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

jackieblack

:jHave just booked 3 return flights into/out of Newark for end of July next year (school hols), returning two weeks later.
I didn't have quite enough miles to book everything using points alone, but have 3 return flights (on BA), 11 days 'Standard class' car hire with Avis 'Premium' insurances and additional driver and travel insurance, total cost 20880 Airmiles + £265

Rang them on 01925 848619 (found on saynoto0870) so avoided costly 'phone calls, and they did a search for me to find these flights as I had had no luck on the website, and I have to say everyone I spoke to was extremely helpful.:)

When I booked the chap on the 'phone mentioned that availability on these flights was 'pretty good', in case anyone else is looking for flights to New York next July.

Hermanolobo

It would appear that seat availability is strictly limited ?

richardw

Best to call them and see what's available for Bangkok.

Hermanolobo

I finally managed to get through.

Pretty slim pickens, out in February, back in May.

Is Airmiles a Con-trick ?

And now they are changing it to Avios.

I can get to Mumbai(BOM) in October with Airmiles, wide-open. But being in Mumbai trying to get a flight to Bangkok ??

Airmiles were, however, very helpful on the phone, but there is limited availability.

Any suggestions ?

richardw

Hermanolobo wrote: »

But being in Mumbai trying to get a flight to Bangkok ??

https://www.airasia.com is a low cost airline based at KUL in Malaysia, which can have good fares, they fly BOM-KUL-BKK.

http://book.goindigo.in/skylights/cgi-bin/skylights.cgi fly Mumbai to BKK http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/indigo.htm

Perhaps look at airmiles availability to Singapore, I found this

London Heathrow Apt - Singapore Airport
Passengers: 1 x Adult

Outbound: ( Economy Class )
BA0015
Departs:Thu 24 Nov 11 21:55 London Heathrow Apt Arrives:Fri 25 Nov 11 18:45 Singapore Airport
Return: ( Economy Class )
BA0012
Departs:Fri 23 Dec 11 22:55 Singapore Airport Arrives:Sat 24 Dec 11 04:50 London Heathrow Apt
Flight price

8,000 miles
5,000 miles + £240.00
2,500 miles + £420.00

Doc_N

Hermanolobo wrote: »

Is Airmiles a Con-trick ?

Basically, yes.

Not that long ago they increased the number of miles you needed for flights, on the basis that they were including the taxes etc instead of charging extra for them.

So Amsterdam and Paris (and other popular European destinations), for example, increased from 500 to 750 miles.

Now they're adding the taxes etc back on again, but still leaving the number of miles at the higher level.

If that isn't a con, I don't know what is! :mad:

loates123

airmiles must know a lot of people are going to be using there airmiles up so am shocked airmiles have no released more flights as when u look at flights for summer 2012 there are hardly any decent flights unless u pay cash only , did anyone see airmiles on watchdog the other night a lot of people aint happy they only have till november to use there airmiles

budgetflyer

Doc_N wrote: »

Basically, yes.

Not that long ago they increased the number of miles you needed for flights, on the basis that they were including the taxes etc instead of charging extra for them.

So Amsterdam and Paris (and other popular European destinations), for example, increased from 500 to 750 miles.

Now they're adding the taxes etc back on again, but still leaving the number of miles at the higher level.

If that isn't a con, I don't know what is! :mad:

Its called INFLATION.
I just dont understand why people think Airmiles should remain static when prices are soaring everywhere else.

loates123

Can also understand why air miles put the miles up when you think of the cost of fuel . Think it is poor when you only have a few months to use the air miles and even poorer when you cant find any flights you want but they are available if you pay cash

Doc_N

budgetflyer wrote: »

Its called INFLATION.
I just dont understand why people think Airmiles should remain static when prices are soaring everywhere else.

Sorry, but the inflation argument just doesn't wash.

Costs rise, yes, and that's why airfares rise. No problem with that.

The difference with Airmiles, though is that Airmiles have already had the money from whoever provided the Airmiles upfront. They invest that money, and they've got the use of the money for the whole time between the issue of the miles and their eventual redemption, perhaps several years on.

There's no reason, given that background, for the number of miles for any given flight to increase.