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BA Status - Gold and Silver

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Butts

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I have just achieved Silver status scraping in with 480 points from purely UK Flights over the last three months.

I have come to realise how useful it is particularly when reserving seats for free at the point of booking. Yesterday my trip to Florida with my Son next summer in WTP would have cost £292 to secure Front Row Seats. Today it cost nothing.

You also get the Lounge Benefits as well even when not travelling Business Class. I think a lot of people with status on shorthaul seem to reserve the Exit Row Seats in Economy for free and utilise the Lounge for refreshments beforehand. On BA Citlyflyer you do get a Bar Service and snack but on BA proper it's a bottle of water and a snack.

The benefits are certainly an attractive proposition and will make me fly more often than getting the Train - not that I needed much persuasion anyway.

How do other beneficiaries of said status feel about it ?
 
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nlogax

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How do other beneficiaries of said status feel about it ?

Been silver for a few years now. Tbh during the pandemic it's been a bit of a waste but now knowing I'm going to make the tier again in time for spring 2022 is nice, helps that the points threshold remains lower than normal. At some point I may cease pursuing status. Ideally I'd like to fly a bit less and take the train a bit more where possible.
 

AlterEgo

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I've been Gold for several years. The best benefit is extra Economy seats available for redemptions even on very busy flights. That saved me about £275 in one urgent trip to Edinburgh a few years ago.
 

Brooke

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I’ve been back and forth between Gold and Silver for the last decade or so.

My personal view: Silver is worth having if you travel fairly often in Economy, since it allows lounge access, seat selection, fast track etc. that you wouldn’t otherwise have. Gold I’m not that bothered about.

(That said, I’d be delighted as well if I didn’t have to fly at all (especially in this Covid era) and hence lost all my status!)
 

EssexGonzo

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I had many years of Gold and Silver as a business traveller, but have not had either for c. 6 years now. I don’t miss it.

The benefits have been trimmed over the years and I became very cynical about those who were very self satisfied about their achievement of “status”. I’ve never valued “status” - it implies perceived superiority and a higher position in the “hierarchy”. I would cringe whenever I saw a prominent gold or silver luggage tag, clearly designed to send a message.

BA miles or Avios or Airmiles (what are they called now?) were more useful for hire cars and hotels. But you had to buy higher price flights to accumulate a reasonable number. But still a useful benefit.

In real terms, the lounges were OK but I never really saw them as a benefit over and above facilities in the wider airport. Again, a high proportion of smug people. (I know this will trigger a few people - I don’t mean everyone).

Also, in this day and age……..a “club” encouraging us to fly more often? Is that really what the planet needs?
 

Brooke

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I had many years of Gold and Silver as a business traveller, but have not had either for c. 6 years now. I don’t miss it.

The benefits have been trimmed over the years and I became very cynical about those who were very self satisfied about their achievement of “status”. I’ve never valued “status” - it implies perceived superiority and a higher position in the “hierarchy”. I would cringe whenever I saw a prominent gold or silver luggage tag, clearly designed to send a message.

BA miles or Avios or Airmiles (what are they called now?) were more useful for hire cars and hotels. But you had to buy higher price flights to accumulate a reasonable number. But still a useful benefit.

In real terms, the lounges were OK but I never really saw them as a benefit over and above facilities in the wider airport. Again, a high proportion of smug people. (I know this will trigger a few people - I don’t mean everyone).

Also, in this day and age……..a “club” encouraging us to fly more often? Is that really what the planet needs?
Very nicely said!

I’ve also always especially cringed at the bag tags - I’m not particularly proud that I’m part of some apparently “exclusive club” of people who have to (or get to) travel more than others.

I take the benefits because they come as part of my default regular travel routes, but I certainly never going looking for them.

I wonder if there’s a bag-tag-displaying member here to give their alter-view - would genuinely be interested to hear!
 

Butts

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Very nicely said!

I’ve also always especially cringed at the bag tags - I’m not particularly proud that I’m part of some apparently “exclusive club” of people who have to (or get to) travel more than others.

I take the benefits because they come as part of my default regular travel routes, but I certainly never going looking for them.

I wonder if there’s a bag-tag-displaying member here to give their alter-view - would genuinely be interested to hear!

It might have been me but you don't get them anymore or a physical card - only Gold retains the choice between virtual and real cards/tags :oops:
 

Cdd89

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I've had a few years at CCR level with them. They didn't include that as part of the Covid extensions, which was a bit frustrating, although the Guest List component got renewed and is actually the more useful element. I have a feeling that I'll never do that much annual flying again (I also had top tier status on two other airlines...) - much of my work that generated it has disappeared, probably permanently - which is probably no bad thing to be honest.
 

