Is the British Airways Avios Subscription Worth the Cost?

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British Airways, one of the world’s largest airlines, recently launched a new subscription service for their Avios loyalty programme. The Avios programme allows members to earn points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. The new subscription service promises to offer additional benefits to subscribers, including bonus Avios points, discounted flights, and exclusive access to partner offers.

However, is it worth it to sign up for this new subscription service?



How does the Avios Subscription Work?

The Avios subscription service offered by British Airways Executive Club loyalty programme allows members to purchase a set number of Avios points each month for a recurring fee. There are four plans available, with each plan offering a different number of Avios points per month and a different monthly fee. Members can use these points to book flights, upgrade their travel, or purchase other travel-related products through British Airways and its partners.

  • The Voyager plan offers 1,667 Avios per month (or 20,000 per year) for a monthly fee of £19, or £185 per year.
  • The Traveller plan offers 4,167 Avios per month (or 50,000 per year) for a monthly fee of £45, or £455 per year.
  • The Explorer plan offers 8,334 Avios per month (or 100,000 per year) for a monthly fee of £89, or £899 per year.
  • Finally, the Adventurer plan offers 16,667 Avios per month (or 200,000 per year) for a monthly fee of £179, or £1,789 per year.

What are the Key Terms of the Avios Subscription?

When considering signing up for the Avios subscription service, it’s important to be aware of the terms and conditions.

  1. The minimum term for monthly plans is 3 months, while it’s 12 months for yearly plans.
  2. Your plan will automatically renew annually unless you cancel it.
  3. You can cancel your subscription anytime within the period, but no refunds will be given for the remaining months.
  4. Avios bookings are subject to taxes, fees, and carrier charges, which can vary depending on the route and class of service.
  5. The maximum number of Avios that subscribers can buy through the subscription service in any one calendar year is 200,000 Avios. This is in addition to the 200,000 Avios allowance through ‘Buy Avios’.
  6. To buy Avios, you must have at least one Avios in your Executive Club account. If your balance is zero, you must have collected or redeemed Avios in the past 36 months.
  7. You will not be able to buy Avios if you have a negative balance.

What Can You Use Avios Points for?

Avios points can be used for a variety of travel-related expenses, including flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and experiences. Here is a breakdown of what you can do with your Avios:

Flight

One of the primary uses of Avios is to book flights on British Airways and its partner airlines. The number of Avios required for a flight depends on a variety of factors, including the distance of the flight, the time of year, and the class of service you are booking. However, generally speaking, short-haul flights within Europe can be booked for as little as 4,000 Avios each way, while long-haul flights to destinations like New York, Dubai, or Tokyo typically require between 30,000 and 60,000 Avios each way.

With 200,000 Avios points, travellers can book a round-trip business class ticket from London to New York on British Airways, or a one-way business class ticket from London to Sydney on Qantas. They could also book a round-trip economy class ticket from London to Tokyo on Cathay Pacific or a one-way first-class ticket from London to Los Angeles on American Airlines.

Upgrades

You can also use your Avios to upgrade your existing British Airways bookings to a higher class of service. This can be a great way to get more value out of your points, as upgrades can be quite expensive if purchased with cash. However, keep in mind that upgrades are subject to availability, and not all flights are eligible for upgrades using Avios.

Hotels

If you prefer to use your points for hotels, you can do so through the British Airways Executive Club website. The programme partners with a number of hotels around the world, including Hilton, Marriott, and InterContinental, allowing you to use your Avios to book a room. The number of Avios required for a hotel booking varies depending on the hotel and the time of year.

Experiences

Finally, British Airways Executive Club partners with a number of experience providers to allow members to use their Avios for activities like wine tastings, spa treatments, and hot air balloon rides. While the number of Avios required for an experience varies depending on the activity, this can be a great way to use your points if you’re not planning on travelling anytime soon.

Is the Avios Subscription Worth the Cost?

While the Avios Subscription may be a convenient way for frequent flyers to earn Avios points, it may not be worth the cost for most travellers. The monthly fee for the subscription is relatively high, and the number of Avios points earned through the subscription may not be enough to justify the cost. Additionally, the Avios Subscription may not be the best value for money compared to other airline subscription services.

How Does the Avios Subscription Compare to Other Airline Subscription Services?

The Avios subscription service is not the first of its kind in the airline loyalty program space. United Airlines’ MileagePlus “Miles by the Month” and Avianca’s LifeMiles “Lifemiles Club”are two other airline subscription services that allow members to purchase miles for a recurring fee.

Overall, airline subscription services can be a valuable option for frequent flyers looking to earn more miles or points. However, the value of the miles or points and the flexibility of their use should be carefully considered before committing to a subscription. Some critics have argued that these subscription services may not offer the best value for money, especially if subscribers are not able to use their miles or points for their desired travel plans.

Conclusion

Final Thoughts on the British Airways Avios Subscription While the British Airways Avios Subscription may seem like a good idea for frequent flyers, it may not be the best value for money when compared to other airline subscription services. The cost of the subscription may not be justified by the number of Avios points earned, and travelers may be better off purchasing Avios points directly or using a different airline subscription service. As with any loyalty programme or subscription service, it’s important to weigh the benefits and costs before signing up.

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Dan
Dan
Travelling on Points is the brainchild of a person who loves to travel and reap the benefits of doing so. Dan enjoys sharing the knowledge of travel as he believes that the more people travel the less narrow-minded, and more tolerant, people will be of each other.

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