Its now 2 months since BA announced the major changes to the BAEC (BAC) program (switching it more to a rewards program than a loyalty program).
I would love to hear how it has already affected people's travelling/booking patterns, perhaps picking up any tips for how to deal with it.
I have certainly made some big changes, but I might remain with Oneworld, possibly BAC as my main "pot".
I am GFL and GGL, with just over 5000 TP for the year ending 31March. I mostly fly USA, Japan and Korea with a few other Asia for Business,
and a monthly Europe and 3-4/yr long haul for family. Company policy is up to Premium Economy, but allows Business class if the routing is reasonable and
does not cost much more (ex Ex DUB,GOT,AMS etc.). I dont need to do tier point runs, but almost always take advantage of a £80 upgrade to CE and use BA vs Easyjet to get the TP.
I know a few others with similar patterns, many in my business - which is UK HQ but most business in Asia and USA..
One World suits me because of BA, JAL, AA and CX giving very good coverage on routes I frequently travel. I would say I have been very loyal, and even a "promoter".
So what now?
I was rattled by the 30 Dec announcement. Maybe because I can predict and adapt roughly how I book flights and see the year ahead in Tier point (sector) terms on one world, but
I find it very hard to predict how much money I will spend - I am always looking to be economical, while wanting lie flat on long haul. Lounge access really helps for work and when there
are long layovers or I am travelling with colleagues.
Changes I made:
(1) Status matching. Previously the only status match I did was to ITA top level - because LCY-LIN is a frequent route and BA timing might not always work. Also it got me Delta lounges in USA.
In the last month I have status matched to FlyingBlue/AF Ultimate and to Miles&More/Lufthansa Senator(Gold).
On bookings, I decided to accelerate Avios burn to benefit from the extra space releases that my 4 month overlap gave me, so I booked most of my 2025 long haul with Avios - burning about 2M,
but I still have about 3M left t use - and will get more space releases after April to finish if needed. I also have a load of 2for1 and GUFs to use up.
In March I need to do two long hauls TYO and SEL and this was where I made a big change. Normally I do a Oneworld flight search and choose one of those. However, Japan RTN on Oneworld
is really expensive just before Golden Week (£4500 CX to £8000 BA from Lon an dnot much better from AMS,MXP,BUD...). I dont like routing via China, Istanbul or UlanBator, and surprisingly
Lufthansa was doing £3.2K for LHR-FRA-HND Rtn. SO I just booked that. First time on LH for about 15 yrs, and teh 747 looks a bit clonky, but its a chance to use my new Senator and try it out.
I picked a 2hr layover vs a 1hr layover so I can check out the LH FRA lounge. Interesting to see how LH booking etc differs from BA/JL,QR,CX,RJ which would be my usual choices.
For Seoul, I almost decided on an AMS startingpoint and then KLM direct or via CDG - to test out my "Flying Blue Ultimate", but Lufthansa was offering really good deals from FRA on the days
I wanted - probably due to the competition from T'way (£1460 RTN old KL near flat). Normally I would use BUD-HEL-ICN but FInnair was actually more expensive for my dates, and getting to
BUD vs FRA is a factor.
I am feeling a bit weird that the Only BA revenue booking I have is for a family trip to NYC+IAD which is a BA Holiday. I booked alone, so I don't have to split the very expensive room cost in Washington,
and it will be my first earn of "New Tier Points". My family members are going out on a mix of avios and regular tickets on the same flights.
SO, Loyalty wise, what is teh impact on BA.
(1) I have become seriously disloyal for the first time in about 10 years. OneWorld spend probably £7K less ( moved to StarAlliance) in March alone and I will be sampling LH (although the old 747-8)
Also I spent £9K less myself and about £30K less across my family by using Avios vs Paying full price, but BA will get a few £xx from teh Avios company and will not have to pay for Avios on those tickets.
(2) I am holding back bookings for business trips because I have decided to evaluate options for each nearer the time. However, but default I expect to stay OneWorld. I like using the CCR, I like JAL,
QR and AY are good if the price is right, and CX often has good asia routes.
(3) As it gets really hard to figure out how many new TP I will earn on these options, I will have to spend time doing some
sort of projection to see what it will take to retain GGL. I would definitely like to, but I am 40,000 TP away from GGLFL - so there is no significant incentive to go Y->J to get 30 or 35TP round Europe,
or to fly AA vs JetBlue/DL/UA round USA - although I need to figure that one out.
(4) Via the recent Status Matches, in the year ahead I am toppish tier in Star Alliance and SkyTeam so I will definitely be checking them out
while I digest the new scheme.
(5) Normally we have a big FS Villa family holiday to Maldives, Seychelles or similar in the New Year. Seems like I can book a 2 bedroom Villa on BA holidays with my flight, so that might
be a good way to add £20-£30K spend later on, with the rest of the family coming on Avios or "the best carrier".
(6) Credit Card spend has all switched to Amex Plat. As I am not booking BA I don't get the Avios boost, and the Plat points can come back to Avios later or go to another scheme if
I treat it seriously. When we learn the £ -> New TP (I'm guessing 30), it might be sensible to shift back to BA. Although a family member used her card for the Lufthansa flights
which bizarrely got her the BA 241 that might be used for a future family trip.
(7) There is a lot of thinking / evaluation / learning to do over the coming few months. I expect I will make a decision to retain GGL - Jokers/CCR/5guests/service being the big benefits for me.
I am fortunate in being GFL so if I drop back severely in 2026 the fall will not be so bad as for some, including many in my business. This is going to be really interesting.
I think my dismay at the hassle / uncertainty / gaslighting / cockyness of teh announcement has abated, and I am realising that this does bring some spice to life, and it will be
interesting to get out of the BA trench and have a look around....