Yet to be announced Exec Club changes: your fears, conjecture and general grousing
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,124
Yet to be announced Exec Club changes: your fears, conjecture and general grousing
As "Rumour Central" has already started, perhaps we should look at what BA might be trying to achieve with the changes ... on the basis of the evidence so far. I can't see any evidence in the wording released to date that suggests "They're out to get us".
I can't see any potential benefit to BA for tinkering with status levels at the upper end. Indeed, that has high potential for annoying that part of the customer base that actually generates a lot of revenue, much of it on a very regular basis. IMO any changes are likely to be, as already discussed on another Thread, providing additional minor benefits at the low end [i.e. "Bronze"]. In other words, encouraging more business from the lower end [i.e. less frequent] of the market.
Edit ... thanks for the update, Nicci. You're a :-: ^
- Enhancements for Zone 1-3 pax = Perhaps an offset for the impending termination of Euro-cheat? Certainly increasing competitivity within Europe.
- Changed Miles requirements on many sectors = Correcting perceived anomalies.
- Future new partners to earn/spend Miles = widening potential customer base.
I can't see any potential benefit to BA for tinkering with status levels at the upper end. Indeed, that has high potential for annoying that part of the customer base that actually generates a lot of revenue, much of it on a very regular basis. IMO any changes are likely to be, as already discussed on another Thread, providing additional minor benefits at the low end [i.e. "Bronze"]. In other words, encouraging more business from the lower end [i.e. less frequent] of the market.
Edit ... thanks for the update, Nicci. You're a :-: ^
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AF, VS, AA, Amex, etc
Posts: 101
I can't see any potential benefit to BA for tinkering with status levels at the upper end. Indeed, that has high potential for annoying that part of the customer base that actually generates a lot of revenue, much of it on a very regular basis. IMO any changes are likely to be, as already discussed on another Thread, providing additional minor benefits at the low end [i.e. "Bronze"]. In other words, encouraging more business from the lower end [i.e. less frequent] of the market.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,014
3) Partner rewards pricing gets simpler - the new pricing grid which we will publish at launch should be used for BA only flights, BA plus one partner or partner only flights. The current oneworld multicarrier redemption will also continue to be used for bookings containing more than one partner.
Why do I get the feeling that you will screw us? And that the 97% of flights that are not increasing are only BA flights? This sounds like typical marketing spin.
Oh, and FWIW, I thought the partner award pricing was already simple enough. It's funny that companies feel the need to patronize us by treating us like idiots and make things 'simpler' even though it's already simple enough for a 12 yr old to understand.
Excuse my cynicism, but I think all of you who are cheerleading right now will come to regret it. Think about it. Why aren't they telling us the whole award chart right now? Why did they just release the good news?
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,651
Shouldn't this thread now be retitled "Massive Devaluation to Partner Awards Announced"?
Or since that might be impolite to the official rep, maybe it would be appropriate to start another thread to discuss? I mean that is the big news here. People who liked using BA miles to fly AA to South America, etc. are going to be reamed, while a bone is thrown to those that don't mind paying the ridiculous surcharges on BA international flights (which will require fewer miles).
No, actually I am proven right. The big news about the partner devaluation was hidden in the initial announcement, but has since been confirmed, at least on Lucky's blog. The reduction in miles on some BA routes is a small bone and no way offsets the costs to millions of BA's north american members that don't use their miles on the short haul intra-Euro routes. And there is no change to the heinous fuel surcharge or LHR luxury taxes, which are a big disincentive to book BA metal with miles and virtually a deal-killer on cattle car awards.
Or since that might be impolite to the official rep, maybe it would be appropriate to start another thread to discuss? I mean that is the big news here. People who liked using BA miles to fly AA to South America, etc. are going to be reamed, while a bone is thrown to those that don't mind paying the ridiculous surcharges on BA international flights (which will require fewer miles).
No, actually I am proven right. The big news about the partner devaluation was hidden in the initial announcement, but has since been confirmed, at least on Lucky's blog. The reduction in miles on some BA routes is a small bone and no way offsets the costs to millions of BA's north american members that don't use their miles on the short haul intra-Euro routes. And there is no change to the heinous fuel surcharge or LHR luxury taxes, which are a big disincentive to book BA metal with miles and virtually a deal-killer on cattle car awards.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,513
a bone is thrown to those that don't mind paying the ridiculous surcharges on BA international flights (which will require fewer miles).
(snip). And there is no change to the heinous fuel surcharge or LHR luxury taxes, which are a big disincentive to book BA metal with miles and virtually a deal-killer on cattle car awards.
(snip). And there is no change to the heinous fuel surcharge or LHR luxury taxes, which are a big disincentive to book BA metal with miles and virtually a deal-killer on cattle car awards.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1,301
And I'm sure a lot of the 'millions' of BA North American members have approx. 100,000 miles sitting in their account thanks to the Chase credit card sign up bonus (Yes - I know a lot will also have earnt them by travel, etc). At the end of the day it was their (Chase/BA) choice to offer than many miles with the sign up bonus but I can't recall the last time any credit card in the UK/Europe offer 100,000 miles as a sign up bonus so I'm pleased that the initial changes benefit UK/EU members.
