For me I’d say absolutely. The difference between silver and gold, when I finally hit gold, was night and day.

- Access to First Wing at LHR
- Better lounges for duration that you are gold
- OWE status to me has also proven super useful for accessing American domestic lounges
- OWE has also helped me receive priority rebooking on AA being booked onto non-OW carriers during irrops which saved me 3 days
- The Gold helpline rather than silver - I have rarely had to wait during pandemic compared to other hope or stories I’ve heard

I started valuing my BAEC membership a lot more once I hit gold so for five tier points absolutely go for it.

You’re based in MAN so it does depend on travel through London and what your year as gold looks like. For me I’d say even 1-2 trips through LHR as gold would validate it.

If you have no plans whatsoever to fly next year then it depends if you will year after and value the soft landing to silver for being worth it.