HighFlyer - 21/05/2009 19:37 GMT
I believe that you can get a discount on flights if you are a BA Shareholder. Can someone tell me how many shares do you need to hold and is there an initial qualifying period before you get the discount?
BA Shareholder Benefits
Posts
VintageKrug - 21/05/2009 20:06 GMT
[UPDATED OCTOBER 2010]
British Airways offers a 10% discount to its shareholders.
Today, you can purchase the required minimum 200 shares for around £480, so it's a bargain if you plan on buying several thousand pounds of flights in the next few years.
You get the Shareholder magazine and also are invited to the Shareholder Meetings each year in London, which can be interesting if you like tea and biscuits.
The discount is especially valuable on the "Premium Leisure" Club World Sale fares starting from just £848 rtn undiscounted (example given is LGW-SSH Sharm El Sheikh, Sept 2010 Sale); sales are usually over Christmas and midsummer.
Note you used not to be able to use an MFU (Miles for Upgrade) at the same time as a shareholder discount; while this functionality does not exist online it should now be possible to do this on the telephone after booking, subject to availability.
Shareholder discount fares do not qualify for onbusiness points.
The discount is only granted to shareholders on the register at the record date (which I seem to recall is about 5 November) and you are usually mailed your code in December, which can be used for bookings made online from 1 January.
BA might wave this 1 January restriction on the start date for the discount at its discretion, but it is the exception NOT the rule.
All flights used to have to be exUK but now exEurope departures are covered too, they still must be on BA metal (NO codeshares), and the discount only applies to the fares element of your flights not the increasingly onerous taxes and fees part.
Simply book online via the special link provided; the discount cannot be applied retrospectively.
But you do get the same BA Miles and tier points credit as would be the case had you booked without the discount. You can book up to 9 people in the same reservation (up from 5 in 2008).
The discount has been increased to 15% off during December, though this did not happen in 2009.
While shareholders used not to pay the credit card surcharge, this now applies to all bookings. So no escape.
More info and booking link at www.bashareholders.com
Note that in June, BA often offers a closed user group discount of up to 15% off all fares to those who attend the Taste of London Festival in Regent's Park which they sponsor. No guarantees this will happen in 2009, of course.
LuganoPirate - 22/05/2009 07:24 GMT
After this morning's results, you can buy them even cheaper now!!!
VintageKrug - 22/05/2009 08:17 GMT
A little under £300 this morning. The purchase should just about pay for itself with one return Club World sale fare from London to Sydney.
not-on-business - 22/05/2009 14:28 GMT
Does the accumulation of full miles and tier points apply to all booking codes?
SilverShadow - 22/05/2009 15:34 GMT
Thanks for all the info VintageKrug. I checked out the bashares.com site, there isn't much info for the private investor regarding the benefits of being a shareholder. Do you know how what the discount usually is, and how would you go about redeeming it when you purchase ticket(s)? Thanks!
frustratedflyer - 22/05/2009 17:53 GMT
It 10% and a code for the BA shareholders webiste is sent to you every December
FrequentTraveller - 23/05/2009 06:35 GMT
SilverShadow, the BA Shareholder site aimed a private investors is www.bashareholders.com
The front page explains how to make Shareholder bookings, which can only be made on-line.
The full terms and conditions are available at http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/69/69499/2009TermsandConditions.pdf
starflyer - 23/05/2009 09:30 GMT
Anybody aware of any other airlines offering similar shareholder deals? (LH, AF etc.). I know some hotel companies offer discounts to shareholders, eg Accor
VintageKrug - 24/05/2009 12:16 GMT
That's interesting - any details on the Accor discount?
[I have shamelessy incorporated others' improvements/weblinks into my original response so it reads better for those coming to this for the first time. Thanks!]
starflyer - 24/05/2009 12:28 GMT
Accor shareholders (minimum 50 shares = around 1500 Euro ) are members of Club des Actionnaires and are issued with a Club des Actionnaires A-club card which has the same status as A-club Platinum.
http://www.accor.com/fr/finance/espace-actionnaires/club-des-actionnaires.html
http://www.a-club.com/en/membership-levels.html
terminalfive - 25/05/2009 18:41 GMT
Does the 10% discount apply if you are resident abroad (and therefore have a Euro BA account)?
Could still buy the flights ex london - that would not be a problem..
Thanks
CrazyCanuck - 26/05/2009 12:01 GMT
Hi terminal five,
I sent an email to BA Shareholder services asking them the same question. Here is the response!
The discount if only valid on flights originating in the UK. The terms and conditions can be found on the attached link under Featured Items (bottom right of page):
http://www.bashareholders.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=69499&p=irol-shareholders
So much for overseas investors.
CMoir12 - 26/05/2009 14:05 GMT
I have my BA executive club account at my Berlin address and my BA shares at my London address and get the 10% discount.
terminalfive - 26/05/2009 20:16 GMT
Thanks for sending the link CrazyCanuck!! Have read the small print but it never talks about being resident abroad. Just mentions flights ex london.. Not very clear but it would appear possibile
CMoir12 - thats great!!
VintageKrug - 21/10/2009 14:37 GMT
Those planning on being able to take advantage of the 10% shareholder discount would need to ensure any purchase settled by the record date, which this year is from 7 November.
If you are an existing shareholder, then you MUST register to receive electronic communications or you will not receive the discount for next year.
The discount is usually raised to 15% during December, in time to take advantage of the usual December BA Sale.
VintageKrug - 28/10/2009 13:23 GMT
Still time to purchase your 200 shares, entitling you to between 10%-15% off all tickets, including Club World and FIRST.
stocktrade and TD Waterhouse are good online brokers which are easy to use.
The next BA Premium Cabin sale will start tomorrow, Thursday 29 October for www.newclubworld.com and FIRST fares.
Travel dates will be valid from 19 November 2009 till 30 June 2010.
This will be for over 80 long and shorthaul destinations, and given the rollout of new FIRST means you have a modest probability of enjojying this new cabin.
VintageKrug - 02/11/2009 14:43 GMT
Bump.
Today/possibly tomorrow is probably your last opportunity to qualify for the record date this year.
VintageKrug - 16/06/2010 07:57 GMT
I understand that MFU's will soon be possible with shareholder tickets, however these upgrades will only be possible "after" booking online using the shareholder site.
