British Airways further extends elite status and reduced qualification thresholds
Editor's Note
Once again, British Airways is extending status for some of its Executive Club members and keeping reduced thresholds to retain status. The extended reduction in elite requirements and status extensions are due to COVID-19, the UK-based carrier said.
The biggest change of note is that BA is automatically extending status for any tiered BA Executive Club members for another year, including those at the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, with a Tier Point expiration date between April – June 2022. This is big news for these members who will automatically receive another year of their current status, regardless of how many Tier Points they have earned.
This announcement follows two previous status extensions: a 12-month elite status extension in March 2021 and again in September.
Additionally, BA's reduced Tier Point thresholds for retaining or upgrading status will now continue an additional six months through Dec. 2022, instead of June. This means that Executive Club elites not only have to fly less to retain or upgrade their status, but they also have more time to do so as tiers have been reduced by 25% through Dec. 31, 2022.
Tier Point balances normally reset once a year based on when you joined the Executive Club, restarting members' earnings for the following year.
BA awards Tier Points for BA and Oneworld partner flights based on a flight's length and fare type. The longer the flight and higher the class flown, the quicker you earn BA status. Flights under 2,000 miles yield a minimum of five Tier Points, while first-class long-haul flights spanning more than 6,000 miles earn 360 Tier Points per sector.
Through 2022, members now only need to reach these reduced amounts of Tier Points to retain status for another year:
- Bronze: 225 Tier Points or 18 eligible flights
- Silver: 450 Tier Points or 37 eligible flights
- Gold: 1125 Tier Points
- Gold Guest List: 3,750 Tier Points
"Your loyalty means the world to us," the airline said in a press statement. "In order for you to have a chance to enjoy the benefits you deserve, whenever you're ready to return to the skies, we've extended the Tier status for Executive Club Members with a Tier Point collection."
Read more: British Airways extends Executive Club elite status by additional 12 months
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Unlimited up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Housing payments may include transaction fees, depending on the payment method
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.