[QUOTE==jon=;17416457]Not for me it isn't

When the rumours started about BMI being up for sale I looked at a lot of the other FFPs to see what options there are - as BA is points based on some function of distance and fare, it really doesn't suit my travel pattern of transcontinental in cheap Y (damned works travel policy). With BMI (or most star FFPs) for a trip to Japan or the USA I'd net about 10K miles, so in 4-5 trips I'd have my *G status for another year, and with my 8-9 trips per year I'd clear *G comfortably..

On BA, I worked out that you'd get 60 points round trip to the US or Japan, and a 600 point threshold for BA silver - so I'd be looking at in excess of 10 trips to requalify which I probably wouldn't manage

QUOTE]

I think you may want to look again at BA.

Firstly, Long haul tier points are increasing to 35 each way in discounted Y (40 I think for Tokyo!) so 8 trips x 70 (minimum) = 560 points. There are a few ways you can find those extra points...not least by buying cheap airport upgrades to WT+ (average around £160-£180) which net an extra 55 points (it usually takes a phone call post flight to get the extra points and mileage bonus added but it's never a problem)

Remember that you get 100% mileage on ALL fares now which is as good as any FF offering and when you reach Silver you get 200% on every fare so with your travel pattern you'd rack up some decent miles

Overall, I think BA has gone from being one of the worst progammes for us frequent Y flyers to being one of the best. It does take a bit of planning ahead to make sure you're picking up enough tier points but it's got easier and it's worth the effort