Originally Posted by
kokonutz
Yes, he got it totally wrong and rushed to publish without doing proper research. That cannot be denied.
What was most disappointing to me though (as I have noted) was his response when his speculation was shown to be totally wrong.
Screw ups happen. Character is found in response to them. That means taking responsibility for your mistakes and promising to try harder in the future.
Instead the 'correction' post ends with the ominous: 'Of course there may well be a reason for them to publish the chart now.'
Rule of holes applies.
Alas.
Of course, there'll eventually be a change to BA's award chart, just as there will be to all programs. It's been almost three years since the Avios rollout so changes are probably due. If not now, then by the end of 2015. Those changes are likely to be incremental (6K, 9K instead of 4.5, 7.5, for instance).
Gary's analysis failed to account for three things. First, as previously noted, despite IAG's corporate banner, BA and IB are two different animals (to Willie Walsh's regret). Second, a change to BA's award chart for short-haul redemptions would require decoupling from BA's London calculated redemptions (not impossible to conceive, but a two-step process). Third, BA continues to show interest in expansion in the US market (Austin, Texas started this year and other routes are speculated). That doesn't eliminate the possibility that BA will make changes in the Avios program that will negatively affect Americans--just vastly reduces the likelihood.
Not goofball Internet speculation, but the kind of analysis I expect from a solid travel blog. Just not from VFTW anymore.