Jan 28, 2015, 1:49 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
The changes in summary
Applicable to bookings made from 28 April 2015
For more information, see BA's 28 January announcement and FAQ on ba.com
Earning
Changes to Avios accrual rates and tier bonuses
Earning with partners
Reduced earnings in Economy and Premium Economy
AA, IBERIA, JAL, LAN, TAM, ALASKA, SRI LANKAN, QANTAS, CATHAY.
Changes to tier bonuses
Changes to minimum Avios amounts (accrued per flight)
Changes to Tier Point earning rates
Spending
Promise of greater reward inventory/availability
Changes to standard flight redemption rates
Changes to Upgrade with Avios
Applicable to bookings made from 28 April 2015
For more information, see BA's 28 January announcement and FAQ on ba.com
Earning
Changes to Avios accrual rates and tier bonuses
- earning rates increase for flights booked in F, A, J, C, D, and W selling classes
- no change for flights booked in R, I, Y, B, and H selling classes
- earning rates reduce for flights booked in E, T, K, L, M, N, S, V, Q, O, and G selling classes
Earning with partners
Reduced earnings in Economy and Premium Economy
AA, IBERIA, JAL, LAN, TAM, ALASKA, SRI LANKAN, QANTAS, CATHAY.
Changes to tier bonuses
- no change to Gold tier bonuses (100%)
- Silver tier bonuses reduce from 100% to 50%
- no change to Bronze tier bonuses (25%)
Changes to minimum Avios amounts (accrued per flight)
- minimum thresholds increase for long haul premium fares (F, A, J, C, D, W)
- no change to restricted business class fares (R and I class) and flexible econony (Y, B, and H class)
- minimum thresholds decrease for WT+ (E and T class) - although there are no BA WTP flights that short
- minimum thresholds decrease from 500 to 250 Avios for mid priced economy (K, L, M, N, S, and V classes)
- minimum thresholds decrease from 500 to 125 Avios for cheapest economy (Q, O, and G classes)
Changes to Tier Point earning rates
- Club World London City flights reduce from 210 to 140 Tier Points
- Cheapest economy flights (in selling classes Q, O, and G) reduce from 50% to 25% Tier Points
- No change to minimum 2/4 segments for earning Bronze/Others
- No change to 25 segment / 50 segment Bronze/Silver earning option
- No other changes, thresholds still Bronze 300,Silver 600,Gold 1500,GGL 5000 (3000 to retain)
Spending
Promise of greater reward inventory/availability
- Guaranteed minimum 4 seats in economy on every flight
- Guaranteed minimum 2 seats in business on every flight
- Guaranteed seats will be available to book from 355 days before departure and may vanish 45 days before departure, if not already booked.
Changes to standard flight redemption rates
- Variable rates introduced divided into Off-peak and Peak
- For Peak time (school holidays and other busy times), and partner costs
- WT - stays the same cost
- WTP increases - from x1.5 to x2.0 multiplier (33% increase)
- Club World increases - from x2.0 to x3.0 multiplier (50% increase)
- First increases - from x3.0 to x4.0 multiplier (33% increase)
- For Off Peak time (including every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the year)
- WT decreases by 35% from current values
- WT decreases by 13% from current values
- Club World increases by 25% from current values
- First increases by 13% from current values
- Free domestic add-ons abolished on short haul redemptions
- No word if CE redemptions will be charged 4500/Ł17.50 or 9000/Ł25 for the UK leg
- Variable rates introduced on Iberia
- Flight redemptions on BA's other airline partners will be charged at Peak rates all year round
Changes to Upgrade with Avios
- Eligible booking codes is set to increase in the near future, allowing mile upgrades from economy (WT and ET) for more travellers - K, L, M, N, S, and V classes added (exact fare codes subject to confirmation)
- Avios required for upgrade now based on the formula: Avios redemption price for the cabin you want to upgrade to, minus the Avios redemption price for the cabin you have paid for with cash. This means that certain off peak WTP to CW upgrades are more expensive than peak WTP to CW upgrades (assuming peak/off-peak variables will apply to UuA)
Executive Club Changes
Jan 28, 2015, 3:40 am
#136
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold
Posts: 1,073
HEARTBROKEN.
I was really looking forward to see myself going from Bonze to Silver by mid April but now i am not very pleased as of the fact that the Avios earning rate for cheaper Economy tickets are going down, so as the bonuses.
I am trying my best to accept this, and looks like I have to book all my flights for next year... now or they in order to catch the last train before 28 April......
It's time to buy cheap economy tickets and cheap WTP+ to pool more miles and use the old rate to upgrade WT+ to CW!!
