3 (or 6!) Travel Updates You Need to Know About - November 2024

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  • Опубликовано: 10 янв 2025

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  • @alexarcher97
    @alexarcher97 Месяц назад +16

    Finally a RUclipsr brave enough to give their actual opinion and talk about brunch/super gate. Please try it and give a full review and whether it is a premium experience or not!

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +2

      Tempting actually! Not sure I'm going to have the opportunity - hopefully they'll fix it rapidly!!!!

  • @mjrc123
    @mjrc123 Месяц назад +10

    I flew a return LCY-DUB on Monday in Club Europe which took me from 1430 to 1510 tier points and thus my first ever BA Gold status 🏆 Much of this was down to tactical planning on work trips where I could book multi-leg routes at no additional cost to my employer / client.
    I want to thank you, Matt, for the information shared on this channel as I knew basically nothing about this world of ‘status-chasing’ before I found your channel in summer last year. Now I shall enjoy lounge and booking privileges until at least Jan 2027 when my (then) Silver status lapses.
    The next time I have a glass of champagne in the air (or pre-departure) I will raise my glass to you. “Cheers”.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks so much - perhaps we'll bump into each other in a lounge and I can raise a toast with you

  • @santstravels
    @santstravels Месяц назад +2

    An important difference in the new post-9pm service that I have not seen anyone talk about is the fact that before you had the option of an express service which gave you everything in one tray and, importantly, you got your food straight away. Now, everyone has an express service but they have to wait for their turn to be served.
    This means two things:
    - travellers who always wanted the express service now have to wait longer for it.
    - travellers who always wanted a proper meal now can’t have it.
    The only one who wins is BA’s pocket.

  • @paololim3513
    @paololim3513 Месяц назад +6

    Glad you are in my home country, again.
    If BA wanted to cost cut, why not ask passengers to pre-select their meals in manage my booking and provide an option to not eat or get a lighter meal. SIA does it.

    • @GG-hi5if
      @GG-hi5if Месяц назад +1

      Exactly, online ordering is not hard at oneworld hubs

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +4

      That would require BA's IT to work.... Which is patently doesn't!

    • @a2bmedia
      @a2bmedia Месяц назад

      And Finnair?

  • @Backbone-Travel
    @Backbone-Travel Месяц назад +1

    I did the Sri Lankan tier point run in August-September. Happy I was just on time before prices went up

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I have fingers crossed the price will come back down - it may depend on how quickly they forget how they used to fill the business cabin...

  • @ziggystardust8784
    @ziggystardust8784 Месяц назад +2

    US FF and cardholder here. Good points on earning and accumulation of points this side of the pond, although I'd even hesitate to drop 700k miles on a return J class ticket. I'm EP (OW Emerald) on AA, mostly through butt in seat however many AA status holders reache status without flying a single sector, but through their CC spend specifically through shopping portals like AAs which pays out multiple point earning rates for each dollar dependent on the promotion. It's been said that AA (and DL) are actually credit card companies that just happen to fly planes as their income annually from these arrangements with Citi, Amex and Barclays are massive profit drivers.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I said in the video that it was complicated, and I recall hearing that Biden was threatening to tinker with the interchange laws to make it less profitable, but I guess Trump will be less interventionist.... A patron recently went to a conference in Chicago where Manufactured Spend was a hot topic, something that also baffles Euro cardholders!

  • @mars2100
    @mars2100 Месяц назад +4

    As always very interesting , loving the location.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Thanks - it was nice! I had no idea that gardener was behind me!

  • @mappman1000
    @mappman1000 Месяц назад +3

    I’ve got an AUH-CGK return booked in the next few weeks, on the old fare. Two of the original flights got rescheduled and I had to negotiate them to put me on the Dubai route for the return, via means of a very complicated process of an indemnity form. Don’t have very high expectations for it going to plan !

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Good luck! Its a great run and mine worked well, but when it goes wrong it can be a right pain....

    • @ianworthington2324
      @ianworthington2324 Месяц назад

      Ah, the amazing Covid indemnity form! I really have no idea at all wtf that's all about. I got a change to DXB on both outbound /and/ return, which actually suited me, plus an additional day in CGK.

    • @mappman1000
      @mappman1000 Месяц назад

      Now both flights have been changed to Dubai, and Sri Lankan have promised me a driver from AUH to DXB

  • @paulmk5841
    @paulmk5841 Месяц назад +2

    Great heads-up as always Matt. I had the pleasure of the BA 'Brunch' service last month on the early LHR-LAX flight. It was OK but not what it used to be. But saying that having had a great breakfast in the 'Concorde lounge' (as is also possible in the first lounge) I was not overly worried. Maybe a reversal would be a good thing, but I don't think we better hold our breath on that one. Looking forward to the same flight on the 25th of this month. Just passed my 'Tier point' year end, So trying to boost the transition flights. Also, (in case you & viewers were unaware) As we know the transition points from April 1 2024 do not count towards 'Lifetime miles'. But the lesser known fact (as I am lead to believe) is that if your Tier point count from April 24 take you over the eligilbility for upgrade vouchers (2.5k, 3.5k TP's ect) you will be awarded the vouchers again. A double dip as it was explained to me. Fingers crossed that is the case. Thanks again matey.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks Paul - I think you are spot on about double dipping the vouchers. Quite a nice little bonus if that applies to you!

