British Airways cuts bonus tier points on premium cabin fares

British Airways is cutting the bonus tier points earned on some premium cabin fares by up to 60%, according to Head for Points. The changes apply to travel from 1 April 2027, and affect Club World, First and some Premium Economy tickets. They follow higher Silver and Gold tier thresholds that were published on ba.com a day earlier.

What is changing

Head for Points reports that bonus tier points on short haul flights and long haul economy are unchanged. The cuts fall on premium long haul cabins:

• Non-refundable Premium Economy tickets: bonus down 36%, while other Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) ticket types are unchanged.
• Non-refundable Club World tickets: bonus down 60%, with every Club World ticket class cut by at least 27%.
• Non-refundable First tickets: bonus down 54%, with every First ticket class cut by at least 28%.

The site says the current rates are now placed in an FAQ at the bottom of the relevant ba.com page. It adds that the changes appear to have been published accidentally ahead of schedule.

Higher thresholds already announced

Head for Points notes that the tier point thresholds had already risen: Silver up 6.7% to 8,000 and Gold up 5% to 21,000. It points out the irony that bonus tier points were made permanent because too few people were expected to qualify for status under the new structure.

American Airlines and Iberia flights

Flights marketed by American Airlines or Iberia (those carrying an AA or IB flight number, even if operated by BA) are also affected, according to Head for Points. For flights from 1 April 2027, the earning rates will be:

• Economy short haul: 75 tier points (unchanged)
• Business short haul: 175 (unchanged)
• Economy long haul: 150 (unchanged)
• Premium economy long haul: 175, down 100
• Business long haul: 200, down 300
• First long haul: 300, down 350

Booking deadline

Per Head for Points, bookings made by 24 November 2026 for travel from 1 April 2027 will earn bonus tier points at the existing rates. Bookings from 25 November 2026 for travel from that date will earn at the new rates. The site says ba.com implies this also applies to American Airlines and Iberia flights, but it is unsure BA can know the booking date for those partner-marketed tickets.

What this means for travellers

Frequent flyers who rely on Club World or First fares to reach or keep BA Club status will find it harder to do so from the 2027 membership year, particularly when combined with the higher Silver and Gold thresholds. Those planning premium long haul trips for travel from 1 April 2027 may want to book by 24 November 2026 to secure the old bonus rates, though the position for American Airlines and Iberia bookings is unclear.

Head for Points suggests the best value for bonus points may now lie in semi-flexible or fully flexible Club Europe tickets, which it says can earn up to 750 bonus tier points per return flight on top of base points. BA has not yet commented in the source material, so it is not known whether the figures may be revised. Readers comparing alliance options can see our American Airlines vs British Airways comparison.

Sources: Head for Points.