British Airways is increasing the price of bonus tickets for customers using Avios, giving five days' notice of the increases.
The cash element of tickets booked through its loyalty program will increase by up to 33 per cent from Wednesday 27 May.
For example, a ticket on Club World from London Heathrow to New York JFK, which previously required 176,000 Avios, will now also require £499, an increase of approximately £100, or around 25 per cent.
In an email, the airline said the number of Avios required for bookings will remain unchanged for now. “Thank you for your continued support and understanding,” it said.
Customers have until Wednesday to book at current prices.
writing in his Go to the points Frequent flyer website Rob Burgess said: “This is the second devaluation in just five months. Previous changes led to a 10 per cent increase in the Avios element and a 3 to 23 per cent increase in the cash element.
“This change only affects the effective element and represents between 10 and 33 percent additional.
“These changes are most likely related to rising fuel costs due to the Middle East crisis, although British Airways has better hedges than most airlines. However, with little sign of the oil situation improving, fuel costs are likely to remain high beyond the life of the hedges.”
Simon Calder, travel correspondent the independentsaid: “When British Airways first introduced 'Air Miles', flights were actually free – no one was expected to hand over cash.
“Seeing the cash element increased to £500 will prove a deterrent to some. But many passengers, especially those who accumulate Avios on their company's expenses, remain transactionally loyal to BA.”
In April, IAG – owner of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Spain's Iberia – said it was increasing the price of ordinary cash tickets due to the impact of the conflict.
“We are not seeing disruptions to jet fuel supplies, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy that offers some short-term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact,” he said. “Like other carriers, IAG airlines are making some pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs.”
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