QF looking to kill/limit Concorde awards?
 

Im not sure there is a thread dedicated solely to this issue, Ive read bits and pieces of info. related to this in various other threads so I decided that the topic is HOT enough to merit its own thread. I hope the moderators dont object to my choice of forum, if so, please boot it to its place.

There seems to be a sense that QF and BA have noticed the increased demand of Concorde awards. Im wondering if anybody has some inside info. or has experienced any new/additional difficulties in booking these awards.

I have some other QF specific questions that I will post in the QF forum. Thanks.




------------------
Gaucho100K

I believe you made the right call on which forum this belongs in since we're talking about cross transfer program things here. We'll see. I had heard that the load factor wasn't back to snuff for that flight yet so there is that window to really use the awards. While I know you might be referring to the IF>*wood>QF>BA move, i would doubt it rates as high an attraction as another very popular award period which will start soon and that is when Diners does their 2-for-1 promotion into BA. I know that many of those redmeption miles do go toward the Concorde since with that redemption it is the same as a biz class seat, only flying Concorde. Since that promo starts in just a few weeks, my guess is that this all blends together and there really isn't an identifiable problem related just to this promotion - though I'd do my work now rather than later to secure the seats I would want. From the numbers I am aware of, the Diners to BA is easily 75 times the results of the IF>*wood. Still, I'm as interested as anyone about problems with awards and conversions.

We just redeemed a Concorde award both ways for late May, and changed dates already to early June. Did both awards via the Qantas reservations folks in Sydney. On both phone calls there was comment made that these were very popular "all of a sudden." One girl mentioned "the brass were looking into it" or words to that effect as to whether a standard BA First Class award would in future also be able to include Concorde, or whether a seperate award might need be set up.

Remember this was from a QANTAS viewpoint, as they are the ONLY economical place the Inside Flyer>Starwood>Qantas awards can be redeemed - 125,000 miles r/t. Whether Qantas *pays* BA more when I redeem a Concorde r/t flight versus a trans-atlantic 747 First seat I have no knowledge. Someone here might? If no 'cost' difference there will probably be no change, but if higher cost to QF, a quick rule change or zeroing out "Z" class inventory is just a keystroke away.

As Randy says the double Diners Club transer gives them BA "owned" inventory to redeem from and they own the planes and can be far more liberal with their own allocation and use than a partner - even a very close one - I guess? Availability even for us before the FT and Diners floodgates was patchy, and we needed to fit in with what they offered. Right now there is only one flight a day, but I read that 2 a day is due for Summer so that may free up seats?

And Randy hit the nail on the head mentioning that Concorde loads have not been high even on 1 flight a day since their return to the air. So maybe BA loves the higher than usual award bookings to see program points getting chewed up in big dollops on a service that otherwise flies half empty many days? No souvenier gifts at all to any pax these days I have read. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

It is a very opportune window of opportunity right now, and we are grateful to QF and BA for leaving that window open. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Finally if you BOOK the award with QF they told us the award will stay locked in for 12 months, no matter what rule change they may later make. A date change is only 2500 miles to a non elite, and a total flight cancel is only 5000 penalty, so the downside is small if you lock it in NOW. From about August onward interior revamps - new loos etc are coming onstream if you have a date choice.

Does BA currently allow 125,000 mile Concorde awards? Or is it only QF? The BA web site doesnt' have much info for non-members. If I can get a Concorde award for 125k, then I'll just transfer my DC points over.

I did not buy any subscriptions, but have the points posted already? They are probably reacting to a bunch of Yanks calling them up with the same question.

The answer is yes and ironically, you may also do that in conjunction with a Qantas award if you so desire.

Thanks for the reply. But can you clarify if you meant "yes" to my first question (does BA allow Concorde awards w/ BA miles) or my second question (is it only QF that allows this reward)? Sorry for the initial ambiguity in my question.

If you raise this topic often enough they will kill it sooner or later.

If you found something great, don't cry out loud!

BA Executive Club UK allows Concorde redemption for 4 times cattle class. Therefore, NYK requires 160K points (less 10% for online points redemption).

Gaucho yhm

[This message has been edited by Canista (edited 05-10-2002).]

Forgive me, but.... isnt that exactly what this board is all about?


------------------
Gaucho100K

Anyway, even if the category for Concorde is changed (which it probably won't), there is still the first class seat redemption at 125K, which is still very good value, and, IMHO, worth the $$ for IF>*wood>Qantas.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
[B] Forgive me, but.... isnt that exactly what this board is all about?

Of course FlyerTalk is about distributing good news. But bringing up bad (and hopefully wrong!) rumors again and again doesn't really help anybody...

P.s.: How about sending some emails to Qantas and asking them if they really want to kill the Concorde award?
Just kidding of course, DON'T do it!

BA allows you to fly JFK-LHR RT in Concorde for 125,000 BA miles.

https://www.britishairways.com/execc...ok.pdf&x=5&y=2

Once in the page, you need to scroll down to page 31 and you also need an adobe reader since the document is in pdf.

You may also fly Concorde one way and Economy in the other direction for 95,000 miles or in Club World for 110,000 miles.

Then, on page 38, you will see that QF/BA joint award will allow you to include Concorde when flying BA accross the Atlantics and onward travel worldwide in BA and/or QF First where offered for 175,000 BA miles. Of course, this is BA Executive Club North America. For all other countries, including the U.K, rules are different and generally, not as generous.

In my opinion, BA's EC in North America is an excellent program for those frequent flyers in First and Business class. BA awards are quite generous and flexible. For example, you can fly

1) JFK-LHR (Stopover in London [Europe]) on BA First
2) LHR-SYD (Destination[Oceania]) on BA First
3) AKL-HKG (Stopover in Hong Kong [Asia]) on Cathay First
4) HKG-JFK (home) on Cathay First

for only 150,000 BA miles. Last year, this award only cost 140,000 miles and was definitely a steal that BA realized and increased the needed mileage by 10K. This is a by default RTW in First Class on two very good carriers by visiting Europe, Oceania and Asia in one single trip from North America is hard to beat thanks to BA's generous stopover rules.

No wonder BA's EC is my second largest account of choice despite the fact I don't live in the UK.

Big warning for anyone booking the Concorde, try and avoid a *STAY* in Britain unless you really need one. Britain regards a legal "stopover" as one that exceeds 24 hours. Concorde departs LHR for JFK at 10.30am. Taxes per person on these tickets were $A94.40 as we cunningly gave ourselves 23.15 hours sleep/party time at Sheraton Skyline at LHR, which we plan to book on priceline for $US50 or so a night both directions.

Had our 'stay' in Britain exceeded 24 hours the taxes were $A361.60 a person. So, by arranging a short transit and hotel sleep each direction we saved $A534.40 or about $US280 in taxes alone on the exact same flights! The point 'cost' using QF points to fly JFK-LHR is the same as JFK-LHR-to anywhere else close in Europe that BA flies, and thus cuts a huge sum off taxes. (And takes you somewhere more interesting than London to boot!)

No idea if taxes are higher on Concorde (?) and assume these costs apply on any legal 'stay' in GB, and strike me as outrageous. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

------------------
~ Glen ~