V-Flyer

With all of the 'enhancements' to BA service coupled with the gutting of the Avios and On Business programmes does this offer a unique opportunity for VS to grab a bigger chunk of market share?

Rather than VS tinkering with flying club, I'd go on a PR offensive to show how VS care about its customers, have sensible earning / burning levels and don't screw you over. Put in a serious AU / AG matching programme and I think quite a few previously loyal BA fliers will be enticed to move into the light. I think FlyingCo can also be pushed hard at the same time, this will attract the smaller business owners who used to see value out of BA's previously good On Business programme. Many are still pretty angry over the new tiered revenue model.

The only problem with this approach is the ever shrinking VS footprint. For me personally? I'll continue to fly VS whenever I can and maintain my BA AU only for non-VS destinations.

I'm also hoping my stash of 900k of Flying club miles doesn't become worthless

I wish this could happen, but for me it's BA 's route map and the One World Alliance that keeps me there. ( I prefer to fly direct rather than through hubs) The changes to the BAEC have for me been over critiscised. In the last two weeks I have been able to book eight reward flights on the dates I wanted and I find that the F and J products satisfactory for the price I pay. For example I did a boys road trip last year in F to ATL with three weeks hire of a Cadillac Escalade for £2700 each.
I would presume that after the recent changes to VS destinations schedule that they are filling their aircraft, so the only real way to grow would be to be a to purchase more slots at LHR or to order larger aaircraft ie A380 where they could take on BA on the MIA, LAX SFO IAD routes. However for whatever reasons the 747 are being replaced with lower capacity aircraft and I have to wonder what vision Delta have for VS.

PaulS wrote:The changes to the BAEC have for me been over criticised.

But you're an Au therefore just the type of passenger BA wants to keep, so the devaluation hasn't really hit you hard.

For the vast majority of BAEC members - blue, bronze & silver - though, the devaluation will make it much, much harder to earn and redeem miles and move up to the next tier.

Although having been a loyal VS flyer for 15 years, have had to jump ship this year and go with BA for the first time, only because they go to places direct that VS don't.

Have managed to book three BA reward flights on more or less the dates we wanted (as we are retired we are extremely flexible on dates). For a fraction of the cost it would have been if we had paid cash. Although not happy with the devaluation from the end of April, with our 2-4-1 voucher we are hoping to get a first return next year, at greatly reduced prices than we could never afford.

WE still have some Virgin miles left and have not long ago managed 2 x G,s to Vegas, having to come back BA as there was no premium seats left with Virgin. Being older we do like our comfort and space where possible.

We would always choose Virgin where possible, especially Vegas which we like to go at least once a year.

gumshoe wrote:

PaulS wrote:The changes to the BAEC have for me been over criticised.

But you're an Au therefore just the type of passenger BA wants to keep, so the devaluation hasn't really hit you hard.

For the vast majority of BAEC members - blue, bronze & silver - though, the devaluation will make it much, much harder to earn and redeem miles and move up to the next tier.

True for some, but many BAEC members (myself included) have no interest in the tier points. it's all about the Avios. Like many I earn most of these on the ground, aiming to collect enough to use with a couple of Amex 241 vouchers to secure a couple of CW or First long-haul trips a year.

So whilst the changes may mean we need to collect a few more Avios a year, which is doable, the opening up of more CW reward seats is a real benefit. First ticket cost increase by an extra 13% in Avios cost, again not too challenging. As we get CW or F tickets with Avios, the benfeits of higher tear status are included.

I have always assumed the majority of BAEC members are similar to me. So the reaction to the changes are IMO perhaos "over crtiticised". But maybe I am wrong? If most BAEC members are in fact frequent short-haul travellers, booking in Y and collecting most of their points in the air, and seek to gain higher status through tier points, then the changes may have more impact on more members.

I guess how you look at it is very dependent on personal circumastances.