  • @jamiesawicki7715
    @jamiesawicki7715 Месяц назад +1

    Thanks Matt, top class video as always. Gutted about Sri Lanka, have 53 days hol next year so a few Bali trips were to had, hey ho!
    On BA, nothing surprises me anymore, but the flight times will rarely affect me, and the first lounge grub is actually improving, they even have a proper bacon bap counter at breakfast! Or brunch fast?
    Virgin, feel the same, on board, the staff are great, and the clubhouse truly is the best biz class lounge (arguably), but it now just feels really penny pinching, HOWEVER, I did just get Cape Town oddly, upper class next week, using a redemption, for 150,000 points (for 2 with companion voucher) so I saw that as a great deal - taxes and fees 760 each. So all in all a cost per person at around 1395 per person. That is 1k more cheaper per person better than you’ll ever get cash price on the best sale. So I’m happy with that! But now il be using up my miles and staying loyal (for now) with BA

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Thanks mate. Good job on Cape Town - enjoy. Make the most of these things while they last is my advice

  • @ianworthington2324
    @ianworthington2324 Месяц назад +1

    Love the blooper! More of that please!
    Thanks for the alternative perspective on why UL might prefer an empty biz cabin. That's the only thing that makes sense. I'm currently having a discussion with UL Rome about how to book their route from there. The more I think about it, the happier I'd be positioning to FCO and paying just over GBP 2/TP rather than ex-AUH/DXB. But I'm not optimistic UL will come back with an answer I like, and flying UL on an OTA ticket feels like a recipe for disaster.
    I skipped the BA brunch on my last TATL: I'd breakfasted well in the flounge and really didn't want their mediocre offering. I did ask them to keep a fruit bowl for me before landing, but they didn't. I had been planning to try and make more bookings with BA rather than AA this year (AA is just a lot easier from Matrix with Powertools, as you know), but I'm really not sure it's worth the effort now. Though I have got 4 GUFs (8, come February) to burn through, so maybe F might justify it? But not feeling hugely incentivised.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Thanks - that was probably the most interesting blooper I've ever had - me fluffing lines is usually not entertaining! UL from Rome is probably a route with a higher probability of operating so it might be worth pursuing... I did a couple of OTA bookings with Gulf and Oman recently and they both went smoothly (although nothing went wrong) and once the booking was made they were available in the airlines MMB as you'd expect. Have another flight coming up I may have to do that way as I just can't get the pricing on the airline's website. Not inclined to ring them up to book it....

  • @robp4682
    @robp4682 Месяц назад +3

    Thanks for the info Matt

  • @JenniferRussell-qw2co
    @JenniferRussell-qw2co Месяц назад +1

    That was very useful, thank you so much 🙋‍♀️🇬🇧🤗

  • @tonyracks2956
    @tonyracks2956 Месяц назад +2

    WOW what a great video matt thanks we are going to MIA in feb and not looking forward to the brunch we are on a 380 in buss at 09 40 so we are going to pig out in the lounge before and 0n ret we are 23.30 to LHR so hope they change before feb anyway good health matt .........tony

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      There are reports that the customer service line is overloaded with complaints... Whether that makes a difference remains to be seen....

    • @tonyracks2956
      @tonyracks2956 Месяц назад

      @@MattsPlanet i will call them tomorrow matt !! thanks

  • @jimmyjames6492
    @jimmyjames6492 Месяц назад +2

    Thanks for the info + video!

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks as always for watching!

  • @manutdrule09
    @manutdrule09 Месяц назад +1

    Great video Matt

  • @steve-marsh
    @steve-marsh Месяц назад +2

    Oh BA, why can't you learn from history. They can't even learn from their OWN history! Great video mate

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks - their corporate memory is definitely faulty....

  • @transitdant
    @transitdant Месяц назад +1

    I see the thought with the Catering >21.00, but having been in the T5 Galleries North Lounge yesterday evening, I did notice at 19.30 the food options were reduced when they closed half of the food station.
    So if they’re assuming more people will eat in the lounge pre-flight then maybe they need to still provide a reasonable offering until the last passengers leave. I didn’t however visit First, South or B Lounges to compare.

    • @dm7325
      @dm7325 Месяц назад

      It's ok if you leave an airport which offers a great hot food selection. I flew from Austin recently and the hot food offering in the lounge was non existent.Therefore I was grateful for the hot meal with BA. If BA wants to charge me a premium to fly business then they can offer a premium product. If they won't offer a premium service but still charge a premium fee then I'll be off taking my business elsewhere I mean who wouldn't? It's taking the mick and your business customers for granted but remember BA we have a choice.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      BA also seems to be forgetting people with jetlag - 9pm may not feel late in the evening to them yet they'll not be getting properly fed....

  • @alannicol1223
    @alannicol1223 Месяц назад +2

    Just back from a weeks flying having done the AUH - CGK route twice with an overnight stay in a hotel at both Jakarta and AUH between both runs. Was really impressed with the service when I got to fly SriLankan but alas I only manage to fly UL on 5 of the 8 scheduled flights. Ended up the whole of the second run was done on direct flights with Etihad on the 787 in Business due to cancelled legs. Not that I was complaining at the time but now in the process of claiming back the tier points which could be fun. Would I do it again? Possibly not in the method I used as it was stressful needing to re-arrange flights mid trip.

