Currently, on ATH-LAX (or other zone 3 destinations like IST, KBP, etc...), you MFU from WT+ to CW for 32.5K return
In the future, it will be:
25K to MFU LHR-LAX return
plus
20K to MFU ATH-LHR return

So a total of 45K for what used to cost 32.5K. True, you do not have to upgrade ATH-LHR and you can sit in economy instead (which, I suspect, most will given the high cost of upgrade for the relatively low added value).

Ex zone 1, however the cost was exactly the same as ex UK so there cannot be any saving by flying the intra-European connector in Y. It is a pure additional cost (or, if you prefer, a pure downgrade from CE to Y on the connecting leg).
Presumably, JER will be treated the same as other European zone 1 destinations rather than domestic since it is already treated that way for product purposes and the JER-LON connector will now be in Y for WT+ to CW MFUs unless you want to fork out an additional 9K.

Avio - Avios - Avioses - Aviii. Take your pick!

Don't want to rain on your party, but I can't think of a major airline mileage program announcement in recent years that has significant positive news. There are almost always takeaways, and a few if any added perks.

In this instance if miles = avios, then this is just being used as a smokescreen for the devaluation (or increased cost) on the TLV, Mauritius, Larnaca and other routes. I would expect further devaluation to follow on other routes after this is introduced, which makes sense given the massive amount of miles BA is distriburing via Chase.

Agree 100%, see my comments above. If you have just enough BA miles for an upcoming trip, I'd book it before November. Better to pay the change fee if for some reason you luck out and can find space at a reduced rate after the changes.

I do find it interesting that the redemption levels are dropping for LHR-JFK. It begs the question of whether this will apply to all TATL routes, i.e. including ORD and SFO, or just to JFK. The BA website claims there are "many additional reductions" so I guess we'll have to wait. However being the pessimist, I'd bet against. Rather it's a reflection of the heavy competition on the NY to London route, and savvy flyers discovering that the cost of mileage ticket with all of the ridiculous surcharges and luxury taxes doesn't provide good value - as compared with a 10 hour flight to/from the west coast.

Aviamos
Aviatrix
Avis

OK, you're forgiven

The latest Mac/Safari upgrade does the same thing.

The devaluation you speak of seems to me to be more than balanced out on other routes. Eight times as many routes decrease in price as increase.

Apologies if I make a mistake, I�m new here. The forum has helped me to make several bookings over the past few months, thank you.

I just wondered if anybody had any thoughts about �Upgrading Using Avios� and if other changes yet to be announced might affect this. What are the chances of only full fare tickets being eligible for upgrades?

It�s strange that in the new T&Cs the first paragraph is for BA only, however below that BA is also listed along with AA & IB which states �Upgrading using Avios Points on BA, AA and IB Flights are permitted on eligible published fares only (Fare classes are: J, C, D, W, Y, B).�
Could the BA only section be removed come November?

Not sure about this - only really applies if they have a direct flight. Since October last year I thought it had been possible to book (e.g.) LHR-JFK-[AA destination] in WTP and then MFU the whole thing for 25k which will also put you into domestic F on the AA leg (if it exists). Under the new system from what I can see you can either stay in Y on the AA leg for 20k or pay something >25k (not sure what) to get into domestic F.

Worst case is probably something like LHR-(LAX/ORD/DFW)-HNL which currently you can MFU for 25k WTP->CW/domestic F. That will now be 20k or 25k plus something else (unclear how much to me)... Does anyone know what the cost under the new system will be to do the same?

I would view this as different to the CE/ET situation for European feeder flights as there is a much greater differentiation between domestic F and Y on AA than there is between CE and ET.

Avios Points?

How many ����� has BA paid their branding consultant to dream that one up?

Johan

And don't forget the beauty of the "infinite" stopover (rule)! I assume with this new program JFK-LIM-CUZ-SCL-IPC-SCL-EZE-JFK all on one 80k J ticket won't be allowed?

As far as the ex-US awards... Any way of speculating - yes, I know, it's FT's favorite word - how redemption rates may/may not change specifically to Asia/Far East?

I think we already know not all tatl routes will be affected: there will be different zones for East and West Coast and the West coast will not be lower than now. What we do not yet know is where the line between the zones will be drawn exactly.

I recommend the use of a tin-foil hat to absorb the negative reactions. This may help. If not, I suggest you consider flying with a different carrier.

Are you by any chance a Chase reward holder? Just asking, in a casual and friendly manner.

Let's see in November. You can't please all of the people all of the time but you can please most of the people most of the time.

They didn't only release "good news". They've told us that some redemptions are going to be more expensive and they've certainly given Airmiles customers some bad news. Oh yes, and they've admitted that they really are intending to call the things "Avios".

but will it really cost 20k to upgrade the feeder flight?
You are paying for a WTP ticket even if that class doesn't exist shorthaul.
Something which has to be clarified.

I can imagine someone flying from zone 3 might want to upgrade the feeder flight, but if it's going to cost that much they're the real loosers.

Besides, if 20k is correct MFU ATH-LHR would cost the same as LHR-JFK