Best Ways To Book British Airways Business Class With Points [Step by Step]

Based in London, British Airways operates flights to most parts of the world. They fly tons of routes to and from the United States, which means booking a business-class flight is pretty easy.

If you’re flying in business class, be aware of the aircraft on which you’ll be flying since the business class cabin layout varies. Let’s dive into the details of what to expect from British Airways’ business class product, and how you can earn and redeem miles to book it.

A Look Inside British Airways Business Class

British Airways’ international business class product, which they call Club World, doesn’t get amazing reviews from people who are accustomed to luxury travel. However, their business class seats are consistent across their fleet.

Regardless of aircraft, you can expect a lie-flat seat that is a bit narrow. Unfortunately, while window seats have the most privacy, they do not have direct aisle access. Aisle seats have the reverse issue as they have very little privacy.

The cabin layout varies quite a bit depending on the aircraft. Many business class cabins on British Airways are arranged in a  2-4-2 layout. This means the middle section has 4 seats flanked by 2 seats across each aisle.

Here are the business class cabin layouts for the British Airways fleet:

Once on board, you can enjoy some champagne before takeoff and throughout the flight, if you wish. The food in business class isn’t going to blow you away, but it’s a solid meal.

To help you get comfortable, you will also be provided a nice amenity kit by Elemis.

The fun doesn’t just start on board, though. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll have access to priority check-in and priority boarding once it’s time for your flight.

While you wait for your flight, you can relax in one of the British Airways business class lounges or a Oneworld partner business class lounge. You’ll be able to enjoy a nice meal, free Wi-Fi, and perhaps a shower while you wait.

If you are flying into London Heathrow (LHR), you will also have access to the Arrivals Lounges so you can grab a bite to eat and freshen up before a day visiting the city or your upcoming business meeting.

Hot Tip: Read some of our writer’s reviews of  British Airways Boeing 747 Club World from London to Dubai, British Airways Boeing 777-200 Club World from St. Lucia to Grenada, and British Airways A380 Club World from London to Madrid.

How To Fly British Airways Business Class Using Points

As a member of the Oneworld alliance, British Airways has plenty of ways to book business class flights with miles and points. They also partner with Alaska Airlines, which provides another great way to book award flights.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to booking flights on British Airways is the taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges you’ll be hit with when flying in and out of the United Kingdom.

While some airlines don’t pass on the carrier-imposed surcharges on award tickets, British Airways does. Flights from the US are now hit with charges of $700-$1,000 each way.

Additionally, you will have to pay the British Air Passenger Duty when departing the UK on a flight over 2,000 miles if you’re flying business or first class. This fee is £150 (roughly $198).

Hot Tip: To avoid this massive fee, you can begin your journey from another European city such as Dublin or Amsterdam.

Keep this in mind when using British Airways’ Travel Together Ticket — you will be required to pay the fee for both passengers.

British Airways Club

Probably the easiest way to book flights with British Airways is through its own loyalty program, the British Airways Club. You’ll notice British Airways refers to “Avios” when you book award flights; this is the name of their mileage currency (rather than the more commonly used “miles”).

British Airways uses a distance-based award chart (see above) for its own flights. British Airways flights are individually priced based on the distance between origin and destination and what class of service you want to fly. If you want to book a flight that has a connection, this means each flight segment will be priced separately, and the 2 award prices will be added together.

As you can see in the chart above, British Airways has peak and off-peak awards depending on your travel dates. To check your dates for off-peak pricing, use the off-peak schedule under Working Out the Cost.

Keep in mind that the above chart is for business class flights operated exclusively by British Airways, or an itinerary that includes British Airways and 1 partner.

If you book an award flight with a partner airline such as American Airlines and do not include a flight operated by British Airways on your reservation, you’ll be required to pay peak-level award prices. If you book a multi-partner award, you will be using an even pricier award chart.

British Airways awards can be booked online following the steps outlined below.

