10 Reasons Why Frequent Flyers Love Airline Loyalty Programmes
Anyone who takes to the skies often is likely familiar with airline loyalty programmes, and these schemes have distinct advantages. Be warned, though, there are disadvantages and pitfalls to watch out for, too.
The first major airline loyalty programme dates back to 1981 with American Airlines, and it’s safe to say we haven’t looked back since. Now, most airlines have a points-based scheme to foster loyalty. Everyone from British Airways to Air France-KLM to Virgin Atlantic takes part.
These airline rewards programmes may all have different names, but the guiding principles are the same. Book flights and make purchases, and you’ll gain travel-related advantages.
Let’s learn all about these loyalty schemes, from how to earn points and maximise rewards, the 10 major travel benefits, and the traps to avoid. We’ll have you earning and redeeming strategically in no time!
What is an Airline Loyalty Programme?
In general, there are two types of loyalty programmes: those that focus on miles travelled and those that award status through a tiered system. The goal for the airline is to encourage you to choose them and only them for your next flight – hence “loyalty.”
Tiers of Loyalty Schemes
When you fly frequently with an airline, you can build up status using the tier system. Each new tier that you reach affords additional benefits. Think of these advantages as ongoing perks to improve your travel rather than one-off rewards.
This is likely best illustrated with the example of British Airways. The airline has four status categories: Blue for new members, Bronze for 3,500 points, Silver for 7,500 points, and Gold for reaching 20,000 points annually. As you progress, you can earn the following:
- Free on-board Wi-Fi
- Free seat selection
- Bonus Avios points
- Priority check-in and boarding
- Extra baggage allowance
- Lounge access
Travel Points/Miles
This is often what people picture when we talk about airline loyalty programs. The bottom line is that if you accumulate enough loyalty points (sometimes called miles), you can apply them to your airfares. With enough, the entire flight can be free, outside of taxes or a set reward fee.
For example, also with British Airways, European flights cost as little as 18,500 Avios points plus a £1 fee. Passengers can redeem as few as 1,000 Avios to get a flight discount, too.
Airline loyalty points can also be redeemed for things like car rentals, on-board services, and hotel stays, depending on the system.
How to Earn Loyalty Points
First, you need to become a member, which is easily done on the airline’s website. Then, you accumulate points for both reward flights and tiers by:
- Booking flights, hotels, and car rentals
- Paying for seat selection, checked luggage, and cabin upgrades
- Spending on a loyalty programme-linked credit card
- Spending with partner companies
While each scheme is different, your points will increase either based on the distance of a booked flight or the amount of money you spend. In either case, more = more points.
With many airline loyalty programmes, you often get points for booking with partner airlines, too. With BA, you get most of the same rewards when you book with other oneworld airlines, like Iberia, Cathay Pacific, and American Airlines.
You might be eligible to claim up to £520 in compensation.Check now!
10 Key Perks for Frequent Flyers That Aren’t Free Flights
1. Priority check-in and boarding
Nothing beats the feeling of not waiting in a long queue. Your loyalty programme status may entitle you to do just that. Certain ones also have priority lines for different membership tiers.
2. Lounge access
Instead of spending your points on actual flights, use them to make the experience more enjoyable. Redeem points to “pay” for lounge access and take advantage of all the food, drinks, and relaxation in the airline lounge before your flight.
Additionally, certain tiers, like BA Gold, automatically include lounge access. That’s especially useful when your flight is delayed or cancelled.
3. Waived baggage fees
With many programmes, you don’t have to worry about packing light once you reach certain status levels. Get extra baggage allowance for yourself and sometimes even your travel companions without paying more. Plus, the maximum baggage weights are usually more generous.
4. Exclusive promotions and offers
In general, the higher your tier with the airline, the better the offers and promotions you receive. Your status may even move you to the top of the list when the airline is handing out section upgrades.
5. Seat upgrades
Don’t want to spend the extra cash for premium cabins? Use your points instead and get a Business flight for an Economy price point.
6. Higher customer service priority
When things go wrong and you need to contact customer service, being a rewards member can have advantages. Airlines may have special phone lines for the top-tier members for better-than-average response times.
7. Bonus miles to earn rewards faster
Signing up for credit cards and special offers can fast-track your point earning through bonus miles. For example, new members who spend £2,000 within the first three months of getting the British Airways American Express credit card currently earn 5,000 bonus points. That’s enough to move you from Blue to Bronze status instantly.
8. Lifestyle-based rewards
If you prefer not to redeem points for flights, there’s still a lot on offer. From spa days to weekend experiences to charity donations, there’s a reward for everyone.
9. Access to partner networks
Major airlines are part of partner networks like Star Alliance, Sky Team, and oneworld. With some exceptions, you still get to earn points on flights with network airlines and enjoy similar travel benefits via reciprocal tiers.
