Originally Posted by
lost_in_translation
Yes, the GGL line is based in the UK so operates on UK hours. Frequently you will also be routed to the broader BA UK call center team in UK hours when calling as a Gold. The experience of both is incomparably better than being put through to India out of hours.
Pre-COVID, did BA had 24-hour phone line? What time will the India call centers handle the calls?
If what you care about is upgrades to long-haul J, my advice would be stick with US carriers. Beyond just the likelihood of upgrade on non-US carriers being lower, don't forget also that BA has WTP as an intermediate travel class between Y and J, which you'd have to book in to be in with a shot of an upgrade normally. My understanding is UA still operates quite a lot of flights without Premium Plus?
I think that's what I tried to say, but I guess I wasn't clear enough.
On long-haul without status and even with status, I don't think upgrades to a lie-flat seat come easy without an instrument like UA's PlusPoints. US carriers don't want to give away their lie-flat seats for free.
Being based in North America also, I'm not sure why you would chose a program of a non-North American based carrier. You'd be excluding yourself from most upgrades on AA, for example, by targeting BA GGL. BA GGL works best if you make extensive use of BA's network.
Because I want OWE status. Furthermore, BA and AA have a tight partnership so I don't think it's that bad even if I were to fly AA in the US. I get what you're saying and most of my flying is long-hauls. I think domestic upgrades are way overrated...