British Airways is backtracking on controversial reforms to its frequent flyer loyalty programme, the BA Club, to make it easier to earn coveted bronze, silver and gold status. The move comes after leisure flyers bitterly criticised previously announced changes for making customers spend more on flights to rise up the ranks.

British Airways is shaking up its flight loyalty scheme including making the name British Airways Club and points based on money spent.

British Airways has insisted changes to its loyalty programme will create a fairer system and are not designed to reduce the number of people rewarded. The airline is switching from awarding points based on the distance flown or fare class to the amount spent,