british airways

Tag Archives for british airways.

British Airways London On Sale

by Gary Leff on September 11, 2006

Sep 11 2006

British Airways has an interesting sale running from the U.S. to the U.K. (You may need to be logged into a British Airways Executive Club account to see the page.) Coach (“World Traveller”) from several cities for less than $400 roundtrip — okay, so far so good, this is frequently available in late October, November, and December (though the price cutting starts early this year). But perhaps more interestingly, World Traveller Plus — their premium economy product, think something like U.S. domestic first class — is available for about $585 roundtrip. That’s an upgrade that seems worth it to me. I’d guess the hassles flying in and out of London are affecting BA’s bookings…

Another BA Transfer Bonus

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2006

Jun 03 2006

In addition to Diners Club, Starwood, and Marriott offers, you can earn 30% additional British Airways miles when transferring Radisson Gold Points to BA by July 20, 2006. (Hat tip to Free Frequent Flyer Miles.)

30% Bonus on Transfers from Marriott to British Airways

by Gary Leff on May 31, 2006

May 31 2006

British Airways is offering a 30% bonus on miles when transferring points from Marriott Rewards by July 20. For those who aren’t already British Airways Executive Club members — and membership normally requires booking a full fare coach ticket or more — BA is offering accounts via this promotion as well (apparently without any requirement to transfer points from Marriott, so anyone wanting a BA account this is a good opportunity to get one).(Hat tip to Free Frequent Flyer Miles.)

Anyone can open a British Airways Executive Club account

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2006

Mar 28 2006

Some time ago British Airways stopped allowing people to open frequent flyer accounts. Strange, I know. You had to book a full fare coach ticket to be eligible to join Executive Club (and then discount coach tickets still only earn a fraction of flown mileage). At the time I advised folks to just go ahead and open British Airways accounts ‘just in case’. You never know when you might need one, such as when Jaguar was offering 10,000 miles for a test drive (and since you can combine 4 accounts in a household, you could earn 40,000 miles from the simple promotion). It turns out that another way to get a British Airways account is to get a co-branded British Airways Visa. After all, the points you earn from that Visa need somewhere to go.…

Diners Club BA Transfer Bonus is Back

by Gary Leff on March 15, 2006

Mar 15 2006

Looks like the 50% bonus on Diners Club transfers to British Airways is back, valid between May 1 and August 31, 2006. There’s no information online yet but it’s mentioned in the program insert that comes with March bills. Not as good as the old days where the bonus was 100% during the summer, but better than a hole in the head and a welcome relief considering recent cutbacks in the Diners Club Club Rewards program. I’ll be taking advantage of this one, topping off my BA account for some transatlantic premium class flying… especially since the alternate uses for Diners Club points have dwindled with the departure of United, USAirways, America West, Northwest, and Continental from the program. Update: Details are available on the British Airways website though not yet on the Diners Club…

Frequent Flyer Miles as Debt in Need of Devaluation

by Gary Leff on July 26, 2005

Jul 26 2005

Tim Harford asks what would be the best way for frequent flyer program to devalue their currency? Last year I explained why a devaluation is inevitable, and why that doesn’t mean you should stop collecting miles. The simplistic version of the problem is too many miles chasing too few seats. Problems have been exascerbated the last couple of years as airlines pulled down capacity. Now, with flights running especially full, getting a nominally free seat can be tough. Award redemption (at least at the usual mileage pricing) is predicated on giving away only those seats that are likely to go unsold. That pot of inventory isn’t growing, but mileages balances are. Given the need for devaluation, how should airlines do it? The first option Harford gives is rejected, but not strongly enough: Airlines could simply…

A story of tenacity, and props to Chris Elliott

by Gary Leff on February 11, 2005

Feb 11 2005

About ten days ago, Travelocity displayed a business class fare from several European cities to Shanghai for US$671 on Alitalia. It was an “I” fare, or so the fare rules suggested — special promotional business class fare. Turns out that for the same exact price there was an “L” fare, the least expensive coach fare available. The price was intended for the coach fare, but it displayed with business class fare rules by mistake. When the fare was purchased, it never said there was a lack of availability in I class or that it was being booked in something other than business. But the tickets were sold in L class, and Alitalia had record of a coach purchase. Travelocity was initially unhelpful. Now, this wasn’t a $0 fare. And it wasn’t a $20 fare, like…

Why Couldn’t I Have Been on THAT Flight?

by Gary Leff on February 8, 2005

Feb 08 2005

Lara Flynn Boyle flashed her breasts and tried to climb into bed with a male stranger on board a British Airways flight in first class from Los Angeles to London.Passengers say they saw the star naked and “wild-eyed” as she leaned over a male passenger, tried to get into his bed, pushed up the window blind next to the man and shouted: “We’re landing, get your clothes on” – even though the flight was still more than four hours away from Heathrow. The cabin crew gave the actress a blanket to cover herself. But the show continued as she ripped out a reading light from her seat, thrust it at a steward and demanded: “Get rid of this and get it out of my sight for ever and ever.’ She then walked to the lavatory,…

American Bonus for Premium Class Flights to London

by Gary Leff on January 15, 2005

Jan 15 2005

American is offering 42,000 bonus miles for premium class flights to London. The move is very similar to British Airways’ offer of 40,250 bonus miles. Registration is required.

BA Bonus for Premium Cabin Transatlantic Travel

by Gary Leff on January 11, 2005

Jan 11 2005

British Airways is offering 40,250 bonus miles for transatlantic roundtrip flights in first or business class through April 30. Registration required and offer is available to residents of the US and Canada only. As NotiFlyer observes, BA is trying to make itself relevant to North American flyers by marketing the way that these bonus miles can be used on partner airlines for domestic travel.