British Airways Executive Club - BAEC black card?

Hi,
first post, so please bear with me, and I think this is the right place to ask....
I recently witnessed an argument in a BA lounge between a passenger armed with a black BAEC card, and the lady at the front desk. She did not recognise or accept the card, and was refusing him access to the lounge. He maintained that this was a perfectly valid card, "somewhat more serious than Gold", and that she should check with her manager. She did (over the phone), looked rather scared, and let him through with a great show of apology.
Is there a BA Centurion style card?
Thanks, R.

It was a BA Premier card - by invitation only. Amazing the lady did not know about it (if you go to the First lounge at LGW they even have a lounge access policy on display which specifies the conditions applicable to these cards for lounge access).

It could have been a British Airways American Express credit card, which does not give lounge access. Amex issue three types of these, the highest of which (Premium Plus) is black with a £120 annual fee (free if you have Amex Platinum). These cards cannot be used as a substitute for Executive Club membership cards. For photos of the cards, see:

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,12703,00.asp?

and

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/ecpartnrfin/execclub/_ba/en_gb

Sounds to me like BA need to retrain their staff on lounge access rules... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I'd love to see them try and refuse merry access to a lounge http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Thanks for the replies. nfh, good idea, but it was not an Amex - I recognise those, but this I didn't. I think Dr. Zhivago is probably on the right lines - I only have BA Silver, so I don't frequent the First lounge in LGW http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I'll look up this card, is it that much better than Gold?
R

"I'll look up this card, is it that much better than Gold?"

oooh, yes. It is an invitation only tier and is a shiny black colour. There arn't a great deal of them about. I don't think that BA publicly publish the details of what that level gives, Merry might be able to furnish with 1st hand info if he's about

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RichP:
I'll look up this card, is it that much better than Gold?
R</font>

RichP, you can't "look it up" as nothing is really published about it. It's never mentioned in the EC handbook, nothing on the BA website. If you do a search here you will find many threads about it.

Unfortunately, if you have never heard about it then you are never likely to get one as you obviously don't move in the right circles (like most of us!). It's invitation only and, as I understand it, only for those who are able to control/influence SIGNIFICANT amounts of spend on BA - more than any one person could spend so you don't get it just by flying a lot.

Thanks again for the info.
zauber - with regards to my aspirations, I don't often move in BA circles (UA 1k/GS).

what is the "black card" considered in regards to ow status? can a black card holder use any ow lounge too?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by azmmza:
what is the "black card" considered in regards to ow status? can a black card holder use any ow lounge too?</font>

OW Emerald, BA perks are same as gold but with some added personal service.

Prem card holders are by invite only.

Basically there is no rule book for them.

Everything is done on an indvidual basis for them.


2018

If I didn't know better than I'd think that this is a troll question http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RichP:
I don't often move in BA circles (UA 1k/GS).</font>

I don't know about you, but I DO often move in BA circles...

round and round and round and round somewhere to the West of Heathrow as we wait for a slot!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dr. Zhivago:
I don't know about you, but I DO often move in BA circles...

round and round and round and round somewhere to the West of Heathrow as we wait for a slot!</font>

Ah, the Legoland scenic route http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Doc-you took the words out of my mouth.Ilove the 20 minute announcement and in FC they are straightening the seat.But then tou feel the plane ascending.For those whom are senseless put a ball on the floor if it rolls backward you are now ascending and have begun your lego scenic route.Yet these supposed trained pros insist we are landing as said.Then God comes on the speaker a\k\a\ as the pilot and gives you the news.You see BA has alot of money to waste so they have it worked out with the jerks at BAA to circle for 15 minutes,ever wonder how many millions are lost by this?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by argent00:
Doc-you took the words out of my mouth.Ilove the 20 minute announcement and in FC they are straightening the seat.But then tou feel the plane ascending.For those whom are senseless put a ball on the floor if it rolls backward you are now ascending and have begun your lego scenic route.Yet these supposed trained pros insist we are landing as said.Then God comes on the speaker a\k\a\ as the pilot and gives you the news.You see BA has alot of money to waste so they have it worked out with the jerks at BAA to circle for 15 minutes,ever wonder how many millions are lost by this?</font>

HAHA! Yes, they keep saying we'll be on time yet you slowly feel the tilting to the left http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif then they say it will just be one circle when you feel the second turn start http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
HAHA! Yes, they keep saying we'll be on time yet you slowly feel the tilting to the left http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif then they say it will just be one circle when you feel the second turn start http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

Yes ScottC, what, however is "on time"...?

Is it the BA on time that includes the fifteen to twenty minutes of circling as a matter of course at LHR or is it actually "on time" (ie the time it really would take you to fly between the place you left from and LHR?)

Anyone can be on time (or heaven forbide - early) if they leave enough continegncy!

