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

no_name_5

Roger1 wrote: »

Not necessarily accepting your calculation nor justifying the changes (which for Airmiles collectors in general are bad news), I'd point out that a 1,500 Airmiles (= 15,000 Avios) redemption all in will from tomorrow be 9,000 Avios + £27 towards fees, charges, surcharges and the captain's cheese sandwich.

That's a redemption I make quite often, and the new rate will be a lower overall cost for me as £27 is far less than the difference of 6,000 Avios.

I accept that that is my bag, and that many other redemptions will cost more. I was just commenting on your example.

If that was the case on all routes I wouldn't be complaining as that would represent a reasonable reduction in the miles price to account for the additional cash contribution the customer is now expected to make. Unfortunately, on the routes I usually use, it isn't the case, and the cost (according to airmiles.co.uk) will be 15 000 Avios points + charges.

Roger1

There's a very useful post in the other thread started by MSE Guy on this subject: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3613693

See post #2, which is very informative and well argued.

Roger1

no_name wrote: »

For example, a return flight to a European destination costing 1500 AirMiles.

no_name wrote: »

If that was the case on all routes I wouldn't be complaining as that would represent a reasonable reduction in the miles price to account for the additional cash contribution the customer is now expected to make. Unfortunately, on the routes I usually use, it isn't the case, and the cost (according to airmiles.co.uk) will be 15 000 Avios points + charges.

There have been revisions to zones, and it seems your route has stayed the same (+ extras) while others, including mine, have been reduced to 9,000 Avios + £27.

The post I mentioned above is well worth reading and gives a much more balanced view of the changes than the MSE rep IMO.

no_name_5

Roger1 wrote: »

There have been revisions to zones, and it seems your route has stayed the same (+ extras) while others, including mine, have been reduced to 9,000 Avios + £27.

The post I mentioned above is well worth reading and gives a much more balanced view of the changes than the MSE rep IMO.

An interesting link that, thanks.

The problem I have is that going by MSE's suggestions of taking an airmile to be worth 8.5p on average, 1500 airmiles is worth approximately £127.50.

If I book a flight from London to Lisbon in January (which is the next time I'll be likely to make a booking), at the moment that flight will cost £126.30 on BA.com. Why would I want to pay the equivalent of £154.50 for it (£127.50 + £27) to use my avios/airmiles? When the flight cost on BA.com goes up to that level, you can bet your bottom dollar those flights won't be available on avios anyway, so they aren't really that useful to me any more (at least not compared to the previous system) and I certainly won't be going out of my way to collect any more.

It's a shame but I guess that's just how things go. I seem to remember that prior to the outgoing "system" that airmiles used, when taxes were previously payable, the deals weren't quite so good back then either... but they were flexible enough to allow travel on TAP and even indirect flights to Lisbon via Paris with Air France, with a variety of miles payment options. I'm sure I'll get used to the new system eventually, but I can see myself opting for cash more often than not for the time being at least as it doesn't seem such a bargain any more, though why should that surprise me these days?

SaveTheEuro

"Avios will offer flights with British Airways, Iberia, Flybe, Monarch, Air Malta and lots of other airlines. See Avios.com for full details."

Oh, really? Has anyone managed to book any airline other than BA/Iberia? All Avois are saying is "we will get all other airlines onto our website as soon as possible."

A dreadful start.

Doc_N

What a hopeless website, too. As you say, a dreadful start.

song_of_calliope

I'm not finding any availability of flights on the Avios website at all. I'm trying to book from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to Paris in May of next year so it's not like I'm looking for something at the last minute or to some strange, exotic destination. If flight availability isn't too bad I can live with the change from Airmiles to Avios since for me, flying from a regional airport, short haul trips will be a better value. But if the flights aren't ever available then there really isn't much point to the scheme at all.

bangormaine

it does seem to be a deliberate ploy by Avios. i asked for an Edinburgh to Heathrow connection nearly a year in advance and was flexible with the dates. Agent told me there was virtually nothing available. This needs to be flagged up to Advertising Standards as they are not fulfilling their part of the bargain.

Doc_N

Cue the Avios Company Representative to arrive like the Magic Fairy and reassure us all that BA aren't actually just conning everybody, and that really they're a wonderful company with our best interests at heart.

I feel cheated - but unsurprised.

barnabee

I feel cheated - but unsurprised.

Snap!! I checked for flights from Bristol and Cardiff to Paris on the old Airmiles site just over a week ago and there were lots of options during March to May next year. I have spent ages on the new Avios website and cannot now find one single flight. Much was made of regional flights being better value prior to the changeover. Don't companies realise that if customers think they've been conned they will not remain customers for long?

The Avios website only half works - what a terrible performance given all the launch hype. I wonder if Tesco would consider converting my points back?