BAEC members living in the regions and different FF programmes
Apr 30, 2017, 5:53 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Sixt Platinum, HHons Diamond
Posts: 927
Interesting to look at this thread again a few years later. I stuck with BA to retain status for lounges and fastrack on domestics which I would have lost had I switched alliance.
Apr 30, 2017, 1:39 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
For me, the changes only cemented that BA is really only interested in the LON market and creating more benefits for those down there.
Avios RFS for those in the regions are unfortunately poor value. From Poland (or obviously any place in that zone). WAW-Domestic is 24,000 Avios plus £70 or in business its a whopping 48,000 and £83.11. Now bare in mind IB will fly you MAD-ORD off peak for 60-odd in business. These are huge amounts and bare in mind how little the low to mid economy fares now bring in Avios wise and in my opinion CE is a bit crap.
Three of my closest friends were all had the Amex card but could not see the point of collecting Avios which had frankly become worthless for their personal situations. Instead of getting you a flight (except LON) it is about a discount on a fare that 9/10 times is cheaper and quicker with a LCC. All it does show is that BA is heading with great speed to a programme where Avios have a fixed value and its basically a cashback system like SN's LOOP!. Its a two speed FFP but the oversight is to address the middle ground of those who are not booking on price alone but do not have the access to route deals and fully flex fares.
Avios RFS for those in the regions are unfortunately poor value. From Poland (or obviously any place in that zone). WAW-Domestic is 24,000 Avios plus £70 or in business its a whopping 48,000 and £83.11. Now bare in mind IB will fly you MAD-ORD off peak for 60-odd in business. These are huge amounts and bare in mind how little the low to mid economy fares now bring in Avios wise and in my opinion CE is a bit crap.
Three of my closest friends were all had the Amex card but could not see the point of collecting Avios which had frankly become worthless for their personal situations. Instead of getting you a flight (except LON) it is about a discount on a fare that 9/10 times is cheaper and quicker with a LCC. All it does show is that BA is heading with great speed to a programme where Avios have a fixed value and its basically a cashback system like SN's LOOP!. Its a two speed FFP but the oversight is to address the middle ground of those who are not booking on price alone but do not have the access to route deals and fully flex fares.
Apr 30, 2017, 10:35 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Avios can be great value for travellers focussed on Heathrow, but redemptions became much less attractive for non-LHR/LGW users when domestic transfers had to be paid for (in miles and £).
From, say, Manchester, Miles and More offers tremendous short notice "saver" deals. And with travel via three or four European hubs (plus Brussels
), there's usually pretty good availability. Truth is it's sensible to have eggs in a couple of baskets if your travel patterns allow.
Apr 30, 2017, 11:27 pm
#34
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,814
From, say, Manchester, Miles and More offers tremendous short notice "saver" deals. And with travel via three or four European hubs (plus Brussels ), there's usually pretty good availability.
Truth is it's sensible to have eggs in a couple of baskets if your travel patterns allow.
), there's usually pretty good availability. Truth is it's sensible to have eggs in a couple of baskets if your travel patterns allow.
May 5, 2017, 2:23 pm
#35
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,847
That is one difference I've noticed between BA and AF-KLM / Lufthansa. I get targeted emails from both of these alliances with specific NCL/EDI/GLA fares. Some of the Air France ones are quite eye catching, even if they seem a little keen for me to go to Abidjan. And in economy (£395 return). Whereas BA's offers are more broad brush, marketing general fare sales and hotel link-ups, and not being particularly NCL specific.
I bought a FlyBe ticket GLA-BRR return a few months back, and despite it only being my second ever FlyBe trip (and first from GLA) I've had a whole flurry of emails offering me trips abroad originating in GLA... so I guess it can be too keen sometimes!