Free HEX upgrade for GGL
Oct 6, 2017, 1:17 am
#62
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,799
I tried it for the first time a couple of days ago, just showed the e-card on the App and the guard (or whatever "customer facing" name they are called these days) merely glanced and moved on. As far as I could tell everyone else in the train compartment was a Star Gold, maybe one ticketed passenger in First.
I must admit i did feel a bit silly being in First for such a short trip, it's not the sort of thing I would do and I wouldn't normally waste time trying to find the right carriage. However HEX can get surprisingly full in Standard class (so the opposite to the earlier comments), I've always thought it somewhat scandalous that people sometimes have to stand on one of the most expensive rail services on the planet, so I guess being in First gives more room for everyone.
I must admit i did feel a bit silly being in First for such a short trip, it's not the sort of thing I would do and I wouldn't normally waste time trying to find the right carriage. However HEX can get surprisingly full in Standard class (so the opposite to the earlier comments), I've always thought it somewhat scandalous that people sometimes have to stand on one of the most expensive rail services on the planet, so I guess being in First gives more room for everyone.
Oct 6, 2017, 2:33 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: HHonors Diamond; A3 *Nothing ; BA Exec. Club Gold
Posts: 1,689
I tried it for the first time a couple of days ago, just showed the e-card on the App and the guard (or whatever "customer facing" name they are called these days) merely glanced and moved on. As far as I could tell everyone else in the train compartment was a Star Gold, maybe one ticketed passenger in First.
I must admit i did feel a bit silly being in First for such a short trip, it's not the sort of thing I would do and I wouldn't normally waste time trying to find the right carriage. However HEX can get surprisingly full in Standard class (so the opposite to the earlier comments), I've always thought it somewhat scandalous that people sometimes have to stand on one of the most expensive rail services on the planet, so I guess being in First gives more room for everyone.
I must admit i did feel a bit silly being in First for such a short trip, it's not the sort of thing I would do and I wouldn't normally waste time trying to find the right carriage. However HEX can get surprisingly full in Standard class (so the opposite to the earlier comments), I've always thought it somewhat scandalous that people sometimes have to stand on one of the most expensive rail services on the planet, so I guess being in First gives more room for everyone.
Bought the standard class ticket, sat in Business First and showed my BA Gold card with the ticket. Just a glance, a thank you and that was it. No need to be GGL.
Globalist
Nov 23, 2017, 5:25 am
#64
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Are discounted tickets via network railcard valid too for this offer? I assume the staff won't care and it's the same as advanced fares, but the T&C are slightly opaque about it.
Carnet tickets are specifically listed but otherwise it just states that the ticket needs to be purchased "from heathrowexpress.com/avios, the Heathrow Express app, in stations or on board the train".
Carnet tickets are specifically listed but otherwise it just states that the ticket needs to be purchased "from heathrowexpress.com/avios, the Heathrow Express app, in stations or on board the train".
Nov 23, 2017, 5:29 am
#65
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dorset, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 635
I've had this before. The Star Alliance upgrade offer does explicitly bar railcards but the GGL upgrade just says an Express class ticket.
Nov 24, 2017, 9:18 am
#66
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: London/Geneva/Budapest
Programs: LH SEN (*G), BA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 163
On HEX right now using a 14 day advanced purchase saver ticket. Train staff just informed me that they have a new briefing that states that moving forward a standard ticket is now required in order to take advantage of gold card upgrade.
Nov 24, 2017, 9:30 am
#67
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,286
Good. And hopefully they stop mistaking GCHs for GGLs. The HEX first carriage is getting busy and it's mostly full of those who aren't supposed to be there. Once HEX realises that the offer is being abused, it will be removed as a benefit from those who are actually entitled to it.
Nov 24, 2017, 12:46 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Lon
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 151
Think they are tightening this up. Last week was told I couldn’t sit in first as a GCH, had to be a GGL. Had been having no issue for months prior to that. HEX is a complete scam anyway and the obscene fares and poor service (including use of 4 car trains which get rammed off-peak and especially Sundays) an embarrassment to London.
Nov 24, 2017, 12:58 pm
#69
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
Just tried it for the first time, and the ticket person looked confused...and just walked off!
I stayed in Business First and figured perhaps not all the staff are aware of the upgrade offer.
M
I stayed in Business First and figured perhaps not all the staff are aware of the upgrade offer.
M
Nov 24, 2017, 2:13 pm
#70
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
For what it's worth my wife (Gold) and I (GGL) had no issues using the offer last week. We had non-discounted express class return fares that we bought a few weeks prior to our journey.
Dec 3, 2017, 2:10 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,257
Tonight’s LHR>PAD HEX (Sunday 3rd) service was enforcing the GGL rule very strictly with 2 pax dispatched to standard class (that I saw) due to the lack of GGL status. The guard was very friendly about it and asked if he could show my card to one of the Gold members to demonstrate the required status, although he then did ask what GL stood for.
Further down the carriage there appeared to be a DYKWIA incident as a pax argued that due to a previous cancellation, standard class was full and he therefore had the right to sit in Business based on the premium fares they charge everybody!
Pilot37
Further down the carriage there appeared to be a DYKWIA incident as a pax argued that due to a previous cancellation, standard class was full and he therefore had the right to sit in Business based on the premium fares they charge everybody!
Pilot37
Dec 4, 2017, 6:00 am
#73
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold & GGL & CCR, HH Diam, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire, Tastecard
Posts: 7,549
The HEX guard just now specifically checked my card for the GL logo and says I was the first person he saw with the right card - so they are definitely tightening up on this. He also asked me what one had to do to get one....
Dec 5, 2017, 8:41 am
#74
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Geneva/Sydney
Programs: Mucci; BA, LT GGL; QF, platinum; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 926
Tonight’s LHR>PAD HEX (Sunday 3rd) service was enforcing the GGL rule very strictly with 2 pax dispatched to standard class (that I saw) due to the lack of GGL status. The guard was very friendly about it and asked if he could show my card to one of the Gold members to demonstrate the required status, although he then did ask what GL stood for.
Further down the carriage there appeared to be a DYKWIA incident as a pax argued that due to a previous cancellation, standard class was full and he therefore had the right to sit in Business based on the premium fares they charge everybody!
Pilot37
Further down the carriage there appeared to be a DYKWIA incident as a pax argued that due to a previous cancellation, standard class was full and he therefore had the right to sit in Business based on the premium fares they charge everybody!
Pilot37
Dec 5, 2017, 9:56 am
#75
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: Mucci (Scirocco Sash), BAEC Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 863
Also on HEX midday on 3 Dec. Train absolutely packed (they strangely only run 5 coach trains on Sunday) so we sat in Business First and offered to pay for upgrade. Had absolutely no idea that I should have shown my GGL credentials. After a bit of chit chat with the guard, he waived the upgrade since the train was so full!
To get back slightly on topic, for leisure travellers who know their schedule far ahead the 90-day advance weekend F tickets are not expensive at £7.50 o/w (Standard also being a steal at £5.50), but obviously less useful for trips booked with less notice - also only available via the normal HEX website, not the Avios-specific page.