Why the "Legoland scenic route" of all things?!? Ahhhh, is it because it looks like Legoland from the height you circle at...doh!

or is it just because it's over legoland? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Why are we blaming BA for the fact that the aircraft regularly have to hold? This is an ATC issue, not BA's fault. The reason the FA's want the cabin prepared for landing, even though the aircraft is holding over Legoland, is because at any time ATC may give the order to exit the holding pattern and join the treck for landing.

Remember that if you are given a directive by an FA (such as to secure your seat for landing), you are legally obliged to follow that instruction - even if you think you know better.

A ball on the floor rolling towards the rear does not necessarily mean the aircraft is ascending. It may well be holding constant altitute with a positive angle of attack as is generally the case at low airspeed that would be experienced in a holding pattern.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NM:
This is an ATC issue, not BA's fault. </font>

Yes, but doesn't the latter own a large chunk of the former?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Remember that if you are given a directive by an FA (such as to secure your seat for landing), you are legally obliged to follow that instruction</font>

Obliged by the law, but compelled by the hairbrush http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Wingnut:
Yes, but doesn't the latter own a large chunk of the former?</font>
And ne'er the twain shall meet.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Obliged by the law, but compelled by the hairbrush http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

RichP, do a search on the premier card here or in the archives. You should find a few discussions by Merry on it.


[This message has been edited by bagold (edited 02-04-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Wingnut:
or is it just because it's over legoland? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif</font>

I never knew we had a Legoland in England?!!

I must go there sometime http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bond Boy:
[B] I never knew we had a Legoland in England?!!
B]</font>

on topic as normal here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

what would one gain by having a "black card"? i would think that in order to get on, you would need to fly on paid f anyways?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by azmmza:
what would one gain by having a "black card"? i would think that in order to get on, you would need to fly on paid f anyways?</font>

I don't think always flying in paid F will get you a black card. I think you have to be the CEO of some major corporation and it has to be approved by the BA board. Also, if you have a large contract with BA may get you one too.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by azmmza:
what would one gain by having a "black card"? i would think that in order to get on, you would need to fly on paid f anyways?</font>

For a Premier card, think MILLIONS. A ****load of F tickets won't get you anywhere.

Please let's not get this turning into another "where do I get it" thread. If you need to ask you don't qualify. There are just a few hundread prems, compared to over 65000 golds.

From Roger Collis' coulumn in last Friday's IHT:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">British Airways' Premier card trumps even Executive Club Gold Card members. It is acquired exclusively "by invitation of the BA board," a "club of clubs" made up of only 1,200 members from around the world - "captains of industry," BA says, "and people in the public eye."

Gerry Lydon, who heads BA's "special services" at Gatwick Airport outside London, says: "We're always there saying hello; recognition is what people appreciate. I think of us as being an extension of a Premier Club member's own organization or company."</font>

http://www.iht.com/articles/85176.html

Interesting article, but I still can't work out why the FBI agent was nodding at his car... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Wingnut:
Interesting article, but I still can't work out why the FBI agent was nodding at his car... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

I wondered about that, too ...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
HAHA! Yes, they keep saying we'll be on time yet you slowly feel the tilting to the left http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif then they say it will just be one circle when you feel the second turn start http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

I believe the appropriate question at that point is "On time? In which time zone?"

There are more than 1200 (we've discussed it before, under Ayling they sorta went nuts). You can get it with the right connections and half a mil of spending per year (control of that is).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bond Boy:
Yes ScottC, what, however is "on time"...?

Is it the BA on time that includes the fifteen to twenty minutes of circling as a matter of course at LHR or is it actually "on time" (ie the time it really would take you to fly between the place you left from and LHR?)

Anyone can be on time (or heaven forbide - early) if they leave enough continegncy!
</font>

Funny you should mention this.

Back in the days of BR (British Rail, not British Caledonian - settle down Pucci) there was a "Passengers Charter" - might still exist now that the system has been balkanized, can somebody help me out here?

Anyway, one of the provisions of the charter was that trains had to operate to a certain level of reliability - something like anything more than three minutes late at its destination counted as a "late" train. If reliability fell below a certain level (on a line by line basis, with different figures applying) then season ticket holders were entitled to discounts when they renewed their season tickets.

What happened? Timetables stayed the same for most of the journey, but the last few legs suddenly took longer - 5 or 10 minutes longer in some cases. All of a sudden, trains started arriving at their destinations EARLY. When delays occurred, trains could be 10 minutes late at their last stopping station and still be right time at the terminus.

These additional jounrey times were termed "Charter Minutes" - minutes added into the timetable to ensure that reliability was maintained, thus ensuring that the Passengers Charter was not invoked.

Of course, the fact that journey times using modern diesel or electric equipment were slower than jorneys 40 years ago using steam is completely beside the point......

Dave

I laugh when we leave late, circle for 20 minutes and still manage to arrive "early", how stupid do they think we are? (rhetorical question http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thadocta:
Funny you should mention this.

