Warning to frequent fliers they could lose their air miles without realising

Airline loyalty programmes and frequent flyer miles are a secret weapon.

This open secret provides slight relief from the money-grabbing black hole that is bookings. Because travelling and making memories that last a lifetime come at a price.

As one Mirror reader recently found out to their displeasure, airline loyalty points can sometimes disappear. The beloved perk for frequent fliers can expire after a certain period, depending on the airline. This means jet-setters might unknowingly lose their hard-earned points if they don't manage to squeeze in a getaway within the stipulated time.

Frequent flyer programmes, or airline loyalty schemes, let members rack up points or miles every time they fly with a participating airline. These points can then be swapped for a range of rewards, from discounts on future flights and upgrades, to extra baggage allowances and even swanky airport lounge access.

READ MORE:

Most airlines offer free sign-ups to these schemes, making it a breeze for passengers to start collecting miles and earning rewards.

Global reward currency Avios is the go-to partner for several airlines, including but not limited to: British Airways, Loganair, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Finnair.

If you’re a flier that is afraid of unwittingly losing loyalty points and frequent flier miles, fear no further. Mirror Travel contacted a number of airlines regarding their loyalty points schemes and went through the fine print, so that you don’t have to. Here’s how the airlines responded:

British Airways

Passengers flying with BA or its partner airlines in the oneworld Alliance earn both Avios and tier points after qualifying journeys. Avios can be redeemed for discounted reward flights, while tier points help advance through the frequent flyer status levels. While the method for collecting tier points has been updated, the way Avios are awarded remains unchanged.

BA explains that points can expire if members aren't careful. "Avios won't expire as long as you collect, spend, buy or share at least one Avios every 36 months. If you don't collect or use your Avios at all for three years, your Avios will expire and be removed, so remember to take action before that time's up," its website reads. More information about BA’s loyalty programme can be found .

Loganair

Loganair is also affiliated with Avios and members of Loganair’s loyalty programme, Loganair Loyalty, can earn Avios by booking with the carrier, however points are only amassed once the member has actually flown on the flight booked. Loganair Loyalty states that Avios expire after 36 months. According to , if there has been no earn or redemption activity within a continuous 12-month period, then all Avios will be forfeited and lost.

A member can link their own Loganair Loyalty and British Airways Club accounts to be able to transfer Avios between trogrammes, however transfer of Avios between accounts will not extend the validity of Avios in the Loganair Loyalty account.

Mirror Travel was contacted by a Loganair passenger who claimed that he and his partner had lost 1,500 points when they expired. He contacted the airline and was told: "Unfortunately if there has been no redeeming activity in your account in the last 12 months then all points are automatically removed as per our terms and conditions. Whilst I appreciate your disappointment at losing the points you would require 6500 points for a one way booking. I apologise my response cannot be more favourable on this occasion and for any dissatisfaction felt. Where there has been no earn or redemption activity within a continuous 12-month period then all Avios will be forfeited and lost."

Aer Lingus

Irish airline company Aer Lingus also uses Avios and outlined the terms of its loyalty points programme, AerClub, to Mirror Travel: “AerClub members can easily collect Avios through a variety of methods. You can earn Avios when flying with Aer Lingus and our partner airlines, as well as through everyday spending with a wide range of retail, travel, financial, and leisure partners.

“Avios never expire as long as your AerClub account remains active. They will only expire after 36 months of inactivity (if no Avios are collected or spent during that time). Currently, AerClub has over 3 million members globally, and many are using their Avios to save on flights and enhance their travel experiences.”

Ryanair

Ryanair officially confirmed to Mirror Travel that they “do not have a loyalty points system in place”.

However, the ultra-low-cost airline does have a subscription-based programme — Ryanair Prime — which aims to provide benefits to subscribers, including a limited number of free reserved seating in specific rows, exclusive flight discounts, and travel insurance for all flights. Ryanair Prime is a 12-month programme that begins on the date the member remits the Voucher Fee to activate their subscription.

Ryanair offers its 'Prime' membership for £79 per year and claims that Prime members can save more than £480 per year.

Jet2

While British budget airline Jet2 does not offer loyalty points, it does provide customers with rewards in the form of exclusive benefits and deals on both package holidays and flights booked with Jet2.com.

The low-cost carrier told Mirror Travel: “Jet2 does not offer loyalty points, however signing up for a myJet2 account gives customers exclusive benefits and deals on both flights and package holidays withJet2.com and Jet2holidays. For instance, myJet2 members currently exclusively receive up to £75pp off holidays and 15% on flights departing between now and the end of August 2025. Alongside exclusive discounts and sales, myJet2 members have access to receiving hot-off-the-press news and updates before anyone else.”

easyJet

While easyJet did not respond to Mirror Travel’s request for comment, easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis recently told reporters that the low-cost carrier is considering developing a loyalty programme.

At the opening of the airline's base in Southend, 40 miles east of London, Jarvis said: “We are not about to launch anything.” However, he added that changes to the loyalty program at British Airways will offer a good opportunity for new entrants to penetrate the market.

Currently the budget airline has a loyalty programme called Flight Club, the membership to which can be obtained by easyJet invite only. Membership to the program lasts for one year only, after which easyJet will review how frequently you have flown before the end of each year, and inform you whether your Flight Club membership has been renewed for another year or not.

The full list of benefits of a Flight Club membership, such as price guarantees and price promises, can be found .