Ask Alisha: Which BA Club Europe Routes Offer Double the Usual Tier points?
When it comes to British Airways Executive Club tier points, not all routes are created equal. If you’re clever about it, you can earn double the tier points on some routes compared to others. We’ve asked our resident “Points Professor,” Alisha Collins to demystify the mystery and give you the inside scoop on how you can ramp up your points to reach elite status faster.
Understanding Tier Points and Status Levels
Tier points are the loyalty currency that determines your status within the British Airways Executive Club. Unlike British Airways Avios points, which you can spend on flights or upgrades, tier points work towards upgrading your membership level each year. Below is an overview of the four available tiers levels and their benefits:
Blue: This is the entry-level tier for all new members. It provides access to member-only deals and the ability to collect British Airways Avios and tier points.
Bronze: Members move to this level when they’ve accumulated 300 tier points in a membership year. Benefits include business class check-in, seat selection seven days before departure, and priority boarding.
Silver: Achieved at 600 tier points. Silver members enjoy lounge access, priority boarding, and free seat selection at the time of booking.
Gold: The top level, requiring 1,500 tier points. Gold status comes with additional perks such as first-class check-in and lounge access, increased baggage allowance, and first choice of seating.
Club Europe Routes Offering 160 Tier Points
Accumulating tier points is often about flying smarter, not just more often. Certain Club Europe routes provide double the usual tier points — 160 instead of the standard 80 for a round trip. This means that choosing the right destination for your next European getaway could accelerate your progress toward the next tier status or help maintain your status if you’re at the end of your membership year and short on points. This is one of the best ways to boost your points balance over a short period.
If you’re looking for a quick boost to your tier points, consider targeting one of the following destinations for a weekend getaway — all of them provide 160 tier points on a return flight from London in Club Europe:
Destination
Price
Agadir — £396
Algiers — £359
Antalya — £466
Athens — £444
Bodrum - £612
Bucharest - £302
Catania — £458
Chania — £568
Corfu — £446
Dalaman — £452
Fuerteventura — £426
Funchal — £616
Gran Canaria — £500
Heraklion — £582
Istanbul — £424
Izmir — £600
Kalamata — £544
Kefalonia — £472
Kos — £516
Lanzarote — £430
Larnaca - £548
Malta — £534
Marrakech — £384
Mykonos — £530
Paphos — £486
Ponta Delgada — £628
Preveza Lefkada — £522
Reykjavik — £394
Rhodes — £594
Santorini — £534
Sharm El Sheikh — £762
Skiathos — £690
Sofia — £312
Tenerife — £500
Thessaloniki — £452
Tirana — £290
Zakynthos — £422
Note that during promotional periods, like the one running until 30th June 2025, booking through British Airways Holidays could double these points when you add five nights of hotel or car hire, potentially earning you up to 320 tier points on a single trip!
Final Thoughts
Your tier points reset at the end of each membership year, which is the anniversary of when you first joined the British Airways Executive Club. This means all the hard-earned points you’ve accumulated over the past year can disappear if you don’t use them.
Many travellers reach a point in the year where they need to book flights just to keep their current status for the next year. Routes that offer 160 tier points for a return trip can make a major difference in this case.
It can also save costs in the long run. With 160 tier points per return trip, you effectively double your tier point earnings compared to the standard 80 tier point routes, reducing the number of trips needed to reach your goal. For example, if you want to achieve Silver status, which requires 600 tier points, you would need four return trips on 160 tier point routes versus eight return trips on 80 tier point routes. This not only saves time but is more cost-effective.
If your primary goal is to maximise the reward from a single holiday, it’s advisable to avoid the 80-tier point routes in favour of the 160 options. They offer a clear advantage and provide a quicker path to elite status. Ultimately, the choice of route should align with your travel goals and timelines.
How to Set Up and Benefit from Reward Flight Finder Alerts
Our BA flight finder tool can help you set up alerts to track availability on high tier point routes. When you set up a Reward Flight Finder alert, you’re notified as soon as reward seats become available, giving you the best chance to secure them before they’re gone. Here are some tips to maximise your benefits with our BA flight finder:
