Image: Heathrow Airport
i Preface
If you are new to the British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) you may have realised that planning an Avios redemption calls for a shift in mindset, especially to those more used to redeeming miles for flights with North American frequent flyer programmes.
The purpose of this thread is to introduce you to how the BAEC works in terms of spending Avios and to share some tips will will assist you during the planning and booking stages. We'll also cover the options available to you, so you can make an informed decision on how best to maximise your Avios Points. If there any nuances you are unsure about, please use this thread to post any questions you might have.
What has changed in the last 12 months?
While the BAEC has been relatively stable over the past 12 months, there have been a small number of changes relating to how we spend our Avios. Some of these changes are listed below:
- BA carrier charges crept further upward for BA flight redemptions originating from North America
- Cost of Upgrades using Avios on BA short haul routes increased by 2,000 Avios
- Additional price points were added to Reward Flight Savers
- Reward Flight Savers expanded to include World Traveller on selected BA operated long haul routes
- New experiences and excursions such as tours, cruises, etc were added to the list of activities which can be booked on ba.com and paid for with Avios
- Royal Air Maroc joined the oneworld alliance on 31 March 2020
- LATAM exited the oneworld alliance on 1 May 2020 but remains as a BAEC partner
- Alaska Airlines announced it will join the oneworld alliance on 31 March 2021
ii Contents
Introduction
Standard reward flights
Multi-Partner reward flights
Reward Flight Saver
Avios & Money
Upgrading using Avios
Avios part payment
Using your companion vouchers
Additional Gold benefits
Hotel and car rental redemptions
iii Acknowledgments
This guide is a collaborative effort, and could not have been produced without the kind contributions from other members of our community who have shared new information as well as clarifying existing information