Avios Points with British Airways?

[bonniejoy03]

Hi L...we used the points for South America. It was a great deal! I used less points than I would have needed using AA direct. These Avios points are crazy. I think I am going to use my 9000 points and book SJU to EIS immediately!!

[LL_Travelfan]

bonniejoy,
Yah it sounds good, but don't you still need to take the ferry from EIS to Virgin Gorda. Is VG airport open again?

[bonniejoy03]

No...VG airport is only open to some types of plane. Air Sunshine has not received clearance yet. No great ways to get there....

[LL_Travelfan]

Here is more on the BA Avios points. This outcome is rather disappointing.

Got British Airways Miles? Not Any More!
November 17, 2011 2:03 pm by Tim Winship

For several months, British Airways had been alluding coyly to upcoming changes to the Executive Club program, suggesting that program members could look forward to enhancements to the program.

Frequent flyers have learned the hard way that "enhancement" usually turns out to be code for devaluation.

That suspicion was confirmed with yesterday's announcement detailing the program's new earning currency and award pricing.

No More Miles

Instead of miles, Executive Club members will henceforth earn Avios. And miles already earned will be converted to Avios as well. No more miles.

Verdict: more silly than serious. No doubt British Airways' marketing staff think this will differentiate the program from the competition. If so, it won't be in a good way—Avios are already being called Adios.

New Award Pricing

Award chart, what award chart? Instead there's an award calculator. And it calculates by flight sector—no more free stopovers.

While some award flights are now cheaper (shorter flights in general, intra-Europe flights, U.S. gateway flights to London), U.S. members flying beyond London, or from non-gateway cities, will pay more.

Verdict: In its pre-launch communications, British Airways claimed that award prices on "97% of our routes" would be cheaper. That's absolutely not the case. Depending on the route, many Executive Club members traveling from the U.S. will pay more, making their miles worth less.

Member Communication

Subverting the old marketing maxim, British Airways has overpromissed ("enhancements" and all that implies) and under-delivered (higher award prices for many U.S. members).

Verdict: The communication of these changes—which affect the value of so many members' miles—was handled in a manner best characterized as either stealthy or downright underhanded, depending on the degree of your affection for British Airways and your tolerance for misstatement and obfuscation.

That's not just a quibble with a tactical misstep. Such a profound lapse is indicative of a company mindset seriously out of touch with its members, and bodes ill for Executive Club's future.

Reader Reality Check

What's your take on the revised Executive Club program? Will you be a more or less active member of the program in the future?

This article originally appeared on FrequentFlier.com.

[jmbklj]

I wonder if this change from miles to points is just one step of a larger plan to ultimately transition to a revenue based reward point system? Otherwise, why change from miles to points?

[bonniejoy03]

PS- I just noticed my "issues" with the Avios points were posted on "Frequent Flier Crier" newsletter......Guess others are noticing!

[jmbklj]

A nice offer for any Canadians.......

The airline is partnering with the Royal Bank of Canada to launch the British Airways Visa Infinite Card on March 1.

Here’s the deal for new cardholders approved between March 1-May 31, 2012:

-50,000 Avios bonus. 15,000 upon approval, and 35,000 by spending $5,000 CAD in the first three months.
-British Airways Companion Voucher when they spend $30,000 CAD in a calendar year.
-Annual fee of $165 CAD.
-Earn 2 Avios for every $1 CAD spend on British Airways and BA Holidays, and 1 Avios for all other qualifying purchases.
-31-day Out of Country Medical Emergency Insurance.
-Current RBC Platinum cardholders will have the opportunity to upgrade to the British Airways Visa Infinite Card.


British Airways Visa Infinite - RBC Royal Bank

[LL_Travelfan]

I think these are pretty step terms. There are certainly better US credit card deals around with AA that lets you use BA as an AA Star Alliance partner.

[jmbklj]

I think these are pretty step terms. There are certainly better US credit card deals around with AA that lets you use BA as an AA Star Alliance partner.

The best part is the total bonus of 50,000 Avios for approval and the minimum spend....not so attractive ongoing, but some don't keep the cards a long time.

[bonniejoy03]

But...it is difficult to price out these avios point trips! If you want a non stop, it might not be bad but forget connections! The Avios point system is crazy. Plus.....if you call in for assistance, the employees are just as confused. We plan to cancel our card this month. We went with the Chase Preferred Sapphire card. (our original reason for the BA card was no foreign transaction fees. Our new card has no foreign fees.)