new lounge rules for gold? [End of Open Doors for Golds]
May 30, 2011, 3:19 pm
#811
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Don't believe in the voucher scheme because it actually encourages people to go to the lounge
I'd like the % of GCH who use the open door facility more than twice a year
I'd say less than 25%
May 30, 2011, 5:16 pm
#812
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I would not be surprised if that number was more 10 times lower.
May 30, 2011, 5:24 pm
#813
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, UA Gold
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Their lounges are not overcrowded, and as well as the vouchers, the top tier (Super-Elite) also have Anytime Access.
In my view 4 vouchers a year for BA Golds would be sensible. Use them yourself as a replacement for Open Doors, or occasionally bring an additional guest into the lounge.
May 30, 2011, 5:36 pm
#814
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AC has a voucher scheme, you can elect to get 4 each year or a similar amount. I've lost count over how many I've thrown away by not using.
Their lounges are not overcrowded, and as well as the vouchers, the top tier (Super-Elite) also have Anytime Access.
In my view 4 vouchers a year for BA Golds would be sensible. Use them yourself as a replacement for Open Doors, or occasionally bring an additional guest into the lounge.
Their lounges are not overcrowded, and as well as the vouchers, the top tier (Super-Elite) also have Anytime Access.
In my view 4 vouchers a year for BA Golds would be sensible. Use them yourself as a replacement for Open Doors, or occasionally bring an additional guest into the lounge.
May 30, 2011, 11:43 pm
#815
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That is not what was said in those posts. Yes, several complained about the com's dimension but many also expressed their disapproval of the policy change.
Now, it is always possible to say that these people did not mean what they say but, until there is proof to the contrary, I think we should start by assuming that people mean what they say, at any rate when they are just expressing opinions.
Now, it is always possible to say that these people did not mean what they say but, until there is proof to the contrary, I think we should start by assuming that people mean what they say, at any rate when they are just expressing opinions.
May 31, 2011, 1:16 am
#816
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May 31, 2011, 1:57 am
#817
Join Date: Dec 2009
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May 31, 2011, 2:16 am
#818
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Oh, some people claimed one could measure the severity of the impact by the # of related posts/time this thread was alive/etc. My premise is that when a thread dies down this quickly (like it already seems to have except for a couple of people discussing the thread itself) nobody was really upset. The Flying Blue April Fool's Day Thread for example was active for months.
May 31, 2011, 2:23 am
#819
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 16
GCH still unhappy
Oh, some people claimed one could measure the severity of the impact by the # of related posts/time this thread was alive/etc. My premise is that when a thread dies down this quickly (like it already seems to have except for a couple of people discussing the thread itself) nobody was really upset. The Flying Blue April Fool's Day Thread for example was active for months.
May 31, 2011, 3:59 am
#821
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
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Oh, some people claimed one could measure the severity of the impact by the # of related posts/time this thread was alive/etc. My premise is that when a thread dies down this quickly (like it already seems to have except for a couple of people discussing the thread itself) nobody was really upset. The Flying Blue April Fool's Day Thread for example was active for months.
May 31, 2011, 4:02 am
#822
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The premise is not that they will repeat themselves 5 times but that - if the loss of this perk will really influence traveling pleasure - (new) people will find their way to to this thread to complain about it.
We will see after June 17th* when this comes into effect.
*Strange date to start this by the way. Why June 17th? Why not June/July 1st?
We will see after June 17th* when this comes into effect.
*Strange date to start this by the way. Why June 17th? Why not June/July 1st?
May 31, 2011, 4:05 am
#823
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yawn. Is that really necessary? 
Even when they have no reason not to say what they mean?
You are confusing the object of disappointment and the severity of it. Many GCHs dislike the change of policy even though it is not going to have a huge impact on them
Comparing it to the April Fool's thread does not make much sense: April Fool was a massive devaluation of the FB programme that would affect pretty much everybody and would affect them severely. Of course it was going to attract for more reactions and far longer.
This change will affect fewer people and will affect them less severely. It does not follow from this that people do not care about it nor that what they really object to is the communication rather than the substance of the policy change.
Let us take a few examples typical of the reaction of a number of GCHs from earlier up-thread:
Now, are you seriously saying that what LondonAndy, Swanhunter, JamieT, Morland, economyman and chessers1 really object to is the communication the change of policy and not the policy change at all?
This is not what these posts say to me. What they say to me is that these posters disapprove of the change of policy, see it as a wrong move but that this is will have a relatively marginal impact on them.
But then, what do I know? I don't have a degree in communications.
I have a degree in communication and I am a firm believer that what people say and what they mean are hardly ever the same.
Oh, some people claimed one could measure the severity of the impact by the # of related posts/time this thread was alive/etc. My premise is that when a thread dies down this quickly (like it already seems to have except for a couple of people discussing the thread itself) nobody was really upset. The Flying Blue April Fool's Day Thread for example was active for months.
Comparing it to the April Fool's thread does not make much sense: April Fool was a massive devaluation of the FB programme that would affect pretty much everybody and would affect them severely. Of course it was going to attract for more reactions and far longer.
