- Mr Plane Guy
- Jan 14
- 5 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Do Avios Expire? Everything You Need to Know in 2026 (What BA Doesn’t Tell You)
Plane Points & Miles | Mr Plane Guy
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You’ve probably heard the horror stories: someone logs into their British Airways Executive Club account, ready to book a cheeky reward flight… only to find their Avios balance has vanished. No warning. No apology. Just poof, gone.
So, do Avios expire? Yes, but not in the way most people think. And this is the bit British Airways doesn’t exactly announce over the tannoy.
Let’s clear it up properly.
Do Avios Points Expire?
Yes, Avios can expire, but only if you completely forget they exist.
Your Avios do not expire as long as there is at least one Avios-earning or Avios-spending activity every 36 months.
If there’s no activity at all for three years, your Avios will expire and be removed from your account.
No grace period. No sympathy email. Just gone.
If you’re newer to collecting Avios, I’ve broken down how I earn and use them in real-world scenarios here: How I Went from Zero Avios to a Qatar Airways Business Class Upgrade in 3 Months.
How Long Do Avios Last?
Avios work on a rolling 36‑month clock.
That clock resets every time you:
Earn Avios
Spend Avios
Buy Avios
Share or transfer Avios
One single Avios activity is enough to keep your entire balance alive for another three years.
You could have 500 Avios or 500,000, the rule is exactly the same.
What Counts as “Activity”?
This is where BA really doesn’t spell it out clearly and where people get caught out.
Any of the following will reset your Avios expiry clock:
Flying with British Airways or a oneworld partner
Spending Avios on a reward flight or upgrade
Buying Avios (even a tiny amount)
Using the BA Avios eStore
Transferring Avios in or out (including Household Accounts)
Converting Nectar points to Avios (or vice versa)
You don’t need to fly. You don’t need to spend thousands. One small action every three years is enough.
Avios Expiry vs Companion Voucher Expiry (Not the Same Thing)
This is the biggest source of confusion.
Avios points:
Rolling 36‑month expiry
Reset by any activity
BA Companion Vouchers:
Fixed expiry date
Usually 12 or 24 months
Once expired, they’re gone forever
When someone says, “My Avios expired,” what they often mean is:
“My companion voucher expired and ruined my plans.”
Very different things and BA doesn’t exactly rush to explain the difference.
How to Keep Your Avios Alive (The Lazy Way)
If you’re not flying much in 2026, this is the section you want to remember.
Here are ridiculously easy ways to stop your Avios expiring:
Make one purchase via the BA Avios eStore
Convert a small number of Nectar points to Avios
Buy the minimum number of Avios once every three years
Earn Avios through a partner you already use
You don’t need a long‑haul redemption. You don’t even need to leave the sofa.
What Happens If Your Avios Do Expire?
Short answer: they’re removed from your account.
Long answer: BA may reinstate them as a goodwill gesture if you ask nicely — but there’s no guarantee and no obligation.
Relying on customer service is not a strategy. Setting a calendar reminder is.
The One Thing BA Really Doesn’t Tell You
British Airways does not proactively warn most members before Avios expire.
No push notification. No flashing alert. Often no email.
The responsibility is entirely on you which is why people only notice when it’s already too late.
Reward Flight Finder: How You Actually Use Your Avios
Right now you earn Avios easily. The hard part is actually finding the reward seats when you want to travel and that’s where most people give up.
That’s exactly why I use Reward Flight Finder.
It does the work that British Airways doesn’t:
✅ Automatically scans BA reward availability
✅ Sends you instant alerts when seats appear
✅ Shows peak vs off-peak pricing clearly
✅ Finds seats months before most people even look
You can start with the 7-day free trial, and if it works for you (no commitment, cancel anytime)
Final Boarding Call: Do Avios Expire?
Yes, but only if you’re completely inactive for 36 months.
One small action every three years keeps your Avios safe, usable, and ready for that future upgrade or reward flight.
📩 Get Next Week’s Tip First Sign up to Plane News Weekly for early access to the Plane Avios Tip of the Week, plus flight deals, lounge news and Plane Honest takes.
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Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Do Avios Expire? Everything You Need to Know in 2026 (What BA Doesn’t Tell You)
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