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US-based British Airways Executive Club members could be in line for an Avios windfall after BA reached a settlement in a fuel surcharge class action lawsuit against them. Those eligible for compensation will receive between 12,500 and 35,000 Avios depending on their redemptions. The court should sign off on the settlement on July 27, 2018, although that could change.
Who Is Eligible
To qualify for the settlement, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a US-based BA Executive Club member
- Have redeemed Avios and paid fuel surcharges between November 9, 2006, to April 17, 2013
- You can register to see what settlement you are eligible for, although once the deal is approved, you will not have to take any action to receive the Avios. You should have received a notice if you're eligible –haven't, reach out to the settlement administrator
What You Will Receive
Depending on how many redemptions you made during the period covered by the lawsuit, you will be entitled to the following compensation:
- One redemption: 12,500 Avios
- Between two and five redemptions: 20,000 Avios
- Six or more redemptions: 35,000 Avios
You also have the option to receive your compensation in cash instead of Avios. You need to head over to the claim page (which is still not live) and file your claim by July 29, 2018. You will receive 16.9% of the amount you paid in fuel surcharges with a minimum of $5.
Should You Take Cash Or Avios
This will ultimately depend on how much you have paid in fuel surcharges. Go through your records and add up how much you have paid in fuel surcharges and then calculate what 16.9% would work out as. If the cash value is greater than the cost of purchasing 35,000 Avios, then you are better off taking the cash and purchasing the Avios if you want to. Alternatively, you are better off taking the Avios if you will only receive a small amount of cash. Obviously, if you have completely quit the points and miles game and have no interest in award redemptions, just take the cash!
Our Take
British Airways fuel surcharges are universally hated, and can be ridiculous; in some cases, the surcharges for an economy award can be more than paying cash for the ticket. It is good news to see BA taking a hit to their fuel surcharges policy, and that compensation will be paid out!
Source: One Mile At A Time
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