Avios Redemption Devaluation: What You Need to Know

Avios has announced a significant devaluation of flight redemptions, effective for all new bookings made from December 15th. This change impacts flights on both British Airways and its partner airlines, increasing both the Avios required and the associated cash co-payments across all cabin classes. The article frames this adjustment as an inevitable consequence of rising ticket costs, which now determine Avios earned from flights, and general inflation affecting Avios accrued from credit card spending.

The devaluation generally translates to an approximate 10% increase in the Avios needed for redemptions, coupled with a modest yet variable rise in the cash element. Specific examples illustrate these changes: a short-haul economy flight from London to Geneva, previously 9,250 Avios + 50p, will now cost 10,000 Avios + £1 one-way. For long-haul, a London to New York economy return escalates from 50,000 Avios + £100 to 55,000 Avios + £120. Business class redemptions also see substantial hikes; a London to New York business class return increases from 160,000 Avios + £375 to 176,000 Avios + £399. Premium economy and First Class redemptions follow a similar upward trend in both Avios and cash components.

However, there is a key benefit regarding existing bookings: changes to the time or date after December 15th will not trigger a repricing to the new, higher rates. The new rates will only apply if a customer alters their destination, cabin class, or changes flight seasonality (e.g., from an off-peak to a peak date). The article notes that this devaluation is not entirely unexpected, given Iberia's similar move recently, and acknowledges the pressures of increasing Air Passenger Duty and Heathrow passenger charges. Despite the increases, the author suggests the devaluation is manageable and still offers superior value compared to non-flight redemptions.

(Source: https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/12/03/avios-announces-devaluation/)