Sorry to be more pedantic, but the UK unified both slander and libel into defamation sometime around 1996

That would speak even more poorly of BA, then. (For the record, I don't think BA are that stupid or vicious.) Funny how the unfounded speculation is on the other foot now, isn't it?

Perhaps if there are some clear generic questions about what has been announced thus far (rather than questions about what is yet to be announced) some kind FTer could hoover them up into the first post or a PM to Nicci so that she doesn't have to wade through the whole lot?

Or indeed they could be posted to the Q&A thread that is currently running. @:-)

The difference being I made it quite clear my speculation was unfounded (hint: the word 'perhaps'). It probably is not true, it's just a suggestion of what might be happening.

In any event I do not see how testing the waters to gauge reaction and then modify further changes is 'stupid' or 'vicious'.

To repeat myself, as it's clearly not going into your head, if you do not like the program changes then cash in your miles now and LEAVE. Nobody is making you hang around.

BAH

Adorable enthusiasm , keep it up! I will, in any and every case with BA ^.

Absolutely! And, moreover, there are many of us who trust Nicci - which means that the hysterical accusations of dishonesty are, well, just hysterical.

Well I think what has been announced so far is positive. With regard to any tier levels - Silver is pretty difficult to get for the average flyer.

Let's liken FF schemes to milk
1. You bought your pint of milk with cash
2. Dairies want to ensure loyalty so offer a free pint when you buy 100 bottles
3. They introduce different bottle tops to reward their better customers
4. Better customers get their free pint quicker
5. Transport costs go up so the dairy asks customers to contribute 1p towards their free pint
6. Everyone complains.
7. Due to EU legislation the dairy announces that milk will be sold in 500ml bottles instead of the traditional pint. To compensate you will only need to buy 80 bottles for your free 500ml
8. Everyone says "I'm never drinking milk again"

^^^^^^

BAH

None at all, the first person was ultimately saying he should have been told before he converted his MR points, and the point is no matter how much warning you give, someone will have converted the day before. The fact that he still actually doesn't no what effect it'll have on him was not the point, the point was timing always catches someone out.

The 2nd person has actually cancelled credit cards etc based on some rumours/suposition.

Avios makes me think of the original Battlestar Galactica seriers where they tried too hard to be clever, in making up new words such as "sols" for "days". Or car names - what the heck is a "Venza"?

BA miles by whatever name, aren't going to be useless no matter what the changes. It may mean the good/poor value proposition changes, and I'm anxious to see the hard data. But for Pete's sake, would the US members ranting about class action suits, yadda, yadda, yadda, please knock it off! It's embarrassing to the rest of us US members.

I think the UK members should have some understanding that those of us in N America naturally have some questions/possible concerns since the partner situation hasn't yet been cleared up completely, and we obviously have a different point of view on BAEC. That's not good or bad, it's just the way it is so don't take the rational US members with rational questions to task, pease. I've certainly seen overseas members of UA, AA, etc kvetch about changes to those programs at times.

WOuld be nice if the few folks on both sides of arguments who keep posting directed attacks at one another would knock it off or take it to PMs...some of us just want info and questions answered, which it sounds like the BA rep will do as soon as they are able to.

Wow, I take a day off Flyertalk and look what happens. It's the end of the world it seems. I was going to say much ado about nothing, but I see someone else noted that.

I see that the trend of Frequent Flyer programs in the US has arrived here. Namely in the attempt to reduce the outstanding mile balance, they find new and less valuable ways for us to redeem our miles. And they proudly announce that as a feature.

Envy is not one of humanity's greatest characteristics. The anonymous nature of FT makes it easy for base emotions to overcome rationality and tact, so that perfectly nice people make nasty remarks. I sense that some UK-based BAEC members are envious of US-based CC bonuses and see the devaluation of BAEC miles for CX and LAN redemptions as "just desserts" for freeloaders who exploited the system. If that makes you happy, fine. Mileage programs come and go and rules change from time to time. Many US-based members of U.S Airways have watched for years while EU-based members of Dividend Miles, many of whom know nothing about U.S. Airways other than Captain Sully, cashed in on DM miles for amazing redemptions around the world on Star Alliance carriers, often by buying DM miles at rock-bottom prices. I trust that those engaging in the schadenfreude in this thread are not taking advantage of DM.

Well, that would be hilarious. Having lived two years in Texas and now being based in France, I can testify that the US is by far the easiest place to be based to achieve Gold. May I remind people not aware of the charts that a (often very affordable) F class return from BUF to LAX in First class on AA will earn EC account holders 480 TP, or if you had an extra segment at the Californian end of the trip 600 TP??! Those of us based in continental Europe would need to fork out at least 4 or 5 times more (if not more) to achieve the same.

And again, at the risk of repeating myself for the 200th time, I think some people on this forum vastly overestimate the number of Euro-cheats which presumably account for a few hundreds of people out of x million members at the very most.

Good god man!! Logical thought has no place at a time like this, think of the children!!