British Airways passengers face major shake-up that could leave frequent flyers worse off

British residents in Spain who regularly fly to the UK could find it harder to keep valuable airport perks, including lounge access, priority boarding and free seat selection, under new British Airways loyalty rules. From April 2027, frequent flyers will need to earn more tier points to qualify for Silver and Gold membership, while changes to bonus points could make retaining those benefits even more difficult.

What is changing for Silver and Gold members

Silver status will need 8,000 points earned within 12 months, up from 7,500, an increase of 6.7%. Gold rises by 5%, from 20,000 to 21,000. Blue, the entry tier, and Bronze, which needs 3,500 points, stay as they are.

Passengers earn one tier point per £1 of eligible spend, which covers the fare and carrier-imposed charges. BA excludes non-airline taxes and fees, including airport charges and government taxes, so your points total can be well below the amount on your receipt.

Why British Airways is making the change

BA moved to a spend-based scheme in April 2025, replacing distance flown. After a backlash, it added bonus points to each flight. It is understood that too many members then reached the top tiers, leaving some lounges overcrowded. BA says membership is at record levels and that higher thresholds will protect the quality of benefits such as lounge access.

Premium bonus points take a hit

Bigger cuts land on premium cabins. The most flexible long-haul First fare earns up to 1,250 extra tier points, falling to 900. A standard Club World ticket drops from 500 bonus points to 200, a 60% reduction.

Industry voices are not impressed. Rob Burgess, founder of Head for Points, believes the top tiers will soon be out of reach for anyone whose employer is not paying for fully flexible business class. He argues the scheme now rewards big spenders rather than loyal regulars.

Key dates for your diary

Nothing changes yet. New thresholds apply from April 1 2027, when the points year restarts, and lower bonus points apply to flights from that date. Tickets booked before November 24 2026 should keep today’s bonus rates. Tier points are counted from April 1 to March 31, and the balance resets afterwards. Avios work differently and only expire if you neither collect nor use any for three years.

What it means for anyone flying between Spain and the UK

Regular trips home for family visits, birthdays and Christmas can add up, so checking your balance in your BA account is a sensible first step. Economy flyers will feel the higher targets most, and because taxes and fees are excluded, reaching Silver may need more trips than you expect. Flight-count routes remain: 25 eligible BA flights for Bronze and 50 for Silver. Gold has no such route.

If you were already planning a premium booking, buying before November 24 could be worthwhile. A little planning now could save you disappointment at the lounge door next year. To see all details on British Airways points you can visit the website here.