    • @derekbryce2632
      @derekbryce2632 Месяц назад

      I'm due to do the AUH - CGK tier point run next month. Sri Lankan cancelled the CMB -CGK leg. I called to suggest rebooking me CMB-KUL-CGK on UL/MH to ensure OW tier points but weirdly they refused and put me on Etihad's direct flight instead. Was told on flyertalk I can forget getting TPs & Avios on EY even though the reroute was UL's fault. How are you claiming them?

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      5 out of 8 isn't brilliant is it? Good luck chasing the points

  • @guillodean
    @guillodean Месяц назад +1

    As a solo traveller who actively avoids school holiday periods I'm hoping the VA changes offer potential bargains, especially as they've rolled back their extortionate taxes a tad. Still not a patch on BA though, who for example are only charging £375 taxes on a Club World redemption return to Chicago in April. Would be lucky to get VA economy for that!

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Indeed. Some people seem to love Virgin's style even if the core product (on the plane) isn't that good....

    • @guillodean
      @guillodean Месяц назад

      I do quite like their style - to me it feels more like part of a holiday when the staff are that bit cheerier/cheekier and that's part of their charm. Shame the UC seats in particular are rather poor though. BA seem to have better seats but more reserved/stale service in my experience.

  • @IceIcelce
    @IceIcelce Месяц назад +4

    Seems like most programs simply only increase the number of miles when their program went dynamic. Nice to see VS and AF have kept a reasonable price unlike the folks at DL.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      I think its inevitable that revenue-based is where we'll all end up.... Ride the wave as long as we can before this happens though!

  • @jackculpan
    @jackculpan Месяц назад +1

    Another great video Matt. Very glad I did the AUH-CMB-CGK run (twice) a couple months ago for £846.99!! Sadly didn't get a cancellation/rebooking on a different carrier but a fun time nonetheless.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      At least you were spared the headache of chasing the tier points after a rebooking

    • @jackculpan
      @jackculpan Месяц назад

      @@MattsPlanet very true!

  • @vincevinnyp9224
    @vincevinnyp9224 Месяц назад +1

    The lat meal changes do make sense but forever on late flights they had the option for 2 course one tray meal. Now that is the only choice so it only hurts those who wanted a full meal. UK to US sleep on the way back stay awake on the way there. Food helps with the latter.
    i have a AUH - Jakarta trip in Jan - Feb at the old price. They have changed it once, hopefully I can still make it work as I have a 30 day holiday built around it.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Indeed - the evening change is more understandable. Good luck with the Sri Lankan run....

  • @davenorth2903
    @davenorth2903 Месяц назад +1

    As usual a great video Matt. Love to see it originating in my favorite country in the whole world. As far as loyalty programs, being an American, I hate the revenue based models. I still fly over 100,000 miles a year, but rarely reach top status anymore.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Thanks - the Philippines is a great country.... And revenue based schemes can be a pain for us cheapskates who fly inexpensively....

  • @Immi_croissant
    @Immi_croissant Месяц назад +3

    Well done on speaking up about Brunchgate. Rational or not, The lunch, dinner on a flight I get - even in Economy is a real highlight, so if you're buying Club, its a great disappointment to see BA be so tight. I actually think its pretty rude, and kind of makes me think, sod it, I'll just go Economy then. Not 100% there yet but once my Avios are much lower than maybe!

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Reports are that premium economy now gets a better meal (with more choice) than business...

  • @wessexTim
    @wessexTim Месяц назад +1

    Sad news as was looking to do AUH-CGK next month. Thanks for another great video.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Fingers crossed the pricing continues to come down...

  • @Fhfjdod8ebrmsow9e
    @Fhfjdod8ebrmsow9e Месяц назад +1

    A few years back aeroplan also became a dynamic pricing scheme. Now there are tickets on Air Canada with extremely inflated flight costs but thouse are seats that before were not bookable. I've paid 5-10% more for a flight because I needed to go somewhere and I was able to do it something that before hand I would need to pay cash as all the points tickets had been sold.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Indeed - dynamically priced (slightly) can be really handy.... Dynamically priced (full on) is almost comical!

  • @christuck-n7e
    @christuck-n7e Месяц назад +1

    thanks Matt

  • @ExplainedAwayJay
    @ExplainedAwayJay Месяц назад +1

    Love the on location set Matt :D

  • @charliebrown5
    @charliebrown5 Месяц назад +1

    Thank You ✈️

  • @richardbutler4488
    @richardbutler4488 Месяц назад +3

    19:25 Emirates might be justified in giving you a first class upgrade for that bug 🐛 thing 😅

  • @ukdavepianoman
    @ukdavepianoman Месяц назад +2

    Sad about the Sri Lankan TP run going up so much in price. I don't need it at the moment fortunately but hoping in, say, 2 years time it has come down a lot. As for brunchgate what are BA thinking? Thought they had turned the corner and were improving things - seems two steps forward and one step back with BA. Hopefully it will get reversed.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Fingers crossed on the SriLankan fare. And BA - it is slightly baffling that the decision could have been taken... But they haven't changed it back yet so perhaps they're going to just tough it out! Record profits this year though....

  • @dm7325
    @dm7325 Месяц назад +1

    recently i flew business with BA from Austin there was no hot food in a fairly disappointing lounge. It was ok as i was well fed on the plane. If BA are removing/ reducing this service but not reducing prices then that's pretty bad. If they want me to pay premium prices then they can provide a premium product which includes a decent food selection. If they still ask a premium fee but don't provide the required service then I'm off as you'd be crazy to pay these prices for a reduced service. Do BA really believe this will work out well for them ???

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Absolutely. It's your money and its a competitive world, although not between AUS and LHR where I think BA has the monopoly after Virgin retreated? BA will listen if people vote with their wallets

  • @philiphalanen1025
    @philiphalanen1025 Месяц назад +1

    Great location and indeed sad to hear about the UL changes! It's a product we've wanted to try and probably still will to be fair, but will just have to absorb the increase... will just have to have fewer glasses of Lion in CMB!!

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Jeddah and even Dubai can still be made to work if you remain keen....

  • @divyamoditongya
    @divyamoditongya Месяц назад +1

    For sky team, I was not sure about signing up for either Air France or delta (I don’t live near any sky team carrier)

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +2

      I've tried to make a video about which SkyTeam scheme is the best, but they are all so different that its really hard to line them up to compare them.... I'd say Virgin or AF would be the places to start looking. Delta less so as its revenue based

  • @MorgansWorld760
    @MorgansWorld760 Месяц назад +1

    Ahh thanks for the update. So I already bought my flight to Abu Dhabi for February. I was holding back on buying my Sri Lanka ticket as I thought the was still time
    However a few weeks ago when I logged in, I saw the cheap tickets had all gone. I put it down to a mad rush as everyone now has the same tier point year . You have cleared that up for me.
    So any suggestions on where else to go now I won't be going to Jakarta.
    Cheers, Matt, and enjoy your holiday

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks mate - Lisa emailed! You can substitute Dubai or even Riyadh for AUH - more expensive but not extortionate and it would get you back on track... India has a few run opportunities on Malaysian so all is not lost....

    • @MorgansWorld760
      @MorgansWorld760 Месяц назад

      @MattsPlanet Awesome news! Thanks for the tips, too. If you possibly change your mind about watching the pantomime, you may enjoy it. Don't worry about filming it ( The is always another time, unless you really want to ). Just have fun. I was thinking about going to the Saturday afternoon matinee. Although I live in London, it's a pain in the ass to get home after an evening show. The afternoon is not, though.
      I would love to buy you a ticket as a Christmas present. I know I still have not joined your patrons scheme yet, but I probably will once I hit Gold, and yours will be the first I ever had in my life.
      I recon you would know a heap of faces if you went, and her shows are very funny with plenty of airline banter thrown in

  • @hendrikdevries9725
    @hendrikdevries9725 Месяц назад +1

    Sad times, bless Sri Lankan, am still trying to get the booked Tier points accredited after a rerouting and 1 sector not even credited.
    It was a fun trip !

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Catching up the TPs can be a right pain if they've messed you around.... You'll get them in the end

  • @nickf619
    @nickf619 Месяц назад +1

    Thanks for another great video. Disappointed with the loss of the Sri Lankan TP fare. Maybe it will soften over time. Was hoping to do this one day. Brunchgate really is silly on the amount per passenger they’d save. And these are premium passengers who they should be looking after the most. Unfortunately I have a lot of Avios and if I want to fly TATL, I have no choice but to use them as AA TATL awards in business is non-existent for one world partners. I guess I could give aer lingus a go. No idea what that’s like.
    Re the Virgin FC changes disappointed with the changes as it meant you could if you were sharp get a business seat on any flight. They’ve killed the goose. Disappointed you didn’t seem to highlight the fact the changes were more about killing off the guaranteed fixed fare seats which they’ve now rebranded to Saver seats. The move to revenue based spending is a smokescreen. No one would have had an issue if they at least guaranteed saver seats on every flight like they did previously. It was purely about not selling seats on the cheap on key routes in peak season. The analogy you use in your video that unpopular routes off peak were not being sold for cash they could have always increased reward supply by making more seats available as rewards which they did do. Unfortunately VS does not have the same large varied route network as Delta or KLM/AF which does not make it nowhere near as attractive for US credit card holders to transfer points too. In addition as you pointed out VS made no changes to earning points, which means corporate travellers also lose out here if they suddenly find despite doing multiple transatlantic trips the points no longer cover their family holiday now. VS changes have completely stuffed families with kids or travellers limited to school holidays. The surcharges have gone down mainly on certain saver seats. But if you’re forking out 200k miles each way it’s still a £1k cash component round trip. The expensive points fares have not decreased the cash surcharge. You would have thought they might take some of the sting out by reducing surcharges on high points costs flight. It has reduced the one way surcharge from US > UK. It seems VS have decided to stuff the brits to try and tempt the americans to spend their CC points with them, how successful it will be, we’ll only find out in the long term as there will be a spike in short term bookings as people try to exit the scheme. Great video but I do think you glossed over a lot of the negative changes that will impact a lot of FF and gave a positive spin to it. I will be looking to burn my VS stash on SkyTeam partners whilst I can.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      All very interesting. Not having a family and wanting to travel in peak times, I'm never going to be as empathetic when it comes to changes like this! They've obviously concluded this will be good for Virgin and who cares about their customers... It will be interesting if they rebalance this towards the American market (and antagonise their core Euro gang) only for Americans to not be interested in using their points with them!

