MSE News: Costs to soar in Airmiles revamp: use points before they devalue

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"The Airmiles flight reward scheme is to be completely revamped which will result in a cut to benefits for hundreds of thousands of travellers. ..."

Read the full story:
Costs to soar in Airmiles revamp: use points before they devalue

richardw

Many thanks for the heads up. Bad news for those saving airmiles and won't have enough before the changes.

ehlo

hmm so an airmile that is not a mile!

Any

From what I read from the email from them it is going to be much better for me.

Flights to Prague and Geneva require 9000 Avios and £27.
Well, now from Manchester I need 2000 Airmiles, or 1500 Airmiles and £45!!!!!!
So the new rules is nearly half price. This is due to the re-classifying those flights.

For Zone 1 I would have paid 1250 Airmiles or 1000 Airmiles and £45, which is now going to be 9000 Avios and £27 as well... So that is again cheaper.

Didn't look at the further flights (zone 4 upwards) as no idea what the charges would be and I would be saving miles for ever even now...

So basically, unless I missed something, if you are flying from regional airports you are going to be better off with Avios.

QQuaver

I haven't got much airmiles after using it up in the summer, but I think it is a great news for those of us with BA executive club. The taxes will be a lot less. It usually worked out only slightly more expensive to just buy it with cash than with BA miles + tax.

Also, BA miles can't be used on anything other than flights (I think), but with Airmiles, it can be used for variety of things.

I just hope they'll continue the household accounts thing so we can pull all the family miles together.

x2net

What does "travellers can still use Airmiles in their current form until 15 December." actually mean? You have to travel by then, or you have to book by then, but can travel after that without paying the taxes?

Colin (with enough airmiles for two returns to NYC).

richardw

My guess is you won't have to travel by 15 December.

On_The_Ball

This doesn't sound good to me. I'm planning a trip to Asia next year, flying into Hong Kong using only Airmiles - a total of 13,000 (plus £0) for the two of us. I was planning on booking early next year, but it looks like I'll have to do it this year.

If they're taking taxes and fees out of the equation and making them payable, surely the number of miles/Avios required will come down too? ie. if it becomes the equivalent of 10,000 miles, that won't be so bad - but if it's still 13,000 (or 130,000) then obviously it's much worse. That is, of course, if the miles stay relative - is there any way to find out the new miles requirements? Anyone have any idea when the new map will be released?

unhappy_shopper

From what I understand, it is only beneficial for Europe/EU flights to Prague and Geneva (formerly Zone 2) and Dubrovnik (formerly Zone 3) and Moscow (formerly Zone 4) and that too from non-local airports i.e, airports other than London airports. People who have saved for long-haul flights have been hit hard with the added charges/taxes. Very limited time to book the tickets too. Tesco Clubcard mailing will reach the clubcard members only by November end and there won't be much time left to collect, convert and book long-haul flights using the already collected Airmiles. On top of that, only telephone booking during that period. GRRR....

silvercar

Being able to buy the cheapest possible economy flight and using airmiles to upgrade to a better class is a big plus. You always could do this with BA miles but not with airmiles.

Also you can upgrade one leg, so catch the red eye back from America with the comfort of a bed and be ready for work on landing.

adobbing

Anyone know whether there will be an opportunity to merge accounts?

I currently have both Airmiles and BA exceutive club accounts.