Gold - it gets you in the end
Feb 23, 2018, 1:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LCY
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,208
Gold - it gets you in the end
I was one of those travellers who was quite happy with Silver. Lounge access, fast track and seat selection are all useful to make travel more comfortable and leave me less reliant on Special Assistance. With my nomal travel pattern I had been renewing Silver consistently since 2013.
Only in the last year or more, did I consider the extra perks of gold:
- earning more avios, mainly make my 2-4-1s go further.
- the possibilty of more redemption space
- having a bit more comfort in the F lounge - I couldn't face another baked potato!
The last thing to cinch it was the new First wing at T5. Getting through security in 5 minutes with no extra walking to the lounge is perhaps the easiest T5 experience that I can remember. It's almost on par with city airport, 7 minutes from the pavement to airside when fast-tracked.
Without BAFT, I might have got to silver and stayed there. However, with the info shared here, I got to gold fairly ecoomically, with a few fun trips along the way. So thanks for all the tips and here's to more travel. ^
Only in the last year or more, did I consider the extra perks of gold:
- earning more avios, mainly make my 2-4-1s go further.
- the possibilty of more redemption space
- having a bit more comfort in the F lounge - I couldn't face another baked potato!
The last thing to cinch it was the new First wing at T5. Getting through security in 5 minutes with no extra walking to the lounge is perhaps the easiest T5 experience that I can remember. It's almost on par with city airport, 7 minutes from the pavement to airside when fast-tracked.
Without BAFT, I might have got to silver and stayed there. However, with the info shared here, I got to gold fairly ecoomically, with a few fun trips along the way. So thanks for all the tips and here's to more travel. ^
Feb 23, 2018, 1:43 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond *, IHG, Couples Romance Rewards
Posts: 2,351
I was one of those travellers who was quite happy with Silver. Lounge access, fast track and seat selection are all useful to make travel more comfortable and leave me less reliant on Special Assistance. With my nomal travel pattern I had been renewing Silver consistently since 2013.
Only in the last year or more, did I consider the extra perks of gold:
- earning more avios, mainly make my 2-4-1s go further.
- the possibilty of more redemption space
- having a bit more comfort in the F lounge - I couldn't face another baked potato!
The last thing to cinch it was the new First wing at T5. Getting through security in 5 minutes with no extra walking to the lounge is perhaps the easiest T5 experience that I can remember. It's almost on par with city airport, 7 minutes from the pavement to airside when fast-tracked.
Without BAFT, I might have got to silver and stayed there. However, with the info shared here, I got to gold fairly ecoomically, with a few fun trips along the way. So thanks for all the tips and here's to more travel. ^
Only in the last year or more, did I consider the extra perks of gold:
- earning more avios, mainly make my 2-4-1s go further.
- the possibilty of more redemption space
- having a bit more comfort in the F lounge - I couldn't face another baked potato!
The last thing to cinch it was the new First wing at T5. Getting through security in 5 minutes with no extra walking to the lounge is perhaps the easiest T5 experience that I can remember. It's almost on par with city airport, 7 minutes from the pavement to airside when fast-tracked.
Without BAFT, I might have got to silver and stayed there. However, with the info shared here, I got to gold fairly ecoomically, with a few fun trips along the way. So thanks for all the tips and here's to more travel. ^
Feb 23, 2018, 2:03 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,902
You're right. I'm likely to fall off GGL this year after 7 years 
as my work travel patterns fell off a cliff for H2 2017. I've finally started again but will end up on about 1,300 TPs based on current forecast.
However, Group 1 boarding and the First Wing are such drivers for me that I'll definitely make the effort to keep Gold at least. I'll miss the jokers and the partner cards (the family are seriously unimpressed to be losing those!) but Gold is good
as my work travel patterns fell off a cliff for H2 2017. I've finally started again but will end up on about 1,300 TPs based on current forecast.However, Group 1 boarding and the First Wing are such drivers for me that I'll definitely make the effort to keep Gold at least. I'll miss the jokers and the partner cards (the family are seriously unimpressed to be losing those!) but Gold is good
Feb 23, 2018, 3:14 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,076
Remembering this was discussed, one of the times we met at a pre-DO/DO, and you being happy with Silver at that time. Welcome to Gold, hope you find it worthwhile.
Or as Mae West allegedly said: Too much of the good is what any woman deserves
Or as Mae West allegedly said: Too much of the good is what any woman deserves
Feb 23, 2018, 3:46 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Programs: BA Silver - hard drop from GGL :( SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, AC E50k
Posts: 567
You're right. I'm likely to fall off GGL this year after 7 years as my work travel patterns fell off a cliff for H2 2017. I've finally started again but will end up on about 1,300 TPs based on current forecast.
However, Group 1 boarding and the First Wing are such drivers for me that I'll definitely make the effort to keep Gold at least. I'll miss the jokers and the partner cards (the family are seriously unimpressed to be losing those!) but Gold is good
as my work travel patterns fell off a cliff for H2 2017. I've finally started again but will end up on about 1,300 TPs based on current forecast.However, Group 1 boarding and the First Wing are such drivers for me that I'll definitely make the effort to keep Gold at least. I'll miss the jokers and the partner cards (the family are seriously unimpressed to be losing those!) but Gold is good
Feb 23, 2018, 3:48 am
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC GGL; KLM Gold; AC 50K
Posts: 147
GGL will get you next! The F lounge is getting a bit too crowded for me I am <1000 TP away! Hopefully the upcoming Asia milk-run and a couple NA/Russia trips will cinch the deal within the next 60 days.
I am <1000 TP away! Hopefully the upcoming Asia milk-run and a couple NA/Russia trips will cinch the deal within the next 60 days.
Feb 23, 2018, 6:41 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Thanks for the cheerful Thread, GadgetGal ... just what is needed on a cold day!
I confess we Golden Oldies don’t use many of the Gold benefits. I could never contemplate travelling with our joint baggage allowance, for a start! But there’s a warm feeling in knowing there’s the F Wing on our rare LHR visits, access to FLounges (where available) and access in to AA’s ones in the US. Oh, and booking Row 1, which we are getting used to!! Already renewed for next Membership year (wef May) and working hard on booking/planning for 2018/19 .... just one more big trip to fix for Spring 19
I guess the bottom line is that we’re not missing out on much that BAEC has to offer, and enjoying being slightly ‘forced’ to take that extra holiday to ensure renewal
I confess we Golden Oldies don’t use many of the Gold benefits. I could never contemplate travelling with our joint baggage allowance, for a start! But there’s a warm feeling in knowing there’s the F Wing on our rare LHR visits, access to FLounges (where available) and access in to AA’s ones in the US. Oh, and booking Row 1, which we are getting used to!! Already renewed for next Membership year (wef May) and working hard on booking/planning for 2018/19 .... just one more big trip to fix for Spring 19
I guess the bottom line is that we’re not missing out on much that BAEC has to offer, and enjoying being slightly ‘forced’ to take that extra holiday to ensure renewal
Feb 23, 2018, 8:56 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
Mine comes through again as soon as the failure of my last AUP to post correctly gets rectified - so should be a couple of days. I also ummed and ahhed about it. I think without the book J fly F one leg and get the TPs thing this year I wouldn't even have been close and wouldn't have been that bothered about chasing it. But once I knew the projected run rate put me up somewhere around 1350-1400 it was worth that small extra push...
Best guess, as the initiative seems to have been resurrected, I may have a similar scenario again in just over a year's time. We'll see.
Best guess, as the initiative seems to have been resurrected, I may have a similar scenario again in just over a year's time. We'll see.
Feb 23, 2018, 10:55 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
There is, of course, more to life than BAEC Gold .... apparently.
Long life, good health and happiness are also rumoured to be goiden things
Long life, good health and happiness are also rumoured to be goiden things