Lifetime Silver - Will BA ever introduce it?
Feb 9, 2019, 6:28 am
#61
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 263
It would be interesting to find out (in reality BA would never release the data) the proportion of Silvers that achieve Silver by the number of sectors rather than Tier Points.
It could work out that a Silver for life could be someone who has done a lot of flying, not necessarily in premium cabins. Based on the rough idea of 20-25 years to achieve GfL / GGfL based on hitting the normal renewal level then SfL could be based on sectors rather than Tier Points. On this basis it could be for flying say 1250 sectors with BA (not OneWorld). Compared to 250 flights (in Club World) to achieve GfL.
I know that in my case under this scenario I'm much closer to GfL than a hypothetical SfL, having only flown on BA a paltry 186 times!
It could work out that a Silver for life could be someone who has done a lot of flying, not necessarily in premium cabins. Based on the rough idea of 20-25 years to achieve GfL / GGfL based on hitting the normal renewal level then SfL could be based on sectors rather than Tier Points. On this basis it could be for flying say 1250 sectors with BA (not OneWorld). Compared to 250 flights (in Club World) to achieve GfL.
I know that in my case under this scenario I'm much closer to GfL than a hypothetical SfL, having only flown on BA a paltry 186 times!
Feb 9, 2019, 6:43 am
#62
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,412
I do enjoy reading your lengthy posts, it’s sometimes better than wasting time reading a tabloid! Take that a compliment 
I guess I could say that about most of FT BAEC.
Anyway, I have wondered having been Silver and not yet attained Gold myself, whether reaching SfL would negate any reason or motivation to reach GfL.
You would certainly get the organic pax that would continue to achieve status and reach GfL but maybe not through their own want. However if you reach the hyperthetical 25K TP’s for SfL and the given benefits are locked in for the remainder of the lifetime period (whatever that is), how many pax would be motivated to then push on to the next For-Life Tier. Silver gives you quite a nice benefit cushion, the silver vs good debate becomes a little less convincing when the difference is 10000 TP’s. Many may say “what’s the point?!” as per the many threads we see on here “Should I go for gold?!”
Therefore, my own wonderment is, if BA were to introduce SfL would this simply mean cannibalising their GfL Tier. But maybe my lack of understanding the true value of gold is clouding my judgement here and the value passengers ‘like’ about being a goldie!
I guess I could say that about most of FT BAEC. Anyway, I have wondered having been Silver and not yet attained Gold myself, whether reaching SfL would negate any reason or motivation to reach GfL.
You would certainly get the organic pax that would continue to achieve status and reach GfL but maybe not through their own want. However if you reach the hyperthetical 25K TP’s for SfL and the given benefits are locked in for the remainder of the lifetime period (whatever that is), how many pax would be motivated to then push on to the next For-Life Tier. Silver gives you quite a nice benefit cushion, the silver vs good debate becomes a little less convincing when the difference is 10000 TP’s. Many may say “what’s the point?!” as per the many threads we see on here “Should I go for gold?!”
Therefore, my own wonderment is, if BA were to introduce SfL would this simply mean cannibalising their GfL Tier. But maybe my lack of understanding the true value of gold is clouding my judgement here and the value passengers ‘like’ about being a goldie!
Feb 9, 2019, 7:20 am
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
Originally Posted by rockflyertalk
Therefore, my own wonderment is, if BA were to introduce SfL would this simply mean cannibalising their GfL Tier. But maybe my lack of understanding the true value of gold is clouding my judgement here and the value passengers ‘like’ about being a goldie!
To highlight a couple:
Some will progress simply because of work or lifestyle patterns, with little regard for the outcome.
Others will inevitably seek to achieve higher status for their individually perceived benefits.
The issue for BA, whether considering SfL or GfL, is whether those individuals continue to use BA or a JV partner, or take the opportunity to explore pastures new with other alliances/carriers. IMO, any ilifetime status with BA carries a risk that that past loyalty may transfer to disloyalty once the status has been acquired. That may indeed apply more to those who regularly fly F or J, where the ‘cabin benefits’ carry with them many of the ‘status benefits’.
Feb 9, 2019, 8:30 am
#64
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Mucci, BAEC Silver, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,037
The issue for BA, whether considering SfL or GfL, is whether those individuals continue to use BA or a JV partner, or take the opportunity to explore pastures new with other alliances/carriers. IMO, any ilifetime status with BA carries a risk that that past loyalty may transfer to disloyalty once the status has been acquired. That may indeed apply more to those who regularly fly F or J, where the ‘cabin benefits’ carry with them many of the ‘status benefits’.
But it does seem to me that in terms of a loyalty program as it currently stands BAEC overly favours LH flying while not even requiring too much loyalty to BA. Where as with SH flying there are limited ways to earn BAEC status with other carriers yet plenty of other options not to fly BA. Therefore someone earning status this way is spending (in some cases very large amounts for few TP) specifically with BA and not a partner while choosing BA over other carriers. In short I would suggest that SH customers maintaining statues are MORE loyal then some, maybe even most LH customers.