(Or I will just move to Virgin Flying Club...?)
I was really looking forward to see myself going from Bonze to Silver by mid April but now i am not very pleased as of the fact that the Avios earning rate for cheaper Economy tickets are going down, so as the bonuses.
I am trying my best to accept this, and looks like I have to book all my flights for next year... now or they in order to catch the last train before 28 April......
It's time to buy cheap economy tickets and cheap WTP+ to pool more miles and use the old rate to upgrade WT+ to CW!!
(Or I will just move to Virgin Flying Club...?)
Jan 28, 2015, 3:41 am
#137
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA IHG
Posts: 1,370
This really sucks. Impacts to earnings and silver benefits bad enough - but the redemption values are hugely increased. At least 50% more miles now needed for J to SA (from 100k to 150k).
Jan 28, 2015, 3:44 am
#138
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Sussex
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 897
Well, thanks to my inbuilt superiority complex, I have never really considered myself a loser ........... until now !
Planning a family trip next year to NYC, and 4 tkts in CW have just jumped from 320,000 Avios to either 400,000 or 480,000 (depending upon where the peak/off-peak seasonality is set), so I am most definitely a loser.
Hey-ho, life's like that .......... I am most definitely not happy about it, nor about the added costs for domestic add-ons (living in Scotland), which have been great for a number of recent European trips, but in reality what it means is that I am likely to have to pay for 1 ticket now with real money instead.
Planning a family trip next year to NYC, and 4 tkts in CW have just jumped from 320,000 Avios to either 400,000 or 480,000 (depending upon where the peak/off-peak seasonality is set), so I am most definitely a loser.
Hey-ho, life's like that .......... I am most definitely not happy about it, nor about the added costs for domestic add-ons (living in Scotland), which have been great for a number of recent European trips, but in reality what it means is that I am likely to have to pay for 1 ticket now with real money instead.
This and the fact the 241 voucher last for 24 months, meaning you could double up the 241 vouchers and cut that redemption cost in half.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:44 am
#139
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 142
As a silver - where my main travel is euro traveller in in discounted economy tickets this isnt great.
I used to actively seek out BA flights but now as it will be much harder to reach silver I dont see this happening.
I used to actively seek out BA flights but now as it will be much harder to reach silver I dont see this happening.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:45 am
#140
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, several other less interesting cards...
Posts: 3,712
What BA giveth etc
I can't help feeling that BA have been taking note of the serial whingers on here about the BAEC.
OK, so the peak and off-peak redemptions are new but a few years back BA made major changes:
- TPs for all fare buckets (previously discounted Y got none)
- Reduction in BA Miles redemption levels (eg NYC reduced from 50k to 40k)
- Increased bonus for Silver
- Introduction of Bronze
- Er,
- I'm sure there were others
These changes go some way towards reversing all of this.
I'll go further. I have always thought since the last changes (above) BA had an eye on separating BAEC/Avios with a view to hiving it off. Nothing in this announcement has changed this.
I can't help feeling that BA have been taking note of the serial whingers on here about the BAEC.
OK, so the peak and off-peak redemptions are new but a few years back BA made major changes:
- TPs for all fare buckets (previously discounted Y got none)
- Reduction in BA Miles redemption levels (eg NYC reduced from 50k to 40k)
- Increased bonus for Silver
- Introduction of Bronze
- Er,
- I'm sure there were others
These changes go some way towards reversing all of this.
I'll go further. I have always thought since the last changes (above) BA had an eye on separating BAEC/Avios with a view to hiving it off. Nothing in this announcement has changed this.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:45 am
#141
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 90
Unless I'm missing something obvious, the Lloyds Bank Avios Rewards credit card upgrade voucher may have just got much more valuable. Comparisons have been made above of the changes to the redemption table for Business and First fares, however off-peak it appears that long haul reward flights in Economy and Premium Economy are cheaper than currently.
For example a zone 5 flight in PE used to cost 30000 avios each way and now costs 40000 avios each way peak, and 26000 avios each way off-peak.
Bearing in mind that the Lloyds upgrade voucher apparently only requires an available reward flight showing in Business to permit booking then an off-peak redemption to zone 5 would now cost 52000 + voucher. This flight would be "worth" 100000 avios on the new chart, and would have cost 60000 avios + voucher under the current avios pricing. The difference widens as you go further through the zones (e.g. Sydney would be 130000 + voucher off-peak instead of 150000 + voucher currently, and "worth" 250000 avios).
This only applies off-peak. In addition the release of many more business class reward flights should make using the voucher and finding availability much easier.
