British Airways Introduces Avios-Only Flights for Frequent Flyers

British Airways has joined the growing trend of “points planes” by offering Avios-only flights for members of its frequent flyer program, the Executive Club. Avios is the airline’s mileage point system that allows passengers to earn points for each flight they take, which can later be redeemed for money off a future flight. This new offering provides additional value and choice for frequent flyers, as they can now book select flights with only Avios as payment.

The first Avios-only flight offered by British Airways will be the airline’s inaugural Euroflyer service from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh on November 3rd. This will be followed by a second wave of reward-only flights planned for early 2024, with flights from London Heathrow to Geneva on 10th, 17th and 24th, February and 2nd March. A return Avios-only flight will operate a week after each Geneva flight.

As with all British Airways award flights, the price of Avios-only flights varies depending on the class of travel and destination. However, all passengers must pay at least £1 ($1.25) for their booking, regardless of the amount of Avios used.

Tom Stoddart, CEO of BA Euroflyer, expressed his excitement about the new program, stating, “We are proud to be operating British Airways’ first Avios-only flight. BA Euroflyer is the only short-haul carrier based at Gatwick to offer a loyalty program, and now we’re offering more value and choice than ever for our Members.”

This move by British Airways follows a growing trend among airlines to offer points-only flights as a way to reward their frequent flyer members and provide additional value for their loyalty. Similar to a coffee shop punch card, where customers earn points for each purchase that can be redeemed for a free item, frequent flyer programs allow passengers to accumulate points for flights they take and then use those points to book future flights at a discounted or free rate.

This new offering by British Airways provides an additional option for Executive Club members to redeem their Avios and enjoy flights without having to use cash. It also offers more flexibility and value for frequent flyers who may have accumulated a significant number of Avios through their loyalty to the airline.

To book an Avios-only flight with British Airways, Executive Club members can log in to their account on the airline’s website and search for available flights. The flights eligible for Avios-only bookings will be clearly indicated, and members can choose to pay with their Avios balance for the entire booking or use a combination of Avios and cash for partial payment.

In conclusion, British Airways’ introduction of Avios-only flights for frequent flyers provides an exciting new option for Executive Club members to redeem their points and enjoy flights with minimal or no cash payment. This move reflects the airline’s commitment to rewarding loyalty and providing additional value to its frequent flyers. So, if you’re a member of British Airways’ Executive Club and have been diligently earning Avios, you now have the opportunity to book flights using only your points and embark on your next adventure with British Airways.