Originally Posted by headinclouds
Actually, I'm starting my next RTW once I arrive back in Cairo. So, LHR-CAI in First is considered long-haul and is 180 tier points each way plus the long haul LAX-LHR is another 180 for 540 tier points and whatever else is added in by the intra-Europe flights.
Correct. Flights have to be over 2,000 miles to be classified as long-haul under BAEC rules, and LHR-CAI is 2,197 miles.
Originally Posted by headinclouds
I did find the link to the BA FFP and have the more important question. How long does it last? The way I read the BA rules, once I qualify in Oct for BA silver, the counter is reset to zero (or is it the amount over the 600 threshold) and then I have until Oct 2005 to get enough points to maintain BA silver. Seems like I can have a longer period of status with QF.
N.B. I'm USA based if that makes any difference and I do not now have a BA account.
You're correct in your interpretation of the rules. The counter will be reset to zero, and if I recall correctly any tier points over the threshold level will disappear. So ideally you'd want to make Silver by hitting 600 tier points exactly. In your case, you'd lose 80 tier points.
Since you'll be starting another RTW, you should make able to retain Silver easily if you're flying A or D. The Gold threshold for US residents is 1,500 tier points, which should be doable on an A or D RTW without too many problems, as long as you keep the 2,000-mile long-haul classification in mind.