Have you ever looked forward to something for years with great anticipation? Maybe it was getting married. And then when you actually got married, your wedding ended up like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DmtmmFEVo Yeah, I'm not going to lie, that's kind of how I feel right now. As many of you probably know, one of the huge…
Continue reading: You can now redeem your American miles on British Airways between the US and UK (sort of)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Huge disappointment. I guess its time to redeem that Chase BA award BOGO before the first class inventory shrinks.I'm glad that I chose to drop AA and keep DL and UA.
Fuel surcharge and taxes are not that terrible to some destinations... I just redeemed the Chase BA companion First Class around Labor Day next year to Italy in First Class, and it was $359.25 all in per person, but if I added a stopover in London, it would jump to over $600 because of the effin APD. Still, $360 is not cheap, but it's only a couple of hundred dollars than normal and would not stop me from redeeming with BA should I decide to use my AAdvantage miles for it.
Personally as an existing BA customer I have no issues paying the fuel surcharge for redemptions. I still can get a First class flight for less than an economy ticket would cost me. I am also glad that AA will charge the surcharge so at least it's a level playing field with existing BA customers... doubt it would have gone down to well with BA customers.
APD on the other hand is a total pain and something that I think should be re-considered. Will be interesting to see how it impacts in Germany once their new tax comes into play next year.
Lucky,
If LA/JJ leave OW (as I hope), the only decent redemption left will be CX and Kingfisher (when they join). I think Star is already close to being the undisputed "winner" amongst the 3 alliances (from a FTer's perspective anyway) and this will just seal the deal.
BA is also giving 100% miles and 50% Tier points for discount economy revenue now. I'll sit in economy on longhaul if I'm paying for the ticket but I've avoided BA and the non-stop option from PHX ever since they dropped that to 25% years ago. I get it from a global perspective but when I can fly UA or LH and get 100% miles, what incentive did I have to book BA?
"I’m sure British Airways Executive Club members are doing the happy dance"
Not sure, they kinda get the short end here. More competition for their carrier's seats between London and the US, for sure, even with the fuel surcharges. BA is a decent product, I'd sooner pay surcharges for Cathay than for BA! But BA isn't really a premium product in first by world standards.
But what do they get in return? Access to American Airlines flights to the US from London. Big deal....
Though I suppose the irony here is - I assume this hasn't changed -- BA doesn't charge fuel surcharges on AA redemptions. So AA members get a benefit with fuel surcharges, BA members get a benefit without them. Hah!
abcx -
While not having a crystal ball, I would be very suprised to see LA leave OW. They have ATI with AA and are in a JV. If you look at the LA/JJ deal it is looks to me as if LAN is taking over management of TAM. Kind of like CO and UA. We all know who is going to be running the new airline, the one with the globe on the vertical stabilizer. (At least unitl the new livery is unveiled)
@Gary BA fliers get 100% mileage on discounted tickets again, and 50% EQM (Tier Points). They're big winners in this change.