First of all, thanks everyone for sharing some insights about good alternatives!

I have just renewed my Gold tier for April 2025 - March 2026 a few months early so I should be fine for now. Additionally, if the consensus is true that BA will honour their double TP offer for our holidays next year, that would mean me and my partner will have just made it to Silver for April 2025 - March 2026. However, if the rumours or information on X are true that soft landings will not be going away, we decided that we would still credit all our flights next year to our accounts for the Gold tier bonus Avios. From April 2026 - March 2027 will leave us as Silver members - we have decided that there is absolutely no point in chasing Gold, the First Wing will be missed however.

So far, we have decided to hold off any BA bookings from now until mid- next year to see if BA responds to what everyone is saying. We were about to book another BAH trip from the Sale but having looked at some prices, they seem a bit more expensive compared to what BA had earlier this year (for reference we have booked NYC for 8 nights in CW staying in Times Square for £1.9k - TP for this trip will count towards our current TP year giving us a little extra even if we already maintained Gold for next year), the same flight and hotel on this Sale and the previous one is a little over £2k). Similarly, the trips we have for May and June next year are a little over £1k more than what we paid each. We decided to keep a close eye on Iberia Plus. As what a few have said, Iberia Plus could change in the very near future.

Following on from March 2026 we have decided:
- IF Iberia Plus does not change to a revenue based elite qualification system, we would credit all future flights to our Iberia Plus accounts and use our lapsing BAEC to enter lounges. We could do this from April 2026. Having looked at the programme, it appears that OWS and OWE is easily attainable with our flying habits.
- Should the above not work out as planned, Qatar Airways Privilege Club would be our second choice. Though the programme had its quirks in previous years, it seems to have been more simplified in recent years. The impression based on bloggers, friends and even the website itself seems promising.

However, the option that we are most inclined to so far is by switching alliances. I am already an Air France - KLM Flying Blue member. I have held Gold status for two years but will be dropping to Silver starting tomorrow as I was 15 XP short this year to re-qualify! Having said that, I find myself flying with SkyTeam more and more these days. Though AF-KL will soon be trialing BoB for European flights, we have been impressed with their long haul service lately, particularly with Air France in business. Also, we love the Delft Houses! KLM also has a great UK network which means that we might not need to fly out of LHR anymore! Redemption might have been dynamic but I was able to redeem a one-way flight to DXB for 50k Flying Blue miles and another one-way flight from AUH with Etihad for 45k miles. Their Promo Reward sales are also a great way to maximise the value alongside the stop over in Paris and Amsterdam which we are fond of.

Alternatively, we have looked at Lufthansa Miles & More. Whilst SkyTeam is the frontrunner when it comes to switching alliances, it would be great to try out LH M&M. Not huge fans of Lufthansa but Swiss seems to be a good alternative despite not having the same network or coverage as AF, KL and LH. This would also mean that we will get to try more Star Alliance carriers to Asia such as EVA Air, and ANA.

Status matches will always be available so that is one that we will always keep an eye on. And as BA have said in the email we all received 'As your needs and reasons for travelling have continued to evolve, we're changing the way we support and recognise your loyalty' (British Airways, 2024) . So does mine. My loyalty, needs and reasons for travelling will evolve.

Any thoughts? Happy to hear anyone's thoughts and suggestions!

Happy New Year everyone!