th October, allowing members to collect Avios based on the amount they spend on bookings. This move aims to provide consistency across different booking channels and strengthen the partnership between British Airways and American Airlines. Let’s explore the details of these changes and how they will impact Executive Club members.
Last month, British Airways unveiled the new Avios earning system, where members can collect up to nine Avios per £1 spent, depending on their tier status. These changes were set to be implemented from 18th October onwards. However, the initial announcement stated that passengers would continue to collect Avios based on each airline’s accrual model for flights marketed or operated by other airlines. This meant that members booking eligible flights through American Airlines, a joint business partner of British Airways, would still earn Avios under the old system.
In a recent statement, British Airways confirmed that the new spend-based Avios earning system would also apply to American Airlines bookings from 18th October. This means that Executive Club members will collect the same amount of Avios, regardless of whether their flight is marketed by British Airways or American Airlines. The move aims to offer consistency and a seamless experience across the different booking channels available to members.
Ian Romanis, the director of retail and customer relationship management at British Airways, expressed his pleasure at including American Airlines in the new Avios proposition. He highlighted the strengthening of the partnership between the two airlines and the improved rewards system for Executive Club members. The data suggests that the majority of customers will either earn more or the same number of Avios under the new model, ensuring a fairer approach to rewarding members.
The announcement regarding American Airlines’ inclusion in the new Avios earning system follows the recent news that Finnair, another member of the transatlantic joint venture with British Airways, American Airlines, and Iberia, will adopt Avios as its loyalty reward currency in early 2024. This expansion of the joint venture signifies a deeper integration and collaboration between the airlines, providing more options and benefits for Executive Club members.
Benefits of the New Avios Earning System
The new spend-based Avios earning system offers several advantages for Executive Club members. Firstly, it provides consistency and transparency across all booking channels, ensuring that members receive the same rewards regardless of whether they book with British Airways or American Airlines. This simplifies the earning process and eliminates confusion for members.
Additionally, the new system takes into account the amount spent on bookings, rewarding members based on their loyalty and spending levels. This means that frequent flyers and higher-tier members have the opportunity to earn more Avios, creating a fairer and more rewarding experience for loyal customers.
With American Airlines joining the new Avios earning system, this opens up further possibilities for Executive Club members. The partnership between British Airways and American Airlines allows members to earn and redeem Avios on a wider range of flights and destinations. This increased flexibility enhances the overall travel experience for members, providing them with more options and opportunities to maximize their Avios earnings.
The inclusion of Finnair in the transatlantic joint venture, adopting Avios as its loyalty reward currency, further strengthens the network and benefits for Executive Club members. This expansion ensures a seamless travel experience across multiple airlines within the joint venture, making it easier for members to earn and redeem Avios across a broader range of flights.
British Airways’ introduction of the new spend-based Avios earning system for American Airlines bookings demonstrates the airline’s commitment to providing a consistent and fair rewards program for Executive Club members. The inclusion of American Airlines in this system aims to strengthen the partnership between the two airlines, while the expansion of the transatlantic joint venture with Finnair offers additional opportunities for members.
These changes will enhance the travel experience for Executive Club members, providing them with more options, benefits, and a seamless rewards program across multiple airlines. As the new system comes into effect from 18th October, members can look forward to earning Avios based on their spending and enjoying a fairer and more transparent rewards system.