  • @nickflintoff8077
    @nickflintoff8077 Месяц назад +1

    Really interesting point re the massive miles redemption requirements for the likes of KLM. I’ve been looking to cash in some miles on one of their AMS to South America routes (preferably Cartagena, Buenos Aires or Aruba) but on several dates the miles required are way out of reach. It hadn’t occurred to me that this enormous redemption cost could be acceptable (and achievable) to customers in the US who are able to accumulate a shedload of points via their various credit cards.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      That seems to be driving a lot of this.... I had success on KLM to Bonaire (which went through Aruba) using Virgin points - might be worth a look....

  • @da480
    @da480 Месяц назад +1

    Thank you for the update. I'm not surprised about UL move to increase prices as my economics degree kept me wondering how they could run these flights at those prices, while others (like DXB) significantly higher... Of course, the way they've approached is completely wrong. They could have increase prices step by step inflating Jakarta run at a higher pace than others. Now, after their actual move, they've lost the market. Let's see how long it'll take them to realise it))). I also have a question about a new HK lounge. I missed the news and since I'll be at the airport on a 3 hour layover in a couple of days, could you let me know which one it is to try it out. Otherwise, it's the usual Pier First for me... thanks in advance!

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      I think its a business class lounge so the Pier First is still the place to go!

    • @da480
      @da480 Месяц назад

      @@MattsPlanet thank you

  • @gavinmunro2361
    @gavinmunro2361 Месяц назад +1

    Great vid as always, sitting in Florida sun watching you. What you can earn jn 🇺🇸 is crazy compared to uk

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks - the US is the place to be, with credit cards at least!

  • @MH_1-9-9-6
    @MH_1-9-9-6 Месяц назад +3

    Had me laughing before I even clicked play! Brunchgate is lunacy

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Indeed! Hopefully they see sense soon

  • @wv_
    @wv_ Месяц назад +1

    When I did the tier point run 7 out of the 8 people in business were Exec Club… so I feel this won’t last and they see that cliff on the graph

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Sadly that was the case - love to see how they're reacting to the drop in sales!

  • @alanwheeler3696
    @alanwheeler3696 Месяц назад +1

    I agree with your VA analysis. I know lots of families who think it is tantamount to criminal what they’ve done, they have a point. Whilst you are right Virgin can do what they want, for such a huge change from a PR perspective (if not moral) they should have given 12m notice. It doesn’t affect me as I am collecting Avios. It does make me think I should take my California ‘once in a lifetime’ type trip sooner than later. Great vlog as always.

    • @edhayes2256
      @edhayes2256 Месяц назад +1

      For anyone who’d been saving for the family school holiday orlando trip, bad luck. Most accept devaluations are part and parcel, but peak flights have gone from achievable even with fastest finger first etc, now unachievable. Glad (for now) that I’m an Avios collector.

    • @alanwheeler3696
      @alanwheeler3696 Месяц назад +2

      @ yes most accept a devaluation but there’s a bit of a difference between a small % change and summer to Orlando which has been ratcheted up by multiple times multiplier

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      As I say - the grumpiness impact does seem to mostly impact the school holiday traveller, who was probably quite grumpy anyway!

    • @edhayes2256
      @edhayes2256 Месяц назад

      @@MattsPlanet perhaps, though I think the guaranteed availability at ‘saver’ levels was probably accepted by many who have to travel in peak periods as relatively fair, indeed pretty good in my humble opinion. Knowing that Ba will have 4 seats on every flight means that i know I’ve a fighting chance of getting 4x seats with my 2 x 241 vouchers. If I had flexibility over my travel dates, then as you say the new virgin system offers some good value.

    • @frankieo8285
      @frankieo8285 Месяц назад

      @@edhayes2256 I've been collecting Virgin points for 3 years to ease the financial pain of our family Orlando trips. With some flexibility it was relatively easy to get flights in the peak times if, like you say, you're on the ball. I've got about 170k points now and a companion voucher and I'm really struggling to use them. I suspect that the next trip will use them all up then the auto convert at Tesco will stop and the CC will be changed. I have found some bargains in off season, shame I can't utilise them for 10+ years!
      Feel a bit silly now having transferred my Amex Gold points to Virgin rather than somewhere else.

  • @Stonehampress
    @Stonehampress Месяц назад +1

    It’s funny- just last night I was looking for flights for my next tier point run in August and saw the hiked up prices for the Sri Lanka flights. I’ve always done US based ones before- seems the cheapest way to do it now in combination with some BA holidays. I’ve found some interesting options from the US while I’m there but not sure I’ll publicise 🤣

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      There's still opportunities out there...

  • @CallumElsdon
    @CallumElsdon Месяц назад +3

    Excellent video, Matt.
    May I ask what you think of Puerta Princesa? Went to El Nido a couple years back, which was great but maybe a bit touristy - as the main town on Palawan, I would guess Puerta Princesa has a bit more going on outside touristy stuff?
    Also, which airline did you grab down to PPS?

