To return completely on topic: for me the exit row, GF, V-class availability for RFS, and extra Avios make combo worth spending a bit extra, but I have to know that I will be actually using the next year. For example I could not be bothered to chase GUF2 even though I was "only" ~250 TP away because I knew I would not have any use for it.

Also I already dropped once to Silver () and it did not hurt.

Probably because I requalified within the Gold card validity period.

Perfectly normal cravings, I think.

I thought it would be nice to get Gold during my last membership year. I can't quite remember why but it only took me 2 holidays (1 to Hawaii) to achieve it and I liked the exit row seats, the extra reward availability, the extra avios and the phone line. I like being able to get into a lounge generally and at T5 in particular to escape all those shops.

Trouble with cravings is that it doesn't stop there and I was tempted by the prospect of the jokers, the GUFs (I do have a plan to which those are crucial this year otherwise probably would have resisted) and the fabled GGL phone line. After the raise in the qualification level this did involve an extra holiday which was amazing (went to Crater Lake in Oregon by a circuitous route) so I didn't feel I had done it for the sake of it.

Not being able to face the prospect of withdrawal symptoms I'll need to do it again.......

I was going to state what in my opinion are the pros and cons of pushing for a gold card, but frankly who cares? I would be delighted to have a gentleman such as PETER01 in the Flounge so go for it!

Why not. If you are flying BA, then try to obtain the highest status you can. You never know when you might need it - IRROPS is always a time to be thankful for Gold.

Also, try to do as soon as you can lest there be a TP qualification increase around the corner.

I too am facing this dilemma. I was a [legitimate ] non-UK based EC member for many years, but the grandfathering is finally ending. Last year I did a quasi-TP run to ensure I requalified for Gold. I am now in the UK and the majority of my travel seems to be SH ET , which with the earning changes means far fewer TPs. I can either take my soft landingto Silver, or book another quasi-TP run and have a chance at renewing Gold if business travel picks up over the second half of the year (and not to *A destinations, as is currently likely) . I am leaning towards the latter, as a chance is better than none. But it is still hard to justify.

With you here PETER01,

I was one of the BD Gold Migrants who achieved Gold status that way. Back then the BHD was served from T1, thus missing out on using Galleries First. By the time we moved to T5, I was commuting elsewhere and my status eroded to Bronze. Thankfully I'll be back at Silver in a couple of weeks - then I have a decision to make

Financially Tier Point runs are absolutely viable, it's the time I can't justify - With work, I stay away from home 3 nights a week and all my time outwith that is devoted to the wife and kids.

Its the lounge, of me as well. I dropped to Silver and quickly made my way back to Gold really only for the F lounge privileges.

I have found absolutely no other benefit from being a Gold and having been a GGL I don't feel any need to try for that again. The jokers were nice but Im not going to kill myself trying to make the new GGL tier.

The original post posed three main questions which I have quoted below.

On the first question particularly bearing in mind you are a leisure traveller, I agree that having access to an airline waiting room with free nibbles, wifi and drink does make a difference particularly if your itineraries involve long connection times. However, surely Priority Pass membership would give you most of these benefits?

On the second question, no it is not normal but coming onto a frequent flyer forum and asking this question is like going to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and asking who wants a drink.

On the third question, no not particularly, I already am GGL/CCR and will be LTG next spring. Unlike a lot of posters on this forum, I view travel as a necessary evil in order to experience new places etc rather than a means in itself.

I didn't realise you weren't Gold!!!

If I had known that.........

Sounds very familiar! Just soft landed to silver last month after many years with the GC... But i suspect i'll never be able to justify getting it back. Happy with silver, and maybe even keeping that will be unachievable.

In response to PETER01's original questions ...

Yes ... the better Lounges do make a difference, especially when Gold/OWE gets you into AA Flagship lounges 'over there'.

No ... the craving is not 'normal', but I suspect most people here are reasonably aspirational in life ... so I would say 'desire' instead of 'craving'.

No ... we are content with being basic Gold, and are finding that reasonably easy/affordable to sustain [so far].


T8191
Smug of Offshore

[QUOTE=scillyisles;25524099]The original post posed three main questions which I have quoted below.

I want to use OW First Lounges and not PP Lounges which are nowhere near the same standard and also given I travel on BA it makes sense to me. It's also the extra benefits of being a Gold as I stated in my OP which for nearly 2 years will be worth it for me. YMMV.

There was a laughing face (= a ) after my comment there asking if it was 'normal'. I'm fairly well versed as to how a Travel/FF Forum works

I don't see travel as a means for me as a leisure traveller. I am going to Australia to visit family. I enjoy flying, going on different aircraft types etc and the whole travel thing as well so it's like another hobby as well. It's not going to be that expensive to get to Gold and given I'll get almost 3 years of status and the benefits.

(Blows a Raspberry to Chris1979)

Well summarised T8191 and that's my view as well.

Thanks to the other contributors on this thread and reading thier views and experiences was interesting.

I do remember, when we crossed paths at LAX earlier this year, your smug comments as you headed for the AA Flagship Lounge ... leaving us [then only Silver] in the AAdmiral's

I'm very happy with silver....then again I've never been gold and am a 'newly minted' silver at that.
The problem is that until I joined FT (BAEC in particular) I was quite happy being blue and never contemplated or realised I could achieve any other status.

Oh FT you have a lot to answer for !

I realised that with a few changes that I could attain status without too much extra expense (and without a TP run), in fact MrD now realises that my 'stupid Flanders' forum has in fact had tangible benefits ^

W-J op-up on both the outbound and inbound LHR-SIN as silver.
Y-W op-up HKG-LHR as silver.
Y-W op-ups LHR-SIN, SIN-LHR as silver.

Zero op-up as gold.

Ahem... see below I meant Flagship in my earlier post, not Club. Anyhow you seemed quite comfortable over in the hustle and bustle of AAdmirals Club.