Avios

British Airways Lifetime Gold needs 550,000 lifetime Tier Points — permanent status, but roughly 27 years of Gold-level earning to reach it.

British Airways pays 2,500, 4,000, and 5,000 bonus Avios automatically at 5,500, 11,000, and 16,000 Tier Points — up to 11,500 Avios, no opt-in needed.

British Airways Gold status needs 20,000 Tier Points a year and unlocks First Wing fast-track, First Class lounges in any cabin, and 9 Avios per £1.

British Airways Bronze status needs 3,500 Tier Points a year and gets you 7 Avios per £1, priority boarding, and business check-in — but no lounge access.

British Airways Silver status needs 7,500 Tier Points a year and unlocks Business Class lounge access in any cabin, plus 2 free checked bags.

British Airways releases the first Avios reward seats 354 days before departure, with guaranteed minimums in every cabin except First – but availability keeps shifting from revenue reviews, schedule changes, and cancellations all the way to departure.