wenzlydale

Just called the GGL line again. Although we weren't able to complete the booking because the LHR-MAN leg is still not available (technically it is still +356 days), the agent confirmed that I would be able to add the return leg to my existing booking and could therefore utilise the AMEX 241 & GUF1/2.

golfmad

If you're using a gold guest list redemption why are you booking so far out to ensure availability?? Just wait until all the flights are bookable on one PNR and use the ggl redemption to create availability. Then use the availability either with Avios, GUFs or 241s.

sts603

To confirm, the Joker just went back into your account and you used it at a later date? Or do you have to rebook it at the time of cancellation? Though I guess in theory you could do that over and over so long as it remained valid.

golfmad

It goes back into your account.

VSLover

two things: on the single joker--is it valid for a return or just one way?

second: i wanted to share a very nice story. i have only been GGL for one week (first time ever) and recently flew JFK-LHR in wt+ on a redemption. i ate in CCR and was exhausted by my very quick trip. some attendant came up to welcome me initially then five mins later the CSD came by to give a very kind welcome and asked if i needed:

(1) champs - no thanks
(2) wine from CW - no im not drinking tonight
(3) did i get my meal selection taken yet? - no i ate in CCR

she literally was trying so hard to accommodate me with something special which was so kind but i was so tired i said all i really plan to do is get as much sleep as possible but appreciated the nice gesture.

she went away for a few minutes saying she wanted to find something for me. so she came back and said i would probably get much better sleep in club world, and i was taken aback and she said for as much as i fly, it would be a failure for BA to not take care of you properly. she told me when i was ready to have someone call her to take me up. it took me about 30 seconds to gather my belongings and got such a great night of rest which made for a productive day. did not get any service in CW which i didnt care about in the least as i had everything i needed.

i dont expect this will be the norm, but it was a fab first trip as GGL for sure.

KARFA

Return. So if you need to 'create' reward space on both the outbound and inbound the one joker would do both.

VSLover

great thank you

MarkedMan

There is a noticeable change in behavior, as others have said sometimes even a bit embarrassing. Sometimes, though, it's just great cabin crew - I've been moved to hand out two gold tickets in the last few weeks, worth noting that the crew member was not just helpful to myself but all around doing a great job.

wenzlydale

I wanted 6 seats, so I needed at least one through normal release and once I'd got that (well both of those available) there was no point delaying the use of the joker as I knew what flight I wanted to use it on.

It was messier with the inbound TATL and a next day connection. I had been monitoring the take-up of released CW seats LAX-LHR and certainly those on the earlier flight (which was my preference) didn't usually remain available 24 hours after release (even +355 days), so I felt waiting for the domestic leg to become available the following day was too risky.

As a datapoint, seats were not released until 01:00 (rather than the 00:01 I had seen elsewhere).

All's well now, 6 return CW MAN-LAX seats booked for next May half-term.

and .. only 1 joker used !!

golfmad

I see! Impressive.

HighLife

I tried WT+ for the first time in years earlier this week - on LHR-MEX. The CSD and WT+ crew member couldn't do enough for me, and I was persuaded to move to the very empty CW cabin for a few hours sleep after the meal service. Suffice it to say that I didn't refuse. Well done BA ^

My overnight return next week is booked in CW.

opalfruit

I have not noticed this at all. I see no difference in crew behaviour towards me whether I was silver, gold or GGL - aside from the sometime welcome from the CSD (I'd say I get this perhaps 50% of the time).

dylanks

I had a pretty excellent first time GGL experience back in March... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-trip-ggl.html

MarkedMan

Fair enough, it is new to me and maybe I am making too much of it. I don't expect a CSD to come over and talk to me about whatever I may need, song-and-dancing a bit etc etc, only with me out of all the cabin. I am willing to bet I have also been especially lucky with crew in the last couple of months: they have certainly gone beyond giving effusive greetings, they have provided great service to the whole cabin. That's something to take notice of, but unrelated to any kind of status.

opalfruit

I wouldn't worry about it - I'm infamously the most unlucky BAEC member out there.

I think it's more about lucking out and getting a motivated and great crew - which seems to be something which is reducing in probability these days, given the way BA are treating their staff. It's a sad affair, but it's testament to the staff who still do give it 100%.