BA 2 for 1 and $30K spend really worth it?
Jun 1, 2011, 5:35 pm
#31
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
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Understood. The vouchers are the only reason to keep this card.
I understood your original post to be a comparison between BAEC and AAdvantage for travel between the USA and the UK, and I make the narrow point that the ability to earn 1.25 miles per dollar is not unique to BAEC, it's available in both programs. The 2 for 1 voucher is unique, and the way it is structured it increases the value of BA miles earned by any method, including transfers from Starwood and Membership Rewards. (Another MR bonus has just been announced, 50% this time ^ ).
I regret if I did not make my point with sufficient clarity.
I understood your original post to be a comparison between BAEC and AAdvantage for travel between the USA and the UK, and I make the narrow point that the ability to earn 1.25 miles per dollar is not unique to BAEC, it's available in both programs. The 2 for 1 voucher is unique, and the way it is structured it increases the value of BA miles earned by any method, including transfers from Starwood and Membership Rewards. (Another MR bonus has just been announced, 50% this time ^ ).
I regret if I did not make my point with sufficient clarity.
Jun 1, 2011, 5:39 pm
#32
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures.
Join Date: Jun 2003
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http://www.britishairways.com/travel...2/public/en_us
Jun 1, 2011, 10:15 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 208
2 for 1 deal doesn't seem worth it if you want to fly to Asia because the miles cost on BA metal are outrageous. F from US to Thailand, for example, is 270k miles. At that price, you might as well spend 300k miles for 2 F CX tickets with better routing options and less fuel surcharges.
Jun 1, 2011, 10:32 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,028
2 for 1 deal doesn't seem worth it if you want to fly to Asia because the miles cost on BA metal are outrageous. F from US to Thailand, for example, is 270k miles. At that price, you might as well spend 300k miles for 2 F CX tickets with better routing options and less fuel surcharges.
Jun 2, 2011, 12:22 am
#35
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat, UA Silver, Delta Silver
Posts: 454
One of the great things about BA awards is they allow you access to their great lounges. It's nice being able to have pre-flight supper at JFK, fly across the pond and then shower + have breakfast in the arrivals lounge.
Jun 2, 2011, 12:45 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
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I think $1300 from the West Coast to JNB is light, unless you aren't stopping over in London. From LAX to JNB with a stopover in LHR is $3300 in YQ, taxes and fees.
I'm soured on it. I will wind up spending the extra 80k miles to fly first, not so much because I'm dying to fly first, but because the YQ is the same and I'm ready to clear out my BA account.
I'm soured on it. I will wind up spending the extra 80k miles to fly first, not so much because I'm dying to fly first, but because the YQ is the same and I'm ready to clear out my BA account.
Jun 2, 2011, 12:54 am
#37
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Posts: 2,053
Even if you counted the whole $1300 as the cost for 150K miles you're still looking at a cost of approximately 1cpm with a much, much higher redemption value.
Jun 2, 2011, 9:11 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 426
ORD-LHR-SYD
ORD-LHR-BKK-SYD
ORD-LHR-SIN-SYD
At that, the mileage requirement is quite steep: 280k for J or 420K for F. Only useful if you wanted to plan stopovers in each connecting city. Otherwise, just forget the 2-4-1 and use BA miles to book on Qantas.
Jun 2, 2011, 9:26 am
#40
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Northwest NJ
Programs: Starwood Platinum,Marriott Platinum, United Silver
Posts: 2,313
No time to read the whole thread but here's my experience.
Just got back from RT NY to Tel Aviv via Heathrow in First Class. Three of the four flights were in the New First cabins. Amazing experience, especially if you like fine liquors and wines!
Used layover at the Concorde Lounge in Heathrow. We showered and changed, then twenty minutes in a massage chair to finish my rejuvenation. Love every minute of the experience.
Cost 195,000 miles and got two for one thanks to the Visa. Cost $1500 in fees which was about what one coach seat would cost. 200,000 free miles from BA thanks to my wife and I each getting the card. $30,000 is easy since I use it for business expenses. So it was a no-brainer in terms of getting the card. And, to me, a no-brainer in terms of keeping it.
