GGL: a bit disappointed with the Joker
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
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#17
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,314
I'm trying to weigh up whether to push for 3k this year, I've planned flights that take me upto 2835 by the end of my membership year so could manage it with a slight push. Pondering whether it's worth the push.....
#18
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,503
As I've posted before
* The joker is immensely valuable. I've done peak season, peak flight redemptions to BGI, CPT and HKG amongst others using it. Hint - A availability is much better than D, and who wants to redeem in Club anyhow.
* GGL on the phone are generallt far more helpful than Gold
* My op-up percentage is quite remarkable.
GGL could be better - especially the ability of the phone people to get stuff done - but ime it is a distinct step up from GoldScum.
I'd do the extra flights from 2835. Sadly I'll only wash up at 1500 this year.
* The joker is immensely valuable. I've done peak season, peak flight redemptions to BGI, CPT and HKG amongst others using it. Hint - A availability is much better than D, and who wants to redeem in Club anyhow.
* GGL on the phone are generallt far more helpful than Gold
* My op-up percentage is quite remarkable.
GGL could be better - especially the ability of the phone people to get stuff done - but ime it is a distinct step up from GoldScum.
I'd do the extra flights from 2835. Sadly I'll only wash up at 1500 this year.
#20
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
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Posts: 15,162
As I've posted before
* The joker is immensely valuable. I've done peak season, peak flight redemptions to BGI, CPT and HKG amongst others using it. Hint - A availability is much better than D, and who wants to redeem in Club anyhow.
* GGL on the phone are generallt far more helpful than Gold
* My op-up percentage is quite remarkable.
GGL could be better - especially the ability of the phone people to get stuff done - but ime it is a distinct step up from GoldScum.
I'd do the extra flights from 2835. Sadly I'll only wash up at 1500 this year.
* The joker is immensely valuable. I've done peak season, peak flight redemptions to BGI, CPT and HKG amongst others using it. Hint - A availability is much better than D, and who wants to redeem in Club anyhow.
* GGL on the phone are generallt far more helpful than Gold
* My op-up percentage is quite remarkable.
GGL could be better - especially the ability of the phone people to get stuff done - but ime it is a distinct step up from GoldScum.
I'd do the extra flights from 2835. Sadly I'll only wash up at 1500 this year.
#21
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: BA GGL; SPG Plat; HH Diamond
Posts: 439
What i value most about GGL is the priority assitance line. Its not just about the short (or zero) wait time but they manage to sort out just about everything within avery short time - very reliable team.
Joker, Gold Partner card & Concorde Card are all just nice extras that cost BA nothing......
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / HH Diamond / FB Platinium / SPG Gold / Marriott nothing
Posts: 136
I would have thought three days notice is when it's least likely to be useful. By that stage the flight is either virtually full with no A/D-availability or they're often opening up last-minute redemptions anyway.
Don't get me wrong - obviously there will be cases when it's useful three days out. But two or three weeks out or a bit more (when I would have though most people booked long-haul leisure trips) is often when redemptions are blank and even I-class might be gone but D is still left.
Don't get me wrong - obviously there will be cases when it's useful three days out. But two or three weeks out or a bit more (when I would have though most people booked long-haul leisure trips) is often when redemptions are blank and even I-class might be gone but D is still left.
#23
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#25
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire, England
Programs: BA Gold, Hhonors Silver, Accor Club Silver and many others at the lowest level
Posts: 437
On BA.com, price up a cash booking for the dates you want. Then, when you get to the page selecting specific flights, click on the flight number for the flight you want (in the "Flight Operating Airline" column). This should open up a pop-up window, the bottom row of which is the selling class. If it is below or equal for A or D (depending what you are aiming for), you are good to go. If it is above (F for First, C or J for Club), an alternative option is required.
#26
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Stueys. W/out teaching granny to suck eggs don't forget you need to hit 3000 for 2 consecutive years, not a single year in isolation, apologies if you know this but I'm not sure from your op.
Agree with Swanhunter re destinations. Pleasantly HKG opened up before I moved there for 4 of us, as did PLS and MIA in peak, mixture of F and J.
Re op ups, whilst I can't prove the connection, my op ups have definitely improved since hitting GGL a while back.
Agree with Swanhunter re destinations. Pleasantly HKG opened up before I moved there for 4 of us, as did PLS and MIA in peak, mixture of F and J.
Re op ups, whilst I can't prove the connection, my op ups have definitely improved since hitting GGL a while back.
Last edited by Beano HK; Apr 6, 2011 at 8:01 pm Reason: Typo
#27
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,314
Thanks, I knew. My pattern of flying tends to be fairly consistent, I normally run somewhere between 2500-2800 a year, it would be a slight push to get to 3k
#28
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,095
#29
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,314
#30
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