British Airways Returns to Original Tier Point Requirements in 2023

The airline sent a communication to British Airways Executive Club members on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, informing them of the upcoming change to tier status requirements.

New Tier Statuses Revert to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines reduced their elite status requirements to encourage travelers to continue flying. British Airways extended Tier status in 2020 and 2021, while reducing their tier point requirements by 25%, requiring only 225 tier points or 18 eligible flights to earn Bronze status.

However, with the re-opening of the United Kingdom to most international travel (including flights to and from the United States), and the rapid recovery of the aviation industry, British Airways Executive Club is once again returning to their pre-pandemic requirements.

Starting on January 1, 2023, reaching Bronze status will require flyers to earn 300 tier points or 25 eligible flights, while Silver status needs 600 tier points or 50 eligible flights. To hit Gold status, travelers will need 1,500 tier points in the qualifying year.

“Regardless of the amount of tier points earned, all members have been able to benefit from 2 years of automatic tier status extensions,” the airline wrote on their website. “This includes all members who have not been able to collect enough tier points within their current tier point collection year to maintain their current tier status.”

Benefits of elite status with British Airways Executive Club includes priority check-in and boarding, free seat selection, bonus Avios for use across airlines, baggage allowances and lounge access.

British Airways Makes Latest Waves in 2022 Loyalty Changes

The shift by British Airways Executive Club marks the latest changes to travel loyalty in 2022 alone. Earlier in 2022, InterContinental Hotels Group relaunched their loyalty program as IHG One, while the Star Alliance announced an alliance-wide credit card slated to launch sometime this year.