Can Gold have 1 guest + 7yr old into GF?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: London
Programs: Newbie BA Gold
Posts: 570
Can Gold have 1 guest + 7yr old into GF?
Currently, missus, me and little one are on course for 760 TP by mid TP year. It would be reasonably straightforward for me to hit gold especially as I'm considering the AMS-BOS-JFK run.
Is there any benefit for me alone to reach gold and the other two on silver given we mostly fly together? Any chance I would be able to guest them both into GF? Any other useful benefit?
I'd love to get them both to gold as well but with all the transfers and luggage (and cost!!) it might be a bit tricky.
Is there any benefit for me alone to reach gold and the other two on silver given we mostly fly together? Any chance I would be able to guest them both into GF? Any other useful benefit?
I'd love to get them both to gold as well but with all the transfers and luggage (and cost!!) it might be a bit tricky.
#2
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,150
Nope - you'd need two Golds to get the three of you into GF: you can always ask, but I doubt the lounge agent would ever allow you in....you'd have to settle for Galleries / Club lounge otherwise...
One of the minor annoyances of BAEC - I travel for work on pricey tickets, which gets me to Gold. I hardly ever guest anyone into the lounge on those trips. I occasionally go and guest Mrs Ratpus on our holidays...but the once or twice a year we travel with friends (or I travel with friends alone) there's no lounge access...
Would be nice to get a mulligan on some extra guests maybe once or twice a year, rolling over all those times I guest no-one - but that will never happen!
Bad luck, I'm afraid.
One of the minor annoyances of BAEC - I travel for work on pricey tickets, which gets me to Gold. I hardly ever guest anyone into the lounge on those trips. I occasionally go and guest Mrs Ratpus on our holidays...but the once or twice a year we travel with friends (or I travel with friends alone) there's no lounge access...
Would be nice to get a mulligan on some extra guests maybe once or twice a year, rolling over all those times I guest no-one - but that will never happen!
Bad luck, I'm afraid.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,150
Other benefits of Gold for your situation though will be:
1. First check-in (can be really useful in some situations e.g. summer holiday weekends at LGW)
2. Fast track security at non-UK airports is more widely available as a OneWorld Emerald than a Sapphire...(CPH, HAM, several others in Europe where you can get fast-track as a BA Gold but not as a Silver)
3. The new "First Wing" coming to LHR T5 from April could be a nice way to cut down on security lines...
4. Extra availability on economy reward seats for the three of you
5. Ability to force a "double Avios" award seat out of cash fare inventory in an emergency...can be really useful for last minute short-hauls when cash fares are high
6. Ability to pre-select more seats, and also to "link" other bookings to yours for advance seat selection (useful if travelling with friends on different bookings)
7. Gold line are kinda useful
8. Some "soft" recognition is possible on board - not always, but last few flights in WT/WTP I got a sneaky glass of champagne etc.
Erm - probably some others I have forgotten. Many of the above can be useful to you even when travelling as a group of 3.
1. First check-in (can be really useful in some situations e.g. summer holiday weekends at LGW)
2. Fast track security at non-UK airports is more widely available as a OneWorld Emerald than a Sapphire...(CPH, HAM, several others in Europe where you can get fast-track as a BA Gold but not as a Silver)
3. The new "First Wing" coming to LHR T5 from April could be a nice way to cut down on security lines...
4. Extra availability on economy reward seats for the three of you
5. Ability to force a "double Avios" award seat out of cash fare inventory in an emergency...can be really useful for last minute short-hauls when cash fares are high
6. Ability to pre-select more seats, and also to "link" other bookings to yours for advance seat selection (useful if travelling with friends on different bookings)
7. Gold line are kinda useful
8. Some "soft" recognition is possible on board - not always, but last few flights in WT/WTP I got a sneaky glass of champagne etc.
Erm - probably some others I have forgotten. Many of the above can be useful to you even when travelling as a group of 3.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,933
And theoretical seating advantages, maybe more the case when travelling alone or as a pair, but still has some advantages as a good.
Also, linking PNRs so that someone not on your own PNR your travelling with can have seats with you and you will also usually be kept together in cases of disruption.
Also, linking PNRs so that someone not on your own PNR your travelling with can have seats with you and you will also usually be kept together in cases of disruption.
