Executive Club
The Executive Club (short BAEC ) is the frequent flyer program of British Airways . Like most frequent flyer programs, the British Airways Executive Club distinguishes between award miles and status miles. Award and status miles can be earned independently on each flight.
Award miles
Award flights, upgrades, etc. can be purchased with award miles (in the BAEC “Avios”) . The number of award miles that can be earned on a flight depends on the booking class and length of the flight. The higher the booking class and the longer the flight route, the more award miles are generally awarded. In addition, award miles can also be earned through hotel accommodation, rental car and package travel bookings and when concluding credit card contracts.
The award miles can be redeemed for various purposes. Classic uses are award tickets or an upgrade to a higher booking class. When booking award tickets, additional costs arise from taxes (e.g. air traffic tax ) and fees, which can vary greatly depending on the operating airline and route. Award flights are therefore not really free flights, the value and additional costs of redeemed award miles can fluctuate widely.
Award miles can remain valid indefinitely under certain conditions. They will expire if the account is inactive for 36 months.
Status miles
Status miles (at BAEC “Tier Points”) determine the frequent flyer status. They can be earned directly with British Airways and with partner airlines of the oneworld Alliance . Unlike award miles, status miles cannot be bought, given away or redeemed. The balance of accumulated status miles is set to zero annually. The basis for this is the membership year, which begins on the participant's joining date.
By purchasing status miles, the participant achieves one of the following status levels:
- Blue (entry level)
- Bronze (from 300 status miles), entitles to preferential check-in and boarding , 25% bonus Avios and free choice of seats 7 days before departure
- Silver (from 600 status miles), in addition to free choice of seat from the time of booking, entitles you to access to Business Class Lounges, 50% bonus Avios and more baggage allowance
- Gold (from 1500 status miles), entitles in addition to first class check-in and boarding, access to first class lounges, 100% bonus Avios and an expanded selection of award flights