1. Go to the British Airways
2. Log in to your account (upper right corner)
3. Scroll down and select Spend Avios in the center column
4. Choose Book a Reward Flight
5. Enter your origin and destination airports, dates, and select business class
6. Click on Get Flights
7. Select your flight
   • Make sure you choose “business class,” since your search results will also show other classes of service
8. Agree to the terms and conditions and click Continue
9. Enter your passenger information and click Continue
10. Confirm your flight details and make your payment

When booking, it’s important to remember that distance traveled is calculated by adding the flight distance between each segment, not just the origin and destination. As a result, connections can cause the award cost to increase.

Additionally, the taxes and fees (including carrier-imposed surcharges) are significant when booking business class on British Airways.

Fortunately, you can quickly add to your Avios account since it is a Chase transfer partner (transfers are almost instant), Capital One Miles, and Amex Membership Rewards (transfers are almost instant).

Hot Tip: Check out the best ways to earn British Airways Avios to get you started!

American Airlines AAdvantage

We like AA because of their reasonable award rates to Europe in business class. You will be able to fly for 57,500 miles each way! Unfortunately, you will be on the hook for all fuel surcharges, as AA passes them on for BA flights.

You’ll do best searching for award availability on BA.com instead of AA.com. American is known for hiding partner availability, especially for routes that it operates its own flights on.

Here’s the best way to search for award availability:

1. Go to the British Airways website.
2. Log in to your account (upper right corner)
3. Scroll down and select Spend Avios in the center column.
4. Choose Book a Reward Flight.
5. Enter your origin and destination airports, dates, and select business class.
6. Click on Get Flights. Write down the desired flights, dates, and times.
7. Call American Airlines at 1-800-882-8880. If transferring points, you are allowed to hold your reservation for 5 days.
8. Confirm your flight details and make your payment.

AA does not allow stopovers, so you will need to pay for each segment if you want to plan a stop in London before heading to another destination.

Other ways of earning AA miles include the co-branded AAdvantage credit cards and transferring Citi ThankYou or Marriott Bonvoy points.

If you need other ways to use your AA miles, check out our best ways to redeem American Airlines miles.

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

When booking with a partner airline, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank uses a distance-based award chart.

Japan Airlines requires you to call to book award flights with partner airlines, but this is easy if you follow the steps below.

1. Go to the Japan Airlines website
2. Log in to your JAL Mileage Bank account
3. Select JMB Partner Airlines Award Ticket Reservation
4. Select British Airways under Partner Airlines
5. Select business class, your travel dates, and the departure and destination airports
6. Select your flights and hit Next
7. Confirm the Mileage Bank miles and taxes/fees required
8. If your booking involves a connection on another partner of Japan Airlines such as American Airlines, you will have to call to complete the booking

Japan Airlines allows stopovers, so you might be able to see multiple destinations on your trip for no extra miles. Like British Airways, the distance flown is calculated by segment rather than between origin and destination — so your total flight distance can’t increase too much, or it will bump up the cost.

For other ways to earn Japan Airlines miles, read our best ways to earn JAL miles. If you need other ways to use your Mileage Bank miles, check out our best ways to redeem Japan Airlines miles.

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards 

Another great way to book British Airways business class is through the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program. In fact, it often requires fewer Alaska points than Avios to book business class on British Airways flights, and you can book a stopover for no extra miles.

Fuel surcharges from British Airways are collected when booking with Alaska points as well.

To book, go to Alaska website and follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Alaska Airlines website
2. Sign in to your account
3. Search for your desired route (make sure you select Use Points)
4. Select your desired flight and click Add To Cart
5. Pay the necessary taxes/fees and complete your booking

If you need some other ideas for using your Alaska pointss, check out our best ways to redeem Alaska points.

Other Options for Booking British Airways

British Airways is a member of the Oneworld airline alliance, so you can use any of the Oneworld loyalty programs to book flights on British Airways.

