How do BA Tier Points work?
Bronze starts at 3,500 tier points, Silver at 7,500 and Gold at 20,000. Compare current benefits and learn how BA tier points are earned.
The current BA tier-point collection year
The British Airways Club uses a shared collection year from 1 April to 31 March. Eligible British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia marketed flights earn tier points from the base fare and carrier-imposed charges. Current BA earning can also include add-ons and a fixed extra award based on the flight, cabin and fare type.
Avios and Tier Points – The Basics
The British Airways Club is designed so that the more you travel—and the more you spend with British Airways and its partners—the more practical benefits you unlock. Everyone starts at Blue, and from there you can progress through Bronze and Silver to Gold. Each tier provides a better airport experience, more generous Avios earning, and extra flexibility when plans change.
Want to calculate how many Avios you need for your next trip? Use our Avios Points Calculator to find exact point requirements for over 200 destinations. Looking to discover where you can fly with your current points balance? Try our Find Destinations tool.
Avios – Your Reward Currency
You collect these and then spend them on Reward Flights, upgrades, part-payment on cash tickets and holidays, seat selection, baggage, hotels, car hire, wine, experiences and even charitable donations. As a member, you can also claim Avios for BA flights you took in the three months before joining.
Tier Points – Your Progression
These move you up the tiers. You earn 1 tier point per £1 spent when you fly with BA, book a British Airways Holidays package (where available), or pay for extras such as choosing your seat. You can also earn tier points with oneworld® partners. On top of this, BA now automatically awards extra tier points on eligible flights — no registration needed — with the amount depending on your cabin and fare.
Household Accounts
A useful extra is the household account. Up to six people living together (including children) can pool Avios, so you reach redemptions more quickly. You can also add people outside the household to a family and friends list to spend Avios on them.
Blue
As soon as you join The British Airways Club you become Blue. Even at this level you begin earning Avios on qualifying spend.
- Avios on hotel stays (e.g. Marriott Bonvoy®, Airbnb) and car hire (e.g. Avis)
- Avios on everyday spend through partners such as Nectar, Uber, The Wine Flyer, Apple and John Lewis & Partners
- Free onboard Wi-Fi messaging on flights where available
- Priority over non-members on standby and reservation waiting lists
- Ability to save your seat and meal preferences
- The Avios app to check balance, find retailers and search Reward Flights
- Email updates with member-only offers
Example journey: Start earning Avios from day one on flights, hotels, car hire and everyday shopping.
Bronze
Bronze is where the programme becomes more about saving time at the airport.
- Business class check-in and priority boarding with BA, Aer Lingus and oneworld partners
- Free seat selection from 7 days before departure for everyone on the booking (except group fares and exit rows)
- Priority at Baggage Arrival Services if a bag doesn't appear
- 5% discount with The Wine Flyer, plus 5 Avios per £1
- Ability to keep Bronze during maternity, paternity or adoption leave
- All Blue-level benefits including household accounts and member offers
Milestone Rewards
Example journey: Achievable with a return to Geneva in Euro Traveller, plus a round trip to Singapore in World Traveller Plus, plus a 7-day BA Holidays package to Tenerife.
Silver
Silver is where the programme starts to feel like a premium frequent-flyer scheme.
- Lounge access for you and a guest – over 170 BA and oneworld lounges worldwide
- Business class check-in and priority boarding in any cabin
- Free seat selection from time of booking for everyone (except exit rows on long-haul)
- Extra baggage: two checked bags in economy (except Basic fares), 32kg per bag in any cabin
- Priority on standby and waitlists over Blue and Bronze
- Reservation Assurance on fully-flexible economy tickets
- 10% discount with The Wine Flyer, plus 5 Avios per £1
- Keep Silver during maternity, paternity or adoption leave
Milestone Rewards
Example journey: Return to Geneva, round trip to Singapore in World Traveller Plus, 7-day BA Holidays to Barbados in World Traveller, plus a weekend in New York in Club World.
Gold
Gold is for people who travel extensively and want everything smoothed out.
