Unnecessarily complicated loyalty program rules & features

[Stealthflyer]

While not VA status, if someone can explain in detail all the specific benefits of VA status on partner airlines - when things will apply and when they don't, I'll be a happy camper

Yeah it’s so confusing. With Sq, I only get SQ-operated lounge access, and with Qatar, I seem to get partner lounge access in addition to QR-operated lounge access. And then if I fly VA internationally, I get no lounge access. It’s seriously bizarre.

 

[JessicaTam]

Well BA are doing a good job of taking the crown for complicated.

Tier Points towards status is earned depending on how much a ticket costs. Except taxes and charges don't count. Except if it is a BA Holiday booking where taxes and charges do count. Except the total is divided by the number of people in the holiday booking. Except if it is not a BA booking, then it is a percentage of the distance travelled depending on the fare class. Except some specific airlines earn half that of others. Except if it is a codeshare. Except BA legs will attract bonus TP depending on the fare class and distance. Except if they are codeshares.

Simples!

 

[Bell21]

The Accor eco-system of 'paid cards' (how they relate to each other etc). Every time I try to understand it by reading the threads here, I end up with my head buried underneath a pillow.

Yes, Accor is by far the most convoluted points program --- I can't count the number of times I've been to a hotel and tried to use points on checking out and they've said random things like you have a 1,000 points / stay cap in your account, which there wasn't --- and yes, how their different reward systems and cards relate to each other...

And I'm not sure if it quite fits in here, but why is it so tricky to book online reward flights on partner airlines without having to doing it over the phone, when it shows you the availability online and lets you go all the way through to the payment screen (Virgin Atlantic on Vietnam Air, KF on Air India etc)

 

[SYD]

Yes, Accor is by far the most convoluted points program --- I can't count the number of times I've been to a hotel and tried to use points on checking out and they've said random things like you have a 1,000 points / stay cap in your account, which there wasn't --- and yes, how their different reward systems and cards relate to each other...

And I'm not sure if it quite fits in here, but why is it so tricky to book online reward flights on partner airlines without having to doing it over the phone, when it shows you the availability online and lets you go all the way through to the payment screen (Virgin Atlantic on Vietnam Air, KF on Air India etc)

Pretty sure you need to request points at checkin.

Easier if you just do it at time of booking.

 

[Bell21]

Pretty sure you need to request points at checkin.

Easier if you just do it at time of booking.

Thanks, yes, have done so re check-in and still experienced those sorts of problems - yes, better at time of booking, but as befits Accor, not always an option they give or I earn points later on --- an eclectic program!

 

[SYD]

Thanks, yes, have done so re check-in and still experienced those sorts of problems - yes, better at time of booking, but as befits Accor, not always an option they give or I earn points later on --- an eclectic program!

It used to be a very eclectic program. Relying on a specific property is probably fraught with danger but TBH, I’ve usually felt some sort of love even as lowly Gold.