#6
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 151
Other benefits of Gold for your situation though will be:
2. Fast track security at non-UK airports is more widely available as a OneWorld Emerald than a Sapphire...(CPH, HAM, several others in Europe where you can get fast-track as a BA Gold but not as a Silver)
3. The new "First Wing" coming to LHR T5 from April could be a nice way to cut down on security lines...
5. Ability to force a "double Avios" award seat out of cash fare inventory in an emergency...can be really useful for last minute short-hauls when cash fares are high
8. Some "soft" recognition is possible on board - not always, but last few flights in WT/WTP I got a sneaky glass of champagne etc.
Erm - probably some others I have forgotten. Many of the above can be useful to you even when travelling as a group of 3.
2. Fast track security at non-UK airports is more widely available as a OneWorld Emerald than a Sapphire...(CPH, HAM, several others in Europe where you can get fast-track as a BA Gold but not as a Silver)
3. The new "First Wing" coming to LHR T5 from April could be a nice way to cut down on security lines...
5. Ability to force a "double Avios" award seat out of cash fare inventory in an emergency...can be really useful for last minute short-hauls when cash fares are high
8. Some "soft" recognition is possible on board - not always, but last few flights in WT/WTP I got a sneaky glass of champagne etc.
Erm - probably some others I have forgotten. Many of the above can be useful to you even when travelling as a group of 3.
I find priority boarding very variable outside UK with guests. GVA are particularly awkward.
New first wing I've been told by multiple checkin agents will be gold + 1 guest only
Double avios needs 30 days notice. Great perk, but not for last minute travel.
I've never even had an upgrade, let alone soft recognition!
I'm not disputing the value of the other perks (indeed, they're what keep me bothering with Gold!) but if the ones I've highlighted are the priorities for an individual, then I'd be realistic about their deliverability.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: London
Programs: Newbie BA Gold
Posts: 570
Thanks for the info! I was hoping lounge agents might turn a blind eye to a 7yr old and let us sneak him in...
There are some occasions where I fly back alone first (Taiwan/Hong Kong) so Gold will definitely be useful.
Guess I'll just have to go ahead and treat myself to some nice TP runs on my own! Unless I can find a mega 740TP+ HNL run to take them on!
There are some occasions where I fly back alone first (Taiwan/Hong Kong) so Gold will definitely be useful.
Guess I'll just have to go ahead and treat myself to some nice TP runs on my own! Unless I can find a mega 740TP+ HNL run to take them on!
#8
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,265
I am not 100% sure regarding BA GF but I can assure you that there are lounges where children are not counted as a guest. I managed several times as 1 adult (OWE) and 2 children without status.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
Official policy to "blind eye" regarding counting child is up to 2 years old...we managed until Miss tb was a bit older (by being honest, and asking) with variable success: very good with AA, no luck with JL "try AA, they may let you in" -- which they did!, variable with CX. I think BA said OK until 3 (and in GC, not GF, which we didn't bother with).
My daughter is also 7 and (as detailed elsewhere) on recent trip, didn't bother trying for the three of us: just went in with her and I, leaving Mrs tb outside.
Not wishing for this to descend into the rights and wrongs of guesting an additional small child, just sharing real world experience.
Also don't want to debate too much about value of TP running just to get Gold (OWE) -- OP can decide value proposition for themselves, but on FT we do occasional have "folie a deux" about these things. I have occasionally timed a work trip (bring forward to December, or pushing back to Jan) to make OWE, but the dollar value of all the benefits of basic BAEC G in particular don't add up to more than a few hundred pounds for all but the most extreme user (Champagne guzzler crowd etc).
I'm EXP with AA, where the SWUs are much more valuable, but even then...
Once when I was BAEC Silver, and living in BOS, I contemplated spending $2k on a HNL TP run to make gold...my wife brought me flatly down to earth: asking how much free orange juice did I intend to imbibe over a year to justify the cost?!
Same here: OP could buy no end of F&M picnics for the cost of a substantial TP run, which would be far more pleasant than GF...
tb
My daughter is also 7 and (as detailed elsewhere) on recent trip, didn't bother trying for the three of us: just went in with her and I, leaving Mrs tb outside.
Not wishing for this to descend into the rights and wrongs of guesting an additional small child, just sharing real world experience.
