British Airways is the flagship carrier of the United Kingdom and a member of the Oneworld airline alliance.British Airways Executive Club is the loyalty program for the airline, through which members can earn and redeem British Airways Avios for British Airways award flights, and for award flights with partner airlines.The British Airways Executive Club has become a popular loyalty program to invest in due to the many redemption options on partner airlines and the ease of earning points through credit cards and transfer partners.In this guide, we’ll cover everything there is to know about British Airways Executive Club, including the best way to earn Avios and how to get the most out of your Avios redemptions.
Earning British Airways Avios
There are many ways to earn British Airways Avios, and in fact, British Airways Executive Club is one of the easiest loyalty programs to access in Canada and the US through credit cards and transfer partners.You can also earn British Airways Avios by flying with British Airways and Oneworld Alliance partners, and by shopping, booking travel, and purchasing Avios directly from British Airways.
Canadian Credit Cards
In Canada, the fastest way to earn Avios is through credit card loyalty programs that allow you to transfer their points currency to the Avios program.There are two available credit card program options: American Express Membership Rewards and RBC Avion Rewards.Points from both programs can be transferred to British Airways Executive Club at a rate of 1 point = 1 Avios.Additionally, there are frequent transfer bonuses, especially from the RBC Avion Rewards program. These bonuses can be anywhere from 10–50%; though, a 30% transfer bonus is the most common.For earning American Express Membership Rewards points, there are many credit cards that allow you to build up a healthy balance in a short amount of time.You can fasttrack your way to a large points balance with welcome bonuses, and then continue to pad your balance by spending on cards with category multipliers.The RBC Avion program also has a solid lineup of Avion-earning credit cards. The most popular card is the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†, which consistently offers a welcome bonus of between 35,000–55,000 Avion points.A welcome bonus of 55,000 RBC Avion points could be converted to 71,500 British Airways Avios if transferred during one of the many 30% transfer bonus periods.RBC also offers the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite† Card. You’ll earn Avios through the card’s welcome bonus and through everyday spending.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/rbc-861306766-cluster_1200x675-jpg.webp)
- 2 Avios per dollar spent† on British Airways flights and vacations
- 1 Avios per dollar spent† on all other purchases
US Credit Cards
In the United States, British Airways Executive Club is a transfer partner with the following transferable points currencies at a 1:1 ratio:What’s more, Chase offers the co-branded British Airways Visa Signature Card which typically comes with a welcome bonus of up to 75,000 Avios.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/chase-bank-beach-cardart-cluster_1200x675-jpg.webp)
- 3 Avios per dollar spent (USD) on British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia flights
- 2 Avios per dollar spent (USD) on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
- 1 Avios per dollar spent (USD) on all other eligible purchases
Flying with British Airways and Partner Airlines
You can earn Avios by crediting any paid flights with British Airways or other partner airlines to your British Airways Executive Club account.![](http://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/British-Airways-A350-Club-Suites-22.jpg)
- Blue: 6 Avios per £1 spent
- Bronze: 7 Avios per £1 spent
- Silver: 8 Avios per £1 spent
- Gold: 9 Avios per £1 spent
![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/oneworld-airlines-jpg.webp)
Transferring from Other Avios Loyalty Programs
One of the unique characteristics of Avios is that there are other Avios “flavours” with different airline loyalty programs – especially those belonging to the members of the International Airlines Group (IAG).![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/iag-tailfins.webp)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Iberia Plus
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Vueling Club
Transferring from Marriott Bonvoy
The Marriott Bonvoy program also partners with British Airways Executive Club, which means that you can convert Bonvoy points to British Airways Avios at a rate of 3 Marriott Bonvoy points = 1 Avios.You’ll also get an additional 5,000 Avios for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer at one time.However, it’s worth noting that you can usually get better value by redeeming your Bonvoy points for hotel stays; therefore, unless you’re in urgent need of Avios and have no other way to earn them, it’s likely best to save your Bonvoy points for stays instead.Travel Bookings
British Airways offers bonus Avios when travel is booked with a range of partners. For example, you’ll earn an extra 1 Avios per dollar spent through British Airways Holidays.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-13-at-3.42.54-AM.png)
Avios Shopping Portal
British Airways also offers the opportunity to earn Avios online through their shopping portal.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-13-at-4.03.30-AM.png)
Buying Avios
Lastly, the quickest possible way to rack up British Airways Avios is to purchase them directly from British Airways.![](http://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-14-at-5.15.32-AM.png)
Redeeming British Airways Avios
The way to get the most value out of your British Airways Avios is by redeeming them for flights.
