ANNOUNCEMENT - A new revitalised Executive Club is coming
Sep 1, 2011, 9:06 am
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Sep 1, 2011, 9:07 am
#258
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
Like the poster above, I've used 4 over the last 3 years, no problem.
Sep 1, 2011, 9:09 am
#259
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1,301
I can see a few people now hanging off making 'big' redemptions for 2012 until the new rates kick in, particularly if planning to go to the far east where rates have gone from 240k to 180k for First.
Sep 1, 2011, 9:09 am
#260
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,127
Strangely I stopped using Jif when they changed the name.
Sep 1, 2011, 9:20 am
#261
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 270
Hmm, not that it makes a jot of difference to me (I never used airmiles), but if the above is true it'll be an issue for airmiles traveller's out of NI, who as I understand it could use BMI.
Its crap that there isn't a single BA flight from GB into either NI or ROI, but at least we can still use the EI code share. if they ever drop that setup, it'll be dire.
Its crap that there isn't a single BA flight from GB into either NI or ROI, but at least we can still use the EI code share. if they ever drop that setup, it'll be dire.
Q: Can I still spend Avios on flights with the same airlines?
A: We're always looking at the airlines we work with to make sure we're giving you the biggest choice of destinations and flights possible, while saving you money on the price of the flight.
Avios will offer flights with British Airways, Iberia, Flybe, Monarch, Air Malta and lots of other airlines. See Avios.com for full details.
Of course, these flights will be subject to availability and to the Avios terms and conditions.
Sep 1, 2011, 9:24 am
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Another observation. If you have the Air Miles credit cards, it is now very attractive to use the Amex for overseas spend, even if you don't need the Air Miles.
1 mile per £5 spent overseas is effectively 2 Avios per £1. And that is 25% better than even the Premium Plus BA Amex, assuming you have already hit your £10k for the year and don't need the spend to count towards that.
The days of the Air Miles credit cards from Lloyds must be numbered, though, as Amex presumably keeps its exclusive right to offer cards with BA Miles (ie Avios).
1 mile per £5 spent overseas is effectively 2 Avios per £1. And that is 25% better than even the Premium Plus BA Amex, assuming you have already hit your £10k for the year and don't need the spend to count towards that.
The days of the Air Miles credit cards from Lloyds must be numbered, though, as Amex presumably keeps its exclusive right to offer cards with BA Miles (ie Avios).
Sep 1, 2011, 9:25 am
#264
Company Representative - British Airways
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 834
Hi all
Some more points of clarity in response to queries:
1) Bermuda will cost 40,000 Avios
2) You will earn the same on AA and indeed all partner metal as you do today - there are some improvements on what you will earn on Iberia such as 500 minimum miles (Avios) and 100% Avios on discount economy tickets (today you only earn these on JB routes (direct transatlantic flights between Spain and North America).
3) Partner rewards pricing gets simpler - the new pricing grid which we will publish at launch should be used for BA only flights, BA plus one partner or partner only flights. The current oneworld multicarrier redemption will also continue to be used for bookings containing more than one partner.
4) Reward Flight Saver - wholly domestic connections will be included in the Avios and flat cash price. So for example:
LHR-CDG = 4500 Avios and £13.50 cash
GLA-LHR-CDG = 4500 Avios and £13.50 cash
LHR-CDG-LHR = 9000 Avios and £27 cash (£34 in Club Europe)
GLA-LHR-CDG-LHR-GLA = 9000 Avios and £27 cash (£34 in Club Europe)
The same will apply for similar journeys on IB.
For slightly more complex journeys:
LHR-MAD-FCO-MAD-LHR = 30,000 Avios and £54 cash (£68 in Club Europe)
Please continue to post your questions and I will do my best to answer them all. Please bear in mind that my inbox is a lot busier than usual and publicly posted questions could also help others too!
Best regards
Nicci
Some more points of clarity in response to queries:
1) Bermuda will cost 40,000 Avios
2) You will earn the same on AA and indeed all partner metal as you do today - there are some improvements on what you will earn on Iberia such as 500 minimum miles (Avios) and 100% Avios on discount economy tickets (today you only earn these on JB routes (direct transatlantic flights between Spain and North America).
