Flying with American Airlines (AA), including American Eagle and American Connection, as a British Airways Executive Club member offers a great opportunity to earn both Avios and Tier Points. This guide will help you understand exactly how many Avios and Tier Points you can collect, whether you are looking to buy a ticket or already have one.
Earning Avios on American Airlines Flights
For American Airlines flights, Avios are awarded based on the price of your ticket rather than the distance you fly. Here’s how it breaks down by Executive Club status:
Avios Earned per Pound (GBP) Spent
- Blue Members: 6 Avios per qualifying pound spent
- Bronze Members: 7 Avios per qualifying pound spent
- Silver Members: 8 Avios per qualifying pound spent
- Gold Members: 9 Avios per qualifying pound spent
Important Note
Tickets, where the fare paid isn’t available, will continue collecting Avios based on a percentage of the miles you fly and the cabin you fly in. For these bookings, use the British Airways Flight Calculator to work out how many Avios you’ll collect.
Example Calculation
If you spend £500 on a ticket as a Silver Member, you will earn:
£500 * 8 Avios = 4,000 Avios
If the fare paid isn’t available and you fly 2,000 miles in business class, you would typically earn based on a percentage of miles flown:
2,000 miles * 125% = 2,500 Avios (assuming business class earns 125% of miles flown)
Collecting Tier Points on American Airlines Flights
Tier Points are awarded based on the fare class and the distance flown. You can use the British Airways Flight Calculator to determine the exact number of Tier Points for your flight.
Tier Points Earned by Cabin Class
- Economy (Discounted): Typically fewer Tier Points, varies by fare
- Economy (Flexible): Standard allocation
- Business and First: Higher allocation reflecting the premium cabin
The British Airways 2,000-Mile Rule
British Airways has a 2,000-mile rule where flights under 2,000 miles earn different Tier Points compared to those over 2,000 miles, with a few exceptions. For instance, short-haul flights typically earn fewer Tier Points than long-haul flights, even in the same cabin class.
Important Note on Avios Tier Bonuses
When flying with American Airlines, you will receive Avios based on the money spent and your status within the British Airways Executive Club rather than the distance flown. However, for tickets where the fare paid isn’t available, Avios will be awarded based on the distance flown and the cabin class. It’s crucial to use the British Airways Flight Calculator for precise calculations.
Summary
Whether you’re planning to buy a ticket or already have one, understanding the Avios and Tier Points you can earn on American Airlines flights helps you make informed decisions. Check your Executive Club status, the price of your ticket, and use the British Airways Flight Calculator to determine the exact earnings. Happy flying!
