Over the past week, British Airways has upset many loyal frequent flyers. The conditions for redeeming award miles in the company’s own frequent flyer program were massively devaluated overnight. And that while announcing an alleged improvement – which only applied to the British and Americans.
Since then, the conditions for award flights with British Airways had been so bad that it was initially assumed that it was a mistake. After this “error” stayed like this for a week, we’ve finally got good news: For all accounts, also when residing outside the USA and UK, everything is back to normal (as long as you’ve earned at least 1 Avio in the past 12 months).
In addition to this, the Rewards Flight Saver has now also been activated in other countries. This makes it possible to reduce the exorbitantly high surcharges by using additional Avios. But that doesn’t make it much better.
Mileage Values back to Normal
As quietly and secretly as the changes were introduced (for European customers), they are now gone. A search for award flights accordingly brings up the same amounts of Avios + surcharges as before December.
For a business class one-way London → Dubai flight in the peak season (July 2023), this results in:
- October 2022: 60,000 Avios + €523
- December 9, 2022: 90,000 Avios + €541
- December 14, 2022: 60,000 Avios + €510
The slight changes between October and the current value are probably due to the fluctuations in the euro ↔ British pound exchange rate.
Rewards Flight Saver: Lower Surcharges – for more Avios
Originally, Rewards Flight Savers were only available for accounts residing in the US and UK. Now it’s also available to all members from the rest of Europe. The only important thing is that at least one Avios has been credited to your account within the last 12 months.
The system behind it: If you use more Avios, you benefit in return from significantly lower surcharges. Using the example of a business round trip to New York (off-peak season), you can pay 190,000 Avios + €351 or 158,500 Avios and €761.
Below is an overview of the options (and also the effective price, assuming the equivalent of 1 cent per Avios):
- 190,000 Avios + €351 (eff. €2,250)
- 158,500 Avios + €761 (eff. €2,346)
- 123,500 Avios + €1,061 (eff. €2,296)
- 105,000 Avios + €1,610 (eff. €2,660)
- 77,000 Avios + €2,001 (eff. €2,771)
- 60,500 Avios + €2,461 (eff. €3,060)
All examples assume that you have earned at least one Avios within the last 12 months. If this is not the case, the additional options are not even offered, and you’re still shown the higher price.
Neither option is attractive. Especially considering that a business one-way flight from Madrid to New York with Iberia is still available for just 34,000 Avios + €140.
Conclusion
Even after the interim error has been fixed, disillusionment remains. It remains highly unattractive to redeem the hard-earned Avios for British Airways award flights. And that’s simply because British Airways imposes staggering fuel surcharges.
The surcharges can now also be replaced by Avios – but that doesn’t make it any better. At least for people residing in continental Europe.
Sources: Flyertalk & Meilenoptimieren
Cover Picture: Photo by Arkin Si on Unsplash
Comment (1)
Why use Avios for BAs inferior product?What a waste when you have a much better option. Its called QATAR guys and girls!