British Airways (BA)’s frequent flyer programme is called simply The Club. The British Airways Club has four different tiers. Starting with Blue, and up the ranks from Bronze, Silver, and Gold. What are the benefits of The BA Club and is it worth it? In this blog, we outline the benefits of each tier. Don’t forget to read our blog on what you need to achieve each tier!
As you’d expect, you get more benefits as you progress up the tiers. Getting there will depend on how frequently you fly on BA or their partners airlines (Oneworld alliance). To gain elite status, you’ll have to earn a minimum amount of Tier Points and fly a number of Eligible Flights. These are different from the reward currency the airline uses, which are known as Avios.
What are the benefits for each tier?
The number of benefits you get as a member increases as you move up the different tiers. The table below outlines the different benefits for the tiers.
There are minimal discernable benefits to warrant aiming for Bronze status if you’re not a frequent traveller. However, you’ll start seeing real tangilble benefits once you’ve reached Silver and Gold status.
With Silver or Gold you’ll start to see the benefits of travelling in premium cabins while travelling in Economy e.g. access to the Business or First class lounges, selecting a seat at the time of booking, priority boarding, and priority check-ins.
We have outlined whether British Airways Club Gold or Silver status is worth it in a separate blog, and concluded that it’s worth having if you’re a frequent traveller on BA or the Oneworld alliance.
Oneworld alliance
The benefits of having status on BA’s frequent flyer programme extends to oneworld partner airlines.
Bronze = Ruby
Silver = Sapphire
Gold = Emerald
There are 13 airlines within the oneworld alliance, and you can earn Avios and Tier points on any partner airlines. The benefits are reciprocated on other oneworld partners including priority boarding and access to airport lounges (Silver and above). So, if you’re travelling on Malaysia Airlines in Economy Class and you have BA Club Gold status, you get all the benefits of being a Oneworld Emerald member. This includes using the Malaysia Airlines first class lounges, priority boarding, and check-in.
BG1 tips on maximising your tier points
BA switched to a revenue-earning model for Tier Points in 2025, so the information below may now be out-dated.
Add a transit stop-over with partner airlines: If you’re flying long-haul, consider using partner airlines to include a stop-over. A direct flight from London to Bangkok on BA will earn you 280 tier points in Business Class.
While including a stop-over via Doha on Qatar Airways in Business Class will earn you a whopping 560 tier points for the return journey. That’s nearly enough tier points to gain Silver status.
Consider the minimum long-haul flight: You get more Tier points by flying on long-haul flights and a 4-5 hour flight is considered as long-haul. For example, a flight from Helsinki to Malaga (4 hours 45 minutes) on Finnair will earn you 280 tier points in Business Class return. We used this tip to fly from Sofia to Doha in Qatar Airways which earnt us 280 tier points.
Look out for Oneworld partner flight offer and deals: Look for flight offers and deals from BA and partner airlines on premium cabins – flying long-haul in higher cabins will earn you more tier points. There are often great ex-EU offers with Finnair from as low as £1,500.
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