Thought for the day: Think before you book that award flight !
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BHD/DUB
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We are all aware that the pound has been in freefall lately. That is going to play havoc with some award bookings. While airlines don't amend their exchange rates on a daily basis, the next upload is sure to be a kicker, partcularly on airlines that charge YQ in US$.
Example: TG LHR-BKK-LHR, YQ charge $440.
Three months ago that was roughly £222 ($1.98), booked today it's £257 ($ 1.71). This morning the pound is trading at $1.55, so unless things improve quickly (yea right !), the next exchange rate upload could see that YQ charge head to over £280 !
So, think about that award. You might want to get it booked this week, or you may want to hold off a while and hope the pound recovers somewhat and that those airlines continue to drop their YQ charges; or pick a carrier that quotes YQ in £ or €.
Edited to add: of course, as mentioned below, our friends across the pond are luvin it !
Example: TG LHR-BKK-LHR, YQ charge $440.
Three months ago that was roughly £222 ($1.98), booked today it's £257 ($ 1.71). This morning the pound is trading at $1.55, so unless things improve quickly (yea right !), the next exchange rate upload could see that YQ charge head to over £280 !
So, think about that award. You might want to get it booked this week, or you may want to hold off a while and hope the pound recovers somewhat and that those airlines continue to drop their YQ charges; or pick a carrier that quotes YQ in £ or €.
Edited to add: of course, as mentioned below, our friends across the pond are luvin it !

Last edited by FlyingOnceMore; Oct 24, 08 at 7:52 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
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A good example is SQ. Although they also charge in US$ for YQ they are substantially cheaper than TG. LHR-SIN-LHR is only US$230. You can clearly see what a rip-off the YQ charge is on TG longhaul flights.
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
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On the flip side, the US-based Diamond Club members are ecstatic! For some awards, it was cheaper to redeem Miles only than C+M because the GBP had run up so much on the USD and we can earn miles cheaply on US and UA A class tix.
Now, it doesn't hurt quite so much book a C+M award, and I can go back to planning my trips for next year
Now, it doesn't hurt quite so much book a C+M award, and I can go back to planning my trips for next year
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,204
We are all aware that the pound has been in freefall lately. That is going to play havoc with some award bookings. While airlines don't amend their exchange rates on a daily basis, the next upload is sure to be a kicker, partcularly on airlines that charge YQ in US$.
So, yes, this is something to keep an eye on, but I think that it might be even worse than you thought.
S.
#5
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I agree that this sort of change is bad for folks in the UK (and great for me in the USA), but my understanding is that the airlines DO update their exchange rates daily, or at least that they are governed by IATA and are loaded into the GDSes somehow as a conversion to NUCs or something like that.
#6
Join Date: May 2006
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Just done a comparison for our upcoming bookings. The £ was trading at $1.79 when I booked back in July, so even though TG's YQ has come down, it's only a few $, and nowhere near enough to offset the currency fluctuations, so the cost will be a little more in real terms now.
Interestingly, the BD YQ on the FRA-BHX hasn't come down at all
Interestingly, the BD YQ on the FRA-BHX hasn't come down at all

#7
Join Date: Sep 2003
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I'm certainly no expert either, and I know there's different IATA exchange updates (monthly/quarterly) for differing purposes, but I've always understood that they update them for fare calculation once a week. Compiled on a Tuesday for use from Wednesday, I believe.
#8
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Example: TG LHR-BKK-LHR, YQ charge $440.
Three months ago that was roughly £222 ($1.98), booked today it's £257 ($ 1.71). This morning the pound is trading at $1.55, so unless things improve quickly (yea right !), the next exchange rate upload could see that YQ charge head to over £280 !
Three months ago that was roughly £222 ($1.98), booked today it's £257 ($ 1.71). This morning the pound is trading at $1.55, so unless things improve quickly (yea right !), the next exchange rate upload could see that YQ charge head to over £280 !
#9
Join Date: May 2006
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Just to resurrect this thread, TG reduced it's YQ by ~30% effective 6 Nov according to The Nation.
The reduction is reflected on ITA, so LHR-BKK-LHR is $308 or £194.60 today ($1.51/£), so at least it's heading in the right direction at last albeit slowly due to the exchange rate.
The reduction is reflected on ITA, so LHR-BKK-LHR is $308 or £194.60 today ($1.51/£), so at least it's heading in the right direction at last albeit slowly due to the exchange rate.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Just to resurrect this thread, TG reduced it's YQ by ~30% effective 6 Nov according to The Nation.
The reduction is reflected on ITA, so LHR-BKK-LHR is $308 or £194.60 today ($1.51/£), so at least it's heading in the right direction at last albeit slowly due to the exchange rate.
The reduction is reflected on ITA, so LHR-BKK-LHR is $308 or £194.60 today ($1.51/£), so at least it's heading in the right direction at last albeit slowly due to the exchange rate.
http://www.etravelblackboard.com/sho...d=84373&nav=72