Getting to gold... (Help needed)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BMA
Programs: SAS Eurobonus Gold Card
Posts: 324
Getting to gold... (Help needed)
I'm currently Silver with 960 tier points. My membership year ends on October 8th. I'd like to get to Gold (mainly just because I doubt I'll have the opportunity for a few years after this year).
I'm looking for the cheapest way to get the remaining 540 tier points. I'm free from the 20-26th of September to do a trip or can do weekend trips.
Any help would be much appreciated. Also is it true that if you get Gold, the following year you get Silver membership even if you do not achieve the threshold or have I misunderstood an earlier post I read.
Thanks!
I'm looking for the cheapest way to get the remaining 540 tier points. I'm free from the 20-26th of September to do a trip or can do weekend trips.
Any help would be much appreciated. Also is it true that if you get Gold, the following year you get Silver membership even if you do not achieve the threshold or have I misunderstood an earlier post I read.
Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Near Edinburgh
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 9,034
Missed opportunity on the thread title there
Do you have a budget in mind? Would you be willing to start in Europe for a reduced cost (meaning flying to, eg, Amsterdam first). Have you looked a the existing Tier Point run thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...er-thread.html
You're right that if you get Gold and fail to qualify the next year, you'll automatically drop to Silver even if you don't get the tier points for that level.
Do you have a budget in mind? Would you be willing to start in Europe for a reduced cost (meaning flying to, eg, Amsterdam first). Have you looked a the existing Tier Point run thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...er-thread.html
You're right that if you get Gold and fail to qualify the next year, you'll automatically drop to Silver even if you don't get the tier points for that level.
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
QR has some very low J fares from CDG, FRA and MXP to the Far East; (e.g. KUL) 140 TPs x 4 = 560 TPs
Alternatively ex-EUR with LCY-JFK with paid CE flights to EUR start point should get you there. Some decent prices going.
http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ is the tool to play with. Doubt if you can do it under £1000. Its too many TPs.
Alternatively ex-EUR with LCY-JFK with paid CE flights to EUR start point should get you there. Some decent prices going.
http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ is the tool to play with. Doubt if you can do it under £1000. Its too many TPs.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BMA
Programs: SAS Eurobonus Gold Card
Posts: 324
I'd ideally like to keep it below £1000. I'm happy to start in Europe. I have a few avios which can get me to Europe to start with.
I had looked at doing LHR-JFK-LHR in Y and then a first class trip in the US (JFK-Anchorage via DFW) but then the price shot up. I did have it at about £800 in total before it increased.
Sorry if the thread is in the wrong place. I did look through the trip run thread but there those which are quoted I couldn't find at the prices very similar to those quoted.
I had looked at doing LHR-JFK-LHR in Y and then a first class trip in the US (JFK-Anchorage via DFW) but then the price shot up. I did have it at about £800 in total before it increased.
Sorry if the thread is in the wrong place. I did look through the trip run thread but there those which are quoted I couldn't find at the prices very similar to those quoted.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
Getting to gold... (Help needed)
Under £1000 is going to be unlikely to be honest. There are some good sale fares in Europe for 80TP destinations at the moment, but these would require more time and compulsory Saturday night stays.
#6
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Wassenaar, NL
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 709
I have to ask - are you sure you want to do this? Spending over £1000 to sit in the Flounge a couple of times next year doesn't strike me as very good value for money. You already get lounge access and seat selection with silver. What is that £1000+ going to do for you if you hand it over to BA?
It may be more enjoyable and rewarding to put that money towards a holiday destination that you really want to see at a time that really suits you next year?
Of course its up to you, but gold is worth very little above silver. Especially so if you aren't planning to fly much with BA next year as your post suggests?
Ultimately, its your choice and I hope you have real fun spending it (whatever you choose) - just don't be influenced by the perceived importance of FF status. At the end of the day - the flounge is just a public waiting room!
It may be more enjoyable and rewarding to put that money towards a holiday destination that you really want to see at a time that really suits you next year?
Of course its up to you, but gold is worth very little above silver. Especially so if you aren't planning to fly much with BA next year as your post suggests?
Ultimately, its your choice and I hope you have real fun spending it (whatever you choose) - just don't be influenced by the perceived importance of FF status. At the end of the day - the flounge is just a public waiting room!
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I have to ask - are you sure you want to do this? Spending over £1000 to sit in the Flounge a couple of times next year doesn't strike me as very good value for money. You already get lounge access and seat selection with silver. What is that £1000+ going to do for you if you hand it over to BA?
It may be more enjoyable and rewarding to put that money towards a holiday destination that you really want to see at a time that really suits you next year?
Of course its up to you, but gold is worth very little above silver. Especially so if you aren't planning to fly much with BA next year as your post suggests?