- Access to First lounges for you and a guest, plus Arrivals lounge at Heathrow T5
- First-class check-in and priority boarding even when flying economy
- Additional economy reward seats at standard prices
- Gold Priority Reward: pay double Avios to open a seat on chosen flight (30+ days advance)
- Free seat selection from booking for whole party, even separate bookings; exclusive access to seats 1A and 1K in First
- Extra checked bag in any cabin for everyone on booking, 32kg per bag
- No booking or service fees for Priority Reward bookings
- Direct line to BA's dedicated team
- 15% discount with The Wine Flyer
- Lifetime Gold at 550,000 lifetime tier points
Milestone Rewards
Example journey: 5 Club World returns to Singapore, or 6 Club World returns to New York plus a 7-day BA Holidays to Barbados, or 13 return business trips to Geneva in Club Europe plus 3 returns to New York in Club World.
Calculate Your Progress
Track your tier points and see how close you are to reaching the next tier level. Use our free calculator to plan your journey to Bronze, Silver, or Gold status.
Tier Points Calculator →Tier Comparison Table
Compare all four tiers side by side to understand which membership level suits your travel pattern.
| Category | Blue | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Join for free | 3,500 TP or 25 flights | 7,500 TP or 50 flights | 20,000 TP |
| Avios Earning (BA/AA) | 6 per £ | 7 per £ | 8 per £ | 9 per £ |
| Seat Selection | Save preferences; pay or use Avios | Free from 7 days before | Free from booking (excl. exit rows) | Free from booking for whole party; access 1A/1K |
| Airport Benefits | Priority over non-members; free messaging | Business check-in; priority boarding | Lounge access (member + guest); business check-in | First lounge + Arrivals lounge T5; First check-in |
| Baggage Benefits | Standard for ticket | As per ticket | 2 checked bags (economy); 32kg per bag | Extra bag in any cabin; 32kg per bag |
| Extra Perks | Household account; claim past flights; apps | Milestone at 5,500 TP; 5% Wine Flyer discount | Milestones at 11,000 & 16,000 TP; 10% Wine Flyer | Priority Reward; upgrade vouchers; 15% Wine Flyer |
Key Highlights
Priority Services
From Bronze onwards, enjoy priority check-in and boarding
Lounge Access
Silver members access business lounges, Gold members enjoy First lounges
Extra Baggage
Silver and Gold tiers include additional baggage allowance
Understanding BA Lifetime Tier Points
While your annual tier points reset every year on 1st April, your lifetime tier points continue to accumulate. This is the ultimate recognition for loyal British Airways flyers.
Gold for Life
Reaching 550,000 lifetime tier points unlocks Gold status for life. This means you'll never drop below Gold status, regardless of how much you fly in the future. It's a permanent elite status that acknowledges your long-term loyalty.
Putting It Together
Which tier is right for you? Here's how different travel patterns match up with the membership levels.
Occasional Traveller
If you fly occasionally, Blue is sufficient to start collecting and spending Avios, especially if you link a household account and shop through BA partners.
Regular Leisure Traveller
If you take a few proper trips a year (a ski week, one or two long-hauls, plus a BA holiday), Bronze becomes realistic and gives you the game-changing benefit of business class check-in and early boarding.
Frequent Business Traveller
If you travel regularly for work and mix in a couple of long-hauls, Silver is the sweet spot: lounges, extra baggage, seat choice from booking and better priority on busy flights.
Extensive Traveller
If you spend a lot of time in the air, Gold makes airports quieter, redemptions easier and travel more flexible—and if you keep going, those upgrade vouchers and eventually lifetime Gold are powerful long-term rewards.
Remember
- You earn 1 tier point per £1 spent on eligible purchases with BA
- BA automatically awards extra tier points by cabin and fare — no registration needed
- The tier-point collection year runs from 1 April to 31 March
- Benefits apply immediately once you reach the required tier points
Benefits marked with * are subject to terms and conditions.
** Free Wi-Fi Messaging is available on selected aircraft. Full details available on the British Airways website.
Sources & further reading
The Avios figures, fees and tier-point details on this page are based on official British Airways and Avios information, reviewed and refreshed regularly. British Airways can change reward pricing and availability at any time, so always confirm current figures with British Airways before booking.