Royal Caribbean and IAG Loyalty Partner to Offer New Avios Earning Opportunity
Royal Caribbean and IAG Loyalty have launched a new partnership that allows travellers to earn Avios points when booking luxury cruise holidays. This introduces a new way for members to earn points that can be used for future BA reward flights or other benefits within the IAG network.
Overview of the Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International is a cruise line brand currently headquartered in Miami, Florida. It’s known for its large ships and a wide range of itineraries that include a mix of short and long journeys across various continents.
Known for adventures on and off the deck, this cruise line spices up sea days with everything from rock climbing walls to ice skating rinks, and even robotic bartenders.
When Does the Partnership Start?
The partnership started on the 29th of August 2024 and marked the Royal Caribbean’s entry into the loyalty travel space for the very first time.
How Can Travellers Earn Avios Points?
Earning Avios through this partnership is simple. Members of British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Iberia Plus, and Vueling Club can book a balcony or suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise and earn Avios on every pound spent.
How Many Points Can You Earn?
Members can earn three Avios for every £1 or €1 spent on balcony or suite bookings through Royal Caribbean’s UK, Spain, and Ireland websites.
Why Is This Important for British Airways Executive Club Members?
This partnership gives members more flexibility to accumulate points and book flights with Avios in the future. The opportunity to earn points on cruises means members can accumulate points faster and from more sources.
When it’s challenging to find British Airways reward flight availability due to high demand — like during holiday seasons — having extra points can provide more flexibility to secure flights that might otherwise be out of reach due to limited availability or higher point costs during peak times. Essentially, more points can open up more options for when and how members can book their travel, making planning easier during busy travel periods.
What Does This Mean for the Loyalty Travel Industry?
This collaboration is part of IAG Loyalty’s strategy to combine multiple travel experiences into a single loyalty programme. Traditionally, travellers earned Avios points primarily through flights. Now, they can earn points while on a cruise, opening up more opportunities to book flights with Avios, get upgrades, and pay for seats, baggage, and other services. With this partnership, Royal Caribbean provides access to frequent flyers who already use Avios, while IAG Loyalty offers its members a new way to earn points beyond air travel.
IAG Loyalty’s Head of Retail, Travel and Leisure, David Black said: “We’re delighted to welcome Royal Caribbean International to our roster of partners that further ensure travel experiences become more rewarding for our members. When we look to work with new partners, we look for popular brands that fit seamlessly with members’ lifestyles and travel choices. As the largest and one of the most popular cruise lines, Royal Caribbean ticks those boxes and more.”
Gerard Nolan, Royal Caribbean International’s vice president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa said: “This partnership introduces yet more ways holidaymakers can add phenomenal value to their holiday. Between enjoying the variety of dining experiences, show-stopping entertainment and the stunning destinations we visit around the world, now travellers can also earn Avios — and save — while making memories. Just think, the Avios earned for a two-person balcony room could cover a one-way flight within Europe. There are sizeable savings in store.”
What Are the Benefits for Travellers?
- It boosts your Avios balance: You can earn three Avios for every £1 or €1 spent on a Royal Caribbean balcony or suite booking as opposed to one.
- Points earned are flexible: You can redeem earned Avios for BA reward flights, cabin upgrades, and other rewards.
- More ways to earn: This is a brand-new way to earn Avios and makes working towards your next reward flight easier.
What’s Next?
As this partnership develops, we’ll see more collaborations between cruise lines and airline loyalty programmes. For now, frequent travellers and cruise enthusiasts can use this new way to earn Avios points and get closer to booking their next reward flight. If you’re planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, now’s the time to take advantage of this opportunity.
