British Airways clarifies status expiration and soft landing rules
British Airways has detailed how long its Silver and Gold tier status lasts and the rules for members who fail to requalify, including a 'soft landing' to a lower tier.
British Airways status expiration rules determine how long frequent flyers retain their tier benefits. Status lasts at least a year, with many members receiving 18 to 23 months of privileges depending on when they qualify.
A member's status duration is tied to the airline's membership year, which ends on March 31. The card showing tier membership expires on April 30. In practice, this means a passenger who reaches Silver status in January, for example, keeps that tier through the current March 31, the entirety of the following membership year, and then through the stub period until April 30 of the year after that.
Status gifted from a Gold Guest List member follows a different rule. This gifted Silver or Gold status expires definitively at the end of the 12th month after the recipient receives it.
Soft Landing Rules
Members who do not earn enough tier points to renew their current tier are subject to soft landing rules. This means they will move down one tier for a period of 12 months. For instance, a Gold member who fails to requalify would drop to Silver status for the next year.
There are exceptions to these soft landing provisions. The primary exception applies to status that was originally gifted by a Gold Guest List member. This gifted status is not supposed to receive a soft landing and will simply expire at the end of its term if the member does not earn the required tier points independently.
Earning Tier Points
Understanding how to earn tier points is key to maintaining status. Passengers can accrue both Avios and tier points not only on flights booked directly but also on flights booked through third-party websites like Expedia or Opodo.
Additional spending on services such as seat selection or extra baggage also earns tier points. Also, using a combination of cash and Avios for part-payment still qualifies the booking as a cash flight for the purpose of earning tier points.
It is important to note that Avios and tier points are not earned on British Airways reward flights booked entirely with points. Members who do not requalify for their current tier will move down one tier for 12 months.
