VintageKrug - 30/08/2011 19:53 GMT
...very soon, apparently.
I'm sure the BT team are all over this, so looking forward to a full briefing when the announcements are made.
Not certain I'm keen on the name; sounds rather "Consignia" to me, and we all know how that ended.
It's a great idea for IAG to bring AirMiles, Exec Club and Iberia Plus together while retaining the Exec Club and Iberia Plus brands. It will create a loyalty scheme larger than Lufty's and AF/klm:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/ffpb.jpg/
Let's hope BA Miles brand will also be retained, though I'm not hopeful. Avios Miles just don't have the same ring about them.
They should have called them "Battle of Trafalgar Miles" or something just a tad more relevant to BA...!
Though the registered logo is somewhat Viagra-like:
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/domestic/cache/S2418311_for_2585701_11021.jpg
Let's hope the effects of these changes don't raise people's blood pressure too much; in any event there should be plenty of notice given to adapt your travel plans to any changes made.
Though I'm told not to be concerned about them, I'm holding off some holiday bookings until I fully understand what's in the offing.
It is indeed (seems that link to the logo has been removed - it was hardly inspiring, however)
No details yet - though lots of rumours - Silver losing lounge access and a new paid-for tier (Ruby? Bronze?) for those infrequent Oneworld flyers prepared to pay for lounge access and related privileges.
It will be interesting to see how the taxes and charges are handled for redemption bookings across Air Miles, Exec Club and the other programmes....
As you say, nothing to be alarmed about, I'm sure. But in the past few weeks I've made the Amex Companion booking for next year....
Travellator - 31/08/2011 10:17 GMT
Silver losing lounge access is unthinkable! Its about the best perk there is! Surely only a rumour!
Absolutely, I have no insider knowledge - and am quite prepared to be proved wrong.
All I have heard is that the changes are coming in the next few months (actually, November was what I heard, but again, that's not been confirmed).
Travellator - 31/08/2011 10:27 GMT
Are you sure it is Avios and not Stelios ?
JordanD - 31/08/2011 10:30 GMT
This has been done to death on FlyerTalk, including all of VK's comments above (in fact - and unless s/he wants to prove otherwise - all his links and comments are directly lifted from that thread).
Lots of conjecture, the sum total of which is Avios being mentioned (under a company who's director is Keith Williams and whose purpose is Airline Loyalty Programmes), and a Bronze tier (Oneworld Ruby) being proposed.
Hippocampus - 31/08/2011 10:36 GMT
I think removing lounge access from Silver cardholders is highly unlikely. The rationale of the changes is to align the BA Executive Club with Iberia Plus and other Oneworld programmes. Removing lounge access from Silver cardholders would not be consistent with that.
A new "bronze" tier to give BAEC a Ruby tier is likely. As are changes to tier point thresholds for members in mainland Europe. I wouldn't rule out some changes to mileage redemption thresholds either or an equivalent of AA's (now formalised) lifetime tier.
On the one hand changes will be positive in making OW programmes and benefits more consistent. But on the other hand, the ability to shop around for the best OW programme for your own needs will be diminished.
My understanding is that an announcement could be due imminently.
If an announcement is due imminently, waiting for it makes more sense than adding fuel to fires from other websites' rumour, conjecture and desire...
VintageKrug - 31/08/2011 15:56 GMT
The announcement is indeed as "imminent" as it's possible to be, though changes will be phased over Autumn, which would align with the November date.
And I don't think Silver tier will have lounge access removed, certainly not in the UK.
VK - you seem to have the information, then...why don't you just post it?
VintageKrug - 31/08/2011 17:07 GMT
The only information which can be posted is publicly available.
JordanD - 31/08/2011 21:57 GMT
So you're confirming you have information which isn't publicly available then?
VintageKrug - 01/09/2011 00:30 GMT
No, I'm not confirming anything of the sort, JordanD.
Well done on the scoop, Tom; worth staying up for!
http://www.businesstraveller.com/news
All looks quite benign for BAEC members, a reduction in the points cost of redemptions to NYC and a standardisation of the European fees. Most change will be for AirMiles members.
