British Airways Backtracks when overhauling the advantages of the frequent flyer clubs

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British Airways has withdrawn some changes to his new loyalty program and the Premium cabin catering after a counter reaction from frequent flyers.

The airline triggered a controversy in December when it announced comprehensive changes to its most common Flyer Club, through which passengers collect points in order to unlock advantages including access to Bas lounge.

From April, BA’s “animal points” will be awarded on the basis of the costs for flights or package holidays instead of the travel class and the length of the trips.

A “animal point” is deserved for each pound with the exception of taxes. Bronze is now awarded with 3,500 points, silver with 7,500 points and gold with 20,000 points.

On Wednesday, BA realized for the first time that these changes had annoyed many frequent flyers. “We heard that our members wanted more clarity, certainty and calming,” said Colm Lacy, Chief Commercial Officer.

Although the changes by some members and travel experts are considered relatively minor, Lacy said that BA would optimize the new program so that very frequent flyers regardless of how much they spent, only on the basis of the number of flights they are doing had to earn, regardless of how much they spent.

Customers can now earn the status of the bronze status by carrying out 25 flights per year or “silver” by taking 50 flights to soothe people who commute on short, comparatively inexpensive flights.

The airline has also expanded an offer of “bonus points” for bookings this year to help Flyern keep its current status under the changes.

“Our members have a deep emotional connection to our loyalty scheme and their status means a lot – we are confident what changes we have rewarded for your trip with us,” said Lacy.

Bas change to a loyalty program that is based on how much passengers spend on their flights or public holidays, brings it into harmony with many of its competitors.

The competing Virgin Atlantic last month aimed at frequent flyers who have promised to meet the status of BA members “Gold” and “Silver” Executive Club when they switched to his loyalty program.

Some frequent flyers welcomed the changes to BA, and cited lounges, who were overcrowded with passengers, had accumulated enough points to reach the top silver and gold levels.

But Rob Burgess, editor of the frequent flyer website Head for Points, said that the Tweaks BA announced on Wednesday were “fundamentally window cladding” and added that “nothing was here to move the needle for most”.

The airline has also broke back some unpopular changes in the catering options in the areas of economy and first-class.

Last year it used menu options for long -haul flights that left in the morning or late in the evening. Instead of lunch, the passengers were offered a lighter “brunch” on the flights between 8.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. The flights that leave after 9 p.m. also had reduced menu options.

But the airline this year introduced the Fuller meals for the criticism of frequent flyers.