BA annuncia importanti cambiamenti per l'Executive Club


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BA restructures Executive Club

BA has announced big changes to its Executive Club programme from 28 April. For tickets booked after that date, new rules have been introduced for earning both Avios and tier points, and also spending Avios. The move is consistent with industry moves to more directly align customer rewards with spend (see Emirates changes fare types and rewards). Speaking with Business Traveller, James Hillier, Manager, Executive Club for BA said the changes were necessary to allow members of the programme to have a better chance to redeem the Avios they have earned.

“We listened to our customers. We are committed to opening up more opportunities for our customers to spend their Avios on BA, and to be as transparent as possible to allow both earning and redeeming within the programme.”

The changes
affect both the rate at which Avios are earned by members, and also the rate at which tier points are earned.


Main points


Earning avios


The rate at which members earn avios will depend more on the amount paid for the ticket – including the class booked, and the different type of fare bought. As BA says, “In practice this means that if you pay for a flexible ticket you will earn more avios than the lowest priced ticket in the same cabin.”


The cheapest tickets in Euro Traveller and World Traveller will now earn only a minimum of 25% per mile flown instead of 100%.
“(For new bookings made on or after 28 April 2015, you will collect:
0.5 Avios per mile flown in classes K, L, M, N, S and V or a minimum of 250 Avios – whichever Avios value is greater
0.25 Avios per mile flown in classes O, G and Q or a minimum of 125 Avios – whichever Avios value is greater

In flexible economy fares (Y, B and H) you will continue to collect the same Avios as today and the minimum Avios will remain at 500.)”

For Club World/Club Europe and First tickets, Avios earning remains the same or is increased depending on the cabin and type of ticket.


A minimum of two Club World/Club Europe and four World Traveller/Euro Traveller reward seats will be available for booking on all British Airways operated flights are offered for sale on ba.com. BA says this means a total of 9 million reward seats available this year, an extra 500,000 reward seats when compared with the situation today.

New-avios-earning-table-470x271.jpg


Tier points


The lowest priced World Traveller and Euro Traveller seats will now collect 25% of Tier Points rather than 50%.


Silver Members’ Tier Bonus will change from 100% to 50%. Ba says this is necessary “…to provide more reward seats across our entire network for all of our Members.” Gold Members’ Tier Bonus will stay at 100%. Bronze Members’ bonus will stay at 25%.


Fewer Avios on the London City to New York JFK service: For new bookings made on or after 28 April, Members travelling between London and New York in Club World will collect the same number of Avios and Tier Points regardless of which London airport they are flying to or from.


Spending avios


BA is also introducing changes to the price of reward flights depending on the time of year, the cabin and zone.


In Club World and First, the Avios price will increase, the amount depending on the time of the year.


In Euro Traveller and World Traveller, BA says that for two-thirds of the year members will require fewer avios than currently is the case to fly on reward seats.


Reward flights with BA's airline partners will be one price, all year round, with the exception of Iberia which will also offer seasonal pricing.


BA says that it is responding to feedback from members about the complained that it can be difficult to find reward seat availability in premium cabins (World Traveller Plus, Club World and First), especially on popular routes. "....reward seat availability is restricted and many members are looking to book the same seats."


In BA's Q&A section, the following is stated


  • In economy, during our busier (peak) periods, the number of Avios you will need will be the same as today, while if you book during our quieter (off-peak) periods you will require on average 26% fewer Avios than you would need to make the same booking today.
  • In premium economy, during off-peak periods, you will require on average 14% fewer Avios than today – except on routes within zone 4 which will require an average 7% more Avios than today to book. During peak periods, you will require an average 33% more Avios to book.
  • In business, you will require an average 25% more Avios for travel during our off-peak periods and an average 50% more for travel during our peak periods.
  • In First, you will require an average 13% more Avios for travel during our off-peak periods and an average 33% more for travel during our peak periods.

Upgrades


BA says it is expanding the number of fare classes from which upgfrades can be purchased, so by the end of 2015, members will be able to upgrade using Avios from World Traveller and Euro Traveller commercial bookings "except the very lowest priced seats."


Changes to UK domestic connecting reward flights


Passengers will from 28 April have to pay for any UK domestic connecting reward flights to and from their final European destination (so in the case of Edinburgh to London and then onto Paris, the Edinburgh to London sector will now have to be paid for). This does not apply to connecting reward flights on long haul.