10. Flexibility with point rollovers or no expiration
When you’re not sure how or when to use your rewards, don’t worry. Many programs offer points that don’t expire or will roll over with a small transaction within a certain time period. With BA, all you have to do is spend or share one Avios point in 36 months to keep the points valid.
How to Spend and Maximise Your Rewards
The easiest way to spend your accumulated points is online. Log in to your rewards programme before booking a flight, and you’ll see options to use points instead of cash. But you want to earn and spend the points carefully to get the most value.
- Book early – Unless the flight is exclusively for reward members, not all seats on a plane can be booked with points. With British Airways, the minimum guaranteed is only eight seats in Economy, two seats in Premium Economy, and four in Business.
- Look for sales – Yes, reward sales do exist. Airlines will offer flights for a discounted number of points.
- Target longer routes – Often, the best value comes with booking longer, transatlantic flights.
- Compare cash vs. points – Before redeeming, compare a few flights to see how much they cost and the reward points required. That will give you an idea of how much each point is worth to get the best deal.
- Use loyalty credit cards – When you book a flight, charge it to a loyalty-linked card to get double the points. You get the points for the amount spent and the points for the booked flight.
- Go all in – Fly with your preferred airline whenever possible and look for options to convert other points into airline loyalty points. For example, in the UK, you can convert Nectar points from Sainsbury’s into Avios with BA.
Airline Loyalty Programme Traps to Avoid
You go through a lot of trouble to earn points, so you want them to work for you. Use these tips to manage your loyalty points like a pro:
- Be mindful of expiry dates and minimum transactions.
- Don’t book more expensive flights just to get the points.
- Don’t join too many loyalty programs, or you’ll spread the points around too much.
- Don’t forget about network partner opportunities.
- Read the fine print. When booking, some discount fares don’t earn any points, so choose wisely.
- Just because you redeem points for the flight doesn’t mean it’s free. Evaluate the taxes, surcharges, or booking fees before you commit.
- Get a household account so everyone in the family can pool their points.
How to Choose the Perfect Loyalty Programme
In the UK, the two main loyalty programmes are with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Another main carrier here, easyJet, has an invite-only scheme for only the most frequent travellers. Let’s compare:
| | British Airways | Virgin Atlantic |
Branding | Avios/BA Club | Flying Club |
Tiers | Blue, Bronze, Silver, Gold | Red, Silver, Gold |
Earning Tier Points* | 1 tier point per £1 spent on flights and certain flight add-ons | 1 tier point per £1 spent on flights; 2 tier points for every £1 spent on Virgin Atlantic Holidays |
Expiry | Expire if no account activity (earn, spend, transfer, share) over 36 months | No expiry |
Notable Network Partners | Iberia, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Finnair, Qatar Airways | Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM |
*Multiplies as you advance through the tiers.
In short, if you value a wide network with tons of reward-eligible routes, British Airways is a good choice. Alternatively, Virgin is ideal for European travellers – there is no expiry on the points and generous earning rates for holidays.
The Low-Cost Carriers
We can’t talk about loyalty programmes without touching on the discount carriers like easyJet and Ryanair. They don’t offer traditional options that earn points or miles. Instead, passengers can pay for an annual membership to get certain advantages.
EasyJet Plus
A single easyJet Plus membership costs £249 per year, so you need to take more than four annual flights to break even. The perks here include:
- Speedy boarding
- Security fast-track
- Free premium seat selection
- Free large cabin baggage
- 10% discount on in-flight food purchases
- Dedicated bag drop
Ryanair Prime
Ryanair’s loyalty programme (£79 annually) is significantly cheaper than easyJet’s, but it has fewer benefits:
- Access to 12 exclusive seat sales (one per month)
- Free seat selection
- Free travel insurance
Before you spend money on a programme, think carefully about your travel goals in the next 12 months. You want to maximise the value. With Ryanair, for example, you may already have travel insurance elsewhere, and seat selection costs as little as £4 per person. It would take a lot of seats to add up to £79!
Cancelled flights with European airlines like easyJet and Ryanair could mean up to a £520 payout.Start a claim today!
Getting the Most Out of Airline Loyalty Programmes
Getting the most from these schemes simply starts with starting. Sign up for a free account with BA or Virgin and see how it goes. Don’t fall into the trap of buying things just to earn points and re-evaluate every six months or so.
With the right loyalty rewards, you can fly almost free and have a much more pleasant travel experience. What do you have to lose?
Author:
Amy Lancelotte
Job/Position: Senior Writer & Content Strategist
Amy Lancelotte is a Senior Content Writer and editorial contributor at AirAdvisor with over seven years of experience producing research-based articles for international audiences. Her work focuses on travel, aviation, and air passenger rights, with an emphasis on factual accuracy, verified data, and clear, reader-first explanations.
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