EssexGonzo

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I've had a few years at CCR level with them. They didn't include that as part of the Covid extensions, which was a bit frustrating, although the Guest List component got renewed and is actually the more useful element. I have a feeling that I'll never do that much annual flying again (I also had top tier status on two other airlines...) - much of my work that generated it has disappeared, probably permanently - which is probably no bad thing to be honest.

I look back at my time flying for business and don’t regret at all that my need to fly has disappeared. It’s very wasteful and by some (not me, or you, I presume) it’s seen as a badge of honour. “Look at me, I’m flying for work, I’m more special than you staying put in the office”. They tend to say “I can’t do that meeting at that time because I’m in Frankfurt/Gibraltar/Geneva” as opposed to “I can’t do that meeting at that time because I’m busy”. It infers status and prestige that they’ve been chosen to travel.

I’m pretty sure I was like that once and I cringe and apologise to my kids for the pollution and climate impact I made. I didn’t deliberately set out to do that but it does beat sitting in an office.
 

Cdd89

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Not only that, but the status itself becomes addictive for no other reason than that it’s there. Before you know it you’re taking 6 flights when a direct one exists, which at my level of activity was nothing short of insanity. And all for a status that, outside of air travel, is absolutely meaningless.

I think it’s important to have a sharp eye on what value status really gives. If it’s “free” lounge access then compare that to how many restaurant meals you’d buy; if it’s seat selection fees then how many times you’d otherwise pay for a seat. Often it’s the lesser known perks that are the most valuable, the additional award availability is mentioned above but the ability to force availability with 30 days’ notice for 2x the Avios amount is possibly the most valuable benefit.

My current feeling is that I will be shifting a large amount of my short-haul travel to Eurostar, so now it starts again with wondering whether CB status is worth pushing for given how cramped the St P waiting area otherwise is…
 

deltic

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In the days when I flew a lot for business I just took the cheapest or most convenient flight, hence had no brand loyalty and no points!
 

Butts

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I had my first unsolicited upgrade today travelling from Dublin to Edinburgh on the 2nd leg between LHR and EDI.

Handed my boarding pass over and it was replaced with a Club Europe one in exchange !!!

The Girl just said looks like you've been upgraded.

I don't know why this happened but it was a most welcome development. Went from a packet of crisps and a bottle of water to a meal and three Black Labels.

One thing I have learnt is it's vital to get a free exit seat in Economy (which is normally doable) as the regular ones are cramped even for a 1 Hour Flight.
 

zero

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BA tends to upgrade silver cardholders who fly economy a lot in the hope that they will purchase business class flights outright.

I was upgraded 5 times as a silver card holder. On several occasions I bought a cheap business class deal and once I was upgraded to first class.

Later I achieved gold and have never been upgraded since. My gold status has been extended 4 years without much flying because of the birth of my son and then covid.
 

Ianno87

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I had my first unsolicited upgrade today travelling from Dublin to Edinburgh on the 2nd leg between LHR and EDI.

Handed my boarding pass over and it was replaced with a Club Europe one in exchange !!!

The Girl just said looks like you've been upgraded.

I don't know why this happened but it was a most welcome development. Went from a packet of crisps and a bottle of water to a meal and three Black Labels.

One thing I have learnt is it's vital to get a free exit seat in Economy (which is normally doable) as the regular ones are cramped even for a 1 Hour Flight.

Starting to see what other people mean. Do we all take a drink every time @Butts mentions booze in a post as a sort of forum drinking game?
 

Butts

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Contrary to popular belief I am not an Alcoholic o_O

The only time I normally drink (apart from going out for a meal) is when it is complimentary in 1st Class on Trains, Business Class on Aeroplanes and in Airport Lounges.

The only booze to be found in my house are the Miniatures I have acquired on my travels (all untouched).

I rarely go to a Pub unless I am visiting my Son down south and would have a coffee 9/10 times if I was paying for beverages whilst travelling.

Freeloader would be a more appropriate designation :oops:
 

Brooke

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Random Q: Have BA rolled over all the statuses for another year?

Doesn’t impact me since I’m Silver again anyway based in this years travel, but I see my tier points expiry is still Nov 21, but card expiry is now Dec 22.

Could be helpful to others on this thread.
 

KeithMcC

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Random Q: Have BA rolled over all the statuses for another year?

Doesn’t impact me since I’m Silver again anyway based in this years travel, but I see my tier points expiry is still Nov 21, but card expiry is now Dec 22.

Could be helpful to others on this thread.
Not that I am aware of. I used to travel short haul a lot and found Silver useful mainly for lounge access and priority at security.
My workload has plummeted due to COVID and Brexit as getting in to continental Europe for work has been impossible or much harder, and I suspect I won't get near enough points this year to keep Silver.
Must do a decent holiday trip to use the many Avios I have accumulated over the last few years!
 

