Author Topic: BA increasing points needed for existing 4500 level North American Routes (Read 8461 times)

youthink · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2015, 07:57:39 AM »

Even with the changes I still wouldn't hesitate to jump on a economy flight for 7500 points. It's still a pretty good deal as the same route with AA points would be 10 or 12.5k.

This now brings the extremely busy YYZ-NYC route to the same points level as Air Canada but with less taxes. AC can charge about $160CDN for a round-trip as opposed to about $68US for BA.

The real lousy part of all this is for the business and first redemptions. 15k for a one-way on business is a lot IMO as AC charges 12.5k. The seats on most of these CRJs and ERJs planes hardly qualify as luxurious - you don't even get lounge access. I fly it all the time, but only when there are no economy options available. The increase will make me think twice about this, so in effect, for me, the change means there is reduced availability. If you're flying 'first' within the US, you gotta be nuts to redeem 60k for a round-trip.

ar · « **Reply #21 on:** October 28, 2015, 07:57:51 AM »

Very upsetting but expected.

D93 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 28, 2015, 07:58:04 AM »

True that this isn't good news, but why is everyone so upset about this? 4500 to 7500 is only a 3k difference, 7.5k/10k/12.5k awards aren't changing, and this only applies to North America, no where else in the world.

myi · « **Reply #23 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:00:37 AM »

:(If I didn't see it I wouldn't believe it ....good things don't last for ever .......Dear Mr ....

We’re going to be making a change to the Executive Club pricing structure for shorter reward flights originating or terminating within the United States of America. From 2 February 2016, reward flights will start from 7,500 Avios, instead of 4,500 Avios, plus taxes, fees and carrier charges (“TFCs”) from $5.60 USD.

Only those reward flights that currently cost 4,500 Avios for a one way flight in Economy, 9,000 Avios for Business Class and 18,000 Avios for First Class plus TFCs will increase; to 7,500 Avios, 15,000 Avios and 30,000 Avios plus TFCs respectively. All other Avios reward flight pricing will remain the same as it is today.

If you would like to learn more about this change, simply click on the link below.
Find out more →

Yaalili · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:00:57 AM »

Quote from: youthink on October 28, 2015, 07:57:39 AM

Even with the changes I still wouldn't hesitate to jump on a economy flight for 7500 points. It's still a pretty good deal as the same route with AA points would be 10 or 12.5k.

This now brings the extremely busy YYZ-NYC route to the same points level as Air Canada but with less taxes. AC can charge about $160CDN for a round-trip as opposed to about $68US for BA.

The real lousy part of all this is for the business and first redemptions. 15k for a one-way on business is a lot IMO as AC charges 12.5k. The seats on most of these CRJs and ERJs planes hardly qualify as luxurious - you don't even get lounge access. I fly it all the time, but only when there are no economy options available. The increase will make me think twice about this, so in effect, for me, the change means there is reduced availability. If you're flying 'first' within the US, you gotta be nuts to redeem 60k for a round-trip.

AA reduced mileage awards usually include cities like YUL which would be 7,875 miles each way, so not much more now than BA.

tageed-lee · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:02:02 AM »

This is very sucky!!!

D93 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:02:20 AM »

Quote from: Yaalili on October 28, 2015, 08:00:57 AM

AA reduced mileage awards usually include cities like YUL which would be 7,875 miles each way, so not much more now than BA.

Easier to MS 7,500 UR than 7,875 AA.

Yaalili · « **Reply #27 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:02:25 AM »

Quote from: D93 on October 28, 2015, 07:58:04 AM

True that this isn't good news, but why is everyone so upset about this? 4500 to 7500 is only a 3k difference, 7.5k/10k/12.5k awards aren't changing, and this only applies to North America, no where else in the world.

The 7.5k/10k/12.5k awards were only marginally more than what most programs would charge. This was a true gem.

D93 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:03:48 AM »

Quote from: Yaalili on October 28, 2015, 08:02:25 AM

The 7.5k/10k/12.5k awards were only marginally more than what most programs would charge. This was a true gem.

Which program charges less than 10k for a domestic award (not counting revenue based programs like WN)?

Answer: None, so even 7,500 BA for a short haul is a gem.

myi · « **Reply #29 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:04:25 AM »

Those small flights straight to canada was a deal to be true ,,,I wouldn't. Have to double think abt that flight as they were amazingly priced ......are miles going to go down from what there bought now !? And all mile places who buy !?

Yaalili · « **Reply #30 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:06:03 AM »

Quote from: D93 on October 28, 2015, 08:03:48 AM

Which program charges less than 10k for a domestic award (not counting revenue based programs like WN)?

Answer: None, so even 7,500 BA for a short haul is a gem.

Delta 6,900 awards using Virgin Australia, Jet Airways 2,500 awards.

myi · « **Reply #31 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:08:29 AM »

So for now it looks like to go to canada that's 7500 each way meaning 1500 totall plus 51 in taxes ??!is this still the best way to travel from toronto to nyc or vice versa ?!?

D93 · « **Reply #32 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:09:50 AM »

Quote from: Yaalili on October 28, 2015, 08:06:03 AM

Delta 6,900 awards using Virgin Australia

I should've said "programs with availability"

yandmk · « **Reply #33 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:09:58 AM »

Ouch! Just saw the email from BA as well. (As a TA, this was a real picnic). First the MR transfer devaluation, now this.... Oh well.... All good things come to an end.

googwallet · « **Reply #34 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:12:26 AM »

I'm surprised no one knew about this ahead of this morning's email.

Moshe123 · « **Reply #35 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:13:14 AM »

It was affordable for the poor as well. No longer. Just because others ask the same, doesn't make it good.

Chapshnell · « **Reply #36 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:17:20 AM »

I thought we were ok after their recent deval. Guess not.. Ugh!

youthink · « **Reply #37 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:18:14 AM »

The mileage brokers won't like this one. Must have been dozens of companies advertising in Canada who sold NY and ORD routes. Maybe BA got wind of this. Either that or they realized how many people were using this as their own personal fleet of private jets and decided that wasn't what they had in mind.

Also, let's not forget that the rates are still better then a few years back. BA used to charge 25k round trip for all flights in NA. They then went to a per-distance chart at 9k round-trip now we're at 15k. So we're still better off. What would really kill this is if they add last-minute fees like AA and UA for non-elites (BA - don't get any ideas).

mgarfin · « **Reply #38 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:21:13 AM »

@Dan lots of work today all those list of flights that need ajusting

Dan · « **Reply #39 on:** October 28, 2015, 09:08:27 AM »

Quote from: mgarfin on October 28, 2015, 08:21:13 AM

@Dan lots of work today all those list of flights that need ajusting

More work going through emails from people who keep flooding my inbox with the forward of the BA email.