British Airways Executive Club

British Airways, a member of the One World Alliance, offers miles through it’s program, Executive Club. Executive Club members can collect BA Miles by flying with British Airways or one of its partner airlines, staying in partner hotels, renting cars from partner companies and using the British Airways credit card. Miles may be redeemed by purchasing a British Airways or partner airline flight. Miles do not expire, provided your account stays active. An account becomes inactive after 36 months with no transaction, at which time your miles will be forfeited. Awards start at just 9,000 miles for a one way ticket between major European airports.

Members begin at the Blue Level. Members earn miles on qualifying flights and activities. In addition, members have preferred status on standby flights, the option to choose a seat in advance and save dietary requirements to their profile. After accruing 600 miles (including 4 qualifying flights) the member moves up to Silver status. With Silver status, members enjoy all benefits of a Blue member, with the addition of priority check in and boarding, reservation assurance (book a full fare ticket up to 24 hours in advance and check in at least one hour before the flight, reservation will be confirmed even if the flight is full), a 25% mileage bonus with BA or Quantas and lounge access. Upon earning 1500 miles (with 4 qualifying flights) members are moved up to Gold status. Gold members earn all benefits of Silver membership, plus lounge access anytime, First Class check in desk (regardless of class flown), 50% mileage bonus on BA and Quantas and periodic complimentary upgrades.

Airline Partners: American Airlines, Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, LAN and Quantas.

Hotel Partners: British Airways Holidays, Hilton Properties, Hyatt, IC Hotels Group, Jumeirah, Mandarin Oriental, Maritim, Marriott Properties, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Radisson, Shangri-La, Starwood Properties and Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces.

Car Rental Partners: Alamo, Avis and National.

BA offers something a little different from most American based airlines with the Household Account. Up to seven members of one household, including children, can earn and redeem BA Miles together. Each member has an individual account but BA Miles are pooled, giving you more flexibility and making it easier to take reward flights sooner. So if you and your spouse both travel BA frequently but separately, you can pool you miles to get to your next destination with less work.