MSE News: Costs to soar in Airmiles revamp: use points before they devalue

A question about : MSE News: Costs to soar in Airmiles revamp: use points before they devalue

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

The Airmiles flight reward scheme is to be completely revamped which will result in a cut to benefits for hundreds of thousands of travellers. ...

Read the full story:
Costs to soar in Airmiles revamp: use points before they devalue

Best answers:

• Many thanks for the heads up. Bad news for those saving airmiles and won't have enough before the changes.
• hmm so an airmile that is not a mile! :/
• From what I read from the email from them it is going to be much better for me.
  Flights to Prague and Geneva require 9000 Avios and Ј27.
  Well, now from Manchester I need 2000 Airmiles, or 1500 Airmiles and Ј45!!!!!!
  So the new rules is nearly half price. This is due to the re-classifying those flights.
  For Zone 1 I would have paid 1250 Airmiles or 1000 Airmiles and Ј45, which is now going to be 9000 Avios and Ј27 as well... So that is again cheaper.
  Didn't look at the further flights (zone 4 upwards) as no idea what the charges would be and I would be saving miles for ever even now...
  So basically, unless I missed something, if you are flying from regional airports you are going to be better off with Avios.
• I haven't got much airmiles after using it up in the summer, but I think it is a great news for those of us with BA executive club. The taxes will be a lot less. It usually worked out only slightly more expensive to just buy it with cash than with BA miles + tax.
  Also, BA miles can't be used on anything other than flights (I think), but with Airmiles, it can be used for variety of things.
  I just hope they'll continue the household accounts thing so we can pull all the family miles together.
• What does "travellers can still use Airmiles in their current form until 15 December." actually mean? You have to travel by then, or you have to book by then, but can travel after that without paying the taxes?
  Colin (with enough airmiles for two returns to NYC).
• My guess is you won't have to travel by 15 December.
• This doesn't sound good to me. I'm planning a trip to Asia next year, flying into Hong Kong using only Airmiles - a total of 13,000 (plus Ј0) for the two of us. I was planning on booking early next year, but it looks like I'll have to do it this year.
  If they're taking taxes and fees out of the equation and making them payable, surely the number of miles/Avios required will come down too? ie. if it becomes the equivalent of 10,000 miles, that won't be so bad - but if it's still 13,000 (or 130,000) then obviously it's much worse. That is, of course, if the miles stay relative - is there any way to find out the new miles requirements? Anyone have any idea when the new map will be released?
• From what I understand, it is only beneficial for Europe/EU flights to Prague and Geneva (formerly Zone 2) and Dubrovnik (formerly Zone 3) and Moscow (formerly Zone 4) and that too from non-local airports i.e, airports other than London airports. People who have saved for long-haul flights have been hit hard with the added charges/taxes. Very limited time to book the tickets too. Tesco Clubcard mailing will reach the clubcard members only by November end and there won't be much time left to collect, convert and book long-haul flights using the already collected Airmiles. On top of that, only telephone booking during that period. GRRR....
• Being able to buy the cheapest possible economy flight and using airmiles to upgrade to a better class is a big plus. You always could do this with BA miles but not with airmiles.
  Also you can upgrade one leg, so catch the red eye back from America with the comfort of a bed and be ready for work on landing.
• Anyone know whether there will be an opportunity to merge accounts?
  I currently have both Airmiles and BA exceutive club accounts.
• Will it still be possible to pay for extras like hotel rooms with Avios? And will deal of the week stay? I don't mind the change to include taxes / charges as I only really look at EU flights anyway (too impatient to save up for longer ones) and its much easier for me to fly from a regional airport.
• OK now spotted that I can merge accounts!
  What I am now trying to work out is will you be able to redeem on non IAG flights?
  As someone who doesn't live in the southeast and would use Manchester, BA flights are to say the least limited.
  I have made several redemptions using airmiles MAN - MUC using Lufthansa metal.
  The mileage rates have always been inflated to take this into account, but the lack of charges for airport taxes somewhat mitgated this.
• Is there anywhere that indicates what the additional costs will be for transatlantic flights, Surcharges fees and taxes?
• I was saving for two of us to go to Sydney, Australia. I'm currently at 15,000 airmiles.
  I've not seen any mention of Australia in the report. Does anybody know how many avios points (and fees/taxes) will be required for this trip?