Unexpected benefit of achieving GGL For Life [unlimited jokers]
Jan 26, 2018, 7:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL For Life: Hilton Diamond: IHG Platinum
Posts: 263
Unexpected benefit of achieving GGL For Life [unlimited jokers]
Hi All
I recently made GGL For Life. I thought I was aware of all the benefits, including the CCR card for life etc. But in a conversation with one of the GGL team on the ‘phone (subsequently confirmed in an email) I was informed that GGL FL members get unlimited “Jokers/ Space Releases” each year, rather than the usual 2 for “regular” GGL members. They told me that GGL FL members get treated the same as Premiers in this regard. Given that I divide my time between bases in the UK and Australia the more seats in premium classes that I can get access to on the sole LHR – SYD flight each year the better
I hadn’t seen this benefit in the excellent “Beginners Guide to GGL” but that might be an oversight on my part?
Of course being a “Flyertalker” this piece if information only gives rise to a supplementary question – bit like PMQs. Would my CIV as a GGL FL also match that of a Premier (105 I believe) with all the attendant showering of rose petals that goes with it? To that point I thought I would share with this esteemed community that the moment at which one crosses the GGL FL threshold - in my case a rather mundane LHR – ARN - does not bring with it any momentous marking of the occasion… No water cannon salute as the ‘plane pulls into the gate. No visit from the “Chief Pilot’ to sit down next to you and hand over “the card” a la Ryan Bingham…. Just a rather confusing and shambolic series of letters and emails from the Exec Club which, frankly, the GGL team seemed a bit embarrassed about.
In case it is of interest to anyone, getting to these lofty heights took me a little over 27 years, flying long haul mostly in Club with the occasional First, and mixture of CE and Y in Europe, I would roughly estimate that:
I recently made GGL For Life. I thought I was aware of all the benefits, including the CCR card for life etc. But in a conversation with one of the GGL team on the ‘phone (subsequently confirmed in an email) I was informed that GGL FL members get unlimited “Jokers/ Space Releases” each year, rather than the usual 2 for “regular” GGL members. They told me that GGL FL members get treated the same as Premiers in this regard. Given that I divide my time between bases in the UK and Australia the more seats in premium classes that I can get access to on the sole LHR – SYD flight each year the better
I hadn’t seen this benefit in the excellent “Beginners Guide to GGL” but that might be an oversight on my part?
Of course being a “Flyertalker” this piece if information only gives rise to a supplementary question – bit like PMQs
. Would my CIV as a GGL FL also match that of a Premier (105 I believe) with all the attendant showering of rose petals that goes with it? To that point I thought I would share with this esteemed community that the moment at which one crosses the GGL FL threshold - in my case a rather mundane LHR – ARN - does not bring with it any momentous marking of the occasion… No water cannon salute as the ‘plane pulls into the gate. No visit from the “Chief Pilot’ to sit down next to you and hand over “the card” a la Ryan Bingham…. Just a rather confusing and shambolic series of letters and emails from the Exec Club which, frankly, the GGL team seemed a bit embarrassed about. In case it is of interest to anyone, getting to these lofty heights took me a little over 27 years, flying long haul mostly in Club with the occasional First, and mixture of CE and Y in Europe, I would roughly estimate that:
- about 90% of the flights were “straightforward” ones that I had to take for business or pleasure
- about 7% / 8% were flights that I still had to take but where I deliberately took routings with advantageous Tier Points (such as LHR – TYO – SIN – OZ on JL / QF)
- and 2% - in the last couple of years when I thought “let’s go for this before the threshold is raised or it is abolished” – were “genuine” TP runs and where TLL was very much my friend . Would be interested to hear if anyone was already aware of the unlimited jokers and any other comments very welcome
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Jan 26, 2018 at 9:54 pm Reason: Tidy up formatting for readability
Jan 26, 2018, 10:31 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North West, UK
Programs: BA GfL (GGL/CCR), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,998
Congrats! There can't be many of you at those lofty heights. The wife won't let me go for GGL FL unfortunately - perhaps it's time for a trade in?
I'm on the verge of achieving GfL, which was my aim a few years ago, and I have already had a few members of cabin crew congratulate me on my impending achievement, knowing that I have flights booked that will take me over 35,000 TPs. I was fairly impressed with that.
Unlimited jokers for life sounds a fantastic benefit - I will carry on dreaming...
I'm on the verge of achieving GfL, which was my aim a few years ago, and I have already had a few members of cabin crew congratulate me on my impending achievement, knowing that I have flights booked that will take me over 35,000 TPs. I was fairly impressed with that.
Unlimited jokers for life sounds a fantastic benefit - I will carry on dreaming...
Jan 26, 2018, 11:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Congrats! There can't be many of you at those lofty heights. The wife won't let me go for GGL FL unfortunately - perhaps it's time for a trade in?
I'm on the verge of achieving GfL, which was my aim a few years ago, and I have already had a few members of cabin crew congratulate me on my impending achievement, knowing that I have flights booked that will take me over 35,000 TPs. I was fairly impressed with that.
Unlimited jokers for life sounds a fantastic benefit - I will carry on dreaming...
I'm on the verge of achieving GfL, which was my aim a few years ago, and I have already had a few members of cabin crew congratulate me on my impending achievement, knowing that I have flights booked that will take me over 35,000 TPs. I was fairly impressed with that.
