Gold the Hard Way
Jun 4, 2018, 8:19 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Berkshire / London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Nandos
Posts: 1,006
@TPRun ... think you meant 5TPs. Maybe the Phoenix heat is already getting to you. See you in Bucharest for the start of TPRun.
Maintaining Gold, well I’m giving consideration to the OTP/PHX run in August for the Do as it’s right after my TP reset but to be honest I’ve probably left it too late as fares not looking great.
I’m going to see what value I feel I get from the Gold for a couple of months and take it from there. TBH I have not been overwhelmed with the T5 Galleries as they are always jammed so hoping I notice a difference in GF.....
Jun 4, 2018, 8:24 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC (Gold), IHG Rewards (Gold Elite), Marriot (Gold Elite), HHonors (Gold Elite), SPG (Gold)
Posts: 165
Jun 4, 2018, 8:27 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
I tend to agree .....can be very busy indeed. Best not to set expectations too high in terms of any anticipated major step-change, GC v GF, or perceived sense of exclusivity.
It’s only the CCR that approaches the feeling of an F class facility.
It’s only the CCR that approaches the feeling of an F class facility.
Jun 4, 2018, 8:53 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC (Gold), IHG Rewards (Gold Elite), Marriot (Gold Elite), HHonors (Gold Elite), SPG (Gold)
Posts: 165
Yes after reading the forums on here my expectations aren’t too high, looking forward to using First Checkin though at LHR after my standard connection ciggie outside the terminal. The additional Avios also welcome.
Jun 4, 2018, 12:06 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,609
Congratulations - doing this in economy is incredibly impressive, I really take my hat off to you. I had one year attempting to retain silver all in economy and even with a few long hauls it was extremely hard work.
Gold is fun - you'll enjoy swishing in through the gold wing (I certainly do), and GF is a step above GC even if it's not exactly unalloyed luxury. T3 is a great experience too. Don't listen to the cynics basically. Mind you if you gave up smoking you could probably afford the odd trip in F
Gold is fun - you'll enjoy swishing in through the gold wing (I certainly do), and GF is a step above GC even if it's not exactly unalloyed luxury. T3 is a great experience too. Don't listen to the cynics basically. Mind you if you gave up smoking you could probably afford the odd trip in F
Jun 4, 2018, 12:15 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC (Gold), IHG Rewards (Gold Elite), Marriot (Gold Elite), HHonors (Gold Elite), SPG (Gold)
Posts: 165
Congratulations - doing this in economy is incredibly impressive, I really take my hat off to you. I had one year attempting to retain silver all in economy and even with a few long hauls it was extremely hard work.
Gold is fun - you'll enjoy swishing in through the gold wing (I certainly do), and GF is a step above GC even if it's not exactly unalloyed luxury. T3 is a great experience too. Don't listen to the cynics basically. Mind you if you gave up smoking you could probably afford the odd trip in F
Gold is fun - you'll enjoy swishing in through the gold wing (I certainly do), and GF is a step above GC even if it's not exactly unalloyed luxury. T3 is a great experience too. Don't listen to the cynics basically. Mind you if you gave up smoking you could probably afford the odd trip in F
Jun 4, 2018, 12:25 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 699
Hi All,
So over the weekend after my weather rearranged return from LHR last Wednesday I now have my sought after Gold Card, yeehah!
It's taken 55 OW flights (I have had quite a few non-OW flights as well) and largely has been achieved through Y Travel with a mix of work and leisure.
Now I know I'm not nearly as entertaining as for example @bisonrav with his ongoing and entertaining quest for GGL this year, and I'm not as knowledgeable as the renowned C-W-S, Karfa and many others but for any of you who are interested I have attached my routing and time from TP reset to me achieving Gold so you can get a flavour of how much travel a Y flyer needs to do to get it.
I also previously had a comparison with getting OW Emerald with QR as a comparison with BA so have left that in there, mainly because for Y Flyers the perks of Status probably mean a little more than for those who generally travel in J or above anyway since they get the perks included with their tickets. For Ruby and Sapphire there isn't much in it, but Emerald would have taken for me a month and 9 flights less to get the status on QR rather than BA so for those economy flyers who like the status but may struggle, QR may be worth a look (not going into the difficult redemption bookings with QR and poor customer service on the ground with QR of course, this was purely a status point)
What I also have done is double check where a corporate policy for travelling J on flights over 6 hours would have left me, and I'll be honest it made my eyes water. Based on that analysis I would have achieved Gold in only 78 days from TP reset after 16 flights and would currently have a balance of 3835 TP's and with some smarter bookings on a couple of earlier personal trips (TGL, FCO) might have been pushing for the GGL Card rather than struggling to get over the Gold line. I also didn't really travel in December and had a major bereavement in January so I ended up having a 91 day flight gap in this TP year.
All in all it's been a (tiring) blast. I've had an Op-Up with QR DOH-LHR and availed myself of the QSuite (nice!), I've been Op-Upped on both trips to LOS in both directions to WT+ and generally have had very few travel shenanigans (last week aside), some excellent service from BA when required, the odd hunt for missing TP's (DOH-CGK every time argh!!!!).
Overall it's been good, and I am looking forward to breaking my normal no drink while flying rule by having a celebratory glass of something fizzy in GF next time I'm in LHR.
Thanks to all the FTers who have offered me advice as I've gone from being a "regular" leisure traveler to a "seasoned" corporate one. You've given some great advice and I've learned a lot form this site. And for all you regular corporate J Flyers out there, you are lucky.
Next Stop my 2-4-1 redemption in F to East Coast US if I can find availability :-).
So over the weekend after my weather rearranged return from LHR last Wednesday I now have my sought after Gold Card, yeehah!
It's taken 55 OW flights (I have had quite a few non-OW flights as well) and largely has been achieved through Y Travel with a mix of work and leisure.
Now I know I'm not nearly as entertaining as for example @bisonrav with his ongoing and entertaining quest for GGL this year, and I'm not as knowledgeable as the renowned C-W-S, Karfa and many others but for any of you who are interested I have attached my routing and time from TP reset to me achieving Gold so you can get a flavour of how much travel a Y flyer needs to do to get it.
I also previously had a comparison with getting OW Emerald with QR as a comparison with BA so have left that in there, mainly because for Y Flyers the perks of Status probably mean a little more than for those who generally travel in J or above anyway since they get the perks included with their tickets. For Ruby and Sapphire there isn't much in it, but Emerald would have taken for me a month and 9 flights less to get the status on QR rather than BA so for those economy flyers who like the status but may struggle, QR may be worth a look (not going into the difficult redemption bookings with QR and poor customer service on the ground with QR of course, this was purely a status point)
What I also have done is double check where a corporate policy for travelling J on flights over 6 hours would have left me, and I'll be honest it made my eyes water. Based on that analysis I would have achieved Gold in only 78 days from TP reset after 16 flights and would currently have a balance of 3835 TP's and with some smarter bookings on a couple of earlier personal trips (TGL, FCO) might have been pushing for the GGL Card rather than struggling to get over the Gold line. I also didn't really travel in December and had a major bereavement in January so I ended up having a 91 day flight gap in this TP year.
All in all it's been a (tiring) blast. I've had an Op-Up with QR DOH-LHR and availed myself of the QSuite (nice!), I've been Op-Upped on both trips to LOS in both directions to WT+ and generally have had very few travel shenanigans (last week aside), some excellent service from BA when required, the odd hunt for missing TP's (DOH-CGK every time argh!!!!).
Overall it's been good, and I am looking forward to breaking my normal no drink while flying rule by having a celebratory glass of something fizzy in GF next time I'm in LHR.
Thanks to all the FTers who have offered me advice as I've gone from being a "regular" leisure traveler to a "seasoned" corporate one. You've given some great advice and I've learned a lot form this site. And for all you regular corporate J Flyers out there, you are lucky.
Next Stop my 2-4-1 redemption in F to East Coast US if I can find availability :-).
ive been silver myself and dropped to bronze which was heavy for the seat booking and lounge, will have Mt silver back next month
agsin well done on that slog 👍
Jun 4, 2018, 12:40 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC (Gold), IHG Rewards (Gold Elite), Marriot (Gold Elite), HHonors (Gold Elite), SPG (Gold)
Posts: 165
one thing I would be interested to see now I’m Gold is my CIV score. There have been some high revenue Y fares in that little lot....
Jun 4, 2018, 12:53 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC (Gold), IHG Rewards (Gold Elite), Marriot (Gold Elite), HHonors (Gold Elite), SPG (Gold)
Posts: 165
Oh and thanks, and a tip. If you’re Silver and frequent LHR and comparing the brands of alcohol available isn’t a big thing (I tend to stick to Coca Cola when I’m flying so doesn’t bother me lol), I’d recommend the Amex Platinum for as long as it doesn’t let Priority Pass into the Plaza Premium at Gate A7. Free entry for you and a guest with your Plat Card (plus a Priority Pass for you and supplementary cardholder with free guest access for other airports), and even though it’s a steep fee at £495 30k Rewards for hitting the 3 month spend limit (which I value at £300) in year one. I can’t highlight enough how highly I rate that lounge for a quiet chill out. Especially worth a look if you hit a BA 2-4-1 easily in a year on their AMEX and want to focus on something else because of diminishing returns....
Jun 4, 2018, 3:36 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Sixt Gold
Posts: 418
Congrats!
And yes I agree, flying J is indeed a privilege and I never forget it every time I board a J flight. I still remember the many