British Airways Exec Club member moved to Australia

[Andy Ralphs]

Hi there,

I'm a BA Silver Exec club member that has just moved to Australia from the UK. I currently have about 200k avios points AND 2 unused companion tickets from my BA Amex that will expire in June 2013 and June 2014.

I have just found out that the companion tickets are only valid for use when flights originate from the UK (which I wont be doing in the next few years) and that BA wont let me move my address to anywhere in the South West Pacific to continue the BAEC membership anyway.

Has anyone ever had any luck with Qantas account transfers in these situations or should I just accept the companion tickets as lost and stick 2 fingers up to BA as they're doing to me?

 

[simongr]

No chance re account transfers (I assume you mean transferring your Avios to QF points?)

Do you have an alternate address in the UK - family member? That way you could "move in with your family member" and "occasionally spend time in Australia". That preserves your BA status (if any) and you can continue to credit flights to BA.

Can the companion tickets be used by anyone else?

 

[Canny man]

I regret not transferring across to QF as quickly as I could, you can't chase status as well over here due to the need to have 4 qualifying flights on BA metal.

I signed up to QF in the UK as overseas accounts don't pay the fee, and then changed address. You can then start to build QF status while living off your BA lounge access.

Also, I've had no problem booking domestic Oz flights with Avios. The seat availability is identical and if anything the 'tax/surcharge' cost is less.