Unlimited jokers for life sounds a fantastic benefit - I will carry on dreaming...
Jan 27, 2018, 12:58 am
#5
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,913
Hi All
I recently made GGL For Life. I thought I was aware of all the benefits, including the CCR card for life etc. But in a conversation with one of the GGL team on the ‘phone (subsequently confirmed in an email) I was informed that GGL FL members get unlimited “Jokers/ Space Releases” each year, rather than the usual 2 for “regular” GGL members. They told me that GGL FL members get treated the same as Premiers in this regard. Given that I divide my time between bases in the UK and Australia the more seats in premium classes that I can get access to on the sole LHR – SYD flight each year the better
I hadn’t seen this benefit in the excellent “Beginners Guide to GGL” but that might be an oversight on my part?
Of course being a “Flyertalker” this piece if information only gives rise to a supplementary question – bit like PMQs. Would my CIV as a GGL FL also match that of a Premier (105 I believe) with all the attendant showering of rose petals that goes with it? To that point I thought I would share with this esteemed community that the moment at which one crosses the GGL FL threshold - in my case a rather mundane LHR – ARN - does not bring with it any momentous marking of the occasion… No water cannon salute as the ‘plane pulls into the gate. No visit from the “Chief Pilot’ to sit down next to you and hand over “the card” a la Ryan Bingham…. Just a rather confusing and shambolic series of letters and emails from the Exec Club which, frankly, the GGL team seemed a bit embarrassed about.
In case it is of interest to anyone, getting to these lofty heights took me a little over 27 years, flying long haul mostly in Club with the occasional First, and mixture of CE and Y in Europe, I would roughly estimate that:
I recently made GGL For Life. I thought I was aware of all the benefits, including the CCR card for life etc. But in a conversation with one of the GGL team on the ‘phone (subsequently confirmed in an email) I was informed that GGL FL members get unlimited “Jokers/ Space Releases” each year, rather than the usual 2 for “regular” GGL members. They told me that GGL FL members get treated the same as Premiers in this regard. Given that I divide my time between bases in the UK and Australia the more seats in premium classes that I can get access to on the sole LHR – SYD flight each year the better
I hadn’t seen this benefit in the excellent “Beginners Guide to GGL” but that might be an oversight on my part?
Of course being a “Flyertalker” this piece if information only gives rise to a supplementary question – bit like PMQs
. Would my CIV as a GGL FL also match that of a Premier (105 I believe) with all the attendant showering of rose petals that goes with it? To that point I thought I would share with this esteemed community that the moment at which one crosses the GGL FL threshold - in my case a rather mundane LHR – ARN - does not bring with it any momentous marking of the occasion… No water cannon salute as the ‘plane pulls into the gate. No visit from the “Chief Pilot’ to sit down next to you and hand over “the card” a la Ryan Bingham…. Just a rather confusing and shambolic series of letters and emails from the Exec Club which, frankly, the GGL team seemed a bit embarrassed about.In case it is of interest to anyone, getting to these lofty heights took me a little over 27 years, flying long haul mostly in Club with the occasional First, and mixture of CE and Y in Europe, I would roughly estimate that:
- about 90% of the flights were “straightforward” ones that I had to take for business or pleasure
- about 7% / 8% were flights that I still had to take but where I deliberately took routings with advantageous Tier Points (such as LHR – TYO – SIN – OZ on JL / QF)
- and 2% - in the last couple of years when I thought “let’s go for this before the threshold is raised or it is abolished” – were “genuine” TP runs and where TLL was very much my friend . Would be interested to hear if anyone was already aware of the unlimited jokers and any other comments very welcome
You have my commiserations on your achievement
Jan 27, 2018, 1:20 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 692
At about Ł1300 a trip that's about Ł85,000 for 65 trips which seems relatively cheap considering how much some people (or their employers) will have paid over the years. Is lifetime GGL worth Ł85k?
Jan 27, 2018, 1:22 am
#7
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,726
Series of emails? I think it's just that nice Mr. Hillier sending a single email congratulating you and outlining the key benefits. I seem to recall there was supposed to be a follow up call from the Manchester team, as there is supposed to be for main GGL, but I've not seen any reports of either recently. The multiple jokers has been mentioned before somewhere but I can understand why it's not in the main GGL thread, it would probably set the Cairo-Honolulu route alight. CIV is 100 for GGLfL (it may dip below at the start of your membership year however) and 101 if you have department travel spend authority. However you still have to earn GUFs and 50k bonuses the hard way!
Jan 27, 2018, 1:36 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,565
Curiously how would the crew know? Is your current TP and all your future flights on their iPad?
I'm on the verge of achieving GfL, which was my aim a few years ago, and I have already had a few members of cabin crew congratulate me on my impending achievement, knowing that I have flights booked that will take me over 35,000 TPs. I was fairly impressed with that.
Jan 27, 2018, 2:39 am
#10
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,726
Jan 27, 2018, 3:34 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA
Posts: 240
Jan 27, 2018, 6:17 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Ayrshire
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, IHG Spire Ambassador, HH Diamond, Scandic Top Floor
Posts: 139
Jan 27, 2018, 6:20 am
#15
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,726