Latest news with #Avios
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Major American Express update impacting British Airways customers
It was announced yesterday that only British Airways Premium Plus American Express cardholders — not those using the free British Airways American Express card — can now earn up to 2,500 tier points per year when using their card for everyday spending A major update on British Airways' tier points scheme has been announced. Following the airline's recent overhaul of its loyalty scheme, British Airways and American Express customers have been eager to find out how many tier points they can now earn with the British Airways Premium Plus Amex card. It was announced yesterday that only British Airways Premium Plus American Express cardholders — not those using the free British Airways American Express card — can now earn up to 2,500 tier points per year when using their card for everyday spending. The number of tier points you earn annually determines your membership level: blue, bronze, silver, or gold. Everyone starts at bronze, and can progress through the tiers based on how much they spend. Higher-tier statuses unlock perks such as complimentary seat selection, priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, and access to British Airways' airport lounges. Here's how many Tier Points are required for each level: Bronze – 3,500 Tier Points Silver – 7,500 Tier Points Gold – 20,000 Tier Points To reach silver, you could spend £5,000 on British Airways flights and holiday packages — each pound spent earns one tier point. The rest of the required points could be earned through spending on the British Airways Premium Plus Amex card, if you have one. Here's how the new tier point earning system works for cardholders: 750 tier P=points are awarded when you spend £15,000 after enrolling in the offer. An additional 750 tier points are awarded after spending a further £5,000 (total: £20,000). A final 1,000 tier points are awarded after spending another £5,000 (total: £25,000). This brings the maximum total to 2,500 tier points earned via everyday spending. If this sounds confusing, there's more: the tier points system is separate from Avios points. Tier points determine your membership level and associated airport perks. Avios points, on the other hand, are used to claim rewards such as free flights. Travellers flying with British Airways or its Oneworld partners earn Avios to use toward future flights. Amex cardholders have long earned Avios on their spending. However, prior to the changes in April, cardholders could not earn tier points through everyday spending. Here's how Avios earning works: The free British Airways American Express card earns 1 Avios per £1 spent. The Premium Plus card earns 1.5 Avios per £1 spent, but has a £300 annual fee. It's important to note that the 2,500 tier point offer is not available to holders of the fee-free British Airways Amex Card. If you do have the British Airways Premium Plus American Express card, make sure to enroll in the Tier Point scheme through the American Express app or website to begin collecting points.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
American Express issues major update on British Airways points change after big overhaul left customers furious
Check below to see if you'll benefit POINT TO IT American Express issues major update on British Airways points change after big overhaul left customers furious Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AMERICAN Express has issued a major update on British Airways points, following the airline's recent overhaul of its loyalty scheme. Thousands of Amex cardholders will soon be able to earn "tier points" through their spending, unlocking elite perks with the airline, according to airline rewards website Head for Points. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Premium Plus cardholders will be able to earn up to 2,500 tier points in a membership year The offer comes after a controversial update to the airline's loyalty scheme earlier this year, which means customers now need to spend more to achieve elite status. Travellers flying with British Airways or its Oneworld partners earn Avios to save on future flights and tier points to determine their BA Club status. The number of tier points you earn in a year decides whether you'll be in Blue, Bronze, Silver, or Gold membership levels. Blue status is given automatically to anyone who joins, but nearly half of the scheme's 13million members hold Bronze status or higher. These higher-tier statuses unlock perks, including complimentary seat selection, priority check-in, additional hold baggage allowance and access to the airline's airport lounges. Before April 1, you earned tier points based on how far you flew. Now, you earn one tier point for every £1 you spend on flights and holiday packages. To achieve higher statuses like Silver, which offers business class lounge access, you now need to spend £7,500 a year - significantly more than before. British Airways Amex cardholders already earn Avios on their spending, but they couldn't earn tier points before April's changes. The standard blue card earns 1 Avios per £1 spent, while the Premium Plus