Originally Posted by
orbitmic
The F lounges (I think in SYD you mean QF F lounge, which is indeed fab - my favourite in fact) are indeed great but admittedly it is also a relatively 'small' difference in the sense that I really enjoy that access but could probably live quite happily with BA G. I'd say that both FB G -> P and EC S -> G are relatively small differences except for the 'side benefits' such as being able to get Plat for life on FB or pre-assigning upper deck seat on 747 J for BA G, etc. In both cases the 'critical' border is probably the difference between silver and gold (for FB) and bronze and silver (for BA) ie lounge access.
I would tend to disagree somewhat. I have been switching periodically between FB Gold & Plat and see no difference in the way I am treated. I agree that Plat for life is a significant perk, but I am not motivated to "suffer" ten years of poor lounges and inflight product to get the privilege to continue my suffering after retirement.
However, the recognition and F lounge of BA Gold are very important to me. I love to take a dirt-cheap Y flight from LHR to CDG or EDI and be treated to a variety of cold/hot real food, wine/champagne tasting and JW Blue. Actually I budget time for the GF in LHR. Taking an early morning flight exHKG for a full day work and starting with a fresh orange juice and full breakfast served in silver by an elegant butler in CX F lounge is great. Having access to F rather than J lounge makes a significant difference to me and even more if irrops or delayed flights. I easily qualify for BA G, so I do not put extra efforts, but I definitely would if needed. And when I see what some posters are willing to pay for a single access to the Première lounge,... (OK, OK there is more to the Première service than the lounge). IMO BA S is a critical border, but BA G is another one