My first BA Op-Up LHR-JFK
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Londinium
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 929
My first BA Op-Up LHR-JFK
Thought I would mention my recent op-up, the first I've received in five years of flying with BA.
I recently made Silver (also a first) and fly the LHR-JFK route about four times a year. I often book into WT+ if the fare difference is not massive, and had on this occasion, doing a miles upgrade to CW for the return leg.
When I checked in at the airport for the outbound the agent asked "did you know you've been upgraded?" I was pleasantly surprised and had not known that fact.
I've been wondering which of the following factors led to the upgrade:
- Qualified for silver just four months into my accumulation year
- Second trip on the LHR-JFK route in two weeks
- Flying on a 747-400 with the small WT+ cabin (easier chance of domino effect from people being moved up from WT to WT+)
Trying to not get spoiled, but am now looking at a Dubai booking in WT+ with hope of an Op-Up upgrade.
I recently made Silver (also a first) and fly the LHR-JFK route about four times a year. I often book into WT+ if the fare difference is not massive, and had on this occasion, doing a miles upgrade to CW for the return leg.
When I checked in at the airport for the outbound the agent asked "did you know you've been upgraded?" I was pleasantly surprised and had not known that fact.
I've been wondering which of the following factors led to the upgrade:
- Qualified for silver just four months into my accumulation year
- Second trip on the LHR-JFK route in two weeks
- Flying on a 747-400 with the small WT+ cabin (easier chance of domino effect from people being moved up from WT to WT+)
Trying to not get spoiled, but am now looking at a Dubai booking in WT+ with hope of an Op-Up upgrade.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 496
I think that recent Silvers may get a bit of a nudge in the op-up algorithm, on the theory that we may be on our way up and should be given a taste of better things to spur us on. I've gotten opped-up multiple times on LHR-JFK (or vice versa) and I can't imagine that on that elite-heavy route there weren't people with considerably higher scores than me. I'm sure it helps that I've always been traveling by myself, but still.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Sussex
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 897
#7
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Not at home....
Programs: BA Gold, EI Gold Circle Prestige, Marriott Platinum.
Posts: 23
Always very nice when this happens
I've had quite a bit of good luck recently but the problem is that you start to expect it all the time and are disappointed when it doesn't happen... I'm usually booked into WT+ and you certainly get used to the CW experience quite quickly. Most of the time in my case it happens at the gate. They scan the boarding pass and instead of "bip" you hear "baaarp"! Don't you just love watching the BP being torn up....!
Best one was a few years ago travelling LHR-LAX. I had booked WT+ and managed to UuA to CW on the outbound. Got the 'baaarp" at the gate and a very polite "Would 1A be OK for you sir....?". Oh yes indeed, it certainly was OK for me...
I've been Silver for a few years but am flying to SFO the week after next and the outbound will take me over the magic 1500 barrier. I wonder how my luck will go with newly found Gold status..?
I've had quite a bit of good luck recently but the problem is that you start to expect it all the time and are disappointed when it doesn't happen... I'm usually booked into WT+ and you certainly get used to the CW experience quite quickly. Most of the time in my case it happens at the gate. They scan the boarding pass and instead of "bip" you hear "baaarp"! Don't you just love watching the BP being torn up....!
Best one was a few years ago travelling LHR-LAX. I had booked WT+ and managed to UuA to CW on the outbound. Got the 'baaarp" at the gate and a very polite "Would 1A be OK for you sir....?". Oh yes indeed, it certainly was OK for me...
I've been Silver for a few years but am flying to SFO the week after next and the outbound will take me over the magic 1500 barrier. I wonder how my luck will go with newly found Gold status..?
#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: London
Programs: BAEC: Gold
Posts: 285
I think that recent Silvers may get a bit of a nudge in the op-up algorithm, on the theory that we may be on our way up and should be given a taste of better things to spur us on. I've gotten opped-up multiple times on LHR-JFK (or vice versa) and I can't imagine that on that elite-heavy route there weren't people with considerably higher scores than me. I'm sure it helps that I've always been traveling by myself, but still.
I'm a Gold (for 5 years) flew to IAD in January, had "SFU" on my BP, the agent told me that there would be 5 to 8 op-ups, and I wasn't one of them (not that I'm complaining)! I've had only 1 or 2 op-ups from WT+ to CW as a Gold.
Recent Silver colleagues of mine get op-ups all the time...as did I when I was silver.