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Double Virgin Points on flights
Virgin has announced a good new offer: a limited-time double points offer for Virgin Red and Flying Club members. Providing you book by 25 July 2024, you get double your points on Virgin Atlantic flights booked between the UK and New York, Orlando, or Los Angeles for travel by 31 December 2024. All cabins except Economy Light are included in the offer.
As an example, if you book an Upper Class return flight from Manchester to New York (and vice versa), and earn up to 53,264 Virgin Points (up to 26,632 standard points + 26,632 bonus points). This is based on having no status on a flexible ticket. Obviously, the amount you earn depends on your status and ticket type.
Unlike the BA offers, you do not need to register for the offer first.
You can check prices and book here.
Avios rises for Club Europe, Club World and World Traveller Plus
Yet again with no notice, BA has quietly raised all the cash elements of all the premium Avios redemptions. There seems to be a “death by a thousand cuts” going on recently with BA’s Executive Club, such as the change to revenue-based Avios earning and the changes to partner awards.
Given the ridiculously overpriced cash seats in Club Europe and Euro Traveller, I’m guessing a lot of people are like myself and using Avios to book European flights, so BA has decided to cash in on the action.
The new prices have all been increased by £12.50 each way, meaning a £25 increase on a ticket, an increase of 50% on the old standard £50 fee.
Given how much BA has promoted its £1 return Avios fares this seems to go against that and makes these much poorer value. However, with Club Europe prices in summer starting at around £600 for 2 hours flights, you could argue you are still getting value for money with a relatively low level of Avios.
The rates for Euro Traveller are currently unchanged.
Here is an example of the prices for zone 1 (Amsterdam, Paris etc) pricing now
- 16250 Avios + £ 12.50
- 15500 Avios + £ 16.50
- 13250 Avios + £ 24.50
- 9750 Avios + £ 37.00
- 7250 Avios + £ 59.50
- 5750 Avios + £ 79.50
The cash element of Club World and World Traveller Plus have also increased by £25 return. This doesn’t feel quite as bad as a percentage increase but given that the cash and tax element for these flights is so high that you could often buy an ex Europe ticket for almost the same, it feels like another slap in the face for BA.
What do you think about all these changes from BA? Does it put you off using them? Let us know in the comments below.
American Express change Emirates transfer rate for the worse
Today feels like a bad news day, as those wanting to transfer their Amex Membership Reward points into Emirates Skywards miles will get a lower rate starting in August. I still think that Amex Membership Rewards are great as you can transfer them into all sorts of airline and hotel loyalty schemes, meaning that should there be a big devaluation in one, you can choose another scheme instead. I leave my points in my account until I am ready to book something. You get MR points on a number of cards, including the Platinum and Preferred Rewards Gold cards.
The rate will change from 1 Membership Rewards point = 1 Skywards mile to 4 Membership Rewards points = 3 Skywards miles on 19 August 2024.
At least Amex has the decency to give some notice, unlike BA!
9 comments
Re the BA Avios grab. It really does seem like BA are trying to discourage or punish executive members and Business/ Premium flyers. Normally I dislike conspiracy theories but it does make you wonder if they are driving for a budget airline model., by manufacturing/ Using the excuse of declining take up on these forms of travel.
Despite being a member for 15 years I think it might be time to bail out. I personally am starting the process of moving to another airline and airline loyalty program. Even if it costs slightly more (at the moment), the better quality of service would be worth it (I am still frustrated and annoyed over the failure to provide even one option of Brandy in Business).
I agree with your comments….the price increase was sneaked in without any warning which BA have a habit of doing and which looks very bad but i’m not surprised… they just don’t care. The ‘enhancement’ away of Brandy in Business class is shocking, it’s not been available for years in Club Europe, I don’t know about long haul but on Iberia flights (even within Europe) the last time I asked for a Brandy they brought 2 bottles on a silver tray and asked me to choose which one I prefer, or I could try both…all served very professionally! On BA it’s just multiple Gin and Vodka options but no brandy.
Club Europe fares have dramatically increased since the end of the pandemic ie on my regular route which is to LPA the price has doubled. But the standards are often very poor and the Euroflyer LGW fleet are not serviced/cleaned on the turnaround even at short haul plus destinations which in my case has meant rubbish/food and used napkins on seats, on the floor areas and in seat pockets which is disgusting. Broken divider curtains on some Euroflyer aircraft mean the Club Europe product is diminished due to the lack of crew announcements/enforcement regarding the front washroom ie front toilet for Club Europe passengers and the rear two for Eurotraveller, And if you’re unlucky to get the dreaded G-MIDO or G-MEDK A320 from LGW it will be a hard very uncomfortable seat with no support on a more than 20 year old ex BMI plane which should have been scrapped years ago! Many of the seats are broken and again, BA don’t care.
Forgive me if I am missing something but I just don’t understand the point of Club Europe if you have a Silver or Gold card. You still get priority check in and boarding, use of the lounge and you can choose your seat in advance. Indeed, you can select an exit row seat which may give you more room than Club.
Add to all this the absurd price difference and surely it all seems a bit silly when all you’re getting is a vacant middle seat and a sandwich?
Exactly – all my short-haul is in exit row economy (and I mostly get the middle seat blocked anyway). I just fill up beforehand in the lounge 🙂
All about the tier points…
I haven’t seen ANY loyal airline. Despite of being gold with BA and Senator with LH – for years- I gave up and go with the flow and choose whatever is more convenient and cheaper. Few days ago I checked BA offer LHR to Lisbon for the next year May long weekend. £700 in economy, £1100 club. Per person. Thanks but no, thanks.
I tend to keep my Avios for upgrades from Business to first on long haul on an ex EU flight booking. Seems to be the only value for money now a days using Avios.
I think we are all beginning to realise that Avios are the way BA compensate for declining customer service and poorer product quality. Whilst Tier points to gain our gold cards are used to lock us in to BA. In typical BA fashion they have sneaked in yet another reduction in the value of Avios to squeeze a bit more profit out of sitting ducks, the locked in loyal customers. BA have long gone past the point where I’m influenced by the gold card benefits and I now go for the airline with the best European business class product, customer service and value for money at the time of need. I now find this is rarely BA and will let my gold membership slip and spend remaining Avios before they become worthless.
I think a lot of BA cardholders are beginning to think this way, particularly with the ridiculous costs of short haul flights.
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