A few thoughts as a long time GGL (and now GfL) since the introduction of ‘The Club’ - and my defection to AFKL…
In the past year I’ve pretty much changed all of my travel plans away from BA, except for domestic hops (although with the continued erosion to CE, I’m starting to question whether that might change as well!).
I status matched to AFKL Ultimate and, to be honest, was skeptical. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised and have qualified again for the next year.
Air France - nice modern A220 to Paris, decent food and wine (no hot options, but good quality with a sizable salad, cheese plate and cracking pudding - I was shocked at how small CE plates have become). Crew professional, immaculately turned out but businesslike in a French was. I’m no longer terrified of CDG - but car transfers on short connections and for bus gates are a definite differentiator.
Long haul - excellent food and wine - proper champagne. Refurbished cabins and free access to the new Business Suite on 777 and A350. Fast track immigration a big plus.
CDG lounges all have an Ultimate rooms with á la carte dining - although limited options.
KLM - less fancy than AF. 737 to AMS still a novelty after my years with BA. The come with old school seat pitch but the boxed food can be hit and miss (albeit it that it comes in decent quantities). Crew have the balance of Dutch directness and warmth.
Long haul - food is ok in a ‘homely’ way and the business seats are decent.
AMS lounges have Ultimate rooms and they have now introduced a few á la carte dishes - with a promise of doing more.
Other major plus is Ultimate assistant - who checks you in for flights, proactively manages flight changes and missed connections etc.
In all, I’m pretty happy (and the AF Concorde and KLM 747 baggage tags arriving in the post were a nice touch).
I only flew BA longhaul twice last year - a forgettable experience to JNB and the same to EZE. The crew didn’t really seem to want to be there and, honestly, at the end neither did I.
All personal experiences of my shift and experience since Tiermaggedon - ultimately loyalty schemes need to work both ways and The Club changes (and ongoing erosion of service) have made me comfortable that I’ve made the right decision for me!