BA targets business clients.with new frequent flyer club

British Airways has revealed comprehensive changes to its loyalty programme, which will mean access to its top tiers will be aligned with high spending on the airline and its holiday operation.

- SIMON CALDER

After 43 years, the BA Executive Club is to be renamed The British Airways Club from 1 April. Benefits will continue to depend on the traveller’s status, which will be squarely based on the amount spent on plane tickets or through British Airways Holidays.

To achieve elite status requires thousands of “tier points”, which are calculated at a rate of one point for each £1 spent. (They are separate from Avios, the frequent-flyer currency used by BA and other members of the IAG conglomerate, as well as Finnair and Qatar Airways.)

The basic status, Blue, is open to all. It confers free wifi messaging on board and the ability to earn Avios points

Higher status comes at a progressively higher price in terms of tier points.

• Bronze (3,500 tier points): seat selection from a week ahead of travel, preferential check-in and priority boarding.

• Silver (7,500 tier points): Club lounge access, free choice of seats at the time of booking and additional baggage allowance with a weight limit of 32kg per checked bag.

• Gold (20,000 tier points): access to First lounges; exclusive access to seats 1A and 1K when travelling in First, dedicated phone line.