Redeeming Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is another possible option because of their generous stopover rules. If you plan on hopping around Europe, this program can help you see a bunch of cities. However, it’s not an easy program to use when booking many partners.

Great British Airways Business Class Redemptions

Now that you have a handle on how to book a British Airways business class award flight, let’s take a look at some of the best redemption options.

Hawaii to London

Those who live in Hawaii don’t always have an easy time flying to Europe. With 60,000 Alaska points, you can fly from Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast on Alaska Airlines, and then fly British Airways in business class to London.

North America to the Middle East

Whether traveling to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha, flying to the Middle East is not always easy.

You can fly to the Middle East for 70,000 AA miles in business class each way.

With 80,000 Japan Airlines miles, you can fly British Airways in business class from cities such as New York City (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Dallas (DFW). From cities in the western U.S. such as Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), and Seattle (SEA), you can make the trip for 85,000 Japan Airlines miles.

You can also book a business class flight on British Airways for 70,000 Alaska points regardless of your location in the continental U.S.

New York or Chicago to London

Similar to the previous redemption option, flying from the East Coast or the Midwest can get you a solid deal when using Japan Airlines miles. For 42,000 Japan Airlines miles, you can fly from New York City or Chicago to London in business class.

You can also use 45,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, 50,000 British Airways Avios, or 50,000 Alaska points to fly business class from one of these cities.

How To Earn Enough Miles for British Airways Business Class

If you need more Avios to complete a business class booking with British Airways, you have plenty of options to earn more.

British Airways Avios can be earned directly with the British Airways Visa Signature^® Card.

BA Avios is also a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer patner, Capital One Miles transfer partner, American Express transfer partner (all at a rate of 1:1) or from Marriott Bonvoy at a transfer rate of 3:1.

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• More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card^® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
• More Value! $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card^®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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NEW OFFER

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American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

If you’re a business owner, see our article on Amex business credit cards that earn Membership Rewards.

Finally, there are also several Marriott Bonvoy credit cards that can earn you lots of points!

When Should You Search for Award Space?

If you’re flying from the U.S. to London, you’ll often find quite a bit of award availability. Like any other award search, it will be easier to find the flights you want if your travel dates are more flexible.

As a general rule, start your search as soon as you know the timeframe within which you’d like to travel. If you’re able to wait to book until closer to departure, there is often decent award space on British Airways in the last couple of weeks.

What Makes British Airways a Great Redemption?

While not the most luxurious experience you can have flying across the Atlantic (or around the world), there are some great aspects to flying British Airways.

Travel Together Ticket

One of the more interesting options with the British Airways Club is their Travel Together Ticket. Each year you spend at least $30,000 on your British Airways Visa Card, you will receive a Travel Together Ticket.

The ticket is good for 2 years, and it gives you the ability to book a companion’s seat along with yours for no extra miles. However, you will be responsible for the taxes and fees incurred on the second ticket. For this reason, it makes the most sense to use this perk if you book British Airways first class or business class.

The companion must be booked into the same class of service and on the same flight as your ticket. Also, the award flights must originate and return to the U.S.

If you want to learn more, we’ve got a whole piece on how we redeemed 2 sets of travel together tickets on the same flight!

Arrivals Lounge at London Heathrow

When you arrive at Terminal 3 or Terminal 5 at London Heathrow (LHR), you can visit the Arrivals Lounge. This is a particularly nice perk when arriving early in the morning before a long day of sightseeing or business meetings.

You can grab a quick shower to refresh after the flight and have a hot meal. Many will appreciate the coffee and tea options as well, since we often need a jolt early in the morning upon arrival.

Final Thoughts

British Airways business class is a solid premium cabin product for flying to Europe and beyond. It’s not going to blow you away with the glitz and glamour of the Emirates inflight bar or top-notch business class seat from Cathay Pacific, but you will be comfortable during your long journey.

If you’re considering a British Airways business class award booking, remember to look into using a partner airline’s miles, since it can be much cheaper.

When the day comes for your business class flight, just sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself!