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What is BA On Business? An echo.bravo Guide for SMEs
4 July 2025 | Travel News
What is BA on Business? It’s British Airways dedicated free loyalty programme for small and medium-sized businesses. It allows companies to earn points every time they book flights with British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines. These points can then be redeemed for upgrades, reward flights or discounts on future bookings.
Unlike personal Avios, On Business points are earned at company level, offering added value without affecting individual traveller rewards. If your company books regular work travel, On Business is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs and increase travel benefits, and many UK businesses still don’t realise it exists.
If your business regularly books flights with British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines, this could be a smart way to unlock added value, gain visibility over your company’s travel spend and access exclusive rewards.
What is BA On Business? Your SME Loyalty Guide
BA On Business is a corporate rewards scheme aimed at SMEs. It allows your business to earn points every time a team member flies with British Airways or selected partner airlines, including Iberia and American Airlines. These points can then be used to reduce future travel costs through flight upgrades or reward flights.
What makes it especially useful is that employees still earn their own personal Avios and Tier Points. BA On Business simply adds another layer of benefit to the same booking.
How Does BA on Business Work?
Once your company is registered, you will receive an On Business account number. Every time a booking is made using this number, the company earns points based on the base fare and eligible fees.
You can choose your preferred currency (GBP, EUR or USD) during registration.
Earning structure:
- 1 point per £1 spent on eligible bookings
- 1.25 points per £1 after £30,000 in annual spend
- 1.5 points per £1 after £300,000 in annual spend
Points are earned only on the base fare and eligible airline fees, not on government taxes or surcharges.
What Airlines Are Included?
You earn points on tickets that are:
- Booked through British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines
- Operated by those airlines or by BA CityFlyer, OpenSkies, SUN-AIR, Comair or selected BA codeshare partners like Qantas or Japan Airlines
The programme is available in most countries except the United States and Mexico, where businesses are referred to American Airlines’ Business Extra programme instead.
Key Features of BA on Business
- Earn points on eligible business travel
- Redeem points for flights or cabin upgrades
- Track company travel spend across users
- Receive instant discounts on selected routes
- Available to companies in most countries (excluding the US and Mexico)
BA On Business vs Avios
| Feature | BA On Business | Avios (Personal) |
|---|---|---|
| Points owner | The company | The individual traveller |
| Used for | Flights and upgrades | Flights, upgrades, hotels |
| Points expiry | 2 years | 36 months (with activity) |
| Based on | Fare amount | Distance flown and cabin class |
The key difference is that BA On Business benefits the company, while Avios are for personal use. Your employees can benefit from both programmes simultaneously.
How to Use BA on Business Points
On Business Points can be redeemed for:
- Reward flights with British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines
- Upgrades to the next cabin class
You will need to add at least two authorised travellers to your account before you can redeem rewards.
There is no published award chart, so the number of points required varies depending on route, cabin class and demand. You can use British Airways’ Points Calculator tool to estimate values.
Tip: Upgrading from economy to business class often offers better value than redeeming for a full business-class reward seat.
Example – London to Sydney:
- Economy reward flight: 8,000 points
- Upgrade to business class: 19,000 points
- Full business-class reward: 35,000 points
Is It Worth Joining?
If your company spends more than £10,000 per year on eligible flights, the short answer is yes.
It allows your business to:
- Unlock upgrades for your team
- Offset future travel costs
- Track overall spend across travellers
- Earn rewards in addition to staff Avios points
For businesses that fly regularly with British Airways or its partners, the rewards can accumulate quickly and significantly reduce travel costs over time.
How to Register for BA on Business
You can sign up on https://onbusiness.britishairways.com/web/ba/join-page
Registration is free and only takes a few minutes.
Once approved, you will receive your On Business account number, which should be included in all future flight bookings.
Already working with echo.bravo? We can manage this on your behalf, ensure your account is correctly linked and help you maximise the value of every business trip.
Final Thoughts
Many SMEs are unaware they are missing out on rewards for travel they are already booking. British Airways’ On Business programme is a practical way to earn extra value, upgrade flights and better manage corporate travel budgets.
At echo.bravo, we help our clients navigate these schemes to get the most out of every journey. If you would like support enrolling in On Business or want to understand how to integrate it into your wider travel strategy, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About BA On Business
Is BA On Business free to join?
Yes, it’s completely free for eligible businesses to register. There’s no ongoing membership fee.
What is the difference between BA On Business and Avios?
Avios are earned by individual travellers. BA On Business points are earned at company level and can be used to offset costs across the business, such as flight upgrades or reward travel.
Can I use BA On Business and Avios together?
Yes. Your company earns BA On Business points, and your employees still collect their personal Avios and Tier Points on the same booking.
Who is eligible for BA On Business?
Any registered small or medium-sized business that books travel for employees on British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines. The scheme is not available to businesses registered in the US or Mexico.
How do I redeem BA On Business points?
Once your account is active and has points available, you can redeem them for reward flights or cabin upgrades directly through the BA On Business portal.