British Airways' program — now called The British Airways Club (formerly "Executive Club") — uses Avios as its currency, and that's the key to understanding it: Avios are shared across British Airways, Club Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Finnair Plus. All are in oneworld. This is the strategy guide; the live data is in the Executive Club miniportal.
The essentials in one table
| Item | How the Avios ecosystem works |
|---|---|
| Program | The British Airways Club (formerly Executive Club); currency: Avios |
| Alliance | oneworld |
| Currency shared with | Club Iberia Plus, Qatar Privilege Club, Aer Lingus AerClub and Finnair Plus |
| Accrual in Brazil | Livelo → BA and Iberia (3.5:1); Esfera → Club Iberia Plus (2:1, the best path) |
| Validity | Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity; any activity renews them |
The Avios ecosystem and "Combine my Avios"
The big edge: you can move Avios between the group's programs via the "Combine my Avios" tool — online, instant, free, at 1 Avios = 1 Avios. You just need accounts in the same person's name. In practice this lets you pool Avios from different sources into one account and choose the program that charges fewer miles for each redemption.
Where the Avios come from in Brazil
| Path | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Esfera → Club Iberia Plus | 2:1 — the most advantageous route for Brazilians |
| Livelo → British Airways | 3.5:1 (3,500 points = 1,000 Avios) |
| Livelo → Club Iberia Plus | 3.5:1 |
| Hotels and partners | Marriott, Accor/ALL, IHG, Shopping BA, and others |
The 2025 change: qualification by spend
In April 2025, British renamed the "Executive Club" to The British Airways Club and changed how you qualify for status: now it's by spend — 1 Tier Point per pound spent (on fare, carrier charges and extras). The old model was by cabin and distance. Importantly, Avios remain the currency — only status qualification changed.
Sweet spots: the distance-based chart
Unlike fully dynamic programs, flight redemptions in the Avios ecosystem use a distance-zone chart. That favors short hauls and partner flights. Some reference examples (vary by season):
| Route | Reference (business) |
|---|---|
| São Paulo–Madrid (Iberia) | ~50,500 Avios (low season) — gateway to Europe |
| Rio–Buenos Aires (British) | ~24,250 Avios — short haul favored by the chart |
| Madrid–New York (Iberia) | ~40,500 Avios — good connector after reaching Madrid |
Worked example: earn cheap, redeem smart
Strengths and limits for Brazilians
✓ Strengths
- Distance chart rewards short hauls and connections.
- "Combine my Avios" gives rare cross-program flexibility.
- Esfera → Iberia (2:1) is a good accrual cost.
✕ Watch-outs
- High carrier charges on some British flights.
- Status now requires spend (2025 change).
- Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity.
Common mistakes with Avios
- Not using "Combine my Avios" — that's where much of the value is.
- Ignoring the fees — on British flights they can be high; always compare.
- Letting Avios expire — one activity every 36 months renews them.
Tips to get the most
- Prioritize Esfera → Club Iberia Plus (2:1) to accumulate Avios cheaply.
- Use the distance chart in your favor on short hauls.
- Compare the redemption cost between British and Iberia before combining.
- See how the program fits your profile in how to choose the best program.