Airline Man

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I did yield management for BA for donkeys years. You would have been upgraded as Economy was overbooked against empty seats in Club. In a pre known overbooking situation Gold card holders would be the first to be upgraded with Silvers following.

But not all Gold card holders have the same status when it comes to overbooking. There is a ‘corporate value’ list in the system which values Gold card holders from 0-99 on the amount of budinesss they give to BA. The team behind the scenes will upgrade those passengers with the higher score.

You will only be upgraded if your booked cabin is overbooked. Generally.

Upgrades on short haul flights are less common due to the flexible cabin divider but common on long haul services with fixed cabins they are common. In the summer months business travel dies away but Economy travel grows so we often have empty seats in the premium cabins but are full down the back. It is then that we overbook Economy against the empty seats in Club World and First etc.

Oh and whilst I’m here, don’t ask for an upgrade the staff hear it every day days it really iritates them and the answer is NO.
 

221129

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My new pet peeve and very much a first world problem is the fact that you don't get a +1 on your fast track security. Luckily at Heathrow they let us both through Last week but at Madrid she got stopped after I scanned in so we both went to the main security where they then had to examine my boarding pass as the machines wouldn't accept it.
 

Butts

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My new pet peeve and very much a first world problem is the fact that you don't get a +1 on your fast track security. Luckily at Heathrow they let us both through Last week but at Madrid she got stopped after I scanned in so we both went to the main security where they then had to examine my boarding pass as the machines wouldn't accept it.

I'd not thought about that as I normally travel alone.

You could have a situation where your guest can accompany you to The Lounge but not get access to FTS.

Probably better that way than the other way around.
 

SickyNicky

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This was the situation. Which was annoying.
If you're gold, they'll still let you and a guest through the First Wing security at Heathrow just fine. And it's generally such a nicer experience going that way.
 

AlterEgo

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If you're gold, they'll still let you and a guest through the First Wing security at Heathrow just fine. And it's generally such a nicer experience going that way.
Yes, never had a problem at T5; it's the outstations where you will have a problem as it isn't an official benefit.

The First Wing at T5 is absolutely great and I never wait more than 5 minutes to get through security.

However, my favourite benefit of Gold is the ability to get into the Finnair Platinum Wing lounge in Helsinki, which has one of the best full service free restaurants on the network (btw, there's a benefit of not being in Schengen - using big international lounges! hehe).
 

SickyNicky

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Yes, never had a problem at T5; it's the outstations where you will have a problem as it isn't an official benefit.

The First Wing at T5 is absolutely great and I never wait more than 5 minutes to get through security.

However, my favourite benefit of Gold is the ability to get into the Finnair Platinum Wing lounge in Helsinki, which has one of the best full service free restaurants on the network (btw, there's a benefit of not being in Schengen - using big international lounges! hehe).
Yes, I remember enjoying the Sauna there. I also remember being turned away from there when it was being refurbed a couple of years ago and being put into some poky little lounge called "@home".

I must admit though, that my favourite benefit of gold is being able (pre-pandemic) to lounge hop T3. Some great lounges there.
 

Royston Vasey

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Random Q: Have BA rolled over all the statuses for another year?

Doesn’t impact me since I’m Silver again anyway based in this years travel, but I see my tier points expiry is still Nov 21, but card expiry is now Dec 22.

Could be helpful to others on this thread.
Status now rolled over a further year for TP collection years ending to March 2022. Would hope and expect April to June 2022 year end dates to be rolled over as well, mine is June. I’d already requalified by Jan 2020 through to Jul 2021 anyway, then it was renewed by a year to 2022. Will be tough to fly enough in time to earn renewal without a freebie though!
 

SickyNicky

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Status now rolled over a further year for TP collection years ending to March 2022. Would hope and expect April to June 2022 year end dates to be rolled over as well, mine is June. I’d already requalified by Jan 2020 through to Jul 2021 anyway, then it was renewed by a year to 2022. Will be tough to fly enough in time to earn renewal without a freebie though!
There will come some point that they'll have to put their foot down on extensions though. Hopefully not before my April renewal though :)
 

KeithMcC

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Status now rolled over a further year for TP collection years ending to March 2022. Would hope and expect April to June 2022 year end dates to be rolled over as well, mine is June. I’d already requalified by Jan 2020 through to Jul 2021 anyway, then it was renewed by a year to 2022. Will be tough to fly enough in time to earn renewal without a freebie though!
We can live in hope - my collection year ends in June as well and at the moment I am doing virtually no business travel!
 

Royston Vasey

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We can live in hope - my collection year ends in June as well and at the moment I am doing virtually no business travel!
My UK customers are getting a lot of love at the moment as they're the only ones I can visit! From new year I expect to be closer to normal and think I might be able to get in trips to America and Korea before Christmas!
 
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