Should Bronze tier have access to Galleries (1 or 2 invites per year)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: British Airways Exec Silver, AmEx Platinum, PP
Posts: 22
Should Bronze tier have access to Galleries (1 or 2 invites per year)
Within the last year I have earned BA Exec Silver. Whilst It's a lovely perk gained through business class travel with my work, I can't help but think I will be downgraded to Bronze one day.
My question is, should BA Bronze members be entitled to one or two visits a year to a Galleries lounge? What are your thoughts?
Regards.
My question is, should BA Bronze members be entitled to one or two visits a year to a Galleries lounge? What are your thoughts?
Regards.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: British Airways Exec Silver, AmEx Platinum, PP
Posts: 22
#7
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: BAEC, Flying Blue, Eurobonus
Posts: 180
Might be good for bronze to see what they are missing, might make them focus on BA instead of flying various airlines with no status/lounge access.
But then again, a WT+ return and a semi flex WT return gets a bronze card and that is only two trips, so 2 free lounge passes would be 100% lounge access for some.
But then again, a WT+ return and a semi flex WT return gets a bronze card and that is only two trips, so 2 free lounge passes would be 100% lounge access for some.
#9
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: 63,787
The lounges aren't always crowded, T5 empties out quite nicely from about 15 hrs onwards, LGW too after about 17 hrs. The only logical reason I can think of for this is if BA targetted Bronzes on an upward slope in the middle of their membership year, where a bit of extra travelling would get them ensnared into Silver. So BA would email them ahead of their (e.g.) evening midweek flight and say "hey, have a lounge visit on us", in the hope that this would spur them to make further flights or take up POUGs etc. At which point they may as well do some sort of status challenge, something they seem to strenuously avoid compared to some airlines, and much to BA's credit in my view.
However Priority Pass / Dragon Pass would seem to me to be the Bronze traveller's friend. The Plaza Premium lounge, which isn't Priority Pass, is also very good in T5.
However Priority Pass / Dragon Pass would seem to me to be the Bronze traveller's friend. The Plaza Premium lounge, which isn't Priority Pass, is also very good in T5.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC: Silver. Nothing else as TopCashBack trumps all hotel programs
Posts: 801
I think 1 pass per year (with guest), would be a nice treat for bronzes without flooding the lounges. Also as others have said, might be incentive to fly with BA more. But I'm sure BA have considered it, and maybe the "thought" of getting lounge access is better than it is. And they would strive for silver less once they have tried it once. Got it out their system so to speak.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,925
Bronze is an official level in BAEC so I think it should attract lounge benefits. Getting Bronze involves flying a lot with BA so should be rewarded. And the lounges are the best thing about status with free food and wines so it needs to be available to anyone who has been elevated above Blue.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, Diamond Status & on the Supreme Council des Conseillers, BA Ag, Bonvoy GFL/Plat, xVS Au
Posts: 832
I can see logic in tempting those who are Bronze towards Silver from a commercial point of view. How about a single invite to a UK-based lounge after X number of flights with BA in that year and/or after X many years as a Bronze. Equally, can be used as a targeted tempter for booking higher class fares (e.g. book WT+ on your next trip and get lounge access - for those Bronze who only book WT).
Better with/without a guest? Taking the other half may aid in helping to get permission for future/more expensive trips. Equally, not being able to have a guest provides a incentive to get Silver.
Better with/without a guest? Taking the other half may aid in helping to get permission for future/more expensive trips. Equally, not being able to have a guest provides a incentive to get Silver.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 151
In principle, I think it is a very good idea. However in practice, how would it work? A paper voucher seems a bit too tradable [although might settle the perceived value of a BA lounge visit...] Maybe the new-fangled computer system might be able to put a couple of 'bonus marks' by a member's name?
Last edited by abitwild; May 20, 2018 at 5:29 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Bronze is an official level in BAEC so I think it should attract lounge benefits. Getting Bronze involves flying a lot with BA so should be rewarded. And the lounges are the best thing about status with free food and wines so it needs to be available to anyone who has been elevated above Blue.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,609
Bronzes (and blues) get op-ups which come with lounge access provided you notice in time. Apart from that, use of business class check-ins (particularly abroad) and priority boarding are decent perks. The point about the silver tiers and above is that they should be somewhat elite and aspirational, lounge access is a huge part of that.
It's one of those "If the Beatles reformed for a concert, what songs should they play" sort of threads really, as it's not going to happen but can lead to quite heated exchanges of opinion. And for me, I'd love to see "Yesterday", "You've got to hide your love away", and the complete side 2 of Abbey Road. Whatever those pesky bronzes say.
It's one of those "If the Beatles reformed for a concert, what songs should they play" sort of threads really, as it's not going to happen but can lead to quite heated exchanges of opinion. And for me, I'd love to see "Yesterday", "You've got to hide your love away", and the complete side 2 of Abbey Road. Whatever those pesky bronzes say.