3) Partner rewards pricing gets simpler - the new pricing grid which we will publish at launch should be used for BA only flights, BA plus one partner or partner only flights. The current oneworld multicarrier redemption will also continue to be used for bookings containing more than one partner.
4) Reward Flight Saver - wholly domestic connections will be included in the Avios and flat cash price. So for example:
LHR-CDG = 4500 Avios and £13.50 cash
GLA-LHR-CDG = 4500 Avios and £13.50 cash
LHR-CDG-LHR = 9000 Avios and £27 cash (£34 in Club Europe)
GLA-LHR-CDG-LHR-GLA = 9000 Avios and £27 cash (£34 in Club Europe)
The same will apply for similar journeys on IB.
For slightly more complex journeys:
LHR-MAD-FCO-MAD-LHR = 30,000 Avios and £54 cash (£68 in Club Europe)
Please continue to post your questions and I will do my best to answer them all. Please bear in mind that my inbox is a lot busier than usual and publicly posted questions could also help others too!
Best regards
Nicci
Sep 1, 2011, 9:27 am
#265
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
Marathon > Snickers
I used to love Marathons, now I love snickers (esp refrigerated!).
Same with Opel Fruits > Starburst
Seriously anyone who gets wound up by this type of thing should really get a life, we'll all no doubt think BA Miles sounds massively old fashioned in 3 years time, while we bathe in our Avios!
I used to love Marathons, now I love snickers (esp refrigerated!).
Same with Opel Fruits > Starburst
Seriously anyone who gets wound up by this type of thing should really get a life, we'll all no doubt think BA Miles sounds massively old fashioned in 3 years time, while we bathe in our Avios!
Sep 1, 2011, 9:30 am
#266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
I think this is terrible.
The name "Avios", that is. While I understand the need for a change to make it a cross-IAG thing, it's rather reminiscent of branding disasters like "Consignia".
Otherwise, it looks like the key question for us will (as always) be availability rather than price.
In theory, that may be right. But just one word should strike fear into the hearts of frequent flyers who are facing competition from frequent shoppers: "Qantas".
The name "Avios", that is. While I understand the need for a change to make it a cross-IAG thing, it's rather reminiscent of branding disasters like "Consignia".
Otherwise, it looks like the key question for us will (as always) be availability rather than price.
I don't like the hint of elitism in this. I dont think BAEC members are any better than airmiles.co.uk collectors. They are completely different reward schemes that just happen to be owned by the same parent company. I don't think it is fair to imply that members of one scheme don't deserve to be treated as well as members of another one.
Sep 1, 2011, 9:36 am
#268
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
A bit like Ford calling Escort = Focus & Sierra = Mondeo.
Sep 1, 2011, 9:39 am
#269
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA - GL, Disgruntled ex LH HON
Posts: 383
TLV :(
I understand not everyone can be happy, i fall within the %3 of those who do not.
BA in Israel worked hard to switch me from LH HON to BA for my weekly travel just this week, just to be announced that redemption is now going to be harder than on LH (F on lh is 60k for residents of israel,.. as ba was in F) while the miles earned are more.
I didn't make a decision yet, but the miles requires is a disappointment, especially considering they use a 767 for the morning flight tlv-lhr. 50k for club?
BA in Israel worked hard to switch me from LH HON to BA for my weekly travel just this week, just to be announced that redemption is now going to be harder than on LH (F on lh is 60k for residents of israel,.. as ba was in F) while the miles earned are more.
I didn't make a decision yet, but the miles requires is a disappointment, especially considering they use a 767 for the morning flight tlv-lhr. 50k for club?
Sep 1, 2011, 9:39 am
#270
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1,301
Nicci,
First of all, thank you for taking time to answer the various questions.
Secondly - fantastic news for intra-EU redemptions, particularly from 'the regions'. Very much appreciated.
Will there be big changes to the miles required for partner rewards?
First of all, thank you for taking time to answer the various questions.
Secondly - fantastic news for intra-EU redemptions, particularly from 'the regions'. Very much appreciated.
3) Partner rewards pricing gets simpler - the new pricing grid which we will publish at launch should be used for BA only flights, BA plus one partner or partner only flights. The current oneworld multicarrier redemption will also continue to be used for bookings containing more than one partner.