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks Callum. PP was a bit of a disappointment actually... Relatively little touristy there - quite a logistic centre for the island as I think the main port is there. I probably made a mistake by staying in town as there are some attractions close by but there's not a lot to do in the city itself. El Nido I think is the better option - visually and in terms of things to do. I flew Philippine Air down (quite a saga actually - the video will be along in due course but I actually made a profit on the flight!!!!) then Cebu Pacific back

    • @loftyD
      @loftyD Месяц назад +1

      @@MattsPlanet have you flown to Tacloban and Leyte Island? Been there many times and love it there

  • @inpez7514
    @inpez7514 Месяц назад +1

    Very sad about the Sri Lanka tier point increase. What's the 2nd best option in terms of achieving tier points? An ExEU flight to the US?

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      ex-Dublin wasn't terrible when I looked a week or two back....

  • @DavidP-w9y
    @DavidP-w9y Месяц назад +1

    Dromomania? I think that I might be falling into that situation as following retirement I have a lot of time on my hands and the increasing urge to fly and explore. 👍

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      That's what retirement is for! Enjoy

  • @wv_
    @wv_ Месяц назад +1

    I would love a video on the dark side of life: sky team and star alliance… for example if I get good status on SA what it’s like from T2. Does the Singapore lounge beat Cathay etc…

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      As you may have seen in my Aegean video, I tried to make that exact video!!! Thwarted though by Aegean making a mistake.... I do have another opportunity in February though....

  • @lawrencehoward2635
    @lawrencehoward2635 Месяц назад +2

    Brunchgate has got me planning to make several trips on Finair or Qatar. Still get my OneWorld Tier points. Not directly because of #ToFlyToStarve but more because you now can't trust BA to deliver what you book. People flying now in Club World and getting a cheese sandwich (When WT+ are still getting a meal too!) paid for those tickets when it was still marketed as a decent meal. So they have shown you can't trust them to provide what you have bought

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Indeed... Qatar does have a habit of changing equipment on you but at least they still feed you!

  • @Nova-gk1wl
    @Nova-gk1wl Месяц назад +1

    Worth noting that airlines don't pay the prevailing public rate when they rebook passengers onto other airlines. Provided the rebooking is done within 24 hours of travel they can invoke IATA Resolution 735d, which means they instead pay something around the average fare that the other airline receives on that route/flight.
    Obviously that's still likely to have involved paying more than the fare they charged.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I suspected that concessionary pricing was available, but didn't know the detail... Still more than the £800 they were charging

  • @ss-xy2im
    @ss-xy2im Месяц назад +9

    The virgin changes read like a horror film. It's the biggest devaluation i ever suffered on my points

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +2

      I'm not sure I'd agree - if you want a peak time seat on a premium route - it will cost you more but you probably wouldn't have got that seat anyway....

    • @ss-xy2im
      @ss-xy2im Месяц назад

      @MattsPlanet most times i flew upper i booked within a month if travel, to do the same now would cost minimum double

    • @lilacspooge
      @lilacspooge Месяц назад +1

      It’s created some bargain points for economy but eye watering points for premium and upper… but as you say, probably wouldn’t have been offered.

  • @johns4651
    @johns4651 Месяц назад +2

    Love your channel. But I am not sure about spending money on TP runs. People who are genuine frequent fliers would achieve status, well, by flying. Infrequent fliers who do TP runs, well, they are infrequent fliers so the benefits of status will not be used "frequently". I think this is only suitable for genuine frequent fliers who are just a little but short of Silver or Gold. But is seems a lot of people do it just for status. My opinion is, pick places you want to visit and build status that way. But I acknowledge the edge cases where it makes sense.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Absolutely - wise words. Paying money to get status, then leaving it in the drawer and not travelling to benefit from it makes no sense!!!!

  • @davidf6326
    @davidf6326 Месяц назад +1

    Quick question for you Matt.
    In October we flew from Beijing to LHR on China Southern. We originally booked through the BA website on a BA aircraft, but (as you may be aware) BA decided to stop flying to Beijing and our flight was one of the casualties. As such, BA rebooked us on China Southern.
    China Southern are a BA partner but not OneWorld. As such, I believe we're entitled to Avios (though I've had to put in a claim, because they weren't forthcoming), but I'm not sure where we stand with tier points. Ordinarily we wouldn't get any for flying with a non-OneWorld partner airline, but as the change was forced on us by BA (and rebooked by them), do you think it might be worth a phone call?
    Sorry, that wasn't quite as quick a question as I promised 😁

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Its certainly worth asking.... If things change when you're travelling, you can make an ORC claim - original routing credit - and should get the tier points (and avios) you booked even if you didn't fly on a OneWorld airline in the end. How far in advance of travel the disruption occurred is the question. I'd worry that BA will say you accepted the rebooking onto a non OneWorld airline so would have forfeit the tier points by doing so - you would get star alliance points though.... Certainly worth asking, and worth asking when you are accepting the rebooking... If you get a chance, let me know how it goes as its an interesting data point

    • @davidf6326
      @davidf6326 Месяц назад

      @@MattsPlanet Thanks Matt. I gave BA a call yesterday and I'll let you know how it pans out.