Number of Avios needed for peak and off-peak in Economy:

Destination from London HeathrowZone
Current

[TD="colspan: 3"]
Economy return fare
[/TD]

[TD="width: 66"] Peak [/TD]
[TD="width: 75"] Off-peak [/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]Amsterdam[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
1​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]9,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]9,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]8,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]Barcelona[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
2​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]15,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]15,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]13,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]Athens[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
3​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]20,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]20,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]17,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]Cairo[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
4​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]25,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]25,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]20,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]New York[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
5​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]40,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]40,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]26,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
6​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]50,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]50,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]32,500[/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]Johannesburg[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
7​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]60,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]60,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]39,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]Singapore[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
8​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]70,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]70,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]45,500[/TD]

[TD="width: 138"]Sydney[/TD]
[TD="width: 47"]
9​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 70"]100,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]100,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 75"]65,000[/TD]

BA says...
All Economy Avios fares will be the same if not lower than current prices.
All Economy off-peak Avios fares will be 15 per cent to 35 per cent lower than peak prices.
All Premium Economy fares will be the same if not lower than current prices to all European destinations.


Comprehensive rates:


BA flights: new prices


[TD="colspan: 2"] One way prices [/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"]
Peak
[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"]
Off-peak
[/TD]

[TD="width: 31"][/TD]
[TD="width: 65"] Economy [/TD]
[TD="width: 65"] Premium Economy [/TD]
[TD="width: 62"] Business [/TD]
[TD="width: 58"] First [/TD]
[TD="width: 65"] Economy [/TD]
[TD="width: 65"] Premium Economy [/TD]
[TD="width: 62"] Business [/TD]
[TD="width: 58"] First [/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 1e.g. AMS
[/TD]
[TD="width: 31"]
New CPP Prices
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]4,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]6,750[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]9,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]18,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]4,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]5,750[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]7,750[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]15,500[/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 2e.g. BCN
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]7,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]11,250[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]15,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]30,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]6,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]9,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]12,750[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]25,500[/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 3e.g. Athens
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]10,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]15,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]20,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]40,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]8,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]12,750[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]17,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]34,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 4e.g. Cairo
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]12,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]25,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]37,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]50,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]10,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]20,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]31,250[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]42,500[/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 5e.g. New York
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]20,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]40,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]60,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]80,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]13,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]26,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]50,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]68,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 6 e.g. LAX
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]25,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]50,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]75,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]100,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]16,250[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]32,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]62,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]85,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 7e.g. JNB
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]30,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]60,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]90,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]120,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]19,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]39,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]75,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]102,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 8e.g. SIN
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]35,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]70,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]105,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]140,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]22,750[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]45,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]87,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]119,000[/TD]

[TD="width: 68"]
Zone 9 e.g. SYD
[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]50,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]100,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]150,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]200,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]32,500[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]65,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]125,000[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]170,000[/TD]

BA flight change: vs. current prices


[TD="colspan: 2"] One way prices [/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"]
Peak
[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"]
Off-peak
[/TD]

[TD="width: 32"][/TD]
[TD="width: 64"] Economy [/TD]
[TD="width: 65"] Premium Economy [/TD]
[TD="width: 62"] Business [/TD]
[TD="width: 58"] First [/TD]
[TD="width: 65"] Economy [/TD]
[TD="width: 65"] Premium Economy [/TD]
[TD="width: 62"] Business [/TD]
[TD="width: 58"] First [/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 1
[/TD]
[TD="width: 32"]
New CPP Prices
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-11%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-15%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]-14%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]15%[/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 2
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-13%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-16%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]-15%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+13%[/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 3
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-15%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-15%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]-15%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+13%[/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 4
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+50%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-20%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]+7%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+25%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+13%[/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 5
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+50%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-35%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-13%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+25%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+13%[/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 6
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+50%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-35%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-13%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+25%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+13%[/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 7
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+50%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-35%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-13%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+25%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+13%[/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 8
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+50%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-35%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-13%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+25%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+13%[/TD]

[TD="width: 84"]
Zone 9
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]0%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+50%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+33%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-35%[/TD]
[TD="width: 65"]-13%[/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]+25%[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]+13%[/TD]
 
Con la nuova tabella un volo premio Italia-UK quanto quota? 13000 Avios + 42,50 € (tariffa fissa per tax) se si è guadagnato almeno un avios nell'ultimo anno in bassa stagione, oppure 15000 Avios + 42,50 € in alta stagione?
Ora invece era fisso 15000 avios + 42,50 €?
 
