Use Avios to select your seats on British Airways
May 8, 2018, 6:49 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 774
Its interesting to see the view here on FT (where it seems the majority get free seat selection anyway), and any regular reader will know this is very poor value. I am sure BA will see some uptake as they do with part Avios payment for flights now, and I suppose it goes a way to reduce their Avios liability.
With other things like dynamic pricing coming in - is this a sign of things to come with the value of redemption's (without any other instrument like a 2-4-1 voucher)?
With other things like dynamic pricing coming in - is this a sign of things to come with the value of redemption's (without any other instrument like a 2-4-1 voucher)?
May 8, 2018, 7:02 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,394
It’s very hard to see the particular Avios exchange rate as anything but wholly unreasonable.
In this situation, BA are not even providing anything which actually incurs an additional cost on their part (as say, in the case of BoB catering items).
Would be extremely surprised if there are many takers - but maybe I’ll be proven wrong.
In this situation, BA are not even providing anything which actually incurs an additional cost on their part (as say, in the case of BoB catering items).
Would be extremely surprised if there are many takers - but maybe I’ll be proven wrong.
May 8, 2018, 7:20 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Mucci Chevalier des Internautes Amables; BAEC
Posts: 966
My suspicion is that this may become a devaluation of BAEC status by stealth. Gold and Silver cardholders might have fewer seat options because Blue members are using (poor value) Avios because they are - to an infrequent leisure traveller - often regarded as worthless.
May 8, 2018, 7:25 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Platinum.
Posts: 75
According to the calculator a blue on a cheap economy LCY-ZRH will earn 125 Avios. After displaying loyalty on a whopping 25 one-way flights on the journey, they'll have 3125 Avios and can reward themselves with a single "free" seat selection (on their next fully paid-for flight).
If you're a consumer used to "buy 9 coffees and the 10th is on us" style loyalty programs that scant benefit might, justifiably, seem a little mean.
If you're a consumer used to "buy 9 coffees and the 10th is on us" style loyalty programs that scant benefit might, justifiably, seem a little mean.
May 8, 2018, 7:25 am
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,197
Its interesting to see the view here on FT (where it seems the majority get free seat selection anyway), and any regular reader will know this is very poor value. I am sure BA will see some uptake as they do with part Avios payment for flights now, and I suppose it goes a way to reduce their Avios liability.
With other things like dynamic pricing coming in - is this a sign of things to come with the value of redemption's (without any other instrument like a 2-4-1 voucher)?
With other things like dynamic pricing coming in - is this a sign of things to come with the value of redemption's (without any other instrument like a 2-4-1 voucher)?
Joe Public without status just doesn't think like your average BAEC forumite.
May 8, 2018, 7:56 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: British Airways
Posts: 2
According to the calculator a blue on a cheap economy LCY-ZRH will earn 125 Avios. After displaying loyalty on a whopping 25 one-way flights on the journey, they'll have 3125 Avios and can reward themselves with a single "free" seat selection (on their next fully paid-for flight).
If you're a consumer used to "buy 9 coffees and the 10th is on us" style loyalty programs that scant benefit might, justifiably, seem a little mean.
If you're a consumer used to "buy 9 coffees and the 10th is on us" style loyalty programs that scant benefit might, justifiably, seem a little mean.
May 8, 2018, 8:00 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Programs: BA, JAL
Posts: 689
Continued erosion of benefits. Yet another reason not to be a loyal member and just a member.
Now I have to fight twice as hard to get preferred seats, just so the airline can make a bit more money off a supposed perk. Definitely a thumbs down..
Now I have to fight twice as hard to get preferred seats, just so the airline can make a bit more money off a supposed perk. Definitely a thumbs down..
May 8, 2018, 8:01 am
#24
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,125
In this tiny corner of the internet and in this unique tiny bubble of the BA Forum, I think it's fair to say how much we like to extract as much use of Avios as possible from many sources just isn't on Joe Public's horizon or train of thought.
We're not as important as many would like to think we are and BA are aware of Flyertalk but does it have any real influence? I would say not and it's more of a feedback site for them looking through the hyperbole and seeing if there are real issues.
May 8, 2018, 8:17 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,452
May 8, 2018, 8:24 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,138
My suspicion is that this may become a devaluation of BAEC status by stealth. Gold and Silver cardholders might have fewer seat options because Blue members are using (poor value) Avios because they are - to an infrequent leisure traveller - often regarded as worthless.
May 8, 2018, 8:32 am
#27
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,696
I do suspect some people really can't see the positives of anything that comes from BA. Sure the redemption value is poor, but at least we will now know what to say when someone moans about having to pay for seating on BA.
May 8, 2018, 8:34 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: London - SW4
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 320
Am just hoping the (seemingly) ridiculous redemption rates discourage such a behaviour, at least in some cases. Would be interesting to know if one can use Avios for seats such as 1A, LH exit rows, etc.
May 8, 2018, 8:46 am
#29
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,125
But, but, but, surely that means these greedy Blues aren't taking all your redemption flights away? They will have spent it all on seating? Never mind the minor detail that some seats are kept back for Golds/Emeralds.
I do suspect some people really can't see the positives of anything that comes from BA. Sure the redemption value is poor, but at least we will now know what to say when someone moans about having to pay for seating on BA.
I do suspect some people really can't see the positives of anything that comes from BA. Sure the redemption value is poor, but at least we will now know what to say when someone moans about having to pay for seating on BA.
Personally even if I didn't have status I would still use them for UuA from WT+ to CW which is still very much the sweet spot.
