Avios is the currency of the British Airways Executive Club. You collect Avios when you fly and can keep topping up that balance with hotel stays, car hire and much more. When you've collected enough you can spend your Avios on flights and upgrades, or choose from a range of other rewards.

While often mentioned together, Avios and the British Airways Executive Club are distinct concepts: Avios is the currency, while the Executive Club is the loyalty program. Think of Avios as the "money" you earn and spend, and the Executive Club as the "bank account" where you store it. Avios is a shared currency used not only by British Airways but also by other airlines in the International Airlines Group (IAG) including Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling, as well as partners like Qatar Airways and Finnair. You can even move Avios between these different airline programs at a 1:1 ratio. The British Airways Executive Club, on the other hand, is the specific platform through which you manage your BA account, earn "Tier Points" for elite status (Bronze, Silver, Gold), and access BA-specific perks like lounge access or companion vouchers. You can earn Avios without ever flying by using branded credit cards or shopping via the BA eStore, but you can only earn Executive Club Tier Points by physically flying on British Airways or its oneworld alliance partners.