Yes, Avios are automatically added to your account after a flight, but the timing in 2026 varies by airline. For flights on British Airways or Iberia, your Avios should appear in your balance within 3 working days of the departure date. For "partner" airlines (like American Airlines, Qatar Airways, or Finnair), the process can take longer—typically 7 to 14 days—as the partner airline must first verify your travel with the home carrier's system. To ensure the "automatic" part works, your Executive Club number must be on the booking before you fly. If your points don't appear after 14 days, you can "Claim Missing Avios" via the BA website, provided you have your ticket number and boarding pass. For 2026 travelers using "Speedy Awarding" retail partners (like certain shopping portals), the pending points can show up in 24 hours but won't be "spendable" for 35 days to account for return windows.