British Airways Hiking Avios Reward Flight Prices From December 15: Here’s What’s Changing and How to Lock In Current Rates

If you’ve been sitting on a pile of Avios and thinking about that Club World redemption to New York, now might be the time to stop thinking and start booking. British Airways just announced significant increases to Reward Flight pricing across the board, effective December 15, 2025 and both the Avios requirements and cash fees are going up.

The Big Picture: What’s Actually Changing

BA’s reasoning? Air Passenger Duty increases, rising third party charges, and good old fashioned inflation. The airline admits it’s kept Reward Flight prices steady for some time, but that grace period is officially ending. The changes affect all British Airways operated flights, all destinations, and all cabins.

Let’s break down some concrete examples of what you’re looking at.

Short Haul: London to Geneva (Each Way)

For a quick hop to Geneva in economy, you’re currently paying 9,250 Avios plus 50p each way during off-peak periods. Come December 15, that jumps to 10,000 Avios plus £1. Peak pricing moves from 9,750 Avios to 10,750 Avios, again with the cash fee doubling to £1.

Business class sees a similar bump: off-peak goes from 15,000 Avios plus £12.50 to 16,500 Avios plus £15. Peak business increases from 16,250 Avios plus £12.50 to 18,000 Avios plus £15.

Long Haul: London to New York (Return)

Here’s where frequent flyers will feel the pinch most. For a roundtrip economy Reward Flight to JFK, current off-peak pricing sits at 50,000 Avios plus £100. After December 15, you’re looking at 55,000 Avios plus £120.

Peak economy? It jumps from 60,000 Avios to 66,000 Avios, with taxes and fees rising from £100 to £120.

Premium economy takes an even bigger hit percentage wise. Off-peak increases from 85,000 Avios plus £305 to 93,500 Avios plus £350. Peak moves from 120,000 Avios plus £305 to 132,000 Avios plus £350.

For those eyeing Club World, off-peak business class goes from 160,000 Avios plus £375 to 176,000 Avios plus £399. Peak pricing hits 198,000 Avios plus £399, up from the current 180,000 Avios plus £375.

Even First Class isn’t spared, off-peak increases from 136,000 to 150,000 Avios, and peak jumps from 160,000 to 176,000 Avios, both plus taxes, fees, and charges.

How to Protect Your Existing Bookings

Here’s some good news: if you’ve already booked a Reward Flight for travel after December 15, your booking is safe. You’ll fly at the original Avios price with no surprises. However, if you want to change that booking, the timing matters.

If you make changes before December 15, the original rates apply regardless of when you travel. But if you modify your booking on or after December 15, the new pricing kicks in for any changes to destination, cabin, or seasonality (moving between peak and off-peak dates).

The one exception: same day time changes. If you’re just shifting from a morning to an afternoon flight on the same day, same route, same cabin, and same seasonality, there’s no additional Avios charge.

What About Partner Awards?

These changes apply to all BA operated flights, but Reward Flights are also available on Iberia, American Airlines, and oneworld partners. Partner pricing may vary based on route and distance, so it’s worth checking availability across the alliance if you’re flexible on routing.

Avios & Money Options Still Available

If you’re short on Avios, BA’s Avios & Money options aren’t changing structurally, you’ll just see higher baseline costs once the new pricing takes effect. The same applies to Avios only flights, BA’s special Reward only routes available exclusively to British Airways Club members.

Companion Vouchers and Upgrade Vouchers

For American Express Companion Voucher holders, the main traveler’s Avios cost will reflect the new pricing, but the companion still travels without paying Avios. Solo travelers using the voucher for 50% off will see that discount applied to the updated Avios amounts.

Barclays upgrade vouchers work the same way as before, but the underlying Avios prices for upgrades will follow the new structure.

My Take: Book Now or Wait It Out?

Look, these increases aren’t catastrophic, but they’re meaningful especially for premium cabin redemptions. A 10% bump across the board adds up fast when you’re already looking at six figure Avios requirements for long haul business class.

If you’ve got a trip in mind for 2026, even tentatively, I’d lock in the booking before December 15. BA’s change and cancellation policies are reasonably flexible, so you can always adjust later if plans shift. Worst case, you cancel for a small service fee and get your Avios back.

The window to act is narrow, so if you’ve been putting off that Club World redemption, consider this your nudge.