British Airways’ upcoming overhaul of Avios reward pricing is set to reshape how frequent travellers — particularly those flying for work — extract value from their loyalty points.
With changes kicking in on 15 December, corporate travellers who count on Avios for budget-friendly trips or upgrades might feel the squeeze unless they lock in their bookings soon.
What’s Changing — and Why It Matters for Business Travel
BA will increase the Avios and cash required for all reward flights, including those booked with partner airlines and those using upgrade vouchers from Barclaycard or American Express. The airline attributes the rise to higher Air Passenger Duty, third‑party charges, and broader inflationary pressures.
For business travellers, the implications are clear:
- Reward flights will cost around 10% more in both points and cash surcharges.
- Short‑haul redemptions — often used for last‑minute client meetings or regional hops — will see noticeable increases, e.g. from 9,250 Avios + 50p to 10,000 Avios + £1.
- Long‑haul redemptions, popular for premium cabins, will also rise, with one example jumping from 50,000 Avios + £100 to 55,000 Avios + £120.
For companies that rely on loyalty points to offset travel budgets, this shift reduces the overall return on spend.
Why Corporate Travellers Should Care
Avios have already experienced a steady erosion in value over recent years. For frequent flyers, this means:
- Less leverage when stretching travel budgets
- Reduced upgrade opportunities for long‑haul productivity
- Higher out‑of‑pocket costs for employees and SMEs
In short: the same travel now demands more loyalty currency.
The Immediate Action Point
Travellers planning to redeem Avios for 2025 trips — whether for conferences, client visits, or long‑haul business routes — should book before 15 December to lock in current rates. Existing reward bookings remain unaffected as long as no changes are made after the deadline.
What Business Travellers Should Do Now
- Audit your Avios balance and identify upcoming work trips that could be booked early.
- Secure premium‑cabin redemptions now, as these typically see the steepest increases.
- Review corporate travel policies to ensure teams are aware of the deadline.
- Consider whether Avios remains the most efficient loyalty currency for your travel patterns in 2025.