British Airways has reinstated some Executive Club benefits as a result of customer feedback.
The new benefits are the ability of members to reserve seats without charge, and also the freezing of tier in the case of paternity or maternity (see below)
CEO Alex Cruz said: “Our Executive Club Members are highly valued and in response to their feedback we are reinstating the ability for Bronze, Silver and Gold Executive Club Members to reserve their seat for free on a basic fare. We are also introducing a new option to ‘status freeze’ for anyone on maternity, paternity or adoption leave.”
From June 14 any Bronze*, Silver and Gold Executive Club Members will be able to reserve their seat on a basic fare for free, members who may have paid to select their seat and are due to travel from that date can also receive a refund on the cost of the seat reservation.
Cruz continues: “Our members have told us that they love the basic low cost fare as they’re often travelling for business for a day and don’t want to check in a bag, but we understand they still want to be recognised for their loyalty, so we’ve reintroduced this valuable member benefit.”
In addition, Executive Club Members who travel less as a result of maternity, paternity or adoption leave will now be eligible for a ‘status freeze’ where their membership will be put on hold for a year to avoid losing their status.
Cruz, said: “A huge number of our customers are parents so we’re extending their benefits for maternity and paternity leave and offering a gift of 1,000 Avios for their new baby. Just because they’re not flying for a while, doesn’t mean their loyalty and new arrival shouldn’t be celebrated and rewarded!”
Terms and conditions
The free seat selection depends on the tier level in the programme. For Bronze members it is seven days before departure. Silver and Gold Members can reserve their seat at time of booking.
In order to qualify for the maternity/paternity/adoption leave freeze, members will need to provide a letter from their doctor, a birth certificate or documentation relating to the adoption or paternity leave and email it to [email protected], along with their Executive Club membership name and number.
Children enrolled in a household account can accumulate Avios points for flights, however only adults aged 18 years or over in the household account can redeem points.
The maternity/paternity/adoption leave freeze offer is available to both biological and adoptive parents and members’ status will be extended for a further year.
Members who have received complimentary status or have Gold or Gold Guest List membership for life are not eligible for the maternity/paternity/adoption leave freeze.
Eligible Members are limited to a maximum of two approved applications for the maternity/paternity/adoption leave freeze within a five year period.
The maternity/paternity/adoption leave and seat selection on short-haul basic are available to Executive Club Members around the world.