In addition the reduction in Economy and Premium rates may go some way to offset the high taxes, fees and charges, and perhaps make them more attractive for redemptions (particularly "off peak", which is for quite a lot of the year).
The new arrangements do seem quite complicated, but unless I have interpreted this incorrectly, for me the changes will probably be positive. I will just ensure I redeem on off-peak dates and use the voucher to upgrade into CW!
For example a zone 5 flight in PE used to cost 30000 avios each way and now costs 40000 avios each way peak, and 26000 avios each way off-peak.
Bearing in mind that the Lloyds upgrade voucher apparently only requires an available reward flight showing in Business to permit booking then an off-peak redemption to zone 5 would now cost 52000 + voucher. This flight would be "worth" 100000 avios on the new chart, and would have cost 60000 avios + voucher under the current avios pricing. The difference widens as you go further through the zones (e.g. Sydney would be 130000 + voucher off-peak instead of 150000 + voucher currently, and "worth" 250000 avios).
This only applies off-peak. In addition the release of many more business class reward flights should make using the voucher and finding availability much easier.
In addition the reduction in Economy and Premium rates may go some way to offset the high taxes, fees and charges, and perhaps make them more attractive for redemptions (particularly "off peak", which is for quite a lot of the year).
The new arrangements do seem quite complicated, but unless I have interpreted this incorrectly, for me the changes will probably be positive. I will just ensure I redeem on off-peak dates and use the voucher to upgrade into CW!
Jan 28, 2015, 3:48 am
#142
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 995
I guess so but this might be based on your particular circumstances - I assume BA will eventually reduce the TP earning capacity for discounted Business class fares. This would target the Business class TP runners who earn a disproportionate level of TPs and Avios compared to their spend. It cannot be right that TP runners who spend so little can get GGL and CCR.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:49 am
#143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
I believe I posted late last year about how BA Exec club would move more towards a revenue based reward scheme and I was shot down by a few of the long time posters including a few of the TP runners. These people seem to be strangely silent now.
The changes look good to me and reward people better according to how much revenue BA gets from them. The LCY/SNN/JFK TP earning anomaly has gone - shame they have not reduced the TP earning rates on I class fares. Hopefully this will result in less people making the higher status levels and clogging up the lounges and telephone lines.
The changes look good to me and reward people better according to how much revenue BA gets from them. The LCY/SNN/JFK TP earning anomaly has gone - shame they have not reduced the TP earning rates on I class fares. Hopefully this will result in less people making the higher status levels and clogging up the lounges and telephone lines.
It isn't really a revenue programme on the status side. It's just now an only-full-fare-Y or any-J/F programme. Including TP collectors.
paul4040 only travels in full fare Y and full fare W. So he is elevated by the fall of those on discount Y/W fares.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:50 am
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
I guess so but this might be based on your particular circumstances - I assume BA will eventually reduce the TP earning capacity for discounted Business class fares. This would target the Business class TP runners who earn a disproportionate level of TPs and Avios compared to their spend. It cannot be right that TP runners who spend so little can get GGL and CCR.
The Avios decrease comes from the way Avios is now awarded by an external body. Fine, accounting must be done properly for cheaper fares.
The TP decrease on discount Y fares is about BAEC cost cutting on el-cheapo members.
People buying discretionary I fares are not causing BAEC any problems.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:50 am
#145
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 122
The good news is my general trips to Europe book into S class, so I'll still get my whopping 10 TP's per leg.
I'd never relied on that for status so as long as TP for CW/WTP stay in place I should at least retain Silver in the future and lounge access for the many short Europe trips with work.
I'd never relied on that for status so as long as TP for CW/WTP stay in place I should at least retain Silver in the future and lounge access for the many short Europe trips with work.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:51 am
#146
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
Unless I'm missing something obvious, the Lloyds Bank Avios Rewards credit card upgrade voucher may have just got much more valuable. Comparisons have been made above of the changes to the redemption table for Business and First fares, however off-peak it appears that long haul reward flights in Economy and Premium Economy are cheaper than currently.
For example a zone 5 flight in PE used to cost 30000 avios each way and now costs 40000 avios each way peak, and 26000 avios each way off-peak.
Bearing in mind that the Lloyds upgrade voucher apparently only requires an available reward flight showing in Business to permit booking then an off-peak redemption to zone 5 would now cost 52000 + voucher. This flight would be "worth" 100000 avios on the new chart, and would have cost 60000 avios + voucher under the current avios pricing. The difference widens as you go further through the zones (e.g. Sydney would be 130000 + voucher off-peak instead of 150000 + voucher currently, and "worth" 250000 avios).
This only applies off-peak. In addition the release of many more business class reward flights should make using the voucher and finding availability much easier.
