I have become averse to BA not just by what they have changed with BAEC but also because of declining standards, even worse consistency than before and a feeling of arrogance from management disconnecting them from both passengers and staff. And then the spin that we asked for these changes rather than admitting that it’s simply one further cost saving drive. FU BA.

I have only positive experience of other OW carriers and have flown a number over the last couple of years, IB, AY, QR, QF, AA and JL. IB and AA are on a par with BA but the others are clearly superior. I am at nearly 30,000 lifetime TP with BA which is a shame because with my normal flying patterns I would be around 2 years away from lifetime Gold. After the changes I am now a £79,000 spend away, which would be about 5 years, during which I would probably be Silver, and during which BA will probably increase the bar again.

I usually travel J or F but only on discounted tickets and would always get lounge access, fast track and extra baggage so I won’t really suffer too much from loss of benefits, but possibly from redemption availability.

I don’t see me attaining GfL any more as I don’t trust BA not to simply increase the level when I get close or perhaps discontinue the status completely. So, I have to decide which OW scheme to switch to. I am torn between AY and QR.

I have for the last 20 years also maintained star alliance status. This was LH FTL (Silver), then Senator and for the last 10 years Aegean * Gold. I don’t particularly like LH Group, except Swiss for some reason, but do value the status and love our trips to Greece or Cairo on A3. Their business class is still great and I love the dedicated business class busses when the aircraft parks at a remote stand. BA doesn’t even bother to do this for First.

So, will the BA move hurt OW? I suspect not. I will also not avoid OW. I will certainly have status on OW, just not sure with who yet. I will also not avoid BA, just not steer my spend their way like I did previously.