Originally Posted by
Happy
Yes! AAdvantage miles just have had a stealthy devaluation via the BA fuel surcharge that was not there before now it is on every BA flights on your award itinerary. A poster just said his YYZ-DXB F award used to be $132 tax in the past and now it costed him $810, thanks to the BA fuel surcharge now AA collects on the BA metal. (and per some FTers such fee does not pass thru to BA - it is the carriers who collect it get to keep it.) By giving the ability to fly BA TATL on award and earn miles on revenue tickets, AA effectively and skillfully devalues the miles because now the previously allowed BA flights are all subject to fuel surcharge, with those to India or Africa being affected the most - translates to very hefty out of pocket money. The flat $25 per segment intra-Europe BA flight YQ essentially making a once very good value OneWorld award from East Coast to Europe far less valuable due to big out of pocket money. One might as well use LCCs and not be bound by all the rules and award availability!
So the previously allowed non-TATL flights now have a surcharge, and TATL flights, previously not allowed, are allowed, also with a surcharge. Right?
If so, it seems each person's usage would determine whether it is a plus or minus-for those whose focus is TATL, it means more flights available.
Back on the thread topic, I was addressing the built-in uncertainty, and therefore risk, of an asset whose terms may be changed at anytime without notice, as virtually all FF miles can.