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

theexplorer

toonster58 wrote: »

Anybody know what happens to companion ticket vouchers?

We are getting ripped of on that as well as we qualified for a free companion ticket including taxes, but now we will have to pat taxes on it after dec

Bouncy_2

it strikes me that the flights to the USA are a "particular" looser, but other people are winners in the deal (in particular people flying from local airports short-haul, which by my maths is now half the cost, practically) - something tells me that, once it beds in, practically it will all even out

theexplorer

Bouncy wrote: »

it strikes me that the flights to the USA are a "particular" looser, but other people are winners in the deal (in particular people flying from local airports short-haul, which by my maths is now half the cost, practically) - something tells me that, once it beds in, practically it will all even out

The main losers are any long haul flights with taxes and charges ranging for £300 - £600 per retrun flight.

Re the short haul, it is not as good as it first seems as it is not all regional airports, it has to be ones that BA or Iberia fly from so that still limits it a little. It is only the first three zones that have had thier tax capped at £27, but places like Cyprus have gone up.

Prior to the change, there was no tax to pay whatsover. On top of that, it looks as though it is mainly where the low cost carriers fly. Airmiles are being very deviuos about the whole thing

pollypenny

BA airmiles have totally confused me.

Tried booking for two to Tampa in March = 50,000 airlmiles + £982 in tax.
Paying cash in their sale = £820 , incliding tax!!!!!

richardw

The BA taxes, fees and charges for LGW-TPA non-stop are £281.50 per person. £491 per person may be indirect flights.

theexplorer

pollypenny wrote: »

BA airmiles have totally confused me.

Tried booking for two to Tampa in March = 50,000 airlmiles + £982 in tax.
Paying cash in their sale = £820 , incliding tax!!!!!

That is what is happening a lot and when the scheme changes it gets worse.!

malkie76

pollypenny wrote: »

BA airmiles have totally confused me.

Tried booking for two to Tampa in March = 50,000 airlmiles + £982 in tax.
Paying cash in their sale = £820 , incliding tax!!!!!

Something's not right as you need 100k miles for two on that route. You might be looking at miles plus cash.
Also, for a fair comparison you need to price up flexible cash tickets which will be around £3000 for two.

Finally, if you've only got 50k miles consider booking economy plus tickets in the sale and upgrading to business for both of you. It'll make your miles worth thousands of pounds

richardw

For clarification LGW-TPA with https://www.airmiles.co.uk for two is

London Gatwick Apt - Tampa Airport
Passengers: 2 x Adults

Outbound: ( Economy Class )
BA2167
Departs:Sat 03 Mar 12 12:55 London Gatwick Apt Arrives:Sat 03 Mar 12 17:45 Tampa Airport
Return: ( Economy Class )
BA2166
Departs:Sat 10 Mar 12 19:45 Tampa Airport Arrives:Sun 11 Mar 12 09:00 London Gatwick Apt
Flight price

13,000 miles
10,000 miles + £280.00
5,000 miles + £640.00

theexplorer

malkie76 wrote: »

Something's not right as you need 100k miles for two on that route. You might be looking at miles plus cash.
Also, for a fair comparison you need to price up flexible cash tickets which will be around £3000 for two.

Finally, if you've only got 50k miles consider booking economy plus tickets in the sale and upgrading to business for both of you. It'll make your miles worth thousands of pounds

Why compare to flixable tickets as you already know airmiles are not flexible? we have already had that discussion which i understood you accepted when you saw the T&C's

pollypenny

I was asking for manchester to Tampa, via Gatwick - our usual route.

When I spoke to a guy at BA a few years ago, he said that the Manchester shuttle is ignored when buying flights with BA airmiles.

We have 54,000 but i am beginning to think we'll never use them. Not keen on BA's Economy Plus, a very cramped cabin.