FlyBe - 6

[lfc84]

never any availability anyway on flights to those destinations.

i emailed and asked them a few months ago when summer 11 was released and i asked them to demonstrate any availability because i could not find any.

to date there has been no reply.

rewards4all is not much value to me. since you pay the tax, for my routes is around £60, i find that if i can book far enough in advance i can beat that price with a revenue ticket.

[Tonyq]

I agree that it can be quite difficult to generate significant cash savings from redeeming these points, for the reasons you mention, and I too have chosen to pay cash, on occasion, rather than 'waste' the points. However, between IOM and LGW, for example, you can save up to £58 on a round trip for 16 points, once the higher cash fares have kicked in on the booking engine.

In my experience, the way to obtain the optimum value from 'Rewards 4 All' is to redeem 11 points per sector and book Economy Plus. That way, you get the cash saving difference the basic fare, plus a free bag each way, lounge access and inflight catering. That adds up to a possible benefit of around £90 on the example above. That makes each point worth c£4.

Obviously this only works if you need to take bags and have time to use the lounges.

Bearing in mind that it is a very simple scheme, once you have set it up, I consider it worthwhile and I do get some value from it, from time to time.

[lfc84]

Hi Tony - I agree with your comments. Econ plus is worthwhile. However, I seldom require such a ticket or redemption.

[Haven't a clue]

Tonyq You're absolutely right about Economy Plus redemptions being good value. I have taken 3 IOM/LGW redemption flights this year for trips involving onward long haul flights. The value to me is in the baggage allowance, which, as I usually take 2 bags, is worth £84 alone.

But please don't tell FlyBe. Lounge access became a popular redemption and last year they almost doubled the points required (both me and the missus didn't bother renewing our lounge cards). I really wouldn't want to lose this valuable benefit, which has encouraged me to often favour BE over RE for my frequent London trips.

[macuser]

Rewards4all

I tend to keep my points for more last minute travel plans when the sector fare costs have risen.

Incidentally, now that there is a new Flybe baggage tariff, on the JER-LGW flights BA are very competitive especially if you dial Flybe's 23kg baggage allowance into the equation so that it is "like for like". Plus, of course, you can choose your seat with BA for free when checking in on-line. I actually found BA flights to now be somewhat cheaper than a Flybe points "free fare" fight!

[Owlery]

Rewards4all

The problem with trying to use Rewards4all for last minute flights is that the chances of actually booking an available flight seem to be minimal. Even trying to book months ahead, you have to accept flights that are inconvenient (perhaps one leg will suit, but the return will then be on the wrong day). And because you're looking so far ahead, the majority of the fare is likely to be taxes and charges anyway.

I've used Rewards4all points for an Economy Plus flight, but it wasn't good value. I didn't have any luggage, and there was no time to use the lounge. I could have booked a full-fare Economy flight for only a little more. The main benefits were being able to select a seat, and a voucher for food and drink. Not much, really. In theory you can change the flight without charge; but only to another "free" return flight.

Also, several routes have NO Rewards4all seats available, ever.

I rate the scheme as pretty mean overall. Although the BA Miles scheme seems rather stingy too (to say the least). So I suppose we have to accept that these "loyalty" schemes are simply marketing ploys with little substance behind them.

[EI-BUD]

the heavy demand for flight redemptions on what is actually just a small number of the routes Flybe operates is putting huge pressure on some of our most popular ’sea and sun’ routes such as those to Spain and Portugal. As our network evolves over the next few years this situation is unlikely to change.

This is similar to the experience that Pan Am had in the US when it was around. Some flights on the popular routes to the caribean were filled with passengers on air miles.

I feel that the airlines give away as little as possible and if the passengers want to use there real reward to fly to Portugal or the sun routes Flybe should be accepting them, even if they did need to increase the threashold. It is also relevant that many business travellers who organise their own flight arrangement like the perk of air miles (reward 4 all) so that they can use their cumulative miles to get a good deal on a family summer holiday.

I am a member of Diamond Club and have accrued a strong balance but only see a value on redeeming the miles when it is for Long Haul Travel. Redemption is only for travel at least 7 days from today and when compared to the competition on many markets dont represent a good deal. However, bmi can say that when compared to their published fare for the same flight is alot more expensive. Debatable topic, and Bmi would be one of the more generous loyalty schemes.

EI-BUD

[bmaviscount]

Edi-Manston routing

I was surprised when flying this route last week, that it didn't fly down the East coast. It actually overflew Heathrow and routed south of London.
Why does it take this strange route?

[Boeing 77W]

CAS

Not sure on the layout of airspace on the East Coast. It could possibly be something to do with Flybe's policy on staying in CAS where possible...?

[GusHoneybun]

Fresh floatation rumours. Also a strong pointer to Flybaboo being one of the takeover targets. My guess is Finncomm is the finnish airline quoted here.

[ib26uk]

Does anybody know how to ADD a HOLD bag onto a flybe booking?

I`m flying BHX-EDI on Monday 22nd November - My plan was originally BHX-EDI-BHX... Circumstances have changed and I need to go to from EDI-LHR (BA) but need to add a hold bag for the BHX-EDI leg of my trip

Not sure how to add a bag for one leg of a flight with flybe without being charged to bring it back on a flight I wont be flying on

OR would I be best going to BHX and paying there to take a bag on the plane? - How much would it be at the airport for me to take a bag on the plane?

Anybody know ?! Thank you !!

[Boeing 77W]

Not sure about adding a bag for only one sector on the flight but to purchase the bag at the airport it's £30 for a 20kg allowance

[Cloud1]

bag on 1 sector

I think it is a hitch with the site and its being sorted - for the time being contact reservations on 0871 700 2000 and they will honour the internet price for bags for the one sector.

C1 (everyone's friend on Pprune )

[ib26uk]

Thanks guys !!

£30... Seems alot

[Hull City AFC]

Humberside

Does anyone know if Flybe are going to add any more routes from Humberside for Summer 2011.

[GROUNDHOG]

I knew Jim French from the 60's it would be great to see Flybe finally on the stock market and wish everyone there the best in exciting times.Well done to all involved.

[isitcheerie]

Flybe Flotation?

Yesterday's Sunday Times reported that Flybe's board decided last week to float the airline on the stockmarket. No surprises there, but it went on to say that funds raised would be used to expand the airline by purchasing two other carriers - anyone care to make bets? Eastern/Air Southwest? Aurigny/Blue Islands? Air France/KLM? Aer Arran/Aer Lingus? Nothing coming out of Exeter so something must be going on......

[G-AWZK]

The article mentioned flyBaboo and a Finnish airline.

[NorthernCounties]

Just wondering when the 175's eventually join the flee, what is the likely out come for Flybe. New bases? Or retiring some of the Dash's? Any ideas/rumours where FB would be interested in setting up shop in the UK and Ireland?

[Aero Mad]

NC, first route is LGW - GCI, starting Sept. 2011. Was utilising the 146s but the runway can't take the 195s at the moment - they are about to rebuild it, however.