Originally Posted by
msm2000uk
I've done one TP run, and that was, ironically, the set of flights which took me over the edge! Most of my other flying however, did have a degree of TP optimisation within.
Luckily I only had to do the TP run stuff for about 2.5 years, after I retired and before I got to LTG. (While I was working it wasn’t necessary, since I re-qualified for Gold easily every year.) My friends and family got quite a kick of my various insane routings during that period!
Originally Posted by
msm2000uk
I agree that in order to enjoy the benefits I need to fly with OneWorld, but a lounge is a lounge - and if I can book a lower cost J fare with another airline (in a different alliance), then surely its something to consider.
Indeed, I agree. The one other thing to consider is Avios (or other FFP) earning. Being Gold and flying OW gets you that extra slug of Avios, if you are interested in continuing to collect them. If you fly another airline where you do not have status, you might be giving up the opportunity for earning the extra points, or be crediting points to a program where you might not ever get enough points to be usable for your purposes. YMMV here of course. (I have not credited a single point to BA since I achieved LTG...these days they are all going to AAdvantage.)