The New Membership Pack (Ugh!)
#16
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Stirling
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 294
I presume the new card is just a straight replacement of the old one, i.e. same expiry date? Mine hasn't arrived yet but my reason for wondering is that following the membership year fiasco at the time of the system "upgrade", I got left with a membership year ending on 30 June and a card expiring on 30 June (had always been 8 June and 31 July before).
Call me insanely optimistic if you like, but I was hoping they might take the opportunity to fix this with the general reissue of gold cards anyway.
Call me insanely optimistic if you like, but I was hoping they might take the opportunity to fix this with the general reissue of gold cards anyway.
#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, UA Gold
Posts: 682
I presume the new card is just a straight replacement of the old one, i.e. same expiry date? Mine hasn't arrived yet but my reason for wondering is that following the membership year fiasco at the time of the system "upgrade", I got left with a membership year ending on 30 June and a card expiring on 30 June (had always been 8 June and 31 July before).
Call me insanely optimistic if you like, but I was hoping they might take the opportunity to fix this with the general reissue of gold cards anyway.
Call me insanely optimistic if you like, but I was hoping they might take the opportunity to fix this with the general reissue of gold cards anyway.
Not sure if that answers your question or adds to the confusion.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Peoples Republic of Yorkshire
Programs: BA G, AC*G, PC P, Marriot Plat, Carlson Gold etc....
Posts: 379
I too have membership year creep, not sure what's happening with that. Anyway, among all the negativity just a few points.
Firstly, the fact that so many have recieved their packs so quickly after the annoucement shows they've actually got their act together this time and only made the annoucement once the materials were printed and ready to go. Well done bmi.
Secondly, Black is the new Platinum./ Gold in terms of all the loyalty clubs (and many credit cards) for their top tiers. bmi were trying to follow this trend and be cool. Their is also something about simplicity of design which is in the card which I quite like. It doesn't have to have bmi plastered all over it. Understatement is the new fashion. Yeah, it's not fabulous, but its ok.
Finally, the enhancements we are hearing about should broadly be welcomed. Many golds in DC never get chance to use the paper GUV's and I for one welcome the new system for the few times I do fly from LHR and also the new family clustering of points is a very welcome addition to a modern FF scheme.
After all the moaning on this board (including myself) on many of these points it seems like they have listened and had a good go at making some positive changes.
Just need to sort the real problem out now, which isn't the FF scheme, rather the shambolic route network and random flight scheduling as part of the cash haemoraging out of the company.(oh, and the ICC of course!)
Firstly, the fact that so many have recieved their packs so quickly after the annoucement shows they've actually got their act together this time and only made the annoucement once the materials were printed and ready to go. Well done bmi.
Secondly, Black is the new Platinum./ Gold in terms of all the loyalty clubs (and many credit cards) for their top tiers. bmi were trying to follow this trend and be cool. Their is also something about simplicity of design which is in the card which I quite like. It doesn't have to have bmi plastered all over it. Understatement is the new fashion. Yeah, it's not fabulous, but its ok.
Finally, the enhancements we are hearing about should broadly be welcomed. Many golds in DC never get chance to use the paper GUV's and I for one welcome the new system for the few times I do fly from LHR and also the new family clustering of points is a very welcome addition to a modern FF scheme.
After all the moaning on this board (including myself) on many of these points it seems like they have listened and had a good go at making some positive changes.
Just need to sort the real problem out now, which isn't the FF scheme, rather the shambolic route network and random flight scheduling as part of the cash haemoraging out of the company.(oh, and the ICC of course!)
#20
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SIN 5 days out of 7
Programs: BD*G, A3*G, BA-S, Accor Gold, IHG Amb
Posts: 5,505
I think this just shows that they're trying to develop the 'Diamond Club' brand.
From thwarting a M&L migration point of view, surely this is a good thing?
Unless they're just trying to attract (distract?) us with appearance whilst gradually diluting the substance?
Either way, it makes me a little suspicious that they value the Diamond Club brand more than the bmi brand. Aiming themselves at a new target audience perhaps?
I'm going to reserve judgement on the brand design until I see it with my own eyes.
From thwarting a M&L migration point of view, surely this is a good thing?
Unless they're just trying to attract (distract?) us with appearance whilst gradually diluting the substance?
Either way, it makes me a little suspicious that they value the Diamond Club brand more than the bmi brand. Aiming themselves at a new target audience perhaps?
I'm going to reserve judgement on the brand design until I see it with my own eyes.
#21
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, F9 Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,319
While the actual card looks okay, kinda sleek actually, the luggage tag is AWFUL! I think the simplicity is what kills it as a luggage tag. I mean, I really liked the previous ones with the 'clear' effect. Oh well
#22
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DUB - Ireland
Programs: EI-GCE, BD-G, BA-G, A3*G, TK*G, FB-G, HH-G, Hyatt-Dia
Posts: 8,527
#23
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
It does however make it easier to separate the two...
#24
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,419
The black in the picture looks more dark grey than black.
As for confusion in remote places when the card changes - yes it is a problem. Same thing with NZ cards when they underwent a major overhaul in the look.
As for confusion in remote places when the card changes - yes it is a problem. Same thing with NZ cards when they underwent a major overhaul in the look.
#25
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Reading, UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 666
Pah, mine didn't arrive today. Doubt it will arrive before we leave tomorrow, due to the new slimline post office delivery times.
#27
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, VA, VN, BA, SQ, KC - all reds and blues.
Posts: 3,205
#29
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: BCN-BUE-PSA-GRU
Programs: BA Gold - A3 Gold - FB Gold - IHG Plat - SPG Gold -Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,581
The black card looks beautiful and fancy IMO. Im looking forward to recieve it at home.
#30
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Near Lichfield, UK
Programs: BMI DC Gold, BA Gold, LH SEN, Priority Club Platinum, Nectar purple
Posts: 949
Maybe they got the idea from Spinal Tap.