Also don't want to debate too much about value of TP running just to get Gold (OWE) -- OP can decide value proposition for themselves, but on FT we do occasional have "folie a deux" about these things. I have occasionally timed a work trip (bring forward to December, or pushing back to Jan) to make OWE, but the dollar value of all the benefits of basic BAEC G in particular don't add up to more than a few hundred pounds for all but the most extreme user (Champagne guzzler crowd etc).
I'm EXP with AA, where the SWUs are much more valuable, but even then...
Once when I was BAEC Silver, and living in BOS, I contemplated spending $2k on a HNL TP run to make gold...my wife brought me flatly down to earth: asking how much free orange juice did I intend to imbibe over a year to justify the cost?!
Same here: OP could buy no end of F&M picnics for the cost of a substantial TP run, which would be far more pleasant than GF...
tb
#10
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,492
I have heard many heated arguments at the GF desk with people being refused extra guest.(child) I am pretty sure during school holidays there are signs up to confirm one guest only
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: London
Programs: Newbie BA Gold
Posts: 570
Ah, I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask nicely. Hopefully both of them being silver would help. Otherwise we'd just have to slum it in the business class lounges...
But its good to know that some lounges do let them in. Would love to guest them into CX first lounges in HK if possible.
But its good to know that some lounges do let them in. Would love to guest them into CX first lounges in HK if possible.
#12
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,126
Please don't if there is a queue of people waiting to get in (as it often happens).
People asking for favours often create the queue in the first place and/or lengthen it.
It isn't right to keep other people waiting because you want the rules bent.
People asking for favours often create the queue in the first place and/or lengthen it.
It isn't right to keep other people waiting because you want the rules bent.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Official policy to "blind eye" regarding counting child is up to 2 years old...we managed until Miss tb was a bit older (by being honest, and asking) with variable success: very good with AA, no luck with JL "try AA, they may let you in" -- which they did!, variable with CX. I think BA said OK until 3 (and in GC, not GF, which we didn't bother with).
My daughter is also 7 and (as detailed elsewhere) on recent trip, didn't bother trying for the three of us: just went in with her and I, leaving Mrs tb outside.
Not wishing for this to descend into the rights and wrongs of guesting an additional small child, just sharing real world experience.
Also don't want to debate too much about value of TP running just to get Gold (OWE) -- OP can decide value proposition for themselves, but on FT we do occasional have "folie a deux" about these things. I have occasionally timed a work trip (bring forward to December, or pushing back to Jan) to make OWE, but the dollar value of all the benefits of basic BAEC G in particular don't add up to more than a few hundred pounds for all but the most extreme user (Champagne guzzler crowd etc).
I'm EXP with AA, where the SWUs are much more valuable, but even then...
Once when I was BAEC Silver, and living in BOS, I contemplated spending $2k on a HNL TP run to make gold...my wife brought me flatly down to earth: asking how much free orange juice did I intend to imbibe over a year to justify the cost?!
Same here: OP could buy no end of F&M picnics for the cost of a substantial TP run, which would be far more pleasant than GF...
tb
My daughter is also 7 and (as detailed elsewhere) on recent trip, didn't bother trying for the three of us: just went in with her and I, leaving Mrs tb outside.
Not wishing for this to descend into the rights and wrongs of guesting an additional small child, just sharing real world experience.
Also don't want to debate too much about value of TP running just to get Gold (OWE) -- OP can decide value proposition for themselves, but on FT we do occasional have "folie a deux" about these things. I have occasionally timed a work trip (bring forward to December, or pushing back to Jan) to make OWE, but the dollar value of all the benefits of basic BAEC G in particular don't add up to more than a few hundred pounds for all but the most extreme user (Champagne guzzler crowd etc).
I'm EXP with AA, where the SWUs are much more valuable, but even then...
Once when I was BAEC Silver, and living in BOS, I contemplated spending $2k on a HNL TP run to make gold...my wife brought me flatly down to earth: asking how much free orange juice did I intend to imbibe over a year to justify the cost?!
Same here: OP could buy no end of F&M picnics for the cost of a substantial TP run, which would be far more pleasant than GF...
tb
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ng-status.html
#15
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
Not wishing to derail the OPs original question, but here's my account of chasing status and the value I applied to this.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ng-status.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ng-status.html
tb