There certainly has been loads of emails sent out since the changes. So no excuse for them for not pointing out the changes in a footnote (even if it said something like: our reward fees and terms have been revised, please check ba.com for details).

I never got this particular email though. I knew about this use of Avios, but this use hasn't appealed to me. On the positive side though, you still get full Avios and TP on tickets booked this way.