Now things always change. It's not the same if you need it for Asia and the South Pacific. Nothing is best at everything. But we already have the points for our flights for a Baltic cruise next June - just waiting for the 11 month mark to get our seats. As long as BA keeps delivering this availability and the chance to get 2-4-1 and the redemption tables don't change much, I'll keep playing this game.
Just got back from RT NY to Tel Aviv via Heathrow in First Class. Three of the four flights were in the New First cabins. Amazing experience, especially if you like fine liquors and wines!
Used layover at the Concorde Lounge in Heathrow. We showered and changed, then twenty minutes in a massage chair to finish my rejuvenation. Love every minute of the experience.
Cost 195,000 miles and got two for one thanks to the Visa. Cost $1500 in fees which was about what one coach seat would cost. 200,000 free miles from BA thanks to my wife and I each getting the card. $30,000 is easy since I use it for business expenses. So it was a no-brainer in terms of getting the card. And, to me, a no-brainer in terms of keeping it.
Now things always change. It's not the same if you need it for Asia and the South Pacific. Nothing is best at everything. But we already have the points for our flights for a Baltic cruise next June - just waiting for the 11 month mark to get our seats. As long as BA keeps delivering this availability and the chance to get 2-4-1 and the redemption tables don't change much, I'll keep playing this game.
Jun 2, 2011, 11:35 am
#41
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 599
I think $1300 from the West Coast to JNB is light, unless you aren't stopping over in London. From LAX to JNB with a stopover in LHR is $3300 in YQ, taxes and fees.
I'm soured on it. I will wind up spending the extra 80k miles to fly first, not so much because I'm dying to fly first, but because the YQ is the same and I'm ready to clear out my BA account.
I'm soured on it. I will wind up spending the extra 80k miles to fly first, not so much because I'm dying to fly first, but because the YQ is the same and I'm ready to clear out my BA account.
Jun 2, 2011, 12:10 pm
#42
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 70
You could, but ITN needs to be entirely on BA metal, so I believe your only routing options would be:
ORD-LHR-SYD
ORD-LHR-BKK-SYD
ORD-LHR-SIN-SYD
At that, the mileage requirement is quite steep: 280k for J or 420K for F. Only useful if you wanted to plan stopovers in each connecting city. Otherwise, just forget the 2-4-1 and use BA miles to book on Qantas.
ORD-LHR-SYD
ORD-LHR-BKK-SYD
ORD-LHR-SIN-SYD
At that, the mileage requirement is quite steep: 280k for J or 420K for F. Only useful if you wanted to plan stopovers in each connecting city. Otherwise, just forget the 2-4-1 and use BA miles to book on Qantas.
Redeeming 2 first class tickets from North America to Australia on Qantas looks like it would require 480k miles, and you would have to go trans-Pacific.
Jun 2, 2011, 12:12 pm
#43
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,821
I think $1300 from the West Coast to JNB is light, unless you aren't stopping over in London. From LAX to JNB with a stopover in LHR is $3300 in YQ, taxes and fees.
I'm soured on it. I will wind up spending the extra 80k miles to fly first, not so much because I'm dying to fly first, but because the YQ is the same and I'm ready to clear out my BA account.
I'm soured on it. I will wind up spending the extra 80k miles to fly first, not so much because I'm dying to fly first, but because the YQ is the same and I'm ready to clear out my BA account.
The 241 only has value if your destination is in the direction of Europe and NOT too far from it such as Middle East. Going to the Pacific side or Africa, the YQs are sickening. F or no F.
Jun 2, 2011, 11:59 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 395
I recently paid about $3,100 in taxes, fuel surcharges etc, for F, using 2 for 1, from west coast to CPT, return from JNB with a 2 day stopover in London on return. Total miles paid 270,000 for 2. Definately worth it to me for 21 hours of flight time. After all the miles were basically free so I don't complain about high taxes and fuel charges. Almost feels like a bargain to me.