British Airways Ends AARP Discount Program

Part of the new "K-shaped economy". The airlines are moving into more luxury offerings and less at the lower ends.

from kottke.org this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlNBdUDeoT4

[snip]
American Airlines is changing the layout of some of their aircraft to add 31 first class and premium seats while cutting out 73 economy seats. This is the hot new trend in air travel: pulling out all the stops to cater to the wealthy.

[snip]
For years, airlines have made more money from their credit cards than from actually flying passengers around. And these days, premium seating is bringing in more revenue than the economy cabin. It’s a perfect example of the K-shaped economy.

--- for what "K-shaped economy" actually is and you don't want to watch the video:

https://www.usbank.com/corporate-and-commercial-banking/insights/economy/macro/k-shaped-economy.html

https://apnews.com/article/kshaped-economy-spending-income-inequality-dfa59144ecb2e1b674242666e28ff556

United Airlines is about to change the way it awards miles/points.

If you don't have a United credit card, or status, you won't get any discount or as many miles. It will also depend on how much you spend for a ticket.

Hotel programs are also changing. Hilton will no longer rollover extra nights into the next next year. They also added a new level, Diamond Reserve. It takes 80 nights and an annual spend of $18,000 to qualify. They also lowered the number of nights needed for Diamond to 50 from 60.

It's to compete with Marriott's Bonvoy program. However, it's also devaluing the regular Diamond level which used to be the highest.

My prediction is that award programs for airlines and hotels will diminish over the next few years and only be of value to the high spenders.

"...award programs for airlines and hotels will diminish over the next few years and only be of value to the high spenders. "

Seems like a good bet. Biggest "maybe" is it doesn't look like "stable" is in the immediate (and who knows after) future. Any kind of accuracy gets shorter and shorter time periods.

NO NO NO!
I'm also in San Diego and have stacked these discounts for years. Thanks for sharing, but I'm so disappointed. Glad I'm already booked for Spring.
I noticed that business class out of LAX has been high this year. In the past, when San Diego was costly, we would drive to LAX for lower prices. But with the World Cup and 2028 Olympics already ( presumably) increasing the demand for LAX, I guess that s not happening.
Itsv, thanks again for sharing.

@Pat,
I was specifically thinking of you when I learned this news since you too had posted in the past about stacking the two discounts to get more affordable fares out of San Diego. I am disappointed too. I also would use those two discounts for when my adult children wanted to go to Europe since they have less money than I do and the discounts would enable them to pay for premium economy RT for less than $1K.

I am hoping to take my sister to Europe for her first time there next year. I am now playing the credit card game of getting a new BA credit card in my name and charging enough to get the bonus avios and companion fare coupon. My husband and I are leaving for Ireland next week and doing those tricks got us two RT business class seats for 200k avios and $1800 total out of San Diego.

Like other posters have metioned, with all the changes in airline, hotel and credit card perks, you practically need a full-time job to stay on top of them. I just am glad that years ago I was able to take my children to many place around the world because BA used to run $99 one-way specials out of San Diego. Fortunately in my old age I put enough away for retirement that I can afford the lay-flat seats necessary for long travel due to health issues and leg injury, but even I have my limits as to what I will spend.

Thanks itsv. I remember pre-covid when BA actually had real sales out of San Diego, and we would get business class for under $2000 RT each. Those days are gone.
At least we get the new business class seats on BA in San Diego.
I'm going to start monitoring the SFO rates for 2027. I have a granddaughter in the Bay Area, and could combine jaunts.
Keep us posted if you hear anything else.