Increase in BA redemption levels (apart from JSA routes)

[futaris]

Increase in BA redemption levels (apart from JSA routes) - FlyerTalk Forums

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Program News - British Airways

Effective 27 January 2010, some British Airways routes will move from the Qantas Classic Award table to the Partner Classic Award table, which will mean a slight increase in the points required for Classic Awards on those British Airways flights.

However, the most popular routes on British Airways between Australia and London will not be affected, so for Trips that include only these British Airways segments, refer to the Qantas Classic Award table as you would previously have done:

• travel between Sydney and London via Bangkok or Singapore,
• travel between Sydney and Bangkok or Singapore, and
• travel between London and Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong or Tokyo.

This change is effective for new bookings made on or after 27 January 2010.

A little confusing to say the least. Do BA not like people from other FF programs flying on their planes? First they don't allow transatlantic redemptions from AAdvantage, and now this...

 

[dajop]

First they don't allow transatlantic redemptions from AAdvantage, and now this...

The transatlantic stuff is all about anti-trust (market competition laws) that put limits on the degree of AA/BA co-operation IIRC.

This new stuff, IMHO is just part of the divorce, now that that BA no longer own part of QF, not as cosy as they used to be.

 

[Stealth]

Based on my awful experience with BA, they should be reducing not increasing the points redemption requirement!

 

[Dave Noble]

The transatlantic stuff is all about anti-trust (market competition laws) that put limits on the degree of AA/BA co-operation IIRC.

AA and BA put the frequent flyer mileage earning restrictions in place quite deliberately when they set up their earning agreements in order to discourage their own members from using the other airline on the profitable transatlantic route.

Dave

 

[serfty]

There is a sting in the tail! It's not merely the increase of the points level required for redemption per zone.

This also increases the possible number of "Trips" for mixed carrier itineraries.

Currently one can redeem a MEL(QF/BA)-xLHR(BA)-FCO award as one trip at 64,000 QFF points in economy.

With this change it becomes two trips with separate points levels for MEL-LHR (still 64K) and LHR-FCO (14K), totalling 78K.

Another (extreme) example pointed out on FT:

This is incredibly complicated Can anyone work out how MEL - SYD (<24hr stop over) - JNB - LHR would be calculated for a F redemption which is currently 192,000?

The best I can come up with is MEL - SYD - JNB would be split at 126,000 classic points with JNB - LHR being 114,000 partner points for being BA. This would be a total of 240,000 - a substantial increase from the current 192,000. ...

 

[aus_flyer]

A quick look at the FF terms and conditions...

3.2 Qantas will use best efforts to advise Members of material changes to these Terms and Conditions and, where such changes will limit Benefits:
(a) where the Benefit is provided by Qantas, to give Members at least 6 months' notice;
(b) where the Benefit is provided by a third party, where possible give Members at least 30 days' notice.

Is the "benefit" being provided by Qantas, or BA?

 

[Mal]

Is the "benefit" being provided by Qantas, or BA?

Now that's an interesting point. I presume Qantas would claim that the benefit was being provided by BA, however seeing different OW airlines have different rates for FF redemptions, even on the same flight, I'd suggest that the number of points required is purely up to the airline involved.

 

[dajop]

Currently one can redeem a MEL(QF/BA)-xLHR(BA)-FCO award as one trip at 64,000 QFF points in economy.

With this change it becomes two trips with separate points levels for MEL-LHR (still 64K) and LHR-FCO (14K), totalling 78K

For one ways, but no need to pay 156K on return ... just find a sector on another oneworld carrier and can do for 142.5K.

I actually just realised this reading some old threads I hadn't caught up on. In some ways glad I kept my Amex points firmly planted in Amex program, where I can transfer them to SQ - which you can get to anywhere in Europe where SQ flies for 40.5K oneway or anywhere in Europe that star alliance flies for 50K oneway. A tad less than 78K.