Impact of BA changes on RTWers
#1
Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 34
Impact of BA changes on RTWers
I realize there is a mega thread on the BA forum about the changes, but I thought a thread here focused on the implications for RTWers might be helpful.
I've not thought hard about it yet, but the remaining distance-based new tier point earning rates on Qatar, Finnair and JAL at least still seem decent. Might be pretty hard to get to Gold on one-RTW though, even with lots of distance and heavy Qatar/AY/JAL use.
What is the next best program to credit to if you want OWE from 1+ RTWs per year and decent redeemable miles earning? Qatar? Alaska?
I've not thought hard about it yet, but the remaining distance-based new tier point earning rates on Qatar, Finnair and JAL at least still seem decent. Might be pretty hard to get to Gold on one-RTW though, even with lots of distance and heavy Qatar/AY/JAL use.
What is the next best program to credit to if you want OWE from 1+ RTWs per year and decent redeemable miles earning? Qatar? Alaska?
#2


Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 350
I just calculated that the DONE5 RTW we recently completed, would not have achieved BAEC Gold under the new scheme, about 5000 NTPs short, as opposed to the 1760 it gathered under the current. If I had changed the route and airlines to reduce the BA sectors, and one short haul QF sector it would have been closer but not quite there still.
The fact that an AONEX earns less TPs than a DONEX, on the same airlines under the new scheme, is crazy!
The fact that an AONEX earns less TPs than a DONEX, on the same airlines under the new scheme, is crazy!
#3




Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: BA DL
Posts: 194
Ironic that the new system incentivizes British Airways Club members to avoid BA/IB/AA on RTWs. Better to fly AY/QR across the pond.
Unless I have misread the new rules, BA status (excepting GGL) can be achieved without stepping onto a BA aircraft. No more 4 qualifying flights.
Unless I have misread the new rules, BA status (excepting GGL) can be achieved without stepping onto a BA aircraft. No more 4 qualifying flights.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,612
I don't think BA is focused on RTW tickets as a major revenue source. They don't have dedicated resources to support those tickets, unlike AA. From a corporate travel perspective, the revenue based elite model is great. The BA F lounges in LHR t5 are ridiculously overcrowded. Maybe it'll be more reasonable in a few years.
#5




Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,535
We embark on a RTW Saturday (6 QR flights) and am intending to move points from BA to QR. I will get sufficient points for QR Platinum and also more Avios. There may be better options but I do not have time and getting QR Platinum is better than getting nothing from BA.
#7


Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 350
Wonder if we will see some people working up some plans to get BA(E)C Gold on a DONE3, 4 and 5? Might have a go one day if I’m bored as I know how to change mine to get a lot closer. I assume the specialist TAs and those who offer route planning on FT will soon get up to speed………...followed by some Vloggers, along with the sweet spots with partner airlines for max NTPs per on certain routes.
#8


Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 61
Quick query on this - is there any impact from how the new BA NTP collection will work depending on who a RTW ticket is ticketed by? For example if ticketed with BA/AA can they see/use revenue per leg? Or is it purely down to who the legs are flown with and each leg accounted for separately when allocating NTPs?
#9




Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,535
KGL was booked separately and I will get some Avios (RwandAir).
EDIT: In the above PER-SYD is by train.
I make this 609 QR Points and ~86k Avios. Under current BA rules I would have got 1800 TPs and ~75k Avios, but no longer any point in crediting my BA account.
Last edited by ademanuele; Jan 2, 2025 at 5:05 am
#10




Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL, AA liftime gold
Posts: 688
Quick query on this - is there any impact from how the new BA NTP collection will work depending on who a RTW ticket is ticketed by? For example if ticketed with BA/AA can they see/use revenue per leg? Or is it purely down to who the legs are flown with and each leg accounted for separately when allocating NTPs?
#11


Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 350
Quick query on this - is there any impact from how the new BA NTP collection will work depending on who a RTW ticket is ticketed by? For example if ticketed with BA/AA can they see/use revenue per leg? Or is it purely down to who the legs are flown with and each leg accounted for separately when allocating NTPs?
Also AA will likely want an over water leg on their metal/codeshare and BA did not appear keen to book me on alternatives where they fly the route, on the basis of never being able to see any D availability on the others when EF said there was plenty.
Last edited by Alan T; Jan 2, 2025 at 7:13 am
#12


Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 350
BUT.....if you had already booked it for travel after 1st April 2025, apparently it will earn as follows for all NTPs, BA or OW Partners, according to posts on X.
‘Flights booked before 13:00 GMT on 30th of December '24 travelling after the 1st of April '25 will earn based on multiplying today's distance-based Tier points by x13.3333.‘
BUT equally...........that appears to contradict the current FAQ?
‘Flights booked before 13:00 GMT on 30th of December '24 travelling after the 1st of April '25 will earn based on multiplying today's distance-based Tier points by x13.3333.‘
BUT equally...........that appears to contradict the current FAQ?
Last edited by Alan T; Jan 2, 2025 at 9:05 am
#13




Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold, Former UA 1K
Posts: 6,365
I was just playing around with a great circle mapper earlier for the heck of it and easily found an DONE3 ex-HND that would get about 23-24k tier points in the new system. It was 19k TPs (50% on D fare) on JL and QR codes alone, so very easily doable in a single RTW.
Just as a point of reference, the JL and QR flights I had on my example were HND-JFK (JL), LAX-DOH-DUB-DOH-CMN-DOH-MNL (all QR codes, MAD is nearly the same distance as CMN if you prefer Spain to Morocco), then a final CMB-NRT (JL code, UL operated). I had some intra-North America on AS and also MNL-KUL-CMB on MH / UL codes. Just avoid all AA, BA, and IB codes, not difficult because I do the same thing when I put together my own RTWs and credit to AA, those have been punitive for us for a while now, glad we're not the only ones feeling the pain anymore.
Just as a point of reference, the JL and QR flights I had on my example were HND-JFK (JL), LAX-DOH-DUB-DOH-CMN-DOH-MNL (all QR codes, MAD is nearly the same distance as CMN if you prefer Spain to Morocco), then a final CMB-NRT (JL code, UL operated). I had some intra-North America on AS and also MNL-KUL-CMB on MH / UL codes. Just avoid all AA, BA, and IB codes, not difficult because I do the same thing when I put together my own RTWs and credit to AA, those have been punitive for us for a while now, glad we're not the only ones feeling the pain anymore.
#14

Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,898
DONE4 ex-OSL at same price as DONE3 ex-TYO yielding 29K TP's
OSL-DOH-SYD-HND-SIN-HND-BKK-HND-JFK-ANC-LAX-NAS-LAX-DOH-DUB-DOH-OSL All QR and JL except the NA segments which are on AS (25% mileage) One earns 17K TP's thru the HND-JFK segment, so can adjust as necessary for one's own comfort.
Last edited by headinclouds; Jan 2, 2025 at 6:41 pm Reason: Added DONE4 example
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QRPC PLT/OW EMD; Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 14,571