This change will affect fewer people and will affect them less severely. It does not follow from this that people do not care about it nor that what they really object to is the communication rather than the substance of the policy change.
Let us take a few examples typical of the reaction of a number of GCHs from earlier up-thread:
Not that I'd used it, but I don't find it at all weird. You are loyal to BA by flying enough to get Gold, and if they don't fly to where you want to and/or someone else does it significantly cheaper, you still get to use the lounge.
I now really can't see much differentiator between Silver and Gold, certainly not enough to make it worth any hassle of TP runs etc..
I now really can't see much differentiator between Silver and Gold, certainly not enough to make it worth any hassle of TP runs etc..
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!)
Not asked here either, surprisingly. Used it once or twice and it was a nice perk. Given that there won't be any Open Doors pax at T5 and many overseas lounges were exempt because they weren't BA-operated, I do wonder exactly how much it can have cost them. Maybe EZY moving in to the North terminal at LGW made the difference.
Anyway, between this and the cocktail bar at Galleries Club, I'm getting supremely relaxed about my drop from Gold to Silver next month.
Anyway, between this and the cocktail bar at Galleries Club, I'm getting supremely relaxed about my drop from Gold to Silver next month.
I have used this on average probably once or twice a year and I am not happy now!
This really was something that differentiated BA from the rest of the FFP crowd. I have never found it resulted in overcrowded lounges which could be justification for removing the benefit.
I also quite doubt the claim that the decision was also based on feedback from executive club members unless perhaps it was not Golds they asked.
This is a real let down!
This really was something that differentiated BA from the rest of the FFP crowd. I have never found it resulted in overcrowded lounges which could be justification for removing the benefit.
I also quite doubt the claim that the decision was also based on feedback from executive club members unless perhaps it was not Golds they asked.
This is a real let down!
Hi all, don't post on here very often - in fact haven't been on for so long have forgotten my details and had to re-register.
IMO this is not a good move. I have to juggle my schedule as it is to keep my BA Gold status valid, with their flights often being more expensive and after this will find it harder to do so.
I do not use the perk very often, but it has been very useful to me on a few occasions.
I agree with the sentiment that maybe it is because the facility is being overused by members who fly a lot of budget airlines, but to counter that, they are still at Gold status so BA are making money in some way!
IMO this is not a good move. I have to juggle my schedule as it is to keep my BA Gold status valid, with their flights often being more expensive and after this will find it harder to do so.
I do not use the perk very often, but it has been very useful to me on a few occasions.
I agree with the sentiment that maybe it is because the facility is being overused by members who fly a lot of budget airlines, but to counter that, they are still at Gold status so BA are making money in some way!
This is not what these posts say to me. What they say to me is that these posters disapprove of the change of policy, see it as a wrong move but that this is will have a relatively marginal impact on them.
But then, what do I know? I don't have a degree in communications.
May 31, 2011, 4:11 am
#824
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NickB, it wasn't a stab at you or lawyers (unlike the last line of your post seemed to be one at us poor communication experts. ). Discussing 'facts' with lawyers (I count many amongst my friends) is a good way to experience different levels of reality though*. 
I stick to my analysis of the reactions. You don't agree, which is your prerogative. I still believe that the (poor) communication solicited the responses and that a true evaluation of the impact of this 'enhancement' can only be made after a couple of months.
EDIT: For good measure, I don't appreciate the removal of this benefit either. I actually used it once in a while when I preferred BA lounges to others. Mostly in SA where the SLOW lounges are a blessing. So it will affect me, I don't like it but I still think it is a relatively minor change that would have gotten a lot less attention if communicated better.
* which I find exemplified by your post by the way.
). Discussing 'facts' with lawyers (I count many amongst my friends) is a good way to experience different levels of reality though*. I stick to my analysis of the reactions. You don't agree, which is your prerogative. I still believe that the (poor) communication solicited the responses and that a true evaluation of the impact of this 'enhancement' can only be made after a couple of months.
EDIT: For good measure, I don't appreciate the removal of this benefit either. I actually used it once in a while when I preferred BA lounges to others. Mostly in SA where the SLOW lounges are a blessing. So it will affect me, I don't like it but I still think it is a relatively minor change that would have gotten a lot less attention if communicated better.
* which I find exemplified by your post by the way.
Last edited by henkybaby; May 31, 2011 at 4:35 am
May 31, 2011, 4:14 am
#825
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Programs: Mucci. And BA Gold – previous awards - Gold 11, Silver 7, Bronze 4.
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That just about sums up my feelings. I used to be Gold, and never used this benefit.
I've just re-qualified, so was a bit annoyed when I got the email.
I think this is the perk that I'll miss least.
Say they'd removed guest access for Golds like Emirates have recently done... now that would be annoying.
Cheers,
Rick
I've just re-qualified, so was a bit annoyed when I got the email.
I think this is the perk that I'll miss least.
Say they'd removed guest access for Golds like Emirates have recently done... now that would be annoying.
Cheers,
Rick
I am amazed that EK has stopped this. Can't see the point apart from annoying loyal customers.
