new lounge rules for gold? [End of Open Doors for Golds]
May 20, 2011, 8:06 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR & BAEC Lifetime Gold, VS Red, EK Blue, HH Lifetime Diamond, IHG Gold, Marriot Silver
Posts: 238
More dumbing down of the BAEC for Gold members. I used it once in the US last month while waiting for a Continental flight in Houston for a couple of hours. It was a great perk.
How about giving us - not necessarily like-for-like - another benefit instead of making Gold another step closer to Silver?
How about giving us - not necessarily like-for-like - another benefit instead of making Gold another step closer to Silver?
May 20, 2011, 8:07 am
#32
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA LTGold; LH Senator; HHGold; Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 1,370
I hate lazy cliches...
May 20, 2011, 8:07 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
"We're polishing Gold again..."
I didn't use it that often, but on the one or two occasions I could use it, it was nice. But I can understand that if there were legions of Easyjet travellers using it, they would take it away. However, I can't see that if you fly easyjet very regularly you still maintain BA Gold.
But what would have been nice, rather than simply take it away, would have been to say - we're replacing Anytime Access with a couple of lounge access vouchers for you to use for family, or when you're not on an eligible flight.
I didn't use it that often, but on the one or two occasions I could use it, it was nice. But I can understand that if there were legions of Easyjet travellers using it, they would take it away. However, I can't see that if you fly easyjet very regularly you still maintain BA Gold.
But what would have been nice, rather than simply take it away, would have been to say - we're replacing Anytime Access with a couple of lounge access vouchers for you to use for family, or when you're not on an eligible flight.
May 20, 2011, 8:07 am
#34
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,651
May 20, 2011, 8:08 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
That's what wound me up in email too! Even if they had some sort of limit, even lo-tech like here's 4 vouchers for access when not on ba/ow or something it would soften the blow. Will now have to spread my flights a bit more (and hence less on ba) to ensure I keep status in more ffps.
Maybe they could make it a further benefit, like guf2?
Maybe they could make it a further benefit, like guf2?
May 20, 2011, 8:08 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,356
Just got the email, and not so much as an apology for the inconvenience! 
Admittedly I only used Open Doors once in one year of Gold, but it was nice to have as a backup.
Admittedly I only used Open Doors once in one year of Gold, but it was nice to have as a backup.
and the email just landed.
May 20, 2011, 8:09 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Flying Blue Plat
Posts: 117
May 20, 2011, 8:10 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Near Edinburgh
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 9,034
If I was a gold, I'd be emailing them asking what feedback that was. That sort of statement really annoys me as it's treating customers as if they're stupid.
May 20, 2011, 8:10 am
#40
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
It's also one of the very few benefits that I don't already receive as an AA EXP, and I'm wondering if it's worth even bothering to requalify for Gold now.
Any thoughts on the best place to write to lodge my dissatisfaction?
May 20, 2011, 8:12 am
#42
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 645
My guess is the feedback that counted came from the accountants.
Disappointed in this as it was handy when I had to fly from EDI to other regional destinations, since BA no longer have that network. In my particular travel circumstances, there isn't much to choose between gold and silver now. (I only used it 2-3 times per annum, compared to a weekly return trip with BA, so it wasn't like I was costing them all that much!)
Disappointed in this as it was handy when I had to fly from EDI to other regional destinations, since BA no longer have that network. In my particular travel circumstances, there isn't much to choose between gold and silver now. (I only used it 2-3 times per annum, compared to a weekly return trip with BA, so it wasn't like I was costing them all that much!)
Last edited by JamieT; May 20, 2011 at 8:14 am Reason: add context
May 20, 2011, 8:14 am
#45
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Wales (Home base), Germany (Work base) & around the world!
Programs: BA Gold, LH FTL, Priority Club Gold
Posts: 352
I have to say I'm confused - the "Travelling on any other carrier (departing from same terminal as BA flights)" benefit is still showing up for me, even when I "refresh" - am I missing something?
If it has gone, then I doubt I'll bother with the TP run I had just started a topic on, as that was the main reason why I aim for Gold. As someone based in Europe and who, due to limited options available on certain routes, has to use a variety of carriers, I have in recent years made a point of ensuring I do enough flying (including expensive CE upgrades) in order to maintain this benefit. As a result virtually ALL the flights on routes where I have a choice of other carriers (LH/LX/AF) have been with BA, even when timings have not been as good. I reckon that BA has therefore had many thousands of pounds worth of business from me/my company as a result of this policy - and certainly far more than the cost of a couple of drinks, a sandwich and some internet access which is the true cost to them.
Now that BA has reduced flights on my regular STR-LHR routing to 2 a day each way at awkward times (LH remains 3 per day), greatly increased prices and possibly removed this last benefit over M&M (when I consider my flying habits), I have to say I have to seriously consider switching allegiences. Short of some bubbly in the GF lounge and a different menu (though I was always happy enough with GC) what benefits remain??
All I can say is if this IS true, they had better not insult our intelligence by using the "enhancement" word...
If it has gone, then I doubt I'll bother with the TP run I had just started a topic on, as that was the main reason why I aim for Gold. As someone based in Europe and who, due to limited options available on certain routes, has to use a variety of carriers, I have in recent years made a point of ensuring I do enough flying (including expensive CE upgrades) in order to maintain this benefit. As a result virtually ALL the flights on routes where I have a choice of other carriers (LH/LX/AF) have been with BA, even when timings have not been as good. I reckon that BA has therefore had many thousands of pounds worth of business from me/my company as a result of this policy - and certainly far more than the cost of a couple of drinks, a sandwich and some internet access which is the true cost to them.
Now that BA has reduced flights on my regular STR-LHR routing to 2 a day each way at awkward times (LH remains 3 per day), greatly increased prices and possibly removed this last benefit over M&M (when I consider my flying habits), I have to say I have to seriously consider switching allegiences. Short of some bubbly in the GF lounge and a different menu (though I was always happy enough with GC) what benefits remain??
All I can say is if this IS true, they had better not insult our intelligence by using the "enhancement" word...