Originally Posted by
NWIFlyer
I wouldn't particularly disagree with your thoughts about the overall value of the FFP, but it is difficult to compare burning rates across programs without also considering earning rates.
Since joining M&B in 2011 (ish), my Together account has accumulated about 450,000 miles.
I joined BA Exec Club in 2012, when they subsumed BD, and my family account there - with exactly the same two members - has banked over twice as many.
None of those miles come from anything other than flying (with the exception of about 50 from a purchase at Athens Duty Free!).
Now there will be some differences in the number of flights taken since 2012, with oneworld holding the balance, but generally speaking the 100% bonus flying BA/AA metal (or codeshare number) as a BA Gold far outweighs the 20% Aegean awards me on their metal as an A3*G.
Cabin earnings, with the exception of SK's 200% in Y+ upwards, are broadly similar.
There are far more non-earning fares in *A than there are in oneworld.
So I'd say that you earn quicker in BAEC than you do in many other programs. The flip side of that is the higher YQs.
For me, BAEC is a better overall program both to maintain status and to earn/burn in given the number of BA/AA flights I take compared to A3. It's why most of my flights have swapped to oneworld. For others who merely take the minimum number of BA flights to maintain status and rely on QR for Tier Points the sums may well be different.
So as with anything no one program will fit everyone. The devaluation will cause me, and others, to consider whether or not it's still worthwhile maintaining status in more than one alliance - particularly when switching all *A flights to oneworld could push me towards greater BA benefits.
I don't yet know what the answer is. Given my aim is still more likely to be F redemptions to Australasia, which currently have not been changed, I think it's likely I'll try to maintain status in both alliances. Any further increase in mileage costs is likely to push me away though.
All very fair points. In particular the ones about the 100% bonus and that each individuals circumstances are different, and of course on the margin this may change some people's behaviours.
Mostly I was attempting to counter the tone coming across on some of the posts that M+B had somehow gone from hero to zero with this devaluation when actually its still perfectly reasonable to very good depending on what benefits suit your travel patterns.