Originally Posted by
orbitmic
To be completely honest, I don't know how many people manage the 10,000TP mark on a yearly basis, but seriously now, I very much suspect that they effectively get informal jokers and that little is refused to them, especially assuming they make most of those TPs flying BA. I think some rules are there for the common mortals among us but not for the select few (I would be surprised if we were talking even 100 people here) who probably get some sort of individualised response from BA.
There are at least 2 of of us on FT that regularly go over the 10K (and more!) mark. On oneworld 67% of my travel is BA with 33% AA. Yes, I've been able to upgrade using the jokers and a few times when availability is 'made' available. I don't expect (nor do I ever ask) for this availability. I'd like the additional jokers to increase the likelihood of being able to use Avios to upgrade.
I've been very fortunate in that when I have been unable to use Avios to upgrade I have been OpUped anyway due to oversales (I suspect). In recent times I've been buying F tickets if I am required to attend client on the mainland (AMS, MIL, FRA, DUB) taking advantage of some excellent F fares at not much more than the J fare from MAN.
The GGL (and the GGL team) is great, yes there can be a little more flexibility at times but nothing is ever taken for granted and any discretion or assistance offered is very much appreciated if unexpected.