Whether you’re a business traveler chasing Tier Points or a holidaymaker hoping for a free upgrade, mastering the British Airways frequent flyer program—called the Executive Club—can unlock big rewards. With a few smart strategies, you can accelerate your points earning and enhance your flying experience, all while spending less than you think.
Here are the best British Airways frequent flyer hacks to help you earn more Avios, climb the status ladder, and fly in style.
1. Understand the Basics: Avios and Tier Points
British Airways frequent flyers earn two types of currency: Avios and Tier Points. Avios are your reward points, which you can use for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and more. Tier Points, on the other hand, determine your Executive Club status—Bronze, Silver, or Gold—which gives you perks like lounge access, extra baggage, and priority boarding.
Hack: Focus on flights that offer both high Avios and Tier Points for maximum value. Short-haul business class (Club Europe) often yields a high Tier Point return for the price.
2. Leverage Airline Partners and Alliances
British Airways is part of the Oneworld Alliance, which includes American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and others. You can earn Avios and Tier Points by flying with these partners—even when not flying BA itself.
Hack: Book codeshare flights on partners like Qatar Airways in business class. Their routes, especially long-haul, often yield far more Tier Points than equivalent BA flights for the same or lower price.
3. Time Your Tier Point Runs
If you’re aiming for status, a “Tier Point run” might be your best tool. This is when you plan your travel specifically to maximize Tier Points—often by taking creative routes or booking in premium cabins when fares are discounted.
Hack: The Tier Point collection year starts from the date you joined the Executive Club. Plan your runs early in the year to allow time for corrections, requalifications, and additional earnings.
4. Use Household Accounts and Combine Avios
One of the best-kept secrets of the British Airways frequent flyer program is the ability to set up a Household Account.
Hack: Combine accounts with your partner or family to speed up redemptions. Even occasional flyers in your household can contribute to your travel goals.
5. Capitalize on Credit Card Bonuses
In the UK, the British Airways American Express® Credit Cards are a fast-track to earning Avios. With generous welcome bonuses and ongoing Avios per pound spent, they are an essential tool for the savvy flyer.
Hack: Spend smartly to hit the annual companion voucher target (e.g., £10,000 spend on the free card or £15,000 on the Premium Plus). This voucher lets a companion fly with you for just the taxes and fees on Avios bookings.
6. Don’t Waste Avios on Poor Redemptions
Not all redemptions offer good value. Short-haul economy flights can be a bargain, but long-haul economy often offers a poor return on your Avios due to high surcharges.
Hack: Use your Avios for upgrades from Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) to Business Class (Club World). This sweet spot gives you real luxury for fewer Avios and lower fees than a straight business class redemption.
7. Keep Your Avios from Expiring
Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity. But “activity” can be as simple as earning or spending one Avios.
Hack: Avoid expiry by setting up simple automatic transactions, like earning a few Avios through surveys (e.g., eRewards), shopping via the BA Avios eStore, or using your BA Amex card.
8. Watch for Promotions and Boost Offers
British Airways and its partners frequently run promotions offering double Avios or bonus Tier Points. These can supercharge your earnings if timed right.
Hack: Sign up for Executive Club emails and check BA’s offers page before booking. These limited-time promos can make a big difference.
9. Take Advantage of “Part Pay with Avios”
BA lets you reduce the cash cost of a ticket by using Avios. While the value per Avios isn’t amazing, it’s still useful if you’re a few pounds short of a good deal.
Hack: Use “Part Pay with Avios” when flying during peak periods—like holidays—where cash prices are high but upgrade availability is low.
10. Use the Avios Calculator and Tools
British Airways offers an Avios calculator on their website to help you estimate how much you’ll earn or need for a given flight.
Hack: Before you book, compare different cabin classes, routes, and partners to see which offers the best return. Combine this with online tools like Reward Flight Finder or SeatSpy to snag limited Avios seats.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a skilled British Airways frequent flyer isn’t about flying more—it’s about flying smarter. From choosing the right routes and partners to leveraging credit cards and loyalty perks, these hacks can help you earn more rewards and elevate your travel experience.