card, costing £300 a year, earns 1.5 Avios per £1. How to safeguard your holiday: A guide to ATOL protection and vetting travel companies However, from today, Premium Plus cardholders are able to earn up to 2,500 tier points in a membership year through their spending. Customers will earn 750 tier points for spending £15,000 on the card. If they spend an extra £5,000 (reaching £20,000), they'll get another 750 tier points. Spending a further £5,000 (a total of £25,000) will earn them an additional 1,000 tier points. Earning 2,500 tier points won't make much of a dent in the 20,000 needed for Gold status, but it's helpful for those aiming for Bronze or Silver. With 2,500 tier points from the Amex card, Bronze members would only need 1,000 more tier points, which can be earned by spending £1,000 directly with British Airways. Customers with the fee-free British Airways Amex Card aren't eligible for this offer. To participate in the offer, you'll need to enrol through the American Express app or website. Upon enrolment, you;ll also receive 500 free tier points automatically. British Airways said that there will be further opportunities to earn tier points using the Premium Plus credit card from April 2026. Meanwhile, customers booking flights with British Airways can enjoy bonus tier points on bookings made until December 31. This offer was originally set to end on February 14 but was extended after customer backlash. For example, you can earn 75 extra tier points for a short-haul economy flight and 150 extra tier points for a long-haul economy flight. To benefit from a tier points bonus, you must register your British Airways Club membership number by visiting Should you stay loyal to BA or look elsewhere? If you fly regularly - especially as part of your job - then the BA Club may still be beneficial for you. But you should never book a flight with BA or an affiliated airline just to earn points if money is tight. If your priority is cutting costs, concentrate solely on finding the lowest ticket price. Platforms like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak allow you to tailor your search to highlight the most affordable options. You can also convert your unused Avios into Nectar points. These can be redeemed for shopping, used to save 5p per litre on fuel, or even put towards other purchases For example, 500 Nectar points can be exchanged for £2.50 off at retailers like Argos or Sainsbury's.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
American Express issues major update on British Airways points change after big overhaul left customers furious
AMERICAN Express has issued a major update on British Airways points, following the airline's recent overhaul of its loyalty scheme. Thousands of Amex cardholders will soon be able to earn "tier points" through their spending, unlocking elite perks with the airline, according to airline rewards website Head for Points. 1 The offer comes after a controversial update to the airline's loyalty scheme earlier this year, which means customers now need to spend more to achieve elite status. Travellers flying with British Airways or its Oneworld partners earn Avios to save on future flights and tier points to determine their BA Club status. The number of tier points you earn in a year decides whether you'll be in Blue, Bronze, Silver, or Gold membership levels. Blue status is given automatically to anyone who joins, but nearly half of the scheme's 13million members hold Bronze status or higher. These higher-tier statuses unlock perks, including complimentary seat selection, priority check-in, additional hold baggage allowance and access to the airline's airport lounges. Before April 1, you earned tier points based on how far you flew. Now, you earn one tier point for every £1 you spend on flights and holiday packages. To achieve higher statuses like Silver, which offers business class lounge access, you now need to spend £7,500 a year - significantly more than before. British Airways Amex cardholders already earn Avios on their spending, but they couldn't earn tier points before April's changes. The standard blue card earns 1 Avios per £1 spent, while the Premium Plus card, costing £300 a year, earns 1.5 Avios per £1. How to safeguard your holiday: A guide to ATOL protection and vetting travel companies However, from today, Premium Plus cardholders are able to earn up to 2,500 tier points in a membership year through their spending. Customers will earn 750 tier points for spending £15,000 on the card. If they spend an extra £5,000 (reaching £20,000), they'll get another 750 tier points. Spending a further £5,000 (a total of £25,000) will earn them an additional 1,000 tier points. Earning 2,500 tier points won't make much of a dent in the 20,000 needed for Gold status, but it's helpful for those aiming for Bronze or Silver. With 2,500 tier points from the Amex card, Bronze members would only need 1,000 more tier points, which can be earned by spending £1,000 directly with British Airways. Customers with the fee-free British Airways Amex Card aren't eligible for this offer. To participate in the offer, you'll need to enrol through the American Express app or website. Upon enrolment, you;ll also receive 500 