British Airways excludes some award space from non-Avios partners, but it's not all bad news
British Airways has reduced the amount of award space available to most partner airlines.
British Airways confirmed to TPG that the first 12 award seats released on each short-haul flight and 14 seats on each long-haul flight — the minimum guaranteed number of seats released — can now only be booked by members of the following programs:
- British Airways Executive Club
- Iberia Plus
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
These are the four programs that already use Avios as their loyalty currency, with Finnair Plus joining this group in late January 2024. So, what does this mean for travelers?
Related: British Airways' Club Suites don't disappoint: On board a retrofitted 777 from London to New York
British Airways excludes award space from non-Avios partners
Previously, most award space flying British Airways, regardless of class or route, would be made available to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
Some additional award seats, such as those made available to British Airways Executive Club Gold members and those redeeming Companion Vouchers from cobranded credit cards, were excluded from partners. When BA released seats further in advance than some partner programs would allow members to search, Executive Club members got a brief head start on these seats.
Still, award availability flying British Airways, especially transatlantic, was generally good through partner redemptions.
Related: 4 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, Iberia and British Airways
While this award space change is great for Executive Club members, it's not all bad news for members of non-Avios partner programs. British Airways regularly makes more than the guaranteed minimum number of seats available to book with points and miles, and these additional seats will be offered to all partner programs just as they have in the past.
A quick check of award seats between New York and London on May 1 next year shows that while there are fewer seats on BA now available with AAdvantage miles, there is still good availability because BA is offering more than the guaranteed minimum on multiple flights.
Also, first-class award seats are not limited to members of Avios programs as they are not part of the minimum award seat guarantee.
It is also worth noting that while BA award space through partner airlines has historically been generous, BA imposes huge fuel surcharges that partner airlines pass on to members booking award seats. For round-trip transatlantic redemptions in business class, members of partner programs are charged at least $1,000 in surcharges.
Restricting some award space to members of a loyalty program is hardly something new in the loyalty industry, with the likes of Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa having followed this practice for many years. Indeed, some may wonder why it took British Airways so long to offer its members more seats than those of partner airlines as it looks to keep Executive Club members loyal.
Bottom line
British Airways is now restricting the minimum number of guaranteed award seats to members of programs that use Avios as their loyalty currency.
However, BA regularly offers more than the minimum number of seats on many routes, especially transatlantic, and these additional seats remain available to all partners just as before. First-class seats are not subject to the minimum guarantee, so there is no change to this availability through partners.
Remember that Avios are one of the easiest points and miles currencies to earn and redeem, so if you are looking for a British Airways flight, you may consider using Avios rather than partner miles anyway.
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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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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
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- 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.