British Airways has announced significant changes to its frequent flier program, sparking widespread criticism. Starting April 1, 2025, the airline will shift to a revenue-based model for its loyalty scheme, now called The British Airways Club. This new structure rewards travelers based on spending rather than distance or class. The adjustment aligns with trends seen in other airlines but has frustrated many loyal customers.

The revamped system calculates Tier Points based on money spent on flights, holiday packages, and other eligible purchases. However, reaching higher tiers now requires significantly greater spending. For example, achieving Gold status demands a minimum of £20,000 annually. Even basic perks, like lounge access and extra baggage, require substantial spending under the new Silver tier threshold of £7,500. These shifts represent a steep rise compared to the current program’s accessible point system, which rewarded travelers on broader criteria.

Despite customer backlash, British Airways promotes its updated system as offering more earning opportunities. Points can now be accumulated on ancillary purchases such as seat selection and excess baggage. Additionally, customers using the airline’s American Express Premium Plus card or booking packages with British Airways Holidays can earn extra points, albeit with some limitations. Yet, these benefits have not softened the discontent among frequent fliers.

The updated thresholds make maintaining or reaching elite statuses challenging for many loyal customers. This has led to dissatisfaction among passengers, some of whom have vowed to explore alternative airlines. British Airways has defended the changes as aligning with global loyalty program standards, but the criticism continues to grow.

While the carrier believes the revamped program aligns with modern loyalty trends, the dissatisfaction of both passengers and staff highlights significant challenges ahead. Whether British Airways can retain its loyal base amid these changes remains uncertain.

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