Companies that sign up for British Airways' revamped On Business scheme can earn triple points on their first six flights with BA or on select routes with eligible partner airlines.
The loyalty programme for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) is free to join and the promotional points and flights are available within the first 12 months of signing up.
From May 27, On Business has rewarded companies spending more on tickets, rather than distance flown. Similar changes to BA's Executive Club programme came into effect on April 28 (see news, January 28).
The revamped scheme combines the business loyalty programmes of BA, American Airlines and Iberia under the On Business banner.
On Business members can collect and redeem points on BA, American, Iberia. Sun-Air and Comair, as well as BA codeshare routes operated by Japan Airlines, Qantas and US Airways. BA Executive Club and Iberia Plus members will also continue to earn Avios.
Three tiers are being introduced (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3) based on the amount spent on business flights each year, rather than distance travelled.
Tier 1 has a spend threshold up to £29,999 and earns one point per £1 spent; tier 2 has a spending threshold between £30,000 and £299,000 and earns 1.25 points per £1 spent; and tier 3 has a spending threshold above £300,000 and earns 1.5 points per £1 spent.
BA CCO Andrew Crawley said: "We know it can be a struggle to make budgets stretch so On Business enables small and medium-sized businesses to make the most of their travel expenditure by realising genuine benefits in terms of immediate discounts, reward flights and upgrades for their travelling staff across the partnership between British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia, enabling them to efficiently reach every corner of the globe through one scheme."
The move has seen an increase in the cost of redeeming points for premium cabins, while lowering the cost when redeeming non-premium cabins.
Other changes include the facility to choose to receive a cash discount on selected flight instead of earning points.
To find out more, visit BA's FAQ page here.
Graham Smith
