Avios rewards scheme to CLOSE this summer and customers will be moved to BA’s Executive Club
Affected customers will have their balances transferred over by the end of July
THE Avios reward scheme is to close this summer, it has been announced today.
Customers with the scheme will be switched to British Airways Executive Club instead.
The scheme is writing to its customers via email and letter letting them know about the forthcoming changes, with balances moved across to the airline's reward programme by the end of July.
It says the changes are happening to "simplify" the programme and "improve" the way customers can collect and spend their points.
Members can earn Avios points when spending at various different shops, which they can then use to purchase flights.
And because of the changes, customers will be now be able to collect and spend their points with an extra 11 airlines including LATAM, Malaysian, S7, Royal Jordanian, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Finnair, Qatar, and Japan Airlines, Air Italy and Alaska.
Members will also be able to carry on collecting and spending their points with British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling.
Avios customers: How does it affect you?
HERE'S what you need to know about the changes to the rewards scheme.
- You'll be notified by letter or email about being transferred to the BA Executive Club in the next few weeks
- Your Avios balance will be moved across by the end of July
- You will collect points in exactly the same way as you do currently - if you auto collect with Tesco, your points will simply go to your new BA Executive Club account
- Under executive club, members will be able to spend their points at 60,000 additional hotels and on 50,000 experiences around the world
- The value of the points will remain the same
- If you don't wish to carry on being a member, you must opt-out by May 20 and spend your points within six months
Chris Treadwell, commercial director at Avios said customers will notice very little difference in how the schemes are run, with points retaining the exact same value as they did before.
He 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."
If you collect your points with a Lloyds or TSB Avios Credit Card, you'll still be able to collect in the same way - with your points being sent to your new BA Executive Club account instead.
And if you don't want to be part of the British Airways Executive Club, you can choose to opt out before May 20 by filling in a form, which is
But if you do opt-out, your account will close in six months - and you'll need to spend all your Avios points in that time or you will lose them.
More on money
Back in November, Lloyds Avios credit card customers were urged to check their bank statements after reports of fraud.
The Avios scheme was first launched back in 2011, replacing the previous Airmiles scheme, when British Airways merged with Iberia Airlines.
If you haven't received a letter or email by May 20, you should contact the Avios call centre on 034449 33349.
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