EC changes : will you switch ?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Paris
Programs: BA ExClub Blue (ex Silver), Flying Blue Silver (ex Platinum), M&M forever base soldier
Posts: 723
EC changes : will you switch ?
Just curious to know what your plans are after the EC changes come into effect : will you stick to BA, switch to an other FF program, or else ?
In my case (mostly eco traveller, Silver, based on the continent) I think I will end my almost systematic allegiance to BA for long haul flying. I had come to the EC after Flying Blue introduced its own "enhancements" (plus the 10-abreast seating on 777s) a few years ago. But this time I will not really switch, as I do not know of any other program which would provide me a really better incentive. So I will shop long-haul as I have been doing short-haul for a while now : first criteria will be price and convenience, rather than loyalty.
The days of FFP fun will soon be over for me. Paradoxally, I almost feel relieved as it will make my travel planning much simpler !
In my case (mostly eco traveller, Silver, based on the continent) I think I will end my almost systematic allegiance to BA for long haul flying. I had come to the EC after Flying Blue introduced its own "enhancements" (plus the 10-abreast seating on 777s) a few years ago. But this time I will not really switch, as I do not know of any other program which would provide me a really better incentive. So I will shop long-haul as I have been doing short-haul for a while now : first criteria will be price and convenience, rather than loyalty.
The days of FFP fun will soon be over for me. Paradoxally, I almost feel relieved as it will make my travel planning much simpler !
Last edited by albireo; Jan 28, 2015 at 1:14 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
Thank goodness I've got AAdvantage Platinum for life (OW-Sapphire). I was about to buy a ticket to do a tier point run. Good thing I didn't ! Glad I didn't. I was earning most of my miles through cheapo tickets. The reduction of 100% miles to 25% on discounted tickets was my reason for sticking with BAEC.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Londinium
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 929
I was about to start a thread asking "where would you go?"
For me the benefits of BAEC are the AA alliance/route network and the Tier Point systems, which still seems like the easiest way to get status.
I travel to the US a several times a year, and the idea of relying on Delta (for Virgin) or United for LH doesn't appeal.
For me the benefits of BAEC are the AA alliance/route network and the Tier Point systems, which still seems like the easiest way to get status.
I travel to the US a several times a year, and the idea of relying on Delta (for Virgin) or United for LH doesn't appeal.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London UK
Programs: All Expired... :-(
Posts: 410
Switch frequent flyer program? Probably not, there's not another carrier with a FFP that would suit my travel patterns.
Pay less attention to chasing avios and tier points when deciding to whether fly with BA or another carrier? Definitely.
Pay less attention to chasing avios and tier points when deciding to whether fly with BA or another carrier? Definitely.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,532
No.
I had already switched for long haul premium as BA products are simply poor. Shorthaul is shorthaul and will be price driven. The incentive to fly BA shorthaul has now pretty much gone so price will win out more often now. Biggest problem is that LHR is 21 miles away so price difference will be between LH and BA or such like. I wont be rushing to LTN or STN any time soon
Now if someone comes up with a household account for AA then it really is bye bye BAEC. Not holding my breath however.
I had already switched for long haul premium as BA products are simply poor. Shorthaul is shorthaul and will be price driven. The incentive to fly BA shorthaul has now pretty much gone so price will win out more often now. Biggest problem is that LHR is 21 miles away so price difference will be between LH and BA or such like. I wont be rushing to LTN or STN any time soon
Now if someone comes up with a household account for AA then it really is bye bye BAEC. Not holding my breath however.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
I would switch in a heartbeat if there were a better alternative out there.
M&M and FlyingBlue seem to be at least as bad, United only really works for long hauls on their own metal, IB is the same as BA... Maybe AA might be better but if they become 100% revenue focused, it seems futile. I'm more worried about status than redemption.
So unless someone has some brilliant suggestions, I think BA has left just enough in to be exactly competitive with the market. I'm more likely to cut back, or go for gold via TP running, than I am to switch and go be silver elsewhere.
M&M and FlyingBlue seem to be at least as bad, United only really works for long hauls on their own metal, IB is the same as BA... Maybe AA might be better but if they become 100% revenue focused, it seems futile. I'm more worried about status than redemption.