  • @yepthatsme83
    @yepthatsme83 Месяц назад +1

    I am actually considering stop chasing the status. Lately is quite challenging. I am starting to enjoy get a good deal for business, do some upgrades with avios I get through shopping portal and then if I feel fancy, sit at Fortnum & Mason before my flight. Lounges are getting so packed you don't feel it's exclusive anymore.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      I can see how that could work! And when BA converts to revenue based status, I'll be on the stool next to you at Fortnum's!

    • @yepthatsme83
      @yepthatsme83 Месяц назад

      @MattsPlanet oh yeah, they will probably soon stop giving so many points through shopping. 🤐

  • @alexeirojasfedorushchenko2575
    @alexeirojasfedorushchenko2575 Месяц назад +1

    Hi Matt, great video!
    Is it possible to transfer miles for redemptions between air line schemes, star alliance in my case?

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks. No - once points are in a scheme they're locked into that scheme. I think one or two may allow a transfer to hotel schemes but not between airline schemes. Avios can be moved between BA, Finnair, Iberia and Aer Lingus but they're avios and have an existence outside of those airlines

  • @pwcinla
    @pwcinla Месяц назад +1

    I'm now thinking of abandoning the VA loyalty ship, but don't know where to go. I'm US based and fly the LAX-LHR route the most. Any suggestions?

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Living in the US its tough... Delta might be the logical choice but that's even worse than Virgins! Remember though that off peak redemptions are now possibly better value and Virgin's scheme is still good for redemptions on SkyTeam partners

  • @justins6113
    @justins6113 Месяц назад +1

    I think you would be impressed if you travelled on Virgin‘s new A330Neo to a destination like Tampa in Florida and enjoy the night at the fantastic Thunderbirds-esque Tampa Airport Marriott which is almost as good as the TWA hotel in New York JFK for plane spotting.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      It sounds like fun... Does Virgin serve better food on Tampa flights???

  • @derekbryce2632
    @derekbryce2632 Месяц назад +1

    UL cancelled the CMB-CGK leg of my TP run next month, Matt, putting me on EY instead. Any hope of still getting my TPs on a non-OW carrier? Not my fault UL decided to cancel. I tried to get them to rebook me on UL CMB-KUL and a MH/UL codeshare KUL-CGK but weirdly they said no.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      The reports are that the lunch offering in premium economy is better than in business with these changes....

  • @jayb2124
    @jayb2124 Месяц назад +1

    Good video- what’s the best flight forum?

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I'd say my Patreon group's WhatsApp.... But I'm probably biased!

  • @webstereo
    @webstereo Месяц назад +1

    I’d be curious to know how busy their bus class is now?

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I doubt there'll be an exec club members on there to report back!!!!

  • @ponsaelius6276
    @ponsaelius6276 Месяц назад +1

    Booked my Sri Lanka to Jakarta a while back pleased I did fly in feb 2025 with a connection to Vietnam same terminal,would this mean no visa ?

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Transfers are possible there although across airlines and alliances is always a bit of a gamble... They won't let you on the plane if its not possible!

  • @RandomLifeProductions
    @RandomLifeProductions Месяц назад +1

    Well food on my Dublin to LCY was rubbish, a cheese board with no bread or crackers… Not the best to be honest. Mind you the quanta’s first lounge at LAX was amazing with really nice table service. The Amex lounge was good for drinks but not much else. The American Airlines first was disappointing…

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I've tried to get in the Qantas F lounge in LA 3 times and never made it in....

    • @RandomLifeProductions
      @RandomLifeProductions Месяц назад

      @ must have been my lucky day then, it was quiet on a Friday afternoon. It’s well worth a visit though.

  • @timtony7153
    @timtony7153 Месяц назад +1

    Hi Matt,
    As you rightly say, it is their scheme, they want to maximise profits, so they do as they see fit. If it was me I wouldn't have used the phrase' our customers mean the world to us' before gutting the possibility for most to ever again aspire a once in a lifetime flight, but hey...
    For me brunch gate, etc are all wagons of a parade coming past that I smile at, wave at, popcorn in hand, before spending my money with companies worthy of my hard earned cash!!!
    Stay well
    Thomas

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Thanks Thomas - good attitude! It's annoying if you had a trip in mind with an airline.... BA is still pretty good on the 66% of flights not affected by these changes!

  • @peetbothma1500
    @peetbothma1500 Месяц назад +1

    Thanks Matt. Everything keeps going up😱. Finding it just about impossible to get a seat for miles or upgrades on Star Alliance. At least one can still get into half decent lounges😂 Trust you had a cooling beverage to re-hydrate while cooling off in the pool🍻🍻😎🇿🇦

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks! When I lived there I used to love San Miguel Super Dry but I only found it in one place.... Had to make do with the regular pilsen, which wasn't a great ordeal!

    • @peetbothma1500
      @peetbothma1500 Месяц назад

      @MattsPlanet Had the San Muguel in Hong Kong many moons ago. Was very nice🍻

  • @douglewis7067
    @douglewis7067 Месяц назад +1

    Overall, I like the Virgin Changes. It was annoying to search cross-airline rewards for bargains, only to have to Lowest Price results constantly be Virgin Atlantic flights with $800+ surcharges.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      Thanks so much for being rational! A lot of people still aren't being that.... But if you're able to travel off-peak or at unpopular times, there's value out there now...

