BA's Elite Program Changes Backfire: 4,000 Top Flyers Jump Ship to Air France KLM

British Airways faces mass exodus of valuable customers, plus new upgrade bidding system and Ryanair's digital-only boarding passes

✈️ Smart With Points

  • 📣 Ryanair going fully digital: Paper boarding passes eliminated from 12th November 2025

  • 🏨 British Airways launches upgrade bidding system - but rollout extremely limited so far

  • 💳 Capital on Tap adds new benefits for Limited Company cardholders

😮 BA's Elite Program Changes Trigger Mass Exodus

In what's turning out to be a massive miscalculation, British Airways' recent overhaul of its elite program has resulted in an immediate loss of over 4,000 of its most valuable frequent flyers to Air France KLM. And we're not just talking about casual travellers – these are premium cabin regulars who have already booked thousands of flights with BA's competitor.

This exodus represents a significant portion of BA's highest-value customers, and they're voting with their feet (and wallets). The impact? Tens of thousands of premium cabin bookings have already shifted to Air France KLM.

🆕 BA Tests Upgrade Bidding System

In more BA news, the airline is quietly rolling out a new upgrade bidding system. But don't get too excited yet – the rollout is extremely limited, with very few passengers receiving offers so far. I’m yet to receive one of these - have you? Drop a comment, I’d love to learn more about the process!

📱 Ryanair Goes Digital-Only

Mark your calendars: From 12th November 2025, Ryanair will no longer accept paper boarding passes. You'll need to use the myRyanair app for all boarding passes going forward. This is a permanent change, so make sure you're comfortable with digital boarding passes before your next Ryanair flight.

🎯 Quick Hits

IHG Points Sale: Through October 11th, buy IHG One Rewards points with a 100% bonus, bringing the cost down to 0.5 pence per point. Worth considering if you have a specific redemption in mind.

KLM Service Updates: Look out for significant changes to KLM's long-haul service starting 2027, with new cabin layouts coming to their Boeing 777 and 787 fleets. The focus will be on creating more personalised experiences.

That's all for today! Stay smart with your points, and we'll catch you tomorrow. ✌️

💳 Current Buy Points Offers

Before you go, here are some noteworthy buy points opportunities worth considering (data via AwardTravelFinder):

Notable offers:

  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 70% bonus at 1.48¢ (ends October 12, 2025)

  • Lufthansa Miles & More: 60% bonus at 1.31¢ (ends September 30, 2025)

  • Wyndham Rewards: 90% discount at 0.68¢ (ends October 21, 2025)

Stay updated with the latest UK miles and points news! Follow us for more travel deals and loyalty program updates.

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