British Airways has announced an overhaul of its loyalty programme, increasing the number of points its members will need to reach each status.
To qualify for gold status – which features benefits such as access to First lounges and enhanced baggage allowance – customers will need to earn 20,000 points in a year, up from 1,500 points currently.
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A British Airways source said the new programme is not comparable with the existing one because of changes in how points are earned.
This includes awarding points based on the amount spent – including through the airline’s package holiday division British Airways Holidays – rather than distance flown.
The overhaul, which comes into effect from April 1 next year, includes changing the scheme’s name from the British Airways Executive Club to the British Airways Club.
The carrier’s chief commercial officer, Colm Lacy, said: “The changes we have announced today underline our continued investment in our loyalty programme and in our customers.
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“Based on our members’ feedback, we’ve built on the changes we’ve already made – including how customers collect Avios and their membership year – in a way that we believe better rewards their loyalty and reflects their changing travel needs.”
Rob Burgess, editor of frequent flyer website headforpoints.com, claimed the changes mean the airline is “effectively washing its hands of the leisure market” and going “all-in” to attract business travellers.
He added: “With a gold card now available for just over one-and-a-half £12,000 fully flexible Club World return flights to New York, it is clear who the target market now is.
“Realistically, it will now be impossible to earn gold for small business travellers, economy travellers or self-funded leisure travellers.
“Even silver will be a major stretch.”
The news has sparked fury among regular British Airways on the social media forum X, formerly known as Twitter.
One person said: “As my travel is 100% self-funded, there’s no way I can maintain status with British Airways. And if I don’t get any status perks then there’s no point in choosing to spend with them, is there?”
Another said: “This is a significant change. The amount of people I known who are loyal to British Airways based on having the ability to earn Gold or Silver status are probably all going to have their heads turned now. Why pay a fare premium to be loyal, when the loyalty carrot is removed.”
Someone else added: I’ve been British Airways Silver for 12 years, doubt I can even make bronze with this.”
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