Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave

I can share a bit more news, indirectly, about what is currently going on in this space.

There seems to be two phases, the first one amounts to tinkering:

- there will be more leeway given to agents for those who are just short of qualification, and other areas of flexibility. So at the moment there is the "two week rule" and that's more or less it in terms of flexibility. This is likely to be flexible and more dialogue involved, e.g. "can you keep me at Gold? I've got some CW flights coming up next month and the month after", and if the agent sees the evidence then Gold may be renewed even if well short. In some cases it will be due to BAEC members not being aware of parental leave options and therefore not applying, again that can lead to a flexible outcome. Perhaps more flexibility on household accounts and lounge access to family members (as we have seen already). Consistency isn't being seen as important here, good customer outcomes being the driver. I get the impression that now the Chief Exec has teenage children, who are UK citizens based in London, and who want to go places, he is seeing things in a more family focused way than some of his predecessors.

- more dramatically is allowing some sort of slider mechanism with Avios use, and across the board. Those who are in the Hilton programme will be a bit aware of this, but the pricing of Avios (not so much on the earning) seems to heading that direction, so long as it isn't seen as a negative process to the existing scheme - this is aimed as an improvement. So for example, paying for all fees with Avios (like Vueling), paying for seats or extra luggage using Avios. The part pay with Avios process (which is currently dreadful value for money but plenty of sentient FTers use it) is up for extension essentially. Alex Cruz quote: "It is a very tricky subject because we can't come out with a product that will be seen to be more punitive. It has to be more positive. It has to give you more flexibility or it won't work but no we haven't defined it yet." Outside FT I suspect the knowledge let alone appreciation of Part Pay is poorly understood and from my reading this is the biggest outcome. I am not reading any change to the 355 full redemption process. And I'm seeing no big news on changes to earning, just spending Avios.

Moreover.........

And when will this second stage happen? Not soon. Maybe end of this year, maybe next year, maybe mid next year. Why? Well as young KARFA and I agreed on yesterday: three cheers for BA's IT infrastructure! Long may it creak away.