free tier points automatically. British Airways said that there will be further opportunities to earn tier points using the Premium Plus credit card from April 2026. Meanwhile, customers booking flights with British Airways can enjoy bonus tier points on bookings made until December 31. This offer was originally set to end on February 14 but was extended after customer backlash. For example, you can earn 75 extra tier points for a short-haul economy flight and 150 extra tier points for a long-haul economy flight. To benefit from a tier points bonus, you must register your British Airways Club membership number by visiting Should you stay loyal to BA or look elsewhere? If you fly regularly - especially as part of your job - then the BA Club may still be beneficial for you. But you should never book a flight with BA or an affiliated airline just to earn points if money is tight. If your priority is cutting costs, concentrate solely on finding the lowest ticket price. Platforms like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak allow you to tailor your search to highlight the most affordable options. You can also convert your unused Avios into Nectar points. These can be redeemed for shopping, used to save 5p per litre on fuel, or even put towards other purchases For example, 500 Nectar points can be exchanged for £2.50 off at retailers like Argos or Sainsbury's. FLY LIKE A GOLD MEMBER FOR LESS IT is possible to get Gold member perks for free or cheap. You might assume that luxury perks like lounge access and fast-track security are exclusive to frequent or business class flyers, but that's not the case. Cheap or 'free' lounge access Airline lounges are usually reserved for frequent flyers or business class passengers - but there are ones such as No1 Lounges that you can pay to get access to. If you have a NatWest or Barclays Premier bank account then you can get free access to some lounges. On the Beach is offering free airport lounge access with 5-star holiday bookings for 2025. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is free to join and you can get discounts on passes to No1 Lounges. Rob Burgess, editor of frequent flyer website said: "You could get a credit card which comes with a Priority Pass lounge card. "Good options are the free for a year Amex Gold card (four free airport lounge passes per year), Amex Platinum (unlimited lounge access for up to four people) or the Lloyds World Elite Mastercard, which is £15 per month but offers unlimited airport lounge access." But always remember to pay off your balance in full each month, as interest charges may outweigh the perks. If you can't get free entry then prices start around £20. This can work out cheaper than paying for a meal and drink at the airport - but you need to weigh up the costs. Read reviews before you book as the facilities vary. Baggage loopholes If you fly with Easyjet then there is a loophole to get a second hand luggage bag for free. You are allowed to bring one bag from Duty Free - but MoneySavingExpert says it's heard from customers who have used this to store their handbag. Cheaper and better seats It is possible to sit together for free if you're flying BA, easyJet or Virgin - if you know the tricks. Try and check in as soon as it opens online and you will usually be able to sit together. With EasyJet you can check in 30 days in advance. You have to pay to get a specific seat, but the earlier you check-in the more likely you are to get a better one and be able to sit together. BA, Virgin Atlantic and Tui guarantee that kids under 12 will be sat with at least one adult. If you're flying with Ryanair, MoneySavingExpert says it can be cheaper to select the basic fare and then add extras rather than selecting the regular one. It says its seen costs of baggage and seat allocation can be up to 60% cheaper using this trick.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Aer Lingus launches new winter cities sale during heatwave with cheap Christmas market spots from €31
AER Lingus has launched a major winter sale with flights to top Christmas market spots from €31. The Irish airline has slashed flights to a number of destinations across 1 Passengers can book their Christmas market flights early Credit: PA:Press Association Passengers can travel to top spots including Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Zurich, Geneva and Milan from €31.20. The valid travel period is from October 1 to April 30. Aer Lingus said: "With a multitude of destinations waiting to be explored, there's lots to look forward to across Europe!" "Check out our incredible European city break offers – fly from only €35.99." READ MORE IN TRAVEL And Aer Lingus has issued a major warning to a number of their loyal customers who may be The Irish airline is reminding its three million AerClub members to check their account balances. So far this year, AerClub members saved over €3million using Avios to book flights with They can also use their Avios to save money on upgrades, hotels and other travel experiences. Most read in News Travel Avios is the reward currency of AerClub and can be collected when members fly with Aer Lingus and partner airlines, as well as when they shop with affiliated retailers including Deliveroo, Brown Thomas, ASOS, I'm an Aer Lingus flight attendant - here's a look at our newest flight direct to US destination from Dublin AerClub members can also collect Avios seamlessly by linking their Whether you're grabbing a coffee at Jump Juice, hopping on an Aircoach, or bagging some holiday essentials at Lifestyle Sports or Skechers, you'll collect Avios on each purchase, bringing you closer to your next adventure. Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, Susanne Carberry said: "At Aer Lingus, we are committed to rewarding our loyal AerClub members in meaningful ways. "All our members can secure discounts through Pay with Avios or redeeming Reward Flights, allowing them to use their Avios to maximise their benefits and make every journey more rewarding. "From booking flights and upgrading to Business Class to unlocking unique travel extras, we encourage our members to explore the full potential of Avios and turn their travel dreams into reality." TRAVEL HACK Frequent flyers will also love this And it's available at three busy airports this summer. The Irish airline has been offering an evening bag drop perk that is perfect for early morning flyers. With many sunrise flights leaving every day, airport lines can build up quickly. But If you are leaving in the early morning, you can now check in your bag the evening before your flight. This perk works perfect for anyone who lives nearby or is staying close to the airport.
The Guardian
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
From fast-track airport passes to setting a budget: five top tips for a stress-free holiday
The excitement of setting off on holiday can't be beaten. But it's not without its stresses – long lines at security, airport parking and currency confusion can all create a hectic start to a trip. However, a few key tricks can make all the difference to your travels, and allow you to kick off your trip in style. Here's how you can upgrade your own holiday. If there's one thing you can be sure of, it's that going on holiday is going to cost you money. But whether you're planning a budget city break or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, it always pays to think about how you can make your everyday spending work for you. One of the best ways to do this is by getting a credit card that allows you to accumulate points as you spend. For example, the Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* gives you 25,000 Avios – the currency of the British Airways Club – if you spend £3,000 in your first three months, and 1.5 Avios for each pound you spend on eligible purchases (all for a £20 monthly fee). How you spend your Avios is up to you. You could use them on flights to your next dream holiday or on extras such as cabin upgrades, hotels, car hire, experiences, and more. Alternatively, if you are a Barclays Premier Banking1 customer, Barclays Avios Rewards2 can help you collect at least 1,500 Avios every month, and offers perks such as an Airport Lounge Membership with Assurant and DragonPass. You could also receive a 25,000 Avios joining bonus3 if you're opening your first account and complete a full switch using the Current Account Switch Service within three months. And if you regularly fly with British Airways or partner airlines, keep an eye on your current Avios balance – it might already be higher than you think! *Representative example. 80.1% APR representative (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on a £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. There's no denying that airports can be stressful at peak times, but with a bit of planning, you can make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. Alleviate pre-departure panic by booking your airport parking as far in advance as possible, and weigh up the benefits versus the cost – for example, if you're taking off very early in the morning, paying for a parking space closer to the terminal might be well worth the extra money. Or, sometimes it's worth taking public transport the night before and staying at one of the airport hotels. Not only can it end up working out cheaper, but starting your trip round the corner (and with a fry-up in your belly) drastically reduces any travel stress. The airport chaos of 2022 taught us the value of arriving early to get through security, but one surefire way to eliminate any stress is to buy a fast-track pass and glide right past those lines. The majority of airports sell these in advance on their websites, with discounts the earlier you book. If you really want to kick off a trip in style, the airport lounge is the way to go. While some airline lounges are only for their customers, most airports have general lounges that you can book. They are, however, more expensive when bought on arrival, so purchase a pass in advance for the best rate. Lounge access also comes as a perk with some credit cards and bank accounts – for a monthly fee, Barclays Travel Plus Pack4 (£22.50 a month) includes six annual visits to more than 1,000 airport lounges with the DragonPass Premier+ app5, as well as discounts on fast-track security and airport parking. If you have a Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* or Barclays Avios Rewards you will also get Airport Lounge Membership, so you can enjoy discounts on lounge passes and fast-track security. *Representative example. 