Ultimately, its your choice and I hope you have real fun spending it (whatever you choose) - just don't be influenced by the perceived importance of FF status. At the end of the day - the flounge is just a public waiting room!
It may be more enjoyable and rewarding to put that money towards a holiday destination that you really want to see at a time that really suits you next year?
Of course its up to you, but gold is worth very little above silver. Especially so if you aren't planning to fly much with BA next year as your post suggests?
Ultimately, its your choice and I hope you have real fun spending it (whatever you choose) - just don't be influenced by the perceived importance of FF status. At the end of the day - the flounge is just a public waiting room!
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 134
I agree with FlyBaby. Spending £1000 of your own money and giving up a few days for Gold just doesn't seem worth it. You get most of the benefits with Silver.
Getting GGL for GUFs and Jokers may be justified by a TP run if you are on your way there anyway but Gold in itself doesn't seem to justify the time, cost and effort.
Getting GGL for GUFs and Jokers may be justified by a TP run if you are on your way there anyway but Gold in itself doesn't seem to justify the time, cost and effort.
#9
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Close to Heathrow
Programs: BA GGL, Gold for Life, CCR, VS Silver, HHonours Diamond
Posts: 549
I'd ideally like to keep it below £1000. I'm happy to start in Europe. I have a few avios which can get me to Europe to start with.
I had looked at doing LHR-JFK-LHR in Y and then a first class trip in the US (JFK-Anchorage via DFW) but then the price shot up. I did have it at about £800 in total before it increased.
Sorry if the thread is in the wrong place. I did look through the trip run thread but there those which are quoted I couldn't find at the prices very similar to those quoted.
I had looked at doing LHR-JFK-LHR in Y and then a first class trip in the US (JFK-Anchorage via DFW) but then the price shot up. I did have it at about £800 in total before it increased.
Sorry if the thread is in the wrong place. I did look through the trip run thread but there those which are quoted I couldn't find at the prices very similar to those quoted.
I did look to see what LGA-PHL-PHX would cost but this is more expensive.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott Plat
Posts: 686
I presume OP is doing this for the soft landing in a couple of years time. However if this is not the case, please heed Fly Baby's advice. There is so little difference between gold and silver I don't think I'd pay £100 let alone £1000, and I certainly wouldn't waste a week of holiday!
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BMA
Programs: SAS Eurobonus Gold Card
Posts: 324
I have to ask - are you sure you want to do this? Spending over £1000 to sit in the Flounge a couple of times next year doesn't strike me as very good value for money. You already get lounge access and seat selection with silver. What is that £1000+ going to do for you if you hand it over to BA?
It may be more enjoyable and rewarding to put that money towards a holiday destination that you really want to see at a time that really suits you next year?
Of course its up to you, but gold is worth very little above silver. Especially so if you aren't planning to fly much with BA next year as your post suggests?
Ultimately, its your choice and I hope you have real fun spending it (whatever you choose) - just don't be influenced by the perceived importance of FF status. At the end of the day - the flounge is just a public waiting room!
It may be more enjoyable and rewarding to put that money towards a holiday destination that you really want to see at a time that really suits you next year?
Of course its up to you, but gold is worth very little above silver. Especially so if you aren't planning to fly much with BA next year as your post suggests?
Ultimately, its your choice and I hope you have real fun spending it (whatever you choose) - just don't be influenced by the perceived importance of FF status. At the end of the day - the flounge is just a public waiting room!
#12
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Close to Heathrow
Programs: BA GGL, Gold for Life, CCR, VS Silver, HHonours Diamond
Posts: 549
I have to agree with the comments above, re is a gold card really worth £1,000.
Yes, I spent £1,500 earlier this year on a BRU-HNL trip but to me this was primarily a "road trip" and a short holiday in Hawaii. The TP' were, to me just a bonus.
I am, in the next couple of weeks, doing the LGA-PHL-PHX-LGB trip because it is far cheaper than flying direct in BA Premium Economy to LAX. I have a conference to attend so need to travel. Again the TP's are a bonus but a bonus that will get me GGL.
Yes, I spent £1,500 earlier this year on a BRU-HNL trip but to me this was primarily a "road trip" and a short holiday in Hawaii. The TP' were, to me just a bonus.
I am, in the next couple of weeks, doing the LGA-PHL-PHX-LGB trip because it is far cheaper than flying direct in BA Premium Economy to LAX. I have a conference to attend so need to travel. Again the TP's are a bonus but a bonus that will get me GGL.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
The increased availability is in Economy only, and you can choose seats for free at the time of booking as a Silver (not 1A/K in F, or first row or two of CE, but still).
#15
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,021
Recent hostilities aside, LHR-TLV in particular has proved difficult to get sufficient seats on one flight without the gold benefit.
Also, now that my children holiday without me, I don't want to get them too accustomed to non-economy flying!