It is a British airline after all.
YQ is pretty common among EU airlines and isn't going to change, IMO. As for LHR taxes - outwith BA's control but you frequently can read in the press over here one airline or another saying how high they are.
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: United MP 1p, PC Ambassador, GP Platinum
Posts: 439
Hi all
I knew the trickier questions would come from our most learned group of members
Sorry if it wasn't clear in my earlier post, partner rewards will be priced the same as BA. So - a single pricing table for itineraries which are:BA onlyBA +1 partner or partner only
For multi-partner itineraries these will be priced using the current oneworld multi carrier redemption. The pricing will be based largely on a distance banded model for all reward sectors. We are not purposfully witholding anything or trying to hide anything - I will be as informative as I can and try to keep up with your questions. Please do feel free to prompt me if you feel I am missing something important that needs a detailed or urgent answer.
Nicci
I knew the trickier questions would come from our most learned group of members
Sorry if it wasn't clear in my earlier post, partner rewards will be priced the same as BA. So - a single pricing table for itineraries which are:BA onlyBA +1 partner or partner only
For multi-partner itineraries these will be priced using the current oneworld multi carrier redemption. The pricing will be based largely on a distance banded model for all reward sectors. We are not purposfully witholding anything or trying to hide anything - I will be as informative as I can and try to keep up with your questions. Please do feel free to prompt me if you feel I am missing something important that needs a detailed or urgent answer.
Nicci
So...right now I have a ORD-HKG First Class Award on Cathay Pacific for 150,000 BA miles.
Under the BA only award chart this same trip would cost 360,000 BA miles.
This is a HUGE devaluation of British Airways miles for US-based members.
I will no longer be flying British Airways, using my Chase BA card or transferring any more Amex membership rewards points to Executive Club if this proves to be even remotely accurate.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 9
People who liked using BA miles to fly AA to South America, etc. are going to be reamed, while a bone is thrown to those that don't mind paying the ridiculous surcharges on BA international flights (which will require fewer miles).
....The big news about the partner devaluation was hidden in the initial announcement, but has since been confirmed, at least on Lucky's blog. The reduction in miles on some BA routes is a small bone and no way offsets the costs to millions of BA's north american members that don't use their miles on the short haul intra-Euro routes....
....The big news about the partner devaluation was hidden in the initial announcement, but has since been confirmed, at least on Lucky's blog. The reduction in miles on some BA routes is a small bone and no way offsets the costs to millions of BA's north american members that don't use their miles on the short haul intra-Euro routes....
#13
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 371
Hi all
I knew the trickier questions would come from our most learned group of members
Sorry if it wasn't clear in my earlier post, partner rewards will be priced the same as BA. So - a single pricing table for itineraries which are:BA onlyBA +1 partner or partner only
For multi-partner itineraries these will be priced using the current oneworld multi carrier redemption. The pricing will be based largely on a distance banded model for all reward sectors. We are not purposfully witholding anything or trying to hide anything - I will be as informative as I can and try to keep up with your questions. Please do feel free to prompt me if you feel I am missing something important that needs a detailed or urgent answer.
Nicci
I knew the trickier questions would come from our most learned group of members
Sorry if it wasn't clear in my earlier post, partner rewards will be priced the same as BA. So - a single pricing table for itineraries which are:BA onlyBA +1 partner or partner only
For multi-partner itineraries these will be priced using the current oneworld multi carrier redemption. The pricing will be based largely on a distance banded model for all reward sectors. We are not purposfully witholding anything or trying to hide anything - I will be as informative as I can and try to keep up with your questions. Please do feel free to prompt me if you feel I am missing something important that needs a detailed or urgent answer.
Nicci
US -Asia will rise from 50k/100k/150k to 120k/240k/360k for eco/busi/first class return trip!
That's 240% more. I feel this is one of the major purposes of changing. "new revitalised Executive Club is coming"
#15
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott // WN, AA, BA, UA, AS // Avis
Posts: 1,310
So...right now I have a ORD-HKG First Class Award on Cathay Pacific for 150,000 BA miles.
Under the BA only award chart this same trip would cost 360,000 BA miles.
This is a HUGE devaluation of British Airways miles for US-based members.
I will no longer be flying British Airways, using my Chase BA card or transferring any more Amex membership rewards points to Executive Club if this proves to be even remotely accurate.
Under the BA only award chart this same trip would cost 360,000 BA miles.
This is a HUGE devaluation of British Airways miles for US-based members.
I will no longer be flying British Airways, using my Chase BA card or transferring any more Amex membership rewards points to Executive Club if this proves to be even remotely accurate.
So I assume we have until November 1 to book under the current redemption charts... if so, yea, I'm planning to book and burn the 380,000 remaining miles on my BA account pretty fast.