How do I claim missing Avios points?

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In this article I want to look at how you can claim missing Avios points if you think a flight has not credited properly or at all.

British Airways allows you to claim Avios and tier points on completed flights if you believe you are entitled to them and they have not appeared in your account. Once you submit a claim it is reviewed and will automatically be applied to your Executive Account if your claim is correct.

It is very easy if you booked your flights with British Airways and have a BA-prefixed flight number. To initiate the process all you have to do is fill out a simple form from your Executive Club menu online. You must wait at least 3 days after completing the last leg of your booking before claiming. You will need your ticket number, which you receive in the confirmation email upon booking your flight with British Airways.

You can also claim missing Avios or tier points from flying partner airlines. If you provide your Executive Club membership number at time of booking, these should automatically be credited (be aware, however, that earning rates for partner and oneworld airlines varies).

However, if they do not, you can claim 7 days after your last flight. Unlike for British Airways flights the claim form is a little more extensive, requiring dates travelled, arrival and departure locations, ticket number and flight class. Even if you lose your boarding pass this information should be on the confirmation email sent to you when you first booked the flight.

For British Airways flights, you can claim up to six months after travel if you were already a member of Executive Club. If you were not a member when you flew, you can claim for flights up to three months prior to joining Executive Club. So, for example, if you flew 5 months ago but only joined Executive Club last month, you would be ineligible for claiming.

On partner claims, you must be member of Executive Club at the time of flying to claim – you cannot retroactively join and then claim. You can read more about how many Avios and tier points you should expect to receive for a British Airways flights here.

(This article is part of our ‘BA Q&A’ series which explains how British Airways Executive Club works. You can see all of our ‘BA Q&A’ articles here. )

(Head for Points is the UK’s biggest frequent flyer website with 1.8 million monthly page views. Want to learn more about earning and spending Avios? Click here to read our latest news stories, click here to join our email list and click here to read our ‘Avios Redemption University’ series.)

How to get 20,000 Avios from Amex Gold or 30,000 Avios from Amex Platinum (December 2021 offer)

The sign-up bonus on American Express Preferred Rewards Gold converts to 20,000 Avios and the card is free for the first year. You can apply here.

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

You don’t qualify for the Amex Gold bonus if you have a British Airways American Express card. You DO qualify for the bonus on The Platinum Card, which converts into 30,000 Avios. You can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

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

If you have your own small business, the best way of earning Avios is via the Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa. It has a sign-up bonus which converts to 10,000 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 look at the British Airways Accelerating Business card, because it currently has a limited time offer of 60,000 Avios when you sign up by 14th November. You can apply here.