HereWeGo
May 23, 2026 • 3 min read
British Airways has announced an increase in cash fees for award tickets booked with Avios, making it more expensive for travelers to redeem their points.
Latest Fee Increase from British Airways
British Airways has recently announced a hike in the cash component of award tickets booked with Avios, complicating the justification for using Avios for many travelers. According to an email announcement, starting May 27, 2026, the airline will implement new fees for award flights booked with Avios. While the Avios price itself will remain unchanged, the cash portion will increase, resulting in higher overall ticket costs.
Details on New Award Ticket Pricing
British Airways has provided examples of new award tickets for off-peak flights, which include:
- Round trip from London Heathrow to New York JFK in Club World: 176,000 Avios + £499
- Round trip from London Heathrow to Cape Town in World Traveller: 66,000 Avios + £190
- One-way from London Heathrow to Rome in Club Europe: 22,000 Avios + £20
- One-way from London Heathrow to Amsterdam in Euro Traveller: 10,000 Avios + £2.50
The price increase for long-haul flights is particularly concerning. For instance, a round trip from London to New York in Club World now requires 176,000 Avios plus £499, which is a £100 increase compared to before.
The Value of Avios Remains, but Not with British Airways
Despite the fee increase, I still consider Avios to be a valuable currency. Using Avios for short-haul flights with partners like Iberia and Qatar Airways can still yield benefits. However, redeeming Avios for long-haul flights with British Airways often no longer offers good value, especially with the high cash fees involved.
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It’s worth noting that British Airways refers to these flights as award flights, yet the “award” comes with a hefty bill. In some cases, particularly in economy class, purchasing a ticket with cash may be more reasonable than using Avios plus fees. I understand that British Airways is facing high oil prices and needs to recoup some losses, but these changes feel like a slow leak, diminishing the value of the program.
Book Before the Changes Take Effect
British Airways has stated that any award tickets booked before this change will retain the current pricing structure. If you have a specific BA flight in mind and have found available seats, it’s advisable to book before May 27. Moving forward, the advice remains: calculate carefully. Don’t assume that using Avios with British Airways is a great deal just because there are award seats available. Compare the Avios cost plus fees against the cash ticket price to make the best decision.
Conclusion on the Current Situation
The increase in cash fees for award flights starting May 27, 2026, is not the end for Avios, but it is a reminder that Avios are often most valuable when not used for long-haul flights with British Airways. The airline continues to make award flights more expensive. Members need to think carefully, accumulate Avios, and use them wisely, but should not blindly pay British Airways hundreds of pounds just because of “award” fees without checking if purchasing a cash ticket might be more sensible.
Article reference and editing from source: Live and Let's Fly
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