Executive Club/Avios is the loyalty program of British Airways that allows you to book British Airways flights, Oneworld alliance flights, and other partner airline flights.
British Airways has two operating hubs, one in London (LHR) and the second in Gatwick (LGW).
Airline miles in the award program are called Avios, just like Iberia and Aer Lingus. The award program is distance-based and award flight pricing is driven by four factors:
- mileage
- flight date (peak/off-peak pricing)
- fare class (economy/business)
- airline (British Airways/partner airline)
How To Book British Airways Flights
The one-way distance you fly and date of your flight determines the amount of Avios you’ll need.
I recommend using Great Circle Mapper to calculate your flight distance first, and the use the Wandering Aramean’s Avios Calculator to confirm the number of Avios required.
Outside of July-Aug, the calendar is off-peak, meaning less Avios are required for your award flight.
Best Ways To Use British Airways Avios
You can book British Airways and Oneworld flights by transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards directly to your British Airways account.
Simply login to your Ultimate Rewards account, select “Use Points,” select “Transfer to Travel Partners,” select “Transfer Points” to the right of British Airways, and transfer the points necessary for your redemption.
1. Zone 1 Outside of North America
One-way flights on British Airways and partners Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, LAN and TAM with distances of 1-650 miles will only require 4,000-5,000 Avios in economy.
All British Airways and most partner flights can be searched on the British Airways website.
Domestic American Airlines flights with Zone 1 distances are priced at the Zone 2 mileage rates.
Here are examples of British Airways and partner non-stop economy flights that require 4,000-5,000 Avios + minimal taxes and fees.
- London (LHR) > Prague (PRG) – British Airways
- Melbourne (MEL) > Sydney (SYD) – Qantas
- Brisbane (BNE) > Sydney – Qantas
2. Zone 2 North America, Asia, Australia
One-way flights on British Airways’ partners American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Japan Airlines in Zone 2 are 7,500 Avios in economy and 15,000 Avios in business.
Here are examples of non-stop economy flights that require 7,500 Avios + minimal taxes and fees:
- Miami (MIA) > Aruba (AUA) – American Airlines
- Hong Kong (HKG) > Bangkok (BKK) – Cathay Pacific
- Brisbane (BNE) > Melbourne (MEL) – Qantas
- Tokyo (NRT) > Seoul (ICN) – Japan Airlines
3. Zone 3 Asia, South America, Australia, Europe
One-way British Airways, Cathay Pacific, LATAM, and Qantas flights in Zone 3 are 10,000 Avios in economy and 20,000 Avios in business.
Here are examples of non-stop economy flights that require 10,000 Avios + minimal taxes and fees:
- Hong Kong (HKG) > Tokyo (NRT) – Cathay Pacific
- Santiago (SCL) > Rio (GIG) – LATAM
- Sydney (AKL) > Auckland (AKL) – Qantas
- London (LHR) > Athens (ATH) – British Airways
4. Zone 4 North America to Hawaii
One-way flights on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines in Zone 4 are 12,500 Avios one-way in economy and 37,500 Avios in business.
It’s important to note that Alaska Airlines award availability doesn’t show up on the British Airways website. You will instead use the American Airlines website to search for Alaska Airlines flights. When you’re ready to book an Alaska flight, call British Airways to search for and book the flight.
Here are examples of non-stop economy flights that require 12,500 Avios + variable taxes and fees:
- Oakland (OAK) > Lihue (LIH) – Alaska Airlines
- Sacramento (SMF) > Kahului (OGG) – Alaska Airlines
- Phoenix (PHX > Kona (KOA) – American Airlines
Conclusion
Off-peak dates and short to medium haul flights on British Airways and partner flights are a great way to use your Avios. Consider booking flights on partners within South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.
Credit Cards to Book British Airways Flights
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is my go-to credit card for booking flights. It earns 3x on travel and dining, and offers some of the best travel protection. Another card to use to book flights is the Amex Platinum (Learn More Here). This card is perfect for airport lounge access and to earn 5x points on flights booked with the airline.
The Chase Ink Business Preferred is great to use if you have a business. It earns 3x points on travel expenses. A complimentary card is the Amex Business Platinum (Learn More Here). Use the Platinum for airport lounge access and to earn 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline.
Conclusion
Have you redeemed Ultimate Rewards to fly on British Airways or its partner airlines flights? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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