80.1% APR representative (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on a £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. Even though contactless payments and card machines are now found all over the world, sorting out currency ahead of a trip can still cause confusion. In some countries, such as Japan, for example, cash is still king, so you'll need to order your currency in advance. But in places where card payments are accepted, it's usually easier to stick to them (plus, you'll avoid the inconvenience of coming home with currency that's too pricey to bother exchanging back into the pound). There's often confusion about exchange rates and fees when using cards internationally, but using something such as the Barclays travel wallet6 keeps things nice and easy. You simply create a travel wallet within your own account and buy Euros or US dollars, ready to spend on your existing debit card7. For some people, the process of planning a trip is almost as exciting as being on holiday – looking up the best local restaurants, finding the coolest coffee shops and planning which beaches to hit. If that sounds like you, scope out some of the reliable local influencers, search the location-tagged photos on Instagram and read up on some of your favourite travel publications. If you'd like a helping hand, the Barclays Travel Plus Pack also includes a 24/7 concierge service, for help with booking flights, hotels and events, with exclusive discounts too. However much you plan in advance, be sure to allow a little room for spontaneity. Sometimes the best find is the one that comes from a chat in the local coffee shop, where someone tells you about a cool craft beer spot. Or the market only the locals know about that you stumble upon on a walk. It's hardly the most exciting part of organising a holiday, but working out your budget is important nonetheless. Be realistic about how you want to spend your time and how much it will cost – for example, if you love spending the day on a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand, an all-inclusive trip may work out the best in terms of value. Once you've worked out how much you want to put aside, you can make use of savings tools offered by your bank – Barclays has a savings goal8 on its app9, so you can keep on track. One thing you don't want to skimp on is travel insurance, even on a trip within the UK. Get good insurance and you'll be covered for everything from missing bags to flight cancellations and delays, which is a big reassurance when you're spending thousands of pounds on a holiday. The Barclays Travel Plus Pack was named a Which? Best buy in June 2024, so you can enjoy your holiday without worrying, knowing that you're in safe hands. It also includes complete breakdown cover in the UK and Europe, so you can take a road trip safe in the knowledge that you're covered if you break down. To find out more about Barclays travel perks, visit 1 Join Premier Banking by opening a Premier Current Account. You also need a gross annual income of at least £75,000 paid into the account, or a total balance of at least £100,000 in savings with Barclays, in eligible investments, or a mix of both. 2 You can opt in to Barclays Avios Rewards if you're a Premier Banking customer or have a personal wealth current account with Barclays – you'll need to register for the Barclays app and have a British Airways Club account too. There's a £12 monthly fee and you have to opt out of Barclays Blue Rewards and go paperless for all your accounts and services with Barclays. To access Barclays Avios Rewards in the Barclays app, you need to be over 18. You can join Premier Banking if you have an income of £75,000 or £100,000 to save or invest with Barclays. T&Cs apply. 3 To qualify for the 25,000 Avios joining bonus, you'll need to join Barclays Avios Rewards – within four months of opening your first Barclays current account. Then, you'll need to complete a full switch of your old current account to Barclays, using the Current Account Switch Service – within three months of joining Barclays Avios Rewards. You will then receive your joining bonus in the fourth month of Barclays Avios Rewards membership. 4 Terms, conditions, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. You must have a Barclays current account, be 18 or over and hold this product for at least six months from the date of purchase – then you can cancel at any time. 5 Terms and conditions apply for the DragonPass Premier+ app and fast-track security. 6 T&Cs apply. You need to be 16 years or over to access this product or service using the app. 7 No transaction fees apply when paying with Euros and US dollars from your travel wallet. There is a 2.75% margin applied when purchasing your currency. If you pay in British pounds on your debit card while abroad, a transaction fee will still apply. 8 You must have a Barclays or Barclaycard account, have a mobile number and be aged 16 or over to use the Barclays app. T&Cs apply. 9 You must be 11 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