I would be interested to know:
- if the change fee will be waived for Gold Card holders
- if there was any news on the "Bronze" tier which was much mooted
- if BA are confirming a formalised Lifetime Gold/Silver programme
- whether these changes mean an increase in mileage/points to the West Coast USA
- though you've mentioned standard class redemptions will stay broadly the same and in some cases reduce, there's specifically no mention of premium cabin redemptions and how these might be affected by the changes
So this is the news from Airmiles, a company formerly owned by BA and one that is in part partnership with them now. Did we not, at one point, get 50 Airmiles along with a BT subscription, which could then be converted to BA Miles?
I'd still be keen to hear from the Exec Club and see what their take on this is. I'd guess there will be additional changes that we have yet to learn about. i'd further guess this scoop might just be ahead of itself since so little else has appeared online. So well done Tom and Co., but is there more?
At the moment, the answer is no, it seems.
I asked about new tier levels - Bronze or Ruby for instance, and the reply was, "We are not announcing that today", which of course might just be a turn of phrase.
The Gold Card waiver of change fees, premium cabin redemptions, Life Time Gold as per the AA programme.... also no news, and I got the impression that although the Mileage Company run the programmes for the airlines, decisions such as that are taken by the airlines rather than the Mileage Company, though I may be wrong.
And from
https://www.britishairways.com/travel/executive-club-changes/execclub/_gf/en_gb?link=main_nav
"We have outlined some of the changes below and we’ll be in touch before November to announce even more....
Our vision is to make the Executive Club feel more like a Club than just another frequent flyer programme. A Club that’s designed to truly benefit its members."
From the FAQ
Why are BA Miles changing?
We are renaming BA Miles to Avios, as it is will become the currency for all loyalty and reward programmes owned by British Airways' parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG).
The value of your existing BA Miles will remain the same. The change is in the name and the increased ways in which you can spend Avios points compared to BA Miles.
Is the Executive Club becoming the Avios Club?
No. The Executive Club is still the Executive Club and the loyalty programme of British Airways.
Avios is the new name for Airmiles in the UK, which is rebranding in November. The programmes will remain separate, in the same way as the Executive Club and Airmiles are today.
Are the loyalty and reward programmes owned by IAG (Executive Club, Iberia Plus and Airmiles UK) merging to become part of the same programme?
No. The Executive Club, Iberia Plus and Airmiles UK (which will be changing to the Avios reward programme) will remain as separate programmes.
But Avios points will be the shared currency across each reward and loyalty programmes owned by British Airways' parent company, International Airlines Group.
What does Avios mean?
Avios is the new name for BA Miles. The name reflects the valuable, global and distinctive nature of the currency that will offer members a more rewarding experience in the Executive Club. It is simple to pronounce and evokes travel and flight in many languages.
Is the value of my BA Miles going to change?
No. The value will not change. One BA Mile will equal one Avios point in November 2011.
Do I need to register to change to Avios?
No. Your BA Miles will automatically change into Avios in November 2011.
Can I opt out of the Avios scheme?
As an Executive Club member, Avios points will be the currency you earn from November. This does not mean you are a member of the Avios programme or scheme (Avios is also the new name for Airmiles). As such you cannot opt out (unless you are a member of Airmiles of course).
You can however, if you wish, opt to close down your Executive Club account at any time. But by doing so you will no longer be rewarded with Avios and recognised with Tier Points every time you fly with British Airways and our oneworld® partners.
Are we are now part of the Airmiles scheme as they are now called Avios?
No. The Executive Club is a separate programme, but the currency with which we reward Executive Club members will change from BA Miles to Avios points in November.
Avios will be a common currency that is used to reward members in the Executive Club, the Iberia Plus and the Airmiles programme.
I have an existing booking. Will this change of currency affect my booking?
No. The change from BA Miles to Avios points will not affect any existing bookings.
What routes will Reward Flight Saver be applicable too?
Reward Flight Saver will be available on flights across Europe with British Airways and Iberia, and on shorthaul flights in South Africa operated by Comair.
