Upcoming Changes to the Price of Purchased Avios

Throughout the year, British Airways often puts on sales for buying Avios. In some cases, it can represent a good deal, while in others, it’s not necessarily a bargain.

One of the quirks of buying Avios is that you’re charged a different base rate depending on which country you reside in. Canadians and Americans both are subject to pricing in US dollars, while residents of Europe are charged in British pounds or euros, depending on where they live.

British Airways has announced that as of May 1, 2023, there will be changes to the cost of buying Avios. For anyone who is subject to pricing in US dollars, this is actually good news, as the base price will decrease by around 17%, while European residents will have to pay 10–18% more.

Upcoming Changes to the Price of Purchased Avios

As of May 1, 2023, the cost of buying Avios will change. In some cases, the cost is going up, while in others, the cost is going down.

The bad news is that if you’re subject to buying Avios in euros or British pounds, you’ll have to pay more. The increase is more dramatic in euros than it is with pounds, which is unfortunate news for anyone who happens to buy Avios in Europe.

The cost in euros is raising 10–18%, and the cost in pounds is raising 4–10%, depending on how many Avios you buy.

On the other hand, the price is actually decreasing for anyone who is subject to payment in US dollars, which includes both Canadians and Americans.

Prior to May 1, 2023, the base price for purchasing Avios in US dollars ranges from 4 cents per point (USD) at the high end to around 2.8 cents per point (USD) at the low end. As of May 1, 2023, the cost is dropping to 3.25 cents per point (USD) at the high end and 2.3 cents per point (USD) at the low end.

This represents a drop in price of around 19% for small amounts of Avios and around 17% at the higher end, with other percentages in between. 

For context, the equivalent prices in US dollars for buying Avios in British pounds ranges from around 3.1 cents per point (USD) at the high end to about 2.2 cents per point (USD) at the low end. Converting from euros, the new prices will be equivalent to around 3.7 cents per point (USD) at the high end to about 2.6 cents per point (USD) at the low end.

In other words, the pricing in British pounds is still the best deal, although the difference between the new pricing in US dollars is almost negligible. As currencies…