British Airways Executive Club members have historically all had different anniversary dates based on their joining date in the programme. The airline has just announced everyone will transition to the same date, which should make the programme a little easier to understand.
There is one minor loss for everyone, and another possible loss depending on your perspective, but overall it appears to have been thought through and is being done in the best way possible. Let’s dig in to the details.
New Tier Point Collection Dates
The Tier Point collection year will run from 1 April to 31 March, which aligns with the financial year for the airline. Anyone renewing from April 2024 onwards will have their year finish on 31 March 2025.
That means there are going to be some changes around your current status and how it’s earned during the changeover. However, as the British Airways website states, “Any Tier status you receive during the transition period will expire on 30 April 2026.”
What Do People Lose?
In short, people will lose three weeks of status with these changes. Right now, everyone’s Tier Point year resets on the 8th of each month. Mine ends on 8 June, but my frequent flyer card expiry date is 31 July. This means that I get three weeks of June and all of July as extra status over and above my 12 month period. Essentially people get 13 and three quarter months instead of 12 months at present.
But Aren’t I Losing Months Of Status?
People are quite concerned about losing months of existing status. For example, if someone is Gold with an 8 September 2024 renewal date, and have already made enough Tier Points to renew it, they will have Gold through to 8 September 2025. With the changes, this ostensibly reduces, as the year will end for everyone on 31 March 2025. For this example, the person looks like they are losing six months of status. BA have you covered though, as the site says, “Any existing status valid beyond 31 March 2025 will continue for the full duration.”
While the website specifically says, “any Tier status you receive during the transition period will expire on 30 April 2026”, this would presumably mean extra for most people as the transition period starts later this year.
Therefore, if someone has flown enough to earn the status in the transitional period, it should not be an issue. People would be advised to look at their booking profile though, just to be certain.
Overall Thoughts
All in all, it looks like the British Airways Tier Point collection date changes are as fair as can possibly be. Nobody should really lose out, except perhaps a minority of people who base their flights around status chasing and did not anticipate this change.
It will make the programme a lot simpler than previously as it was very complex, particularly for new members, to get their heads around how the anniversary and card expiry dates worked.
What do you think of this news from British Airways? How do you think it will impact you? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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I booked a few transatlantic trips prior to revenue based Avios accrual conversion. Based in CLT I figured I would credit to BA. I can’t spend like so many others in CLT do, so AA bumps to first are so infrequent. But quickly obtaining One world status will give me similar perks and lounge access.
One trip is early April, a 2nd departs May 7. Then I noticed my membership year ended May 8.
Perfect timing for me!
That’s very good to hear! 🙂