In addition the reduction in Economy and Premium rates may go some way to offset the high taxes, fees and charges, and perhaps make them more attractive for redemptions (particularly "off peak", which is for quite a lot of the year).
The new arrangements do seem quite complicated, but unless I have interpreted this incorrectly, for me the changes will probably be positive. I will just ensure I redeem on off-peak dates and use the voucher to upgrade into CW!
For example a zone 5 flight in PE used to cost 30000 avios each way and now costs 40000 avios each way peak, and 26000 avios each way off-peak.
Bearing in mind that the Lloyds upgrade voucher apparently only requires an available reward flight showing in Business to permit booking then an off-peak redemption to zone 5 would now cost 52000 + voucher. This flight would be "worth" 100000 avios on the new chart, and would have cost 60000 avios + voucher under the current avios pricing. The difference widens as you go further through the zones (e.g. Sydney would be 130000 + voucher off-peak instead of 150000 + voucher currently, and "worth" 250000 avios).
This only applies off-peak. In addition the release of many more business class reward flights should make using the voucher and finding availability much easier.
In addition the reduction in Economy and Premium rates may go some way to offset the high taxes, fees and charges, and perhaps make them more attractive for redemptions (particularly "off peak", which is for quite a lot of the year).
The new arrangements do seem quite complicated, but unless I have interpreted this incorrectly, for me the changes will probably be positive. I will just ensure I redeem on off-peak dates and use the voucher to upgrade into CW!
Jan 28, 2015, 3:51 am
#147
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 10
Whilst it is a little irritating to lose free domestic flights for European destinations in practice they were of little use to me flying out of MAN, as there are usually plenty of other options direct. It always seemed like a waste of effort to fly MAN-PMI via LHR and taking c6 hours rather than 2 direct.
I haven't seen any mention of being able to use other carriers for flights from domestic to European destinations. In particular FlyBe and Monarch will be very useful for me from MAN, always assuming I can find availability of course.
I haven't seen any mention of being able to use other carriers for flights from domestic to European destinations. In particular FlyBe and Monarch will be very useful for me from MAN, always assuming I can find availability of course.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:51 am
#148
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 79
I think as with every change, there would obviously be people who are upset, but the overall strategy seems right to me in creating additional differentiation between BAEC levels. This unfortunately means that while some benefits get added, some are enhanced away. If you look at what happenned in the last few months:
+ GGL is now harder to achieve at 5000tp
+ Introduction of booking change fees for levels below GGL
+ Decrease in Silver bonus
+ etc
On redemption availability, while rates are going up (ex off peak Zones 1-3), don't forget that earning rates are also going up (for example, J/C/D fares going up from 150 to 250%, which is quite substantial) - this goes in line with the above as it primarily benefits those that fly full fare premium cabins and likely to be Gold and above.
+ GGL is now harder to achieve at 5000tp
+ Introduction of booking change fees for levels below GGL
+ Decrease in Silver bonus
+ etc
On redemption availability, while rates are going up (ex off peak Zones 1-3), don't forget that earning rates are also going up (for example, J/C/D fares going up from 150 to 250%, which is quite substantial) - this goes in line with the above as it primarily benefits those that fly full fare premium cabins and likely to be Gold and above.
Jan 28, 2015, 3:53 am
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,748
Jan 28, 2015, 3:53 am
#150
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
No, it's good for me because:
1. I can easily retain Gold with a few well placed Club sectors within Europe, to places I like (HEL, IST etc).
2. I don't like busy lounges.
3. Dublin actually becomes cheaper for me to redeem off peak, which is when I want to go. Irish family commitments mean a lot of DUB trips this coming year.
4. Surely - better availability on redemptions.
5. I rarely book LH redemptions.
6. I collect quite a few Avios through schemes outside BAEC which haven't been gutted. Well, not yet!
Losses for me are:
1. No cheapo buggering around with silly open jaw/stopover Euro-domestic Avios redemptions. Example: using long stopovers I can get from DUB-LHR on 20 March and LHR-BHD on 23 April for 4500 Avios and £17.50. Now it'll cost me 8,000 off peak and £35.00 single.
[Today I'm doing LBA-LHR and in June LHR-LUX (to say farewell to a T1!). All on the same booking. 4,500 Avios and £17.50. ]
2. Where I do pay for a domestic I'll be shafted with poorer Avios rates. The TPs are no bother, I'll still fly enough to retain Gold.
I'm not really in BAEC to do mad TP Runs as a hobby. I do genuinely have a requirement to fly to see family and friends, and I have plenty of spare time to go to Europe for a weekend once a month from the regions.
As they say - YMMV!!