So unless someone has some brilliant suggestions, I think BA has left just enough in to be exactly competitive with the market. I'm more likely to cut back, or go for gold via TP running, than I am to switch and go be silver elsewhere.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London, UK
Programs: Virtuoso, Hyatt Privé, Impresario, Four Seasons, Marriott Stars, Kempinski, Accor STEP, SLH, IHG,etc
Posts: 94
Yes, definitely. I fly mostly S/H and a couple of L/H a year, all in economy (unless it's a redemption). Will be using Star Alliance where I can as I'm currently just over 4K away from renewing Gold for 2016. Also happy to fly EasyJet in Europe.
Of course I will continue to check BA fares and travel to destinations that may not be served by other airlines.
The question is ... what programme should I credit my OW flights to? AA?
Of course I will continue to check BA fares and travel to destinations that may not be served by other airlines.
The question is ... what programme should I credit my OW flights to? AA?
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,710
I won't switch - after the last round of changes (EuroGold abolished (after a delay), per-sector pricing for redemptions (which UK domestic customers were shielded from, til now) I decided not to continue running for Gold, but to remain content with Silver.
Ironically, I will turn Silver just after these changes come into effect. I might have to have a rethink and see if Silver and/or Avios are as useful now after these latest changes.
Having dumped Flying Blue for similar reasons some time ago, it's nice to be set free from another alliance, and to be able to book each trip each time totally independently of alliance-requalification worries!!!
Ironically, I will turn Silver just after these changes come into effect. I might have to have a rethink and see if Silver and/or Avios are as useful now after these latest changes.
Having dumped Flying Blue for similar reasons some time ago, it's nice to be set free from another alliance, and to be able to book each trip each time totally independently of alliance-requalification worries!!!
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 21
The writing is on the wall for FFPs. I have become much more value focused in the last 18 months and am now buying on value, which may be loco or legacy. The legacies aren't going to reward me for my Scroogian tendencies (fair enough), so I've invested in a Priority Pass and am now buying the seats I really need, e.g. flying up to Heathrow in Y on the upper deck of a QR A380 day flight, in the aisle seat of a pair, cost Ł185 (for a one way ticket) and I'll pocket the difference between that and business for when I need to do an overnight segment and then buy a flat bed. I have no idea if this incredible cheap price even earns any Avios.... and don't care.
I think I will become a lot smarter buyer and save a small fortune, which will then pay for leisure flights. As I run a small business, I am lucky to be able to do this and feel sorry for those obliged to use a corporate agent/travel manager, who will lose a nice perk.
I think I will become a lot smarter buyer and save a small fortune, which will then pay for leisure flights. As I run a small business, I am lucky to be able to do this and feel sorry for those obliged to use a corporate agent/travel manager, who will lose a nice perk.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
I may not switch from BAEC, but I will certainly cease flying BA (to be fair I already have in most cases).
I'm usually on the egde of Silver/Gold, so I'll now just fly Cathay/QR who offer a much better product for what will now be a similar earn rate. I'll just do my 2 domestic returns a year to maintain status.
I will also cease redeeming on any BA flights.
Depending on the upcoming CX revamp I may leave BAEC entirely.
I'm usually on the egde of Silver/Gold, so I'll now just fly Cathay/QR who offer a much better product for what will now be a similar earn rate. I'll just do my 2 domestic returns a year to maintain status.
I will also cease redeeming on any BA flights.
Depending on the upcoming CX revamp I may leave BAEC entirely.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,208
No immediate reason for me to leave BAEC but if I drop status at any point there's even less reason to choose them for future flights.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Programs: BAEC bouncing from Blue to Gold to Blue VSFC Red CXGreen Club Accor Platinum Hilton Silver.
Posts: 914
I will from now on book the best price flights backed up by lounge pass or PP as I try not to fly from LHR it will not be such a loss to me even though I will be gold by early April. So in effect BA will lose out on my spend if they fail on the price plus lounge costs,but I'm sure they will not notice it. I'm also sure that I am not alone with those thoughts.
John
John
#14
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 476
No.
Where to? M&M are worse, Flying Blue is much worse. I run a small consulting business and my clients are aware of my D-and-above policy. BA/QR/Finnair business products are comparable. And the only reason I'm still with M&M is due to LX's very decent F and C product on L/H (and the limo service in MUC/FRA).
Where to? M&M are worse, Flying Blue is much worse. I run a small consulting business and my clients are aware of my D-and-above policy. BA/QR/Finnair business products are comparable. And the only reason I'm still with M&M is due to LX's very decent F and C product on L/H (and the limo service in MUC/FRA).