Changes to long-haul awards
Apr 25, 2013, 5:26 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
I'm surprised that you are all surprised. This is a company that has shown time and again that it really couldn't care less about its best customers. The only interest to this company is cutting costs, and they are apparently focused on doing it through their FFP than making meaningful operational changes to achieve said cost savings.
Why did I stay on after the major devaluation in 2009? Well, the business promos stayed at a reasonable price at 50,000 RT for N American, one way awards were still good value in Europe, and... I honestly thought they would sooner or later recognize their utter stupidity and turn the changes back. But I really really did not think that they could make it any worse than it has become??
Apr 25, 2013, 5:28 am
#47
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PWM/CDG
Programs: AF/KL Plat, AA Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 789
One other thing is missing here. We asked them specifically and several times to give us a reason to be Platinum. Make the advantages distinctive and easy to make the case for us to make the effort to be Platinum.
I don't even see the word Platinum anywhere in this announcement, right? Surely there will be a following email sent to all Platinum member outlining our special new benefits, right?
I don't even see the word Platinum anywhere in this announcement, right? Surely there will be a following email sent to all Platinum member outlining our special new benefits, right?
-the right to pay for Economy Comfort?
-the right to pay for 2 piece of luggage (oops, kl almost already did that one)?
-a special new elite bonus of 80% instead of 100%?
-now 12.5 year for LTPL (a 25% increase)?
-a very special incitation to apply for status match with a competitor?
Apr 25, 2013, 5:30 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Why did I stay on after the major devaluation in 2009? Well, the business promos stayed at a reasonable price at 50,000 RT for N American, one way awards were still good value in Europe, and... I honestly thought they would sooner or later recognize their utter stupidity and turn the changes back. But I really really did not think that they could make it any worse than it has become??
Apr 25, 2013, 5:34 am
#49
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
One other thing is missing here. We asked them specifically and several times to give us a reason to be Platinum. Make the advantages distinctive and easy to make the case for us to make the effort to be Platinum.
I don't even see the word Platinum anywhere in this announcement, right? Surely there will be a following email sent to all Platinum member outlining our special new benefits, right?
I don't even see the word Platinum anywhere in this announcement, right? Surely there will be a following email sent to all Platinum member outlining our special new benefits, right?
Apr 25, 2013, 5:38 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,557
"From end June 2013, Promo Awards@ will be available with the new intercontinental award scheme, so you will be able to save 25-50% off the Award Miles usually needed for an award ticket."
if 25%, the promo to NA wil be at 75% of 125K or 93.75
Apr 25, 2013, 5:41 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
The stuff I read also mentioned something about Promo Awards at 25% instead of at 50%. Help!!
Apr 25, 2013, 5:44 am
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
I mean, it's really dire, isn't it? Especially in the light of how good the BA Avios programme has become of late.
In a way, it's good too! With only 3 flight sectors so far towards Gold this year, I think I won't push for requalifying now (I was thinking whether it was worth keeping my custom with AF/KL).
And then there's also all this crap about HOP! and the new MINI product. What are they smoking? Do they have a death wish for the company or something?
In a way, it's good too! With only 3 flight sectors so far towards Gold this year, I think I won't push for requalifying now (I was thinking whether it was worth keeping my custom with AF/KL).
And then there's also all this crap about HOP! and the new MINI product. What are they smoking? Do they have a death wish for the company or something?
Apr 25, 2013, 5:52 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Let me guess:
-the right to pay for Economy Comfort?
-the right to pay for 2 piece of luggage (oops, kl almost already did that one)?
-a special new elite bonus of 80% instead of 100%?
-now 12.5 year for LTPL (a 25% increase)?
-a very special incitation to apply for status match with a competitor?
-the right to pay for Economy Comfort?
-the right to pay for 2 piece of luggage (oops, kl almost already did that one)?
-a special new elite bonus of 80% instead of 100%?
-now 12.5 year for LTPL (a 25% increase)?
-a very special incitation to apply for status match with a competitor?
Apr 25, 2013, 5:53 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
it will be 62.5 not 50. And the wording in the announcement is worrisome. It suggests that many intercontinetal awards will only offer a 25% discount:
"From end June 2013, Promo Awards@ will be available with the new intercontinental award scheme, so you will be able to save 25-50% off the Award Miles usually needed for an award ticket."
if 25%, the promo to NA wil be at 75% of 125K or 93.75
"From end June 2013, Promo Awards@ will be available with the new intercontinental award scheme, so you will be able to save 25-50% off the Award Miles usually needed for an award ticket."
if 25%, the promo to NA wil be at 75% of 125K or 93.75
Apr 25, 2013, 5:56 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,055
No reduction in YQ for Business awards and # of miles up. Great move FB 
It is hard to believe they could make a terrible program even worse, but I guess they can.
Apr 25, 2013, 6:00 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,557
If intra-European fares and services are dropping to LCC level, these are not so valuable, right?
Apr 25, 2013, 6:03 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
I think intra-European awards are a lot less value than they used to be before, depending where you want to go and where you are placed. Even despite reducing the surcharges on the tickets.
Apr 25, 2013, 6:09 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Apr 25, 2013, 6:16 am
#59
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
Ah wait. Now I understand how they are able to create more award availabillity. They free up some more seats by chasing away some of their top customers
Apr 25, 2013, 6:18 am
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,740
Ok, granted KLM did mail me this morning with their previously-trumpeted list of 30 European destinations at €99, but while there may be some "new" cities at that price level, some of those I have flown to in the past for that price are noticeably absent. And they're not going to reduce the prices across the board for longhaul, are they?
Anyway, that wasn't the only mail I received from KLM today - they also emailed me to remind me to "expand my place in space" - although that particular competition ended earlier this week.