Batten Down the Hatches: Avios is Coming!

Back to Forum
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 72 total)

  • Anonymous
    Guest

    VintageKrug
    Participant

    …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.


    Tom Otley
    Keymaster

    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
    Participant

    Silver losing lounge access is unthinkable! Its about the best perk there is! Surely only a rumour!


    Tom Otley
    Keymaster

    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
    Participant

    Are you sure it is Avios and not Stelios ?


    JordanD
    Participant

    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
    Participant

    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.


    StephenLondon
    Participant

    If an announcement is due imminently, waiting for it makes more sense than adding fuel to fires from other websites’ rumour, conjecture and desire…


    Tom Otley
    Keymaster

    VintageKrug
    Participant

    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.


    StephenLondon
    Participant

    VK – you seem to have the information, then…why don’t you just post it?


    VintageKrug
    Participant

    The only information which can be posted is publicly available.


    JordanD
    Participant

    So you’re confirming you have information which isn’t publicly available then?

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 72 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls