British Airways Club devaluation: Flights cost up to 14% more Avios

• The British Airways Club program devaluation
• Bottom line

Earlier this month, British Airways announced it would increase the cost of Avios redemptions starting Dec. 15, but we didn’t know by how much. The changes took effect Monday, with Avios prices going up by up to 14% across the board. Surcharges on British Airways-operated award tickets have also increased.

Here’s what you need to know about The British Airways Club’s most recent devaluation.

The British Airways Club program devaluation

British Airways has increased the prices of all award flights. Thankfully, the devaluation isn’t as bad as others we’ve seen in recent years. Award tickets have increased in price by 8%-14% across the board. This includes British Airways flights and flights on Oneworld partner airlines, like American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines.

You’ll find the most significant devaluations on JAL, which uses its own unpublished award chart. Award fares on JAL have increased by 11%-14%. The worst devaluations are for economy flights up to 650 miles and between 651 and 1,151 miles, which both received a 14% increase. These have increased from 10,500 and 11,000 Avios to 12,000 and 12,500 Avios, respectively.

Domestic flights on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have also been devalued. Like JAL flights, U.S. domestic flights have long been priced based on their own (more expensive) award charts. Domestic economy flights up to 650 miles used to cost 12,000 Avios, but this has increased by nearly 13% to 13,500 Avios. Further, flights between 651 and 1,151 miles now cost 18,000 Avios, a similar 13% increase from 16,000 Avios.

Looking at British Airways’ own flights, you’ll see a 10% increase on most award tickets. This includes short-haul intra-Europe flights and flights from London to the U.S., Asia and elsewhere. Likewise, taxes and fees have increased by up to 20%, depending on the cabin you book and the route you fly.

Take this Reward Flight Saver fare from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), for example. A business-class seat that used to cost 80,000 Avios now costs 88,000 Avios plus $410 in taxes and fees. Note that you can still opt to use fewer Avios and pay a higher cash copay if you’d like.

Meanwhile, an off-peak Reward Flight Saver economy ticket from LHR to JFK now costs 27,500 Avios plus $120 in taxes and fees. This ticket previously cost 25,000 Avios, reflecting the same 10% increase.

Bottom line

Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of earning and redeeming points and miles, but this one could be worse. Most British Airways flights increased by 10%, while partner flights increased by up to 14% — and the airline gave its members notice that changes were coming later in the month. Regardless, no devaluation is good news, and you’ll now have to work harder to earn the Avios required for your flights.

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Further, you should keep these changes in mind if you plan to transfer your transferable points to The British Airways Club to book Oneworld award tickets. Depending on your route, you might find a cheaper fare with another loyalty program. For example, if you have Bilt Rewards Points, you’ll get a far better deal on American Airlines short-haul flights by transferring them to Atmos Rewards, where flights up to 700 miles cost just 4,500 points.

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