British Airways implements no-notice devaluation for American and Alaska award flights
In a major bit of unwelcome news for U.S. travelers, British Airways has increased award prices for many award flights operated by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, as flagged by AwardWallet. Unfortunately, this comes with no notice, as the new award rates are now showing up through British Airways' search engine.
Here's what you need to know about these changes.
British Airways increases award rates for American and Alaska flights
British Airways Executive Club uses a distance-based award chart when you redeem Avios across its network of partner airlines (though these prices vary slightly depending on the carrier and dates of travel). Before Tuesday, Dec. 12, you could book nonstop American and Alaska-operated flights starting at just 7,500 Avios each way. Unfortunately, that's no longer the case.
Here's a chart with a summary of the new economy award rates, which have already taken effect:
| Distance | Old economy price (before Dec. 12, 2023) | New economy price (as of Dec. 13, 2023) | % change |
|---|---|---|---|
Up to 650 miles | 7,500 Avios | 8,250 Avios | 10% |
651 - 1,151 miles | 9,000 Avios | 11,000 Avios | 22.2% |
1,152 - 2,000 miles | 11,000 Avios | 14,500 Avios | 31.8% |
2,001 - 3,000 miles | 13,000 Avios | 16,000 Avios | 23.1% |
As you can see, these are relatively large increases on a percentage basis.
Sadly, it's an even worse story for first-class award flights on American and Alaska.
| Zone (distance) | Old first-class price (before Dec. 12, 2023) | New first-class price (as of Dec. 13, 2023) | % change |
|---|---|---|---|
Zone 1 (up to 650 miles) | 12,500 Avios | 16,500 Avios | 32% |
Zone 2 (651 - 1,151 miles) | 16,500 Avios | 20,500 Avios | 24.2% |
Zone 3 (1,152 - 2,000 miles) | 22,000 Avios | 29,000 Avios | 32% |
Zone 4 (2,001 - 3,000 miles) | 38,750 Avios | 42,000 Avios | 8.4% |
As noted previously, these rates now appear through the British Airways search engine.
For example, here's a short-haul flight from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in the Bahamas in both economy and first class.
Here's a one-way flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Denver International Airport (DEN) in both economy and first class.
Perhaps the biggest sweet spot affected here is from the West Coast to Hawaii, which previously required just 13,000 Avios each way (or 26,000 Avios round trip). Now, you'll need to pony up 16,000 Avios for a one-way ticket in economy class.
It's worth noting that we're seeing the same increases reflected through Iberia Plus.
Our take on the changes
This is a very frustrating development, as using Avios for American- and Alaska-operated flights was previously a fantastic use of transferable credit card rewards. That's because the British Airways Executive Club partners with most major currencies, including:
In addition, this was implemented with no notice whatsoever, so anyone saving up Avios for a specific redemption has suddenly seen the goalposts moved for their specific trip.
What's interesting is that this comes on the heels of a similar change from another United Kingdom airline, as Virgin Atlantic updated award rates on many Delta-operated itineraries last week — and like BA, Virgin's Flying Club loyalty program also partners with the major credit card programs.
Finally, it's worth noting that British Airways Executive Club has become even more complicated than it was before, as the award rate you'll pay is now all over the place — depending on the carrier, origin or destination, dates of travel and class of service. While some programs are taking steps to simplify complex award pricing, British Airways is going in a different direction.
Bottom line
British Airways has increased the number of Avios you need to book many Alaska- and American-operated award flights, specifically those covering up to 3,000 miles in distance. This means just about all domestic itineraries plus many short- to medium-haul international flights. This comes less than a week after Virgin Atlantic implemented similar pricing changes to many Delta award flights.
That said, it may still make sense to book these awards with Avios, especially if you're short on American AAdvantage or Alaska Mileage Plan miles. We frequently see transfer bonuses from issuers like Amex and Chase to Avios, so these redemptions can still be a great option. They're just not as lucrative as they were before.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.