Questa la mail arrivata:


Dear Dr xxxxxxx,

a partire dal 28 aprile apporteremo alcune modifiche all'Executive Club a seguito delle quali noterà una differenza nel modo in cui accumula e utilizza punti Avios con noi. Abbiamo deciso di apportare queste modifiche per poterle offrire più opportunità di convertire i suoi Avios in voli premio e per garantire che in futuro l'Executive Club continui a essere un programma di fidelizzazione competitivo e gratificante.

Quest'anno saranno disponibili 9 milioni di posti premio.

A partire dal 28 aprile garantiremo la disponibilità di oltre 9 milioni di posti premio sui nostri voli, con un minimo di due posti premio Club World/Club Europe e quattro posti premio World Traveller/Euro Traveller su tutti i voli operati da British Airways in vendita sul sito ba.com. Questa nuova iniziativa metterà a disposizione oltre mezzo milione di posti premio extra sui nostri voli, inclusi quelli per le destinazioni più richieste.

Al fine di apportare questo cambiamento, abbiamo ristrutturato il programma, le cui modifiche principali sono riepilogate di seguito. Se desidera consultare maggiori dettagli su tutte le modifiche, troverà ulteriori informazioni qui. Tutte le prenotazioni effettuate prima del 28 aprile non saranno soggette a queste modifiche.

Modifiche alle modalità di accumulo di punti Avios.


L'accumulo di punti Avios sarà maggiormente allineato alla classe di viaggio utilizzata e ai diversi tipi di tariffe per tale classe. In pratica ciò significa che se acquista un biglietto con tariffa flessibile potrà accumulare più punti Avios rispetto a quelli ottenuti con un biglietto di tariffa più bassa della medesima classe.

I nostri biglietti con tariffa più bassa in Euro Traveller e World Traveller consentiranno di accumulare un minimo di punti Avios pari al 25% per miglio di volo, anziché il 100%. In Club World/Club Europe e in First i punti Avios accumulati rimarranno invariati oppure aumenteranno fino al 300% per miglio di volo a seconda della classe e del tipo di biglietto.

Modifiche al Silver Tier Bonus.

Il Tier Bonus per i soci Silver passerà dal 100% al 50%. Il Tier Bonus per i soci Gold rimarrà pari al 100%. Il Bonus per i soci Bronze rimarrà pari al 25%.

Modifiche al numero di Tier Points.

I posti con tariffa più bassa in World Traveller ed Euro Traveller ora consentiranno di accumulare il 25% di Tier Points anziché il 50%.

Le modifiche al prezzo dei voli premio dipendono dal periodo dell'anno.

A partire dal 28 aprile introdurremo diversi prezzi Avios per i posti premio a seconda del periodo dell'anno, della classe di volo e della zona. Nei periodi di maggiore movimento verrà applicato un prezzo Avios standard, mentre per i periodi di minore movimento sarà necessaria una quantità inferiore di Avios.

Questo significa che per due terzi dell'anno, per volare con posti premio in Euro Traveller e World Traveller sarà necessario un numero inferiore di punti Avios rispetto a ora. In Club World e First, il prezzo Avios aumenterà a seconda del periodo dell'anno. Per maggiori dettagli sui prezzi Avios, clicchi qui.

I voli premio con le nostre compagnie aeree partner avranno un unico prezzo per tutto l'anno, ad eccezione di Iberia che offrirà prezzi stagionali.

Modifiche ai voli premio in coincidenza con voli UK domestic.

Per allineare il Regno Unito al resto del mondo, ora le sarà richiesto di pagare per qualsiasi volo premio in coincidenza su voli UK domestic da e per la sua destinazione europea finale. Questo non si applica ai voli premio in coincidenza per i voli a lungo raggio, che rimangono inclusi.

Modifiche alle modalità di trattamento dei suoi Avios.

Nell'ambito di una riorganizzazione del gruppo IAG che interessa British Airways Plc e Avios Group (AGL) Limited, British Airways ha convenuto che AGL sarà responsabile dell'emissione dei suoi punti Avios. Di conseguenza, AGL riceverà, archivierà ed elaborerà i suoi dati in relazione agli aspetti amministrativi dell'Executive Club. Ciò avverrà unitamente a British Airways, ma a livello giuridicamente indipendente da essa. Ciascuna società sarà responsabile dei diversi aspetti del trattamento dei dati che la gestione dell'Executive Club comporta. Continueremo a controllare il funzionamento e la gestione del Club e questi particolari cambiamenti non incideranno direttamente sulla sua qualità di socio né sul suo rapporto con il Club quale attualmente è.

