Originally Posted by River in Sight

There is already a massive thread on the impending changes to BAEC - but I haven’t seen much discussion specific to US-based travelers (although I’ve only read a couple hundred posts and it may be getting lost).

Where are the US-based amongst us looking going forward? My family of 3 has had silver status for the last few years. We typically do 1-2 TATL in business each year, 1-2 transcons in AA/AS first, then a few shorter haul flights in a mix of first and economy. This always landed us between Silver and Gold (I got Gold once only when the thresholds were lowered during COVID).

The primary benefits I saw from BA Silver were Admirals/Flagship access domestically, and main cabin extra seat selection on AA when we fly short haul economy. I do have lifetime AA Gold already but that only affords MCE at checkin.

Now I’m curious with my profile if it makes sense to focus on any particular program going forward. I could solve for the lounge access with Priority Pass / AXP Platinum in many cases (which I already have) and that leaves only the occasional need to pay for main cabin extra seat selection.

But I am also curious to hear what other US-based premium leisure travelers are thinking at this crossroads.

BAEC was the only real reason I flew BA for my annual Europe trips and I absolutely, positively will NOT miss transiting LHR and then flying in an economy-style seat to my final destination (nor my family asking me to remind them exactly why we were doing that on each trip).