The Avios program of British Airways is to be closed. And the members and their points will be redirected to the British Airways Executive Club this summer.

The currency Avios is not closing. Only its travel rewards program, which allows users to collect and spend points on flights and hotels, will close by the end of July 2018.

Avios reward scheme was launched in 2011 following BA’s Airmiles program. By the end of the July, all existing members will automatically receive a BA Executive Club account unless they decide to do so.

The program is a part of BA owner International Airlines Group, said that this will provide more opportunities for users Points to collect and spend. This confirms that all points already collected will be transferred. But, customers who already have a BA account can transfer their points immediately. This can be done through the Avios website.

Avios’ Chris Treadwell said: “This move is good news for members. Outwardly there will be very little change for them other than their Avios will have a new home. However, they will also enjoy all the advantages that being a British Airways Executive Club Member offers including a smoother online experience, even more, ways to collect and spend Avios, plus the tier benefits.”

Customers who have Avios accounts can transfer all their points to the British Airways Executive Club. Until the changeover, customers can continue to earn and spend their points with Avios. And after that, spend and earn them with the BA rewards scheme in the same way.

These customers can contact through the post or via email by BA with details of their new account. Currently, those customers who have booked their flight with a limited number of airlines like Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia, can only collect points.

This rewards scheme helps the users to collect points from each of these brands, plus other partner airlines. This means customers will be able to earn and spend points with airlines such as American Airlines, Qantas and Qatar Airways.

As compared to the Avios scheme, the BA Executive Club users can spend points on 60,000 more partner hotels and 50,000 extra sightseeing experiences.

If you collect Avios points using a credit card, such as the Lloyds Bank Avios credit card or TSB Avios account, then you should continue to use these normally.

Members who do not want their points to be moved to BA can opt out of the move between now and 20 May 2018. But, you will be required to spend your Avios points within 6 months of your opt-out date or the points will be lost.

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