Maggiori opportunità per l'upgrade.


Entro la fine dell'anno, potrà utilizzare punti Avios per effettuare l'upgrade delle prenotazioni World Traveller ed Euro Traveller, ad eccezione dei posti con la tariffa più bassa. Questo significa che ci saranno più opportunità che mai di effettuare l'upgrade.

Nell'insieme tutti questi cambiamenti ci consentiranno di continuare a offrire un programma a premi competitivo ai nostri soci, migliorando la disponibilità di posti premio per il nostro network globale, molti dei quali richiederanno meno Avios rispetto a oggi.

Grazie per avere dedicato il suo tempo alla lettura di queste informazioni. Se ha altre domande, può trovare molte risposte e ulteriori dettagli sul sito ba.com.

Cordiali saluti,
 
Avevo intenzione di trasferire i punti Avios dall' Iberia Plus all' Executive Club di BA ma a questo punto con questi peggioramenti non so se sia ancora conveniente. Cosa consigliate? :)
 
Con la nuova tabella un volo premio Italia-UK quanto quota? 13000 Avios + 42,50 € (tariffa fissa per tax) se si è guadagnato almeno un avios nell'ultimo anno in bassa stagione, oppure 15000 Avios + 42,50 € in alta stagione?
Ora invece era fisso 15000 avios + 42,50 €?

Corretto, ma solo se voli su un diretto su Londra:

Changes to UK domestic connecting reward flights


Passengers will from 28 April have to pay for any UK domestic connecting reward flights to and from their final European destination (so in the case of Edinburgh to London and then onto Paris, the Edinburgh to London sector will now have to be paid for). This does not apply to connecting reward flights on long haul.


Addio voli Italia-Scozia con quelle miglia! :(

Diciamo che hanno spostato l'asticella a favore di chi vola LR e per chi vola flex.

Rimane comunque uno dei programmi FF più "semplici".

DaV
 
per Iberia non cambia nulla?

Mi rispondo da solo, stessa schifezza di BA (forse leggermente meno peggio):

Per chi viaggia con tariffe scontate è una bella mazzata, si passa da un minimo di 450 miglia per segmento garantite a 125 o 250 a secondo della classe tariffaria. ;-(

A questo punto con questi peggioramenti nei programmi FF sia di BA che di IB, quale programma consigliate per raccogliere miglia in casa OneWorld? C'è rimasto qualcosa di meglio?
 
British Airways' air-miles accounts have been hit in the latest wave of cyber-attacks.

The firms have all notified their users of the incidents, which varied in approach and do not appear to be connected.

In addition, several Uber users have complained of their accounts being hacked.
However, the car pick-up service said it had "found no evidence of a breach".

The firms have dealt with the attacks in different ways, and BA has been criticised for how it responded.


Wiped out accounts


Complaints about points being stolen from the BA's Executive Club scheme date back at least a fortnight.

One user said their account had been used by someone else to book a hotel room in Spain, while others reported that their list of transactions showed "ex-gratia" deductions that had wiped out their entire credit.

"I checked my account yesterday and found that the mobile number had been changed to a Russian one. I changed it back and my miles are still there. Passwords now changed," reported another member, who appeared to have had a narrow escape.
A spokesman for BA said that it believed only "a small number" of its frequent flyers were affected.

"This appears to have been the result of a third party using information obtained elsewhere on the internet, via an automated process, to try to gain access to some accounts," he said.

"We would like to reassure customers that, at this stage, we are not aware of any access to any subsequent information pages within accounts, including travel histories or payment card details."

_82005677_5c7a6fc8-3c2c-49f2-ba20-a390b4f4a34b.jpg
British Airways has been criticised for asking users to click on an emailed link

Security experts have, however, raised concern that BA initially sent out
emails asking users to click on a link to reset their passwords.

"That's a classic trick used by criminals phishing for login credentials," noted security consultant Graham Cluley.
BA said it had removed the link from subsequent emails and suggested concerned members contact its service centre.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-32115292
 
Nuove news/rumours su ulteriori cambiamenti al programma emersi dal Gold Guest List lunch a Londra la scorsa settimana:

One of the participants at the Gold Guest List lunch in London last week, held for British Airways most valued customers, sent me over a summary of the speech that was given. It has some interesting insights which are generally positive.(Note that this lunch was not held under Chatham House rules. Items discussed at these lunches usually find their way onto various internet forums so I am happy to repeat them. If you saw my article on Saturday you will see that I did not publish a certain detail because it was not part of the main presentation but only mentioned separately to a smaller group.)

