Your single top tip for 2017
Jan 17, 2017, 9:58 am
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 13,883
Oh, I'm not too late!
Check what privileges your non-shiny cards give you. I only just found out that Visa Infinite debit cards give lounge access just about everywhere (cost depending on account, I imagine) - including the Club lounge at the Sofitel T5, open way after the BA T5 arrivals lounge closes.
Check what privileges your non-shiny cards give you. I only just found out that Visa Infinite debit cards give lounge access just about everywhere (cost depending on account, I imagine) - including the Club lounge at the Sofitel T5, open way after the BA T5 arrivals lounge closes.
Jan 17, 2017, 10:10 am
#77
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
Download the maps.me map for the city you are travelling to. Even if you don't speak the language, and don't want to use your data abroad, you can still get about (very helpful option to have an arrow pointing in the direction you need to head in!
Jan 17, 2017, 10:22 am
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,520
Amazingly, most of the top tips I was thinking of giving - from empty water bottle to being nice to others, from not drinking more than a glass of alcohol on flights to remembering things will go pear shaped and taking it easy, and from getting travel insurance to packing a day's worth of clothes in hand luggage if you can't travel fully HBO - have all been mentioned.
I'm feeling totally unoriginal but it confirms that there is a lot of wisdom to be found on FT!!
I'm feeling totally unoriginal but it confirms that there is a lot of wisdom to be found on FT!!
Jan 17, 2017, 10:46 am
#79
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
This doesn't apply just to flying but it's a good philosophy for life generally: treat people as you'd like to be treated, and laugh and the whole world laughs with you but cry and you cry alone!
I have found that being polite, friendly, respectful and having a smile on your face goes such a long way and is more likely to result in a positive outcome than a wheelbarrow load of DYKWIA attitude.
I have found that being polite, friendly, respectful and having a smile on your face goes such a long way and is more likely to result in a positive outcome than a wheelbarrow load of DYKWIA attitude.
Jan 17, 2017, 10:52 am
#80
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA bronze, Hertz pres circle, Marriott Platinum, hilton diamond
Posts: 2,537
Get an app with a secure photo saver, and snap a photo of a credit card. I'm using ky calc, disguised as a calculator.
Email yourself a photo of your passport so you can get a copy if you lose it.
If you forget your charger plug, check the back of your tv in your hotel room, the new tvs usually have a usb port you can plug your phone into
Email yourself a photo of your passport so you can get a copy if you lose it.
If you forget your charger plug, check the back of your tv in your hotel room, the new tvs usually have a usb port you can plug your phone into
Jan 17, 2017, 12:32 pm
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Pasadena, CA
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hyatt Plat, Amex Plat.
Posts: 651
1. Manage Expectations. This is air travel in 2017. Aeroplanes are buses that fly in the sky. BAEC lounges are not the locale for tea with the queen.
2. BA is a generally a transportation service provider. They are not a friend, not a relative, nor a sports team. Treat them accordingly.
3. BA has no loyalty to you. Act accordingly.
4. Points 1-3 are not however excuses for boorish behavior.
2. BA is a generally a transportation service provider. They are not a friend, not a relative, nor a sports team. Treat them accordingly.
3. BA has no loyalty to you. Act accordingly.
4. Points 1-3 are not however excuses for boorish behavior.
Jan 17, 2017, 1:14 pm
#82
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Somewhere between SFO and LAX...FYI aka FAT
Programs: BAEC - back to lowly blue. Marriott - Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 466
Jan 17, 2017, 1:18 pm
#83
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
1. Manage Expectations. This is air travel in 2017. Aeroplanes are buses that fly in the sky. BAEC lounges are not the locale for tea with the queen.
2. BA is a generally a transportation service provider. They are not a friend, not a relative, nor a sports team. Treat them accordingly.
3. BA has no loyalty to you. Act accordingly.
4. Points 1-3 are not however excuses for boorish behavior.
2. BA is a generally a transportation service provider. They are not a friend, not a relative, nor a sports team. Treat them accordingly.
3. BA has no loyalty to you. Act accordingly.
4. Points 1-3 are not however excuses for boorish behavior.
Jan 17, 2017, 2:00 pm
#84
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold and various hotel programs (wishing they were all linked)
Posts: 100
If you're used to booking direct through ba.com always check aa.com and expedia. I saved £900 this week for an F trip by doing this and getting the exactly the same flights that ba were pricing higher.
Jan 17, 2017, 2:18 pm
#85
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,357
1. Use On Business points before avois on Y flights as OB points expire 2 years from the end of the year they were awarded - active Avios accounts don't - I believe they now all book in to the same bucket
2. Check BA holidays prices before you book
2. Check BA holidays prices before you book
Jan 17, 2017, 3:50 pm
#86
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BA, Virgin, Lufthansa
Posts: 183
Jan 17, 2017, 4:38 pm
#88
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
Same here. I only knew about the tunnel from reading it here on FT. I was in T5 for the first time in years and decided to walk the tunnel over to 5B for our flight to SAN. The lift stopped at the train level and the platforms were an absolute zoo. My wife and I were the only two passengers to stay on the lift down to the tunnel level. We didn't see another single soul on our walk over to 5B.
Jan 18, 2017, 12:22 pm
#89
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: UK
Programs: BA Executive Club - Gold
Posts: 257
Whilst it may be controversial, my top tip (if you are able) would be to guest an unsuspecting person into the lounge at least once.
What many of us take for granted can make an amazing difference to someone's trip and you never know you might make a new acquaintance which you are greatful for in years to come.
This is in addition to the regularly mentioned manners don't cost a thing so be polite and courteous to those around you, especially staff.
What many of us take for granted can make an amazing difference to someone's trip and you never know you might make a new acquaintance which you are greatful for in years to come.
This is in addition to the regularly mentioned manners don't cost a thing so be polite and courteous to those around you, especially staff.