ANNOUNCEMENT - A new revitalised Executive Club is coming
Sep 2, 2011, 8:16 am
#512
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Cambs
Programs: Mucci, BAEC Silver, Scandic 3rd Floor, PC Pleb, FB Off White, Tufty Club
Posts: 2,836
Lest people think I am a BA apologist or hopeless optimist, I am extremely concerned that all of these changes are merely a smokescreen for a dramatic decrease in availability of award flights, which is really what should be the focus of attention, as taking away availability is the easiest and least transparent way to devalue the currency. Just one example, but last fall I booked 4 RT CW seats on the MIA-LHR-JNB route, and at this time availability was wide open for almost any T/W/R in the summer; looking at the availability calendar now, there is only 1 day all summer I see availability for 4 CW outbound and only 3 dates for return... Looking at some other itineraries, availability is also practically nonexistent.
Whether you think these changes are fabulous, horrendous or insignificant is really immaterial if the availability tanks, so maybe we should really focus on that issue, since without availability the cost of a redemption is moot!
Whether you think these changes are fabulous, horrendous or insignificant is really immaterial if the availability tanks, so maybe we should really focus on that issue, since without availability the cost of a redemption is moot!
Availability may not be being constrained on long haul by anything other than strong demand. BA have noted an increase in demand in premium cabins. Without additional capacity on certain routes, then if BA want to continue making money they will take revenue over redemptions. Some of the 744s coming back from the desert, as well as the additional 77Ws that will arrive in the Spring will give some extra capacity, but I also wonder whether at some later point we may be encouraged onto partner airlines to try and balance demand vs. capacity.
Sep 2, 2011, 8:17 am
#514
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
Sep 2, 2011, 8:18 am
#515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,418
It strikes me that the changes regarding ET and CE are designed to try and encourage more BAEC members to burn miles in Europe rather than on long haul. From memory, I have seen few questions or posts regarding miles for intra-Europe trips compared to the Far East or the US.
Sep 2, 2011, 8:19 am
#516
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
Sep 2, 2011, 8:28 am
#518
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
Have a nice time away, and welcome to your colleagues Helen and Gauthier .
BBA
Sep 2, 2011, 8:34 am
#520
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
Sep 2, 2011, 8:49 am
#521
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ORD,TPE (芝加哥,台北)
Programs: UA MileagePlus (1P)
Posts: 384
It seems to me that IF these changes occur, they are really just correcting a pricing anomaly; if it costs 100K miles RT to fly JFK-EZE on AA or on LAN using AA miles, why should it cost less to use BA miles to fly AA or LAN on that same route, when they are all One World partners? Sure, I used BA miles for that route several times, but it was always with the expectation that someday they would realize it was underpriced, so it is hard to get upset that they are 'correcting' the price.
If BA can announce the redemption rate for certain routes, they must have the completed chart. Why so shy to publish it at this time? Not finished? Fine, please be prepared and make the announcement
Sep 2, 2011, 8:51 am
#522
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Near Edinburgh
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 9,034
I really can't see how to come to that assumption. Read Nicci's post above - they're still working out some details.
Sep 2, 2011, 8:54 am
#523
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MAN
Programs: F
Posts: 2,898
Just one example, but last fall I booked 4 RT CW seats on the MIA-LHR-JNB route, and at this time availability was wide open for almost any T/W/R in the summer; looking at the availability calendar now, there is only 1 day all summer I see availability for 4 CW outbound and only 3 dates for return... Looking at some other itineraries, availability is also practically nonexistent.
Sep 2, 2011, 8:56 am
#524
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ORD,TPE (芝加哥,台北)
Programs: UA MileagePlus (1P)
Posts: 384
I did, but don't ignore the other half of your quotation. What if they finishe it in Nov and I only have couple of weeks to react? That doesn't make any sense.
Sep 2, 2011, 8:59 am
#525
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Springfield, VA
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, AA EXP, Alaska MVP 75
Posts: 436
It is funny how they can give you examples of routes that benefit customers fairly quickly but they are still working on the partners award chart....Please BA, be nice and leave OneWorld awards as they are. They can do whatever they want. But I think when some people talk about dishonesty is because they try to sell you these changes as a way to "help you understand better" the awards when in reality they are thinking "these things were a bargain, we need to fix is ASAP". Be honest, say game over and we'll be fine.