The good news:
A private check-in lane with DIRECT access to Galleries First is to be built at Heathrowfor Gold, oneworld Emerald and First Class passengers. More details in my article on Saturday.
Long-haul business class is to see catering spend increased by £20 million per year. Given the shocking state of Club World catering at the moment – my last BA main course is pictured below – this is well overdue. I would say that BA needs to funnel some of this money into crockery and presentation. It is difficult to feel much love for a meal served like the one below.
Wi-Fi is coming to short-haul with Intelsat working on a package. Long-haul is not on the agenda due to cost and implementation issues. To be fair, it does seem tricky to retrofit Wi-Fi and you usually only see it on new aircraft.
There is an intention to improve cleanliness onboard. No idea how!
The lounges at Heathrow are to be fully refurbished. No timescale was given.
There be a substantial increase in policing what is taken onboard by ‘hand baggage only’ customers. BA accepts that the current hand baggage and priority boarding system on short-haul is not fit for purpose, partly due to increased levels of cabin baggage. Gold and Gold Guest List members may be allowed to board first so they can take the overhead space.

The bad news:

The new Club World washbags (‘pathetic’ was the description used by my source) are to stay. That said, many airlines including Emirates have done away with amenity kits entirely on day flights.
BA admits that the feedback from customers about legroom with the new short-haul seating has been disastrous. There are no plans to remove a row of seats to improve business class legroom, however.
The decision to scrap free domestic Reward Flight Saver redemptions was decided on financial grounds despite knowing it would alienate many customersand will not be reversed.
The decision to stop free seat allocation on Hand Baggage Only fares was decided on the same financial grounds. BA has received substantial negative feedback – not surprising when you can spend well over £500 on a Hand Baggage Only fully-flexible ticket and still find that you cannot choose a seat whatever your status – but no change is planned.
There are plans to introduce an ‘even fewer frills’ economy ticket which will probably exclude lounge access and all other benefits such as Priority Boarding. I am actually OK with this concept but it needs to kept out of the GDS systems which corporate customers use – otherwise business travellers who are obliged to book the cheapest fare will be forced to use it. Have these fares on ba.com by all means but do not force them on business travellers who have no alternative. Avios points would probably remain, oddly, because it would mean another change to the scheme.
That is about it. If you want to take part in these lunches yourself, you only need to earn 5,000 tier points in a single membership year and you will (possibly) be invited along!
http://www.headforpoints.com/2015/0...-developments-from-the-gold-guest-list-lunch/
 
News non buone per gli 'esperti' pax statunitensi
http://skift.com/2015/11/02/big-changes-coming-for-u-s-travelers-using-british-airways-points/


British Airways’ loyalty program is about to become a lot less useful for U.S.-based passengers.

Last week, the carrier announced plans to change Executive Club to increase the cost of short-haul award tickets by 40%. The increase only applies to flights from and to U.S. destinations, which means that only OneWorld partner flights on American Airlines are affected. For Executive Club members primarily using Avois to book award flights in the U.S. though, that’s a pretty big deal.

Typically, members of the Executive Club are billed for award tickets as a function of the distance between the two airports. At the low end of that spectrum for flights under five hundred miles, the least expensive tickets in the current Executive Club are pegged at 4,500 points one-way or 9,000 points return. And for English passengers, that makes sense. Most revenue flights within five hundred miles of London are fairly inexpensive (so it doesn’t make sense to charge many points) while egregious UK departure and luxury taxes help keep rampant ticket booking in check.

But for U.S.-based members booking on American Airlines, that calculus is different. Taxes on award tickets for domestic flights are scarcely more than $5.00 per leg, while a five hundred mile radius around many markets opens up a huge spectrum of potential tickets for only 4500 miles.
From New York City, for example, five hundred miles can get a passenger to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Montreal or even Detroit. Compare that to 12,500 miles on a domestic legacy carrier or a $200 revenue ticket and the British Airways advantage is clear.

Realizing this, many frequent travelers have been exploiting the British Airways loophole for years, booking inexpensive 4,500 mile tickets — many at the last second — en masse. With these upcoming changes, British is finally shutting them down.

Changes to the Executive Club are set to fall into place on February 2nd of 2016. Prior to that, the loophole will remain open for exploitation.