Changes to Gold Guest List Qualification Criteria
Nov 26, 2014, 4:39 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
Surely a few upset members today on hearing this news.
I actually considered booking a few flights to cross the 3,000 TP threshold but then decided that the benefits really aren't worth it for me. I'm so glad I didn't!
I do geniunely feel a little sorry for other new members who were striving to reach the target, but have now been left disappointed. It would have been better if they had still been able to reach the old target this year (in their first registered year).
I actually considered booking a few flights to cross the 3,000 TP threshold but then decided that the benefits really aren't worth it for me. I'm so glad I didn't!
I do geniunely feel a little sorry for other new members who were striving to reach the target, but have now been left disappointed. It would have been better if they had still been able to reach the old target this year (in their first registered year).
Last edited by headingwest; Nov 26, 2014 at 4:48 am Reason: Typo
Nov 26, 2014, 4:51 am
#63
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
I for one am delighted by this change.
I will never, ever hit TP5k in a single year, but I might have been tempted to push on to TP3k next year with an additional TP run.
Now I won't bother, next year or ever.
So that's thousands of pounds saved which I can spend on something else, or on another airline
I will never, ever hit TP5k in a single year, but I might have been tempted to push on to TP3k next year with an additional TP run.
Now I won't bother, next year or ever.
So that's thousands of pounds saved which I can spend on something else, or on another airline
Nov 26, 2014, 4:53 am
#64
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
I agree. Call centre wait times are not what they used to be. The "special" and "exclusive" feel was lost years ago.
I doubt that the TP runners (aka GGL abusers) make up anything but a tiny minority of GGL members, and are not the issue.
The issue is just that 3000 TPs is not that hard to get and there are too many GGL members to deliver the personal and special service which was originally intended.
I doubt that the TP runners (aka GGL abusers) make up anything but a tiny minority of GGL members, and are not the issue.
The issue is just that 3000 TPs is not that hard to get and there are too many GGL members to deliver the personal and special service which was originally intended.
Nov 26, 2014, 5:00 am
#66
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,690
Nov 26, 2014, 5:05 am
#67
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, CX Gold (OW Sapphire), Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,476
Disappointing. First year that I would be in a position to hit 3k, and with work pattern, would be on again for it post April 8 (my year end, anyhow).
As it is, won't get 5k, so for me, chances of GGL are gone. A sad change, Jeni.
As it is, won't get 5k, so for me, chances of GGL are gone. A sad change, Jeni.
Nov 26, 2014, 5:06 am
#68
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
Nov 26, 2014, 5:07 am
#69
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
I wonder how much the ease of accumulating 3000 for two years via the runs in the TP thread might have contributed to this? It's pretty easy for someone who'd be a solid Gold on regular flights to set aside a week and £1500 and push themselves over 3000. Under these new rules, scoring the additional TPs with the sole intention of getting GGL means a much greater commitment.
I'd imagine this is to do with the upturn in the economy recently - if you look at some of the travel people on this board put in for work purposes it really is quite something to behold.
Nov 26, 2014, 5:08 am
#70
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,757
Doesn't really affect me to be honest. I'm not flying again until after my TPs reset next month as I hate losing them 
The benefits of GGL to me are negligible. I generally travel solo in various classes so a couple of vouchers won't be of major use to me and the fact that no-one really knows what it is or recognises it when travelling is another negative.
The CCR card is only useful is 2 lounges in the world as well and if you travel enough, you've probably got access to First Class lounges elsewhere without this status.
That said, renewing for 3000 TP a year is easy enough to achieve once you've got GGL status.
Well, there's been at least a couple of people on these forums who've got GGL from TP runs (not solely).
Very easy if you'd booked say 3 of those AMS-HEL-LHR/LCY-JFK-LAX-HNL runs a little while ago for Ł1019 / 1400-1500TP.
The benefits of GGL to me are negligible. I generally travel solo in various classes so a couple of vouchers won't be of major use to me and the fact that no-one really knows what it is or recognises it when travelling is another negative.
The CCR card is only useful is 2 lounges in the world as well and if you travel enough, you've probably got access to First Class lounges elsewhere without this status.
That said, renewing for 3000 TP a year is easy enough to achieve once you've got GGL status.
Very easy if you'd booked say 3 of those AMS-HEL-LHR/LCY-JFK-LAX-HNL runs a little while ago for Ł1019 / 1400-1500TP.
Nov 26, 2014, 5:09 am
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,430
The wording does seem a bit opaque on the renewal criteria beyond the next membership year. Will it stay at 3000 or inflate?
If it goes up I will drop to LTG as I have no interesting in spending time and cash on mindless runs around the US. Better to use the money to fly where I want on the most appropriate carrier for the destination.
As ever, any scheme changes are a salutary reminder not to have all your eggs in one basket. @:-)
If it goes up I will drop to LTG as I have no interesting in spending time and cash on mindless runs around the US. Better to use the money to fly where I want on the most appropriate carrier for the destination.
As ever, any scheme changes are a salutary reminder not to have all your eggs in one basket. @:-)
Last edited by Swanhunter; Nov 26, 2014 at 5:24 am
Nov 26, 2014, 5:15 am
#72
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,922
The Eurocheats are those who are/were UK residents using an address in Euroland in order to 'cheat' the system and get status at the lower TP thresholds. Genuine Euroland residents are not Eurocheats.
Nov 26, 2014, 5:15 am
#73
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 65
It would have seemed a fairer "Good Will gesture" to say that anyone who had reached 3K in their last membership year had until the end of their current membership year to reach the 3K mark i.e. extend the deadline for those already in the process from April until Nov/Dec.
Nov 26, 2014, 5:16 am
#74
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Reading, UK
Programs: BA Gold,, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 399
Code:
A bit disappointing as I am currently on 2820 and was planning on 3000 this year and the next. But rules are rules I guess. I will have to now think about trying to go for 3500 TPs or not.
Nov 26, 2014, 5:17 am
#75
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
The wording does seem a bit opaque on the renewal criteria beyond the next membership year. Will it stay at 3000 or inflate?
If it goes up I will drop to LTG as I have no interesting in spending time and cash on mindless runs around the US. Better to use the money to fly where I want on the most appropriate carrier for the destination.
As ever, any scheme changes are a salutary reminder to have all your eggs in one basket. @:-)
If it goes up I will drop to LTG as I have no interesting in spending time and cash on mindless runs around the US. Better to use the money to fly where I want on the most appropriate carrier for the destination.
As ever, any scheme changes are a salutary reminder to have all your eggs in one basket. @:-)