Flights
British Airways Executive Club uses a distance-based award chart for redeeming Avios on British Airways and partner airlines award flights.![British Airways 787 business class – Window seats](http://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/531_image-asset.png)
![ba rewards chart](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/589e834eff7c50486de031c3/1535827036370-XA0GERIDQQE5FLXV3H5F/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kM9xD_O2gx15y1gJsU6NShdZw-zPPgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWQUxwkmyExglNqGp0IvTJZamWLI2zvYWH8K3-s_4yszcp2ryTI0HqTOaaUohrI8PI8pDy-vG7wLzOvm5akCM2xlZYPaEE8BOHHnpChUqFTjc/image-asset.png?format=1500w)
![Picture1.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/589e834eff7c50486de031c3/1559325873311-364T2X9QK125JX28MPLJ/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kCU3sO1bt2OZ2mDluHZKBtYUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8N_N4V1vUb5AoIIIbLZhVYxCRW4BPu10St3TBAUQYVKcYD8fb_aS_otGHbgU7vB2M9pQs1_pMSSmcUupLDpwJ71azQlogKfh6t86i3wXULVv/Picture1.png?format=1500w)
Flight Upgrades
You can also use Avios to upgrade an existing British Airways, Iberia, or American Airlines flight by upgrading cash bookings as well as award flight bookings.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-13-at-4.28.01-AM.png)
Other Ways to Redeem British Airways Avios
British Airways Executive Club members have many other non-flight options for redeeming Avios; however, it’s worth mentioning again that you’ll get the most value out of your Avios by booking award flights.That said, if you have no plans to ever fly again, there are options available for you to use up your Avios.You can redeem Avios for hotels, car rentals, experiences, and more through British Airways travel portal.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-13-at-4.33.30-AM.png)
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British Airways Executive Club Sweet Spots
The British Airways Avios program offers up a ton of value and some incredible sweet spots.In this section, we’ll go over some key areas you’ll want to be aware of if you’re hoping to maximize the value of your points.
Qatar Airways Flights
One of the most popular redemptions with Avios is to book business class and First Class flights with Qatar Airways.![Qatar Airways A350 Qsuites business class – Seats 11E and 11F](http://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1158_image-asset.jpg)
- One-way business class from North America to Doha for 70,000 Avios
- One-way business class from North America to the Maldives for 85,000 Avios
- One-way business class from the Middle East to Europe for 45,000 Avios
Short-Haul Flights
Another sweet spot with British Airways Avios comes when you redeem points for short-haul flights that are close to the upper limit of the flight chart’s distance band.Due to the nature of the distance-based award chart, you’ll get the most value out of an award flight booking when the flight’s distance is close to the upper limit of any given zone.For example, Zone 4 with partner flights covers a distance of 2,001–3,000 miles, and flights from the west coast of the US to Hawaii are close to but still under the 3,000-mile distance.This means that a one-way economy flight on this route can be booked for as little as 13,000 Avios.Multi-Carrier Award Chart
British Airways has an entirely separate award chart for booking flight itineraries with two or more Oneworld airlines.The British Airways Avios Multi-Carrier Award chart is certainly more complicated to understand and book than a standard one-way flight; however, you can get a lot out of your Avios if you’re willing to spend the time searching for flights and then calling in to make the booking.Tips and Tricks
There are a handful of things you can do within the British Airways Executive Club program to get the most out of your Avios. In this section, we’ll take a look at a few tips and tricks that can help improve your points experience.
Transferring Avios to Other Programs
By transferring Avios from British Airways to Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, or Iberia Plus, you’ll have access to more redemption options.For example, by transferring Avios and booking with Aer Lingus, you can save on the heavy taxes and fees normally charged by British Airways.By transferring Avios to Qatar Airways, you’ll have access to more business class and First Class award availability with Flexi Awards.![](http://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Qatar-Airways-A380-First-Class-5.jpg)
British Airways Companion Award eVoucher
British Airways Companion Award eVouchers can be earned through select co-branded credit cards, and with a companion voucher, you can save a lot of Avios on award flights.In fact, despite the name, companion vouchers can be redeemed for a solo booking, reducing the cost in Avios by 50%.)Pooling Points
Lastly, British Airways allows family members to share Avios with a household account.With this option, if you don’t want to pay to transfer Avios to a family member, you can form a household account and pool your Avios together.![](https://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-13-at-1.50.23-PM.png)
British Airways Executive Club Elite Status
British Airways Executive Club has four elite status levels: Blue, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.Every British Airways Executive Club member start at the Blue level, and you can reach higher elite status by earning Tier Points and by flying on eligible flights.The yearly requirements for each status level are:
- Bronze: 300 Tier Points and two eligible flights, or 25 eligible British Airways flights
- Silver: 600 Tier Points and four eligible flights, or 50 eligible British Airways flights
- Gold: 1,500 Tier Points and four eligible flights
![](http://pftraveldev.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screen-Shot-2024-02-02-at-10.44.40-AM.png)
- A flight operated or marketed by British Airways, including its franchisees, such as BA CityFlyer
- A flight operated and marketed by Iberia, including its franchisees, such as Iberia Regional by Air Nostrum
- Bronze members match to Oneworld Ruby level
- Silver members match to Oneworld Sapphire level
- Gold members match to Oneworld Emerald level