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Anger over shake-up of BA loyalty scheme
A major overhaul of British Airways’ loyalty scheme has been met with an angry response from frequent flyers.
Changes to the Avios scheme, which come into force from April 28, mean many economy-class passengers who collect points on cheaper, restricted tickets will earn considerably less.
Some will face a drop of up to 75% in the number of points earned.
Meanwhile, customers travelling in business or first class will earn considerably more.
The shake-up also means that ‘reward flight’ passengers based in Scotland and northern England flying to mainland Europe will no longer be entitled to a free domestic connecting flight.
BA is also introducing ‘seasonal pricing’, which will mean that the points needed will vary at different times of the year.
The airline said the changes were in response to customer feedback ‘by giving customers the opportunity to earn more Avios when they purchase more expensive tickets’.
"We believe those that spend the most on flexible tickets should see the greatest rewards," it said.
But since the changes were unveiled yesterday, many business travellers have already taken to social media to say they will be taking their custom elsewhere.
One traveller has started an online petition to fight the changes, while on the Business Traveller website other frequent flyers posted the following comments:
BA defended the changes, claiming they would provide more opportunities for customers to spend Avios on reward flights.
"We’re now guaranteeing there will be nine million redemption seats a year available – more than 500,000 more than before," it said.
"The changes will provide more reward seats across our entire network – many of which will require fewer Avios to book than today."
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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