British Airways Avios scheme: Frequent flyers face more competition for reward flights

More than two million retail collectors to be moved to BA’s Executive Club, whether they fly or not

Members of the Avios retail reward scheme are being moved to the British Airways Executive Club — with potentially adverse effects on frequent flyers.

Avios, a subsidiary of BA, is telling more than two million collectors: “The UK Avios Travel Rewards Programme will close but Avios, the currency, will remain.”

Over the next few months, members will be automatically transferred into the British Airways Executive Club, the airline loyalty scheme which also uses Avios as a currency — even if they never fly.

As part of the move, retail Avios collectors get access to redemption flights on 11 additional airlines. At present, options are broadly limited to IAG carriers — including BA, Aer Lingus and Iberia. The expanded choice includes American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Qatar Airways.

Members will also be able to spend points on rooms at Hilton, Radisson and Shangri-La hotels — a total of 60,000 properties worldwide.

James Hillier of the British Airways Executive Club said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming these new members.”

While move does not dilute the Avios currency, it will cause immediate alarm for existing frequent flyers in the British Airways Executive Club who redeem on airlines outside IAG.

With no accompanying increase in the number of reward seats available, they will face increased competition for flights.

People who are members of both the rewards programme and the Executive Club can merge their two accounts immediately.

Collectors who do not want to join the BA Executive Club can opt out, but are warned: “Your account will close in six months, in which time you’ll need to spend all your Avios or lose them.”

As part of the transition, Avios members will, oddly, lose a range of spending options related to air travel: redeeming points on car parking with Holiday Extras, airport transfers and lounge access at airports.

In 2015 there was widespread criticism of a change in Avios policies which saw passengers on cheaper fares earning far fewer points, and the ending of free domestic flights as part of international journeys paid for with Avios.