Reward Flight Saver flights are only available to members who have earned or spent 1 Avios point (or BA Mile) in the previous 12 months.
Which routes will require less Avios points than BA Miles currently for a Reward Flight?
Some of the key routes that will require less Avios points (BA Miles) are:
Milan, Prague, Helsinki, Cairo, Amman, Jeddah, Boston, New York, Bermuda, Toronto, Washington, Chicago, Shanghai, Rio, Bangkok, Narita, Hong-Kong and Singapore.
Which routes will require more Avios points than BA Miles currently for a Reward Flight?
Some of the key routes that will require more Avios points (BA miles) are:
Tel Aviv, Pristina, Catania, Larnaca and Mauritius.
Can I cancel my existing reward flight and rebook using Reward Flight Saver?
Yes. You can cancel an existing reward flight and book a Reward Flight Saver. But you will only be able to book Reward Flight Saver tickets when they go live in November. And once a reward flight is cancelled, there is no guarantee there will be space available on the same flight.
What new partners can I collect Avios points with?
At the time of launch in November there will be no additional partners that you can earn Avios points with. The partners you can currently earn BA Miles through will remain the same – the only difference is that you’ll be collecting Avios going forward.
We will be introducing new partners and ways to earn in the New Year.
Will I be sent a new card called Avios?
We will be adding the Avios logo to the back of Executive Club cards from November. You will only be sent a new card if you have reached the end of your membership year and need to be issued with a new card in the normal way.
What is the Airmiles programme?
Airmiles UK is a frequent ‘buyer’ programme based in the UK that rewards members with Airmiles for everyday purchases with its UK partners. In November it will be rebranded and become the Avios programme and it will then reward its members with Avios and not Airmiles.
How long are the Avios points valid?
Avios points will expire in the same way BA Miles do today. They will only expire when your Executive Club account becomes inactive. Your account will only become inactive if you do not earn or spend one Avios point (BA Mile) in a 36 month period.
Collecting and spending Avios
Are there changes to the number of Avios I earn today?
No. The number of Avios you earn through flights and partners will remain the same as the BA Miles you earn today.
What are the new ways I can collect Avios points?
At the time of launch in November there will be no additional partners that you can earn Avios points with. The partners you can currently earn BA Miles through will remain the same – you will just earn Avios points. We will be introducing new partners and ways to earn in the New Year.
What are the new ways I can use Avios points?
When we rename BA Miles to Avios points in November you will be able to spend them on hotel accommodation and car rental when you book from certain countries.
Eligible countries
You will also be able to use them on Reward Flight Saver tickets.
Examples of Reward Flight Saver
Can I continue to earn with existing non-air partners (e.g American Express, Marriott)?
Yes. The partners you can collect with are not changing – only the name of the currency you collect.
What hotels will I be able to use my Avios on?
We will announce which hotel partners you will be able to spend Avios points with when the currency is launched in November.
How much will it cost to redeem Avios for a hotel or for car hire?
We will announce the details and rates of hotel and car rental partners who you can spend Avios points with when the currency is launched in November.
Will I still get other benefits such as American Express Companion vouchers?
Yes. All other benefits, such as the Amex Companion voucher, will remain the same.
Will I still get all my Gold benefits such as Gold Upgrade for Two?
All tier related benefits, such as Gold Upgrade for Two, will remain the same and are not changing.
Will the changes affect my current tier status?
No. Your Executive Club status will not be affected by the change to Avios points.
Will I be able to collect Avios on High Life Shop purchases as I do with BA Miles?
Yes. You will earn 2 Avios points for every £1 spent on in-flight purchases.
Will I be able to spend Avios on High Life Shop products?
No. Just like BA Miles, Avios points are not accepted as payment for in-flight purchases.
RichHI1 - 01/09/2011 08:44 GMT
Just a clarification. A lot of posters are talking about lifetime Gold status as AA.
AA in all communication to date offer Lifetime status up to Platinum level which is comparable to Silver in the one world scale. They do not offer Executive Platinum which is comparable to Gold. I was told in Aoril by AA "we still feel that this should be earned each year."
