We just redeemed a Concorde award both ways for late May, and changed dates already to early June. Did both awards via the Qantas reservations folks in Sydney. On both phone calls there was comment made that these were very popular "all of a sudden." One girl mentioned "the brass were looking into it" or words to that effect as to whether a standard BA First Class award would in future also be able to include Concorde, or whether a seperate award might need be set up.

Remember this was from a QANTAS viewpoint, as they are the ONLY economical place the Inside Flyer>Starwood>Qantas awards can be redeemed - 125,000 miles r/t. Whether Qantas *pays* BA more when I redeem a Concorde r/t flight versus a trans-atlantic 747 First seat I have no knowledge. Someone here might? If no 'cost' difference there will probably be no change, but if higher cost to QF, a quick rule change or zeroing out "Z" class inventory is just a keystroke away.

As Randy says the double Diners Club transer gives them BA "owned" inventory to redeem from and they own the planes and can be far more liberal with their own allocation and use than a partner - even a very close one - I guess? Availability even for us before the FT and Diners floodgates was patchy, and we needed to fit in with what they offered. Right now there is only one flight a day, but I read that 2 a day is due for Summer so that may free up seats?

And Randy hit the nail on the head mentioning that Concorde loads have not been high even on 1 flight a day since their return to the air. So maybe BA loves the higher than usual award bookings to see program points getting chewed up in big dollops on a service that otherwise flies half empty many days? No souvenier gifts at all to any pax these days I have read.

It is a very opportune window of opportunity right now, and we are grateful to QF and BA for leaving that window open. Finally if you BOOK the award with QF they told us the award will stay locked in for 12 months, no matter what rule change they may later make. A date change is only 2500 miles to a non elite, and a total flight cancel is only 5000 penalty, so the downside is small if you lock it in NOW. From about August onward interior revamps - new loos etc are coming onstream if you have a date choice.