In my case 95% of my flying is SH, in most years I make silver, very occasionally I make gold. But sometimes I only make bronze. In the periods that I make Silver and Gold 100% of my flying (routes permitting) is with BA (including my personal travel), but at times when I am bronze and not likely to make silver by the end of the period this drops to around 50%-60% based simply on the cost of the individual flights with required extras (luggage etc). A long term goal (such as SFL dependant on the criteria) would certainly change this. I understand that BA is not going to change for me, but I know that my situation is far from unique.
As I said maybe using lifetime TP is not the solution to the problem, use of OW partners distorts actual loyalty to BA specifically.
Feb 9, 2019, 10:39 am
#65
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 810
The issue for BA, whether considering SfL or GfL, is whether those individuals continue to use BA or a JV partner, or take the opportunity to explore pastures new with other alliances/carriers. IMO, any ilifetime status with BA carries a risk that that past loyalty may transfer to disloyalty once the status has been acquired. That may indeed apply more to those who regularly fly F or J, where the ‘cabin benefits’ carry with them many of the ‘status benefits’.
Feb 9, 2019, 10:55 am
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
Akoz ... nearly all our holidays are l/h, in J, with the inevitable s/h connection from JER. Comparing TP earning between the two, s/h TP per kmile wins hands down!!
Frayed_Yak ... a valid point. But if SfL/GfL arrives ‘free’, through business travel, there’s no loss. And subsequnt flights in Premium cabins on other carriers bring their own benefits.
I agree completely that it’s a complex equation, and only the individual and his/her personal circumstances can determine the answer.
Frayed_Yak ... a valid point. But if SfL/GfL arrives ‘free’, through business travel, there’s no loss. And subsequnt flights in Premium cabins on other carriers bring their own benefits.
I agree completely that it’s a complex equation, and only the individual and his/her personal circumstances can determine the answer.
Feb 10, 2019, 11:20 am
#67
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
As my 'lifetime' is somewhat inhibited by my age, I have no personal interest in the prospect!
That said, if LTS would cost BA more than, say, Ł180.47 per annum, globally, I doubt I will see it being introduced in MY lifetime. Younger subscribers here will clearly have a different view.
BA is no longer the benevolent old Uncle we used to know. Instead, he has morphed into a penny-pinching old Grandfather (the image of Private Fraser from Dad's Army flashes across my mind) who cares naught for anyone or anything except scraping money from every corner of his existence, and shovelling it into a tin under the bed.
That said, if LTS would cost BA more than, say, Ł180.47 per annum, globally, I doubt I will see it being introduced in MY lifetime. Younger subscribers here will clearly have a different view.
BA is no longer the benevolent old Uncle we used to know. Instead, he has morphed into a penny-pinching old Grandfather (the image of Private Fraser from Dad's Army flashes across my mind) who cares naught for anyone or anything except scraping money from every corner of his existence, and shovelling it into a tin under the bed.
Feb 10, 2019, 11:27 am
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
Sorry, are you suggesting that BA is perfect, and matches the expectations presented by its advertising? I’ve only travelled about 0.25 million miles on BA ... you have a different view, obviously. Woukd you care to elaborate?
Feb 10, 2019, 12:09 pm
#69
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,200
This Blue has flown BA since I was knee high to a haggis and will continue to do so as long as it suits me. I might even be more valuable to BA than someone with status.
As for rewarding loyalty. I personally would like to see those who spend their money and fly with BA being rewarded the most....they're the ones who deserve it!!
Feb 10, 2019, 1:55 pm
#70
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: DUB/ORD/SIN/PVG
Programs: EI AerClub Concierge, EK Gold, BA Gold, BD Gold (Retired), HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 2,923
Sleeping around - a blessing or a curse?
Enforced infidelity due to job moves / relocations...
8 years as KLM/AF Plat Elite (therefore missing out on lifetime status)
7 years as BA Gold followed by intermittent Silver (approx 30 years from LTG at current run rate)
10 years as Aer Lingus Elite/Concierge (lifetime status not offered)
End result is probable FF bachelorhood (divorcee?) status in retirement.
Blessing or curse?
8 years as KLM/AF Plat Elite (therefore missing out on lifetime status)
7 years as BA Gold followed by intermittent Silver (approx 30 years from LTG at current run rate)
10 years as Aer Lingus Elite/Concierge (lifetime status not offered)
End result is probable FF bachelorhood (divorcee?) status in retirement.
Blessing or curse?
Aug 31, 2019, 12:33 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: OW/AA, DL, UA; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,936
Over 60's
Was on the phone with BAEC customer service the other day. He said that BAEC had been considering a type of Silver for Life status for frequent fliers over 60, but hadn't heard further on it.
Aug 31, 2019, 12:42 pm
#72
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: On the underground
Programs: BMI Dimond club, BA Executive Club
Posts: 462
Aug 31, 2019, 2:39 pm
#73
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,246
If it keeps them flying BA and not booking late deals on TUI package holidays when they retire, then could help fill those narrow seat B777s at off peak dates from LGW.
Aug 31, 2019, 2:48 pm
#74
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,412
Thats a little unfair. If you earn let’s say 28,000 tier points (the ‘made up’ magical threshold) for lifetime silver at age 50 or even 40, but your not entitled to it because you’re not 60, that doesn’t really make sense. Does it?
Aug 31, 2019, 4:38 pm
#75
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London
Programs: Sir Ratechaser Seigneur de la Patience d'un Saint (Mucci), BA Silver, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 2,540