  • @andywatterson4161
    @andywatterson4161 Месяц назад +2

    That wasn’t a bug!!
    That was some sort of pterodactyl 😮

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I didn't get its phone number!

  • @DriverJD
    @DriverJD Месяц назад +1

    BA could significantly reduce their waste by enabling pre ordering in CW and First. I don't really have a massive issue with the supper service, but the brunch situation is ridiculous. I'm due to fly CW to Barbados on a cash fare in April and really hope that the brunch decision is reversed as my flight departs Heathrow at 11:25.
    Virgin do not know what they want to be I think. They could be so much better, but are completely misguided from the top.
    I would be interested to see if BA extends their double tier point holiday promotion. It certainly encourages people to book with them.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks - 11:25 is so close to the cut-off! Fingers crossed.... One of my patrons dug out the old emails from BA about extensions to the double TP promotion and there's been 3 extensions and they all happened 4 or 5 months before the existing window ended. So an announcement in Jan or Feb is most likely...

    • @DriverJD
      @DriverJD Месяц назад

      @MattsPlanet interesting! Thanks for the info on the potential time for an announcement of the Double TP promo.
      My holiday is MAN-BGI connecting at LHR which should yield a decent amount of TPs.

  • @passenger77-UK
    @passenger77-UK Месяц назад +2

    Blimey! Was that a bat! 🦇 🤣

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Not sure what it was but I didn't enjoy it nibbling my ankle!

  • @derekbryce2632
    @derekbryce2632 Месяц назад +1

    ... and UL has now cancelled my CMB - AUH leg on top of the CMB - CGK one. That makes 2/4 on this TPR. I'm beginning to take it personally. What a shower of amateurs.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      Its starting to look like they're picking on you!

  • @Fat_Cat_747
    @Fat_Cat_747 Месяц назад +1

    At least it wasn't a Japanese Giant Hornet !

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I don't know what it was but it wasn't fun!

  • @VeganWithAraygun
    @VeganWithAraygun Месяц назад +1

    I have no problems with the airline formerly known as Air Lanka (Sri Lankan Airlines). In 1991-2 they were more than generous with their service to us peasants in the basic economy section. But be careful if you're in transit to India or another destination. The guy who reviewed my passport and connection flight info at Columbo airport tried to extract a bribe until I spotted the problem. Be on guard!

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      I'd like to say that an experience 33 years ago isn't representative of what happens to day but I didn't immigrate when I did this trip so I don't know for certain!

    • @VeganWithAraygun
      @VeganWithAraygun Месяц назад

      ​@@MattsPlanetThanks sir. I'm your new subscriber and appreciate your wisdom, expertise and experience. I will soon contribute more of my views on Virgin Atlantic. As I've mentioned here and elsewhere previously, Delta Airlines is like Anheuser-Busch. If they don't already own at least 51% controlling interest, they soon will. Their 49% interest might as well be controlling, given the weight which they are capable of pushing around 😤😠

  • @dddtheman1441
    @dddtheman1441 Месяц назад +2

    Glad you survived your bug attack… nearly as bad as actually flying Virgin currently!

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      I did indeed survive. Landed right on my ankle and had a nibble which I didn't enjoy....

  • @Traumahawk007
    @Traumahawk007 Месяц назад +1

    Starving Matt? Airlines are a business margins are tight and yes can’t stand wasted food. Perhaps pre orders is the way forward

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +1

      You'd think - but getting anything changed in BA's world of IT seems harder than just starving everyone....

  • @r12004rewy
    @r12004rewy Месяц назад +1

    BA seem to do everything they can to alienate themselves from their fare paying passengers, particularly those who are playing premium prices for what is a mediocre standard.
    Get back to reality BA passenger perception is pretty poor and further cost cutting won't win back passengers.

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад

      I saw the first suggestion today that BA may be back-pedalling...

  • @GG-hi5if
    @GG-hi5if Месяц назад +4

    AUH-CGK now dead. Thanks for publicising the route. 😊
    People killed the IHG Diamond hack as well by constantly rabbiting on about it.

    • @davidbalcon8726
      @davidbalcon8726 Месяц назад

      This UL fare was hardly a secret so can’t blame Matt or any other vlogger/blogger for the fare increase. The IHG Diamond hack was clearly an attempt at fraudulently retaining that status tier.

    • @roybackhouse117
      @roybackhouse117 Месяц назад +1

      It’s not dead. It’s resting……

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +4

      I really hope my measly channel made enough of a difference to an entire airline for them to change the pricing because of me....

    • @GG-hi5if
      @GG-hi5if Месяц назад

      @@MattsPlanetIt was intended as a sarcastic compliment!

  • @Barra32
    @Barra32 Месяц назад +1

    Roy

  • @matt-vk1ny
    @matt-vk1ny Месяц назад +1

    Matt, surely you and your fellow creators are now victims of your own success? With a globalised world these airline marketing departments must pick up on all of the content about them and this tier point run has finally been canned? It seems there are no secrets anymore so every year you will find one avenue of success closed for good as a result of all the publicity it gets

    • @MattsPlanet
      @MattsPlanet  Месяц назад +2

      It's hard to believe a small RUclips channel makes a difference but I suspect it did. Still have people grumpy with me for sharing the lounge at the B gates of T5....