BA launches ‘no suitcase’ fares from Gatwick – first step to a low-cost model?

For some time, there has a been a view that – in a continued attempt to make BA’s Gatwick operation profitable – it would move towards more of an easyJet approach to life.

Gatwick already has ‘self bag tag’ machines, where you need to print your own baggage tag before taking it to the desk.

And now ….

British Airways has launched ‘hand baggage only’ fares from Gatwick. Initially, they are only available on the Amsterdam, Dubrovnok, Jersey, Tunis and Turin flights, from February 26th. Other routes will follow later.

Hand-baggage will remain free.

The discount is £10-£11 each way. Does this really reflect BA’s costs for handling a case? And is this even a real discount, or have the fares with a case actually been bumped up by £10-£11?

What is not clear is the position of Gold and equivalent oneworld status card holders, who theoretically get an extra free item of checked baggage. Does this mean you can book one of these fares and still check a suitcase? This does not seem to have been fully thought through.

Given that Heathrow will not be adopting this policy, it could all go horribly wrong. Let’s see.

Ironically, the one bit of the low cost model I would like to see BA bring in – buy on board food – has not happened. Frankly, given the choice, I would rather pay for something from an easyJet style food menu than be given a free cup of tea and a ‘savoury snack’ with no option of getting anything better ….

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital On Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus:

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.

(Want to earn more Avios?  Click here to visit our home page for our latest articles on earning and spending your Avios points and click here to see how to earn more Avios this month from offers and promotions.)