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

Avios_company_representative

Hi there,

It's Stefanie from Airmiles here.

I understand that some of you have questions about the changes to the scheme - I'll be on the forum all day today so send me a message or post if you'd like to get in touch.

If your questions are regarding your personal balance and how this might be affected, it may be best to contact the Airmiles customer contact centre through the website or on 0844 49 333 49, but I'll try to help here.

Thanks,
Stefanie

Any

Stefanie, did you get clearance from Forum mods to post under company name?
Companies are welcome here, especially if it is to help us, but mods need to verify you or something before you are allowed to post on behalf of any company.

Otherwise welcome.

BSallyB

Any wrote: »

You mean for travel? Where the reward is travel?

BSallyB wrote: »

Yes! Sorry Amy, that wasn't terribly clear! Best travel reward scheme ~ to replace airmiles

Any

BSallyB wrote: »

Yes! Sorry Amy, that wasn't terribly clear! Best travel reward scheme ~ to replace airmiles

I cannot think of any now.. the main ones were BA Miles and Airmiles which are the 2 mergin now.

I am sure there are others, but for these there is many ways to collect points in the UK. We'll have to google it.

Jet2 has one and BMI Baby I think.. but with Jet2 you still have to pay taxes so no help there. Not sure about BMI..

However I am sticking with this one - on Europe flights they are better then ever (if you don't mind the £27 fee) as they finaly scrapped the 500 miles surcharge for regional airports.

ghanagirl

To keep our simply priced Zones, each with one fare, we need to separate airline taxes, fees and surcharges from our fares (as we don't control these and how much they fluctuate) – and you'll pay them in cash.
But we're launching our Reward Flight Saver for our regular collectors*.
Here's how it works: if you're flying to Zone 1, 2 or 3 with British Airways or Iberia, you'll pay the Avios fare and £27 pp return (£34 for premium cabins) – and we'll pay the airline taxes, fees and charges for you

Panic over i thought they were going to scrap it altogether.
I dont mind paying the £27 instead of all the fee's & charges.
Some people are missing the point , your flying BA, not squashed air who charge for anything they can, and they have scrapped the credit card fee too
You have to book very early but flying from London City to zone 1 is very comfy and the seats are in pairs with ample leg room so just you and your partner which is more romantic .
New Heathrow terminal 5 is fantastic and worth the £27 extra because it looks clean and is less crowded than the other terminals, no long queue's with plenty of bag drops.
No help for the people who fly from other airports i know .

unhappy_shopper

@Stefanie from Airmiles,

1. I do not see the Avios zone map anywhere in the Airmiles website. Has it been published?

2. Nov 15th 2011 is too short a cut-off period. Christmas mailing of the Tesco Clubcard vouchers may not be available by then. So Airmiles customers who are waiting for them will not be able to convert. So, is there any possibility of a delayed deadline?

3. I converted Tesco Clubcard vouchers to Airmiles under the current set of terms and conditions, which are changing now. Can I reconvert my Airmiles to Tesco Clubcard vouchers so that I get better value elsewhere. There has been a breach of T&Cs on the Airmiles side. SO you should allow me to reconvert them back to Tesco CC vouchers.

4. What about the Avios miles/points needed for domestic flights (within UK)?

5. Is Avios being extended to regional airports in the various zones? Or are they still only the current BA destinations alone?



Thanks in advance for your kind replies.

malkie76

I'm not sure there has been any breach of T&C;

T&C wrote:

7. General
a. We can change the scheme and the products and services we provide, including the number of Airmiles needed for an offer. Where possible we will try to give you reasonable notice but this could depend on the nature of the change and the notice that we may receive from our suppliers or partners.

Avios_company_representative

Hi Unhappy_Shopper,

I've tried to answer your questions in full and in order...

The zone map hasn't yet been published (it will be in a couple of weeks) but I can tell you the Avios requirement for all destinations if you let me know where you're thinking of going.

You'll be able to book under the current terms and conditions until 15th December so that should work for you. Note that in between that period (16 Nov-15Dec) you'll need to book over the phone rather than online.

I'm afraid you won't be able to convert back. It looks like from your previous question though you sill still be able to use your Airmiles under the current terms as you hoped to.

Airmiles offer flights to/from regional airports today on BA as well as lots of other airlines, this will continue with Avios

The Avios needed for flights in the UK will be 9,000 (the equivalent of 900 now) however to fly from these regional destinations is becoming cheaper as their will be no supplement required.

I really hope you find this info helpful.

Stefanie

hippey

I booked my Airmiles ticket a few weeks ago (To New York and companion ticket) I'm glad I did. I had heard that BA were changing the scheme back in the Spring after getting a survey about it.

Not worth me collecting now so I will be canx my LTSB Duo card and using a different referral site but all good things come to an end I suppose! It's the taxes bit on transatlantic flights that will hurt, sometimes it's more than the fare!

geckofabulous

sorry if it's already been asked, but can I use my airmiles to book a fligth for a relative and friend?