Award pricing changes going on?
Oct 26, 2023, 7:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,693
Award pricing changes going on?
After reading a new blog post from OMAAT https://onemileatatime.com/deals/fly...-class-awards/ I tried a few award route pricings.
It really looks like US / Central American destinations from Europe are now 50.000 miles minimum one way in business class.
I also checked a few South American and Asian destinations and found lots of 70.000miles award seats. - However South America and Asia seem to be reduced only Jan-Mar 24.
I booked a LIM-NUE award flight a few weeks ago and the absolute minimum price was 87.500 miles oneway.
Did they change award minimum pricing table or did they just open up more seats at the minimum rate?
It really looks like US / Central American destinations from Europe are now 50.000 miles minimum one way in business class.
I also checked a few South American and Asian destinations and found lots of 70.000miles award seats. - However South America and Asia seem to be reduced only Jan-Mar 24.
I booked a LIM-NUE award flight a few weeks ago and the absolute minimum price was 87.500 miles oneway.
Did they change award minimum pricing table or did they just open up more seats at the minimum rate?
Oct 26, 2023, 7:50 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,753
I had a oneway booked from the US back to Europe for January; KLM already cancelled the direct flight and moved me to the day prior.
Just having a look online, there are connecting seats available on AF for 50,000 (in place of the 56,500 previously paid) on both my original date and the date KLM wants me to travel....
Would be good if Ben Lipsey could chime in....or maybe if this is an error we should make hay while the sun shines!!!
Oct 26, 2023, 8:41 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,753
And OMG; there's 50k (each way) availability on West Coast US to Europe award bookings too!
Until recently, this was a 65k route. That's a reduction of 23% in the mileage requirement.
Until recently, this was a 65k route. That's a reduction of 23% in the mileage requirement.
Oct 26, 2023, 8:59 am
#5
Flying Blue Director
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,864
It’s not a mistake 
We are progressively implementing a new pricing model that will lower the pricing on 71% of O&Ds in J, 68% in W, and 66% in Y. The rest will either stay the same or increase slightly (eg JFK went from 15k to 20k in Y), but there shouldn’t be anything too shocking I hope. There are still some routes to be rolled out, particularly the 5th freedom routes, so please be patient.
We are progressively implementing a new pricing model that will lower the pricing on 71% of O&Ds in J, 68% in W, and 66% in Y. The rest will either stay the same or increase slightly (eg JFK went from 15k to 20k in Y), but there shouldn’t be anything too shocking I hope. There are still some routes to be rolled out, particularly the 5th freedom routes, so please be patient.
Oct 26, 2023, 9:17 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Platinum, All Accor Platinum
Posts: 533
Oct 26, 2023, 9:28 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,693
It’s not a mistake
We are progressively implementing a new pricing model that will lower the pricing on 71% of O&Ds in J, 68% in W, and 66% in Y. The rest will either stay the same or increase slightly (eg JFK went from 15k to 20k in Y), but there shouldn’t be anything too shocking I hope. There are still some routes to be rolled out, particularly the 5th freedom routes, so please be patient.
We are progressively implementing a new pricing model that will lower the pricing on 71% of O&Ds in J, 68% in W, and 66% in Y. The rest will either stay the same or increase slightly (eg JFK went from 15k to 20k in Y), but there shouldn’t be anything too shocking I hope. There are still some routes to be rolled out, particularly the 5th freedom routes, so please be patient.
- it even looks like the airline surcharge has been reduced or taken away on some routes
Oct 26, 2023, 9:28 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,753
It’s not a mistake
We are progressively implementing a new pricing model that will lower the pricing on 71% of O&Ds in J, 68% in W, and 66% in Y. The rest will either stay the same or increase slightly (eg JFK went from 15k to 20k in Y), but there shouldn’t be anything too shocking I hope. There are still some routes to be rolled out, particularly the 5th freedom routes, so please be patient.
We are progressively implementing a new pricing model that will lower the pricing on 71% of O&Ds in J, 68% in W, and 66% in Y. The rest will either stay the same or increase slightly (eg JFK went from 15k to 20k in Y), but there shouldn’t be anything too shocking I hope. There are still some routes to be rolled out, particularly the 5th freedom routes, so please be patient.
Hopefully Flying Blue will publish "starting from" price charts for these new rates....the Mileage Tool is out of date and, if the "Logic" of pricing allows it, a chart (with zones) is far more convenient than running countless individual route searches....🙏
(I never did understand why Paris was penalised by being by far the most expensive origin/destination in Europe, at least for flights to/from the US)
Last edited by irishguy28; Oct 26, 2023 at 9:34 am
Oct 26, 2023, 9:39 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Platinum, All Accor Platinum
Posts: 533
Europe Asia and Asia Europe can be found at 50k in J now! a real steal . I just booked a BKK CDG at 50K in J!!
LP awards have not changed however from what i saw on SIN and HND routes.
. I just booked a BKK CDG at 50K in J!! LP awards have not changed however from what i saw on SIN and HND routes.
Oct 26, 2023, 9:51 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,693
just speculating, but it might be a change to segment based awards like BA handles award pricing. Ben speaks of reduction on O&D awards. when I search for LIM-CDG for example I get an award for 50.000 miles - if I add an inner European connection the price on the same flight date is 70.000 - same for flights ex Asia (CDG-NUE biz award oneway is 20.000 miles).
that could also be a preparation for booking awards with stopovers online.
that could also be a preparation for booking awards with stopovers online.
Last edited by f0zzyNUE; Oct 26, 2023 at 9:58 am
Oct 26, 2023, 10:12 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,693
Oct 26, 2023, 12:11 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,342
It’s not a mistake
We are progressively implementing a new pricing model that will lower the pricing on 71% of O&Ds in J, 68% in W, and 66% in Y. The rest will either stay the same or increase slightly (eg JFK went from 15k to 20k in Y), but there shouldn’t be anything too shocking I hope. There are still some routes to be rolled out, particularly the 5th freedom routes, so please be patient.
We are progressively implementing a new pricing model that will lower the pricing on 71% of O&Ds in J, 68% in W, and 66% in Y. The rest will either stay the same or increase slightly (eg JFK went from 15k to 20k in Y), but there shouldn’t be anything too shocking I hope. There are still some routes to be rolled out, particularly the 5th freedom routes, so please be patient.