New FB Gold member. Any tips?
Sep 27, 2011, 6:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Flying Blue Gold. Miles and More SEN.
Posts: 192
New FB Gold member. Any tips?
Recently became FB Gold and was wondering if anyone had any 'unofficial' tips for getting the most out of my new status.
For example, any tips on using my Gold status for getting extras like upgrades without using my award miles.
Or anything else that anyone would like to pass on.
Thanks.
For example, any tips on using my Gold status for getting extras like upgrades without using my award miles.
Or anything else that anyone would like to pass on.
Thanks.
Sep 27, 2011, 9:23 am
#2
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ̡̡ ̴̡ı̴̴̡ ̡̡͡|̲̲̲͡͡͡ ̲▫̲͡ ̲̲̲͡͡π̲̲͡͡ ̲̲͡▫̲̲͡͡ ̲|
Programs: ❶❷ ใจ ± ♪♪♪ 7¾³ © ™
Posts: 761
Recently became FB Gold and was wondering if anyone had any 'unofficial' tips for getting the most out of my new status.
For example, any tips on using my Gold status for getting extras like upgrades without using my award miles.
Or anything else that anyone would like to pass on.
Thanks.
For example, any tips on using my Gold status for getting extras like upgrades without using my award miles.
Or anything else that anyone would like to pass on.
Thanks.
Sep 27, 2011, 10:29 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Flying Blue Gold. Miles and More SEN.
Posts: 192
Haha. The improved lounge access is just about the only benefit I can get excited about at the moment,
Just wondered if anyone has found it unofficially opens some doors that were closed before. *
*Promise I won't tell anyone.
Just wondered if anyone has found it unofficially opens some doors that were closed before. *
*Promise I won't tell anyone.
Sep 27, 2011, 11:57 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
Well, your Gold status will be beneficial to a certain extent whenever some problem that has to be dealt with is left to staff members' discretion. (Such as upgrades when Economy is overbooked, or finding a suitable flight to rebook you on when your original flight has been cancelled or is very much delayed, etc.)
But do not expect too much. It is not for no reason that status benefits are officially published. Also, there might be Platinum members around when discretion is applied, which means they might get priority.
In other words: there is no way you can actively "use" your status for getting unpublished benefits. In fact, if you insist on a certain treatment (on the basis of discretion) because you behave like a self-important Gold member, this might well backfire.
So if there is anything you can actively do to make the most out of your status then it is this:
- Be thoroughly informed about your benefits (and do the maths when necessary), including those little perks that are published, but might not be so obvious at first sight (such as perks with non-Skyteam partner airlines, a small amount of bonus miles when renting a car from some companies, increased award availability), and, most of all,
- be a Gold member who is friendly and polite to all fellow travellers and staff members.
But do not expect too much. It is not for no reason that status benefits are officially published. Also, there might be Platinum members around when discretion is applied, which means they might get priority.
In other words: there is no way you can actively "use" your status for getting unpublished benefits. In fact, if you insist on a certain treatment (on the basis of discretion) because you behave like a self-important Gold member, this might well backfire.
So if there is anything you can actively do to make the most out of your status then it is this:
- Be thoroughly informed about your benefits (and do the maths when necessary), including those little perks that are published, but might not be so obvious at first sight (such as perks with non-Skyteam partner airlines, a small amount of bonus miles when renting a car from some companies, increased award availability), and, most of all,
- be a Gold member who is friendly and polite to all fellow travellers and staff members.
Sep 27, 2011, 1:08 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Flying Blue Gold. Miles and More SEN.
Posts: 192
Well, your Gold status will be beneficial to a certain extent whenever some problem that has to be dealt with is left to staff members' discretion. (Such as upgrades when Economy is overbooked, or finding a suitable flight to rebook you on when your original flight has been cancelled or is very much delayed, etc.)
But do not expect too much. It is not for no reason that status benefits are officially published. Also, there might be Platinum members around when discretion is applied, which means they might get priority.
In other words: there is no way you can actively "use" your status for getting unpublished benefits. In fact, if you insist on a certain treatment (on the basis of discretion) because you behave like a self-important Gold member, this might well backfire.
So if there is anything you can actively do to make the most out of your status then it is this:
- Be thoroughly informed about your benefits (and do the maths when necessary), including those little perks that are published, but might not be so obvious at first sight (such as perks with non-Skyteam partner airlines, a small amount of bonus miles when renting a car from some companies, increased award availability), and, most of all,
- be a Gold member who is friendly and polite to all fellow travellers and staff members.
But do not expect too much. It is not for no reason that status benefits are officially published. Also, there might be Platinum members around when discretion is applied, which means they might get priority.
In other words: there is no way you can actively "use" your status for getting unpublished benefits. In fact, if you insist on a certain treatment (on the basis of discretion) because you behave like a self-important Gold member, this might well backfire.
So if there is anything you can actively do to make the most out of your status then it is this:
- Be thoroughly informed about your benefits (and do the maths when necessary), including those little perks that are published, but might not be so obvious at first sight (such as perks with non-Skyteam partner airlines, a small amount of bonus miles when renting a car from some companies, increased award availability), and, most of all,
- be a Gold member who is friendly and polite to all fellow travellers and staff members.
Sep 28, 2011, 2:25 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), Bonvoy Gold, ALL Silver
Posts: 3,038
Congratulations... I can't think of anything better than using your new status to help others by getting them into a lounge for a drink. Put up your times, dates, airport & terminal and make a new friend. When you get your card it should come in handy for scraping ice off windows. Other than that I can't think of any other use gold has been. Maybe somebody else here knows better.
Sep 28, 2011, 6:20 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 600
+1!
Sep 28, 2011, 6:31 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: FB-LTPE
Posts: 506
I think it has more to do with potential ignorance when moving up a level; for a new Gold member holder, it may sound an exclusive status but soon enough they find out they are among many of the same. Same applies for Platinum holders on popular ff-er flights.
Sep 28, 2011, 6:42 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: AMS, GVA
Programs: Oneworld sapphire (IB)
Posts: 253
First of all congratulations.
The benefits are indeed limited and remaining discrete will bring you further then being demanding while waving with your card.
My favorite FB gold benefits:
- lounge
- extra awards points
- priority check-in and boarding
- better award availability
(although I prefer Miles&More Senator advantages as they are more extensive: travel insurance, up up vouchers, partner advantages etc)
The benefits are indeed limited and remaining discrete will bring you further then being demanding while waving with your card.
My favorite FB gold benefits:
- lounge
- extra awards points
- priority check-in and boarding
- better award availability
(although I prefer Miles&More Senator advantages as they are more extensive: travel insurance, up up vouchers, partner advantages etc)
Sep 28, 2011, 1:28 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,661
Fast track is a great benefit but does not apply at all airports. Some only provide fast track in C, some for all C/Elite/Elite+, others for C/Elite+ only and even others only for Plat not C.
Sep 28, 2011, 5:28 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 511
Sep 29, 2011, 2:29 am
#15
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: FB plf; IB oro; LA black
Posts: 457