Back in the days of BR (British Rail, not British Caledonian - settle down Pucci) there was a "Passengers Charter" - might still exist now that the system has been balkanized, can somebody help me out here?
Dave</font>

It still exists, and season ticket holders still get a discount if all goes wrong. And the charter minutes are still there. That said, given the state of the railways in this country for the last 2 years payments have still been triggered.

I was looking at the poster on the tube this morning which shows the % of trains in service during rush hours. The Circle line managed 79%. At least BA do better than that.....

I have it from good authority that ScottC declined having a Premier card because there was no compimentary shoe-shine service...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Swanhunter:
It still exists, and season ticket holders still get a discount if all goes wrong. And the charter minutes are still there. That said, given the state of the railways in this country for the last 2 years payments have still been triggered.</font>

I don't know if it just the trains that I use, but I have found trains in the UK to be pretty good.

I usually base myself in Liverpool (served by the dreaded Vermin from London) but then, the West Coast Main Line is an abomination at the moment and will remain so for the foreseeable future, due to upgrading.

When I travel from my aunt's in Liverpool to my uncles in Stamford, I use Central Trains, and apart from the lack of First Class, I find them to be reliable.

Mostly though, I just show up and go, so train2 running 25 minutes late when there is a 30 minute frequency just wouldn't be noticed.

The only time I have been grossly inconvenienced was at Manchester Piccadilly going to Liverpool, being typical February, was raining, and I had to wait 3 hours for a train. But that is a one-off.

(Sorry for going way off topic).

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thadocta:
(Sorry for going way off topic).

Dave[/B]</font>

Dave this is going so far off topic I reccomend you visit this site http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.klsystems.co.uk/trains.htm

[This message has been edited by CTEASDEL (edited 02-06-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thadocta:
(Sorry for going way off topic).

Dave</font>

I think it's an official rule of the BA board that once we make page 2 we don't need to be on topic anymore. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by celbrian:
I have it from good authority that ScottC declined having a Premier card because there was no compimentary shoe-shine service...</font>

Nowadays when they need shining I just buy new ones.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC: I think it's an official rule of the BA board that once we make page 2 we don't need to be on topic anymore. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

I thought it was the second post not page http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by celbrian:
I have it from good authority that ScottC declined having a Premier card because there was no compimentary shoe-shine service...</font>

For his Manolos?? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blairvanhorn:
For his Manolos?? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif</font>

Oh-Puleez, Manolos are so 2000's...

As always your fashion sense is 3 years behind the rest of the world.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by CTEASDEL:
I thought it was the second post not page http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

I'll drink to that.

(it is the unOFFICIAL rule opf the Qantas board that alcohol must be mentioned at least once in a thread - so I am mentioning it here too).

Dave

It wasn't that far off topic, both mine and thadocta's posts had the letters b and a in them....just not togther http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Oh-Puleez, Manolos are so 2000's...

As always your fashion sense is 3 years behind the rest of the world.</font>

Sorry, dear, some things are just timeless (like Pucci).

Please also see:

http://www.iht.com/articles/85466.html

Blair, we've always known that " Balenciaga, Zurbaran, pom-poms and tassels" were so you...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blairvanhorn:
Sorry, dear, some things are just timeless (like Pucci).</font>

Yes dear, just like the Sydney Muddy Grass (and the Streatham Chariots, must be timeless, looks like it is a 1000 years old!)

Dave

BTW, I propose we vote to exile Suzy Menzes to septentrional Antartica.

if these was the aa board i know one moderator who would have closed this thread long ago http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by azmmza:
if these was the aa board i know one moderator who would have closed this thread long ago http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

It is very rare to see a closed thread in these parts. Abusive posts perhaps, but everything else is fair game http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by azmmza:
if these was the aa board i know one moderator who would have closed this thread long ago http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

closing threads on the BA board ... what a shocking thought. Im sure Pucci's hairbrush would have something to say on the matter if that were to happen

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Swanhunter:
It wasn't that far off topic, both mine and thadocta's posts had the letters b and a in them....just not together http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

Just like the immortal Morecambe and Wise sketch with 'Andrew Preview'. The Grieg Piano Concerto, (a wonderful piece by the way, with a haunting second movement), as played by Eric Morecambe, had all the right notes, but NOT necessarily in the right order!

Nostalgically Yours,

MeiNnkISn

PS nice to see my home town of LIVERPOOL mentioned. And the ETERNAL wait at Piccadilly for the train home.. (I studied at UMIST)... ... I thought it was only me who suffered that!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Nowadays when they need shining I just buy new ones.</font>

When mine need shining, the nice man in the Churchills shop at T4 has helped me out. But then, I have bought a few pairs from him over the years.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Nowadays when they need shining I just buy new ones.</font>

Imelda, is that thou?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by CTEASDEL:
Dave this is going so far off topic I reccomend you visit this site http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.klsystems.co.uk/trains.htm
[This message has been edited by CTEASDEL (edited 02-06-2003).]</font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by celbrian:
Imelda, is that thou?</font>

No, my friend. Wrong nationality! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif But ROFLMAO!