British Airways Executive Club: Full Guide To The BA Frequent Flyer Program

With 198 destinations, British Airways boasts a large network that gives frequent flyers numerous benefits and flexibility. Together with its Oneworld member airlines, it opens the door to many travel possibilities. Many partake in reaching status levels and earning points every year for these benefits. Let’s go over how BA’s frequent flyer program works.

How Does The BA Executive Club Work?

British Airways has two different types of points you can earn when you fly. The first is Avios, a points currency used by not only British Airways, but a number of other airlines including Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar, Finnair, and Vueling. You can transfer Avios to and from each loyalty program, increasing your travel options.

In addition to Avios, you’ll also earn Tier Points when you fly. These are to reach and obtain status with BA and reset every year.

Status On British Airways

There are 4 levels of status, reached by certain amounts of Tier Points.

Blue: Base level status
Bronze: 300 Tier Points
Silver: 600 Tier Points
Gold: 1500 Tier Points

These amounts have to be reached during 1 membership year. A membership year is based on when you joined the British Airways Executive Club. However, this will soon change to an April 1 to March 31 qualification year starting in 2025.

You’ll earn Tier Points depending on several factors, including the distance of the flight, and the booking class. Essentially, the more you spend, the more Tier Points you’ll earn.

Try out this flight calculator on their website to estimate the amount of Avios and Tier Points you’ll earn.

Benefits For Each Status

Blue Members

Although this is the base level status where everyone starts, there are some benefits you can get compared to those not a part of the BA Executive Club.

Collect Avios and Tier Points towards status
Share your Avios account with up to 6 family members
Priority over non-members on standby and waiting lists
Save your travel information, such as meal preferences

Bronze Members

In addition to the Blue benefits, Bronze members will also receive these benefits:

Priority check-in through business class lanes
Priority boarding
Free seat selection 7 days before departure date
Oneworld Ruby status

Silver Members

Silver members receive the benefits from Blue and Bronze, plus:

Business class lounge access when flying British Airways or a partner airline
Free seat selection at the time of booking
2 checked bags free
Weight allowance of 32kg/70lbs for checked bags
Priority over Blue and Bronze members on standby/waitlists
Oneworld Sapphire status

Gold Members

As the highest tier, you’ll receive the following benefits along with everything else:

Priority check-in through the first class lane
First class lounge access when flying British Airways or a partner airline
Additional free checked bag of 32kg/70lbs
Free seat selection of exit row seats and seat 1A and 1K at the time of booking
Oneworld Emerald status

Earning Avios

Avios can be earned by flying, credit card spending, staying in hotels, and through rental cars. When flying, you’ll earn depending on depending on the price of the air ticket (including add-ons such as taxes and paid upgrades).

Your Executive Club status also plays a role in the amount you’ll earn. Bronze members will earn 7 points per British Pound*, 8 for Silver members, and 9 for Gold members.

*1 Pound Sterling equals 1.24 USD as of April 20, 2024.

Just like for Tier Points, you can use the flight calculator to estimate how many points you’ll earn.

Using Avios

Avios can be used to book flights with both British Airways and its Oneworld partner airlines. Let’s go over the Oneworld members:

Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Finnair
Iberia
Japan Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Royal Air Maroc
Royal Jordanian
SriLankan Airlines
Fiji Airways (Oneworld connect)

In addition to these Oneworld airlines, you can also redeem Avios points with Aer Lingus, Vueling, and Sun-Air of Scandinavia.

Having these partner airlines along with British Airways’ massive route network opens up many redemption opportunities.

Concluding Thoughts

The British Airways Executive Club serves as a great option for frequent travelers between Europe and the US. Their system provides great benefits, and Avios gives many award redemption opportunities. If you find yourself traveling frequently across the Atlantic, I would definitely consider their program.