Wozza2404

Having thought about this, it does make sense that BA can clearly see a significant gulf between those exceeding 5k TPs (relatively few) and those hitting 3k (or likely 3.5k for the GUF) and going no further. No doubt they feel some can be tempted to push for the 5K if better benefits are on offer (I'd consider it rather than flying EY/EK for the remainder of my year after hitting 3.5K, as I do currently) which would increase the numbers in that higher level, but still significantly reduce the overall GGL count.

The question is, are BA capable of actually following through on any increased benefits (particularly soft benefits such as special assistance which will always be 'subject to availability').

MPH1980

Depends - if you're an American flyer who gets to BA silver through intra-american flights and 4 BA segments (and let's not forget those segments don't *actually* need to be on BA metal - it could be American metal with a BA code) - you're costing BA a shed load of money in lounge access you'd be otherwise paying for.

The number of people doing that sort of thing, though, is probably pretty low.

There's a bit of a thing on this board where an example of one or two people doing something less-than-above-board and it's suddenly assumed to be thousands of people doing the same thing regardless of reality. (e.g. Honolulu golds)

sxc

dcmike

I fly a lot of OW flights - I see this as a benefit of the alliance. And BA is likely the carrier I fly the most, year in, year out, in the alliance. Hence, I am a BAEC member. But not being LHR based, I don't fly them exclusively. Again, because I purchase mainly J tickets, I still feel my loyalty is of benefit to BA's bottom line and my membership isn't costing them money. But if they increase the number of segments, they'd likely lose me as a customer.

Edited to add - I also realized I've drastically underestimated my BA flying when looking at "My Flight Path" to keep me honest - I did 10 BA segments in 2017, 16 is 2016. So a raise of the minimum to 8 or 10 would not affect me.

Fitch

Ditto - quite scary actually (that I flew so many sectors and also that I have clear memories of so few !!)

deboyzoned

Does 82 segments count me as a loyal customer? (93% on BA Metal - self funded) for 2017 in SH and LH (similar pattern for previous 5 years)

Projection for this year would only see me on about 70 BA segments assuming I keep booking on BA.

GGL for last 5 years .. I would certainly take my primary self funded business elsewhere (with work travel ... I have no choice due to policy) to Star Alliance if BA does not want my business (by raising the bar on GGL re qualification)

I potentially see a new thread opening up if this happens .... "BA GGL ex 3K BA Exiters"

In the mean time ... I continue to watch this space .... BA no longer the top Brand (now below the top 20 ... massive drop from 4 years at Number 1), 100th Anniversary of BA in 2019 ...

MrMutton

deboyzoned

MODS ... This thread really needs to be closed. Maybe reopen once BA discloses their plans.

flying_pig

In all fairness the opposite argument is equally strong: there are surely passengers who are currently renewing GGL with anywhere between 3k and 5k TPs, who - should the threshold for re-qualification be raised to 5k - would choose to increase spend on BA or OW to hit the new target. I suspect this group (especially on routes where BA or JV partners have monopoly on direct flights) would be more numerous than those who would suddenly stop flying BA because they feel outraged by a change in tier threshold. In other words, making GGL more difficult to attain could make the tier more aspirational and eventually drive more business to BA, so I can see commercial grounds for a similar decision. Now, as said my hope is that this would come with more benefits.

Tobias-UK

golfmad

It's a classic FT thread. Over 300 posts based on very little information and virtually no substance

MarkedMan

Old habits die hard

Wozza2404

BA038_Passenger

I hit both CCR and GfL qualification this month. Lets see what happens!

MPH1980

My apologies - didn't intend it to come across that way - I, personally, do NOT have a problem with the HNL golds. My reason for using it as an example was mainly because there are some on this board who seem to regard it as "the root of all evil" and thousands of people are doing it and then "clogging up" the lounges. When, in reality, we're talking about a relatively small number of people (compared to total number of Gold/Emeralds out there) who, if you then say "well - they weren't flying enough to get Gold or Silver themselves" are not exactly going to be sitting in a lounge every day.