OK - I have not had the time nor the inclination to read through the pages of this so I may be covering ground covered by others.

Whilst i am heartened by the presence of Nicci and value her input, I am a little surprised that there has not been any reply from her given the gravity of this situation and the fact that it indeed covers very much part of her remit. I am sure that there is a good reason and this is a comment not a criticism. I have searched but can find nothing - correct me if I am wrong.

I was astounded when I first read Bahrain Lad's calculation for how much this had saved him over the years. I could not understand as he never seems to be butterfly minded to me. However, I know from personal experience how these seats come and go. Trying to return from Madrid on one occasion started on Iberia and eventually the following day BA availability opened up and finally the very flight that I wanted. I probably made three changes - because what I ought was not available when I went to book.

BA have made a monster out of these redemptions and if anyone thinks that this is even remotely connected to rewarding loyalty, they are living in cloud cuckoo land. If there is the slightest chance that they can sell these seats, you'd never see them. Gold Card holders are supposed to be the near cream of the crop - but that seems to have been devalued.

What I want to see is hard figures showing how this has been abused because until I do I simply do not believe it possible.

I hope that every one of you - without exception writes to Nicci - or to whomsoever she directs you and complains long and hard about this and the timing. Frankly I am surprised that is not an April Fool's gag as it would be the best wind up going - but it would seem that it is not. Moreover it is neither clever or funny to p**s off your best paying customers like this. I could care less what other airlines do - being BA should be giving the best and this is far from it.