Miles better

British Airways is launching a new, improved Executive Club for its UK members with a range of enhanced benefits - including, for the first time, the ability to earn miles on discount economy fares.

When the new scheme takes effect, on October 1, Executive Club members will also be able to take advantage of special last minute mileage offers.

With the new frequent flyer programme longhaul destinations will be easier to reach, making the most popular family holiday destinations in Florida and the Caribbean more accessible.

In line with the rest of the world the UK Executive Club will have a new currency, BA Miles. This new currency will offer a mile for every mile flown, making the scheme simpler and more generous.

Previously Executive Club members needed to take 34 flights to Sydney to collect enough miles to get a flight there. Now only five trips are needed.

While the Executive Club focuses on rewarding all those who fly British Airways, Air Miles will continue to grow as the UK’s leading frequent shopping scheme and top ten travel provider, with more than six million customers who collect on every day shopping and spend on leisure and travel.

Launching the new look Executive Club, Martin George, Director of Marketing, said: "We began the process of redefining air travel for the 21st Century back in January when we launched a new range of innovative products, including the first beds in business class.

"The relaunch of the Executive Club complements this and heralds the start of a more rewarding way to fly for Executive Club members.

"Our Executive Club members have told us that they want to be rewarded for all their travel and use their miles to travel further to get to the places they really want to go to.

"So we’ve designed the new mileage scheme to allow members to make the most of their miles and the extensive British Airways network. It will now be much easier to use BA Miles to fly to longhaul destinations such as Los Angeles, Mauritius and New York.

"This is great news for both frequent flyers who will get just rewards for their loyalty with BA Miles and frequent shoppers who will continue to get the best deals on everyday shopping with Air Miles.

"During the next 18 months we will be introducing more benefits for our frequent flyers."

Other improved benefits include:
· on-line redemption booking.
· priority for Executive Club members when redeeming on British Airways flights.
· family collection opportunities - up to four members of the same household may collect and redeem their miles together. This means that under 18s can earn miles on eligible fares.
· companion discount tickets.
· the opportunity for gold card holders to nominate a friend, relative or colleague for a silver card and to earn a upgrade voucher.

Air Miles customers can continue to collect every day at Sainsburys , NatWest, Vodafone, Shell and 100 other high street brands and spend on holidays, flights, days out and other travel and leisure offers.

On-line shopping partners bol.com, madaboutwine.com, dabs.com, Gateway2000 and AXA now make it easy to collect Air Miles on the internet.

Judith Thorne, Head of Air Miles said: "Over the past 11 years Air Miles has become the UK’s leading loyalty scheme. This latest move will now allow Air Miles to focus on its UK customers who collect Air Miles on every day shopping.

"We will also be able to work more closely with existing companies and new on-line partners to provide product which more closely fits our customers’ requirements."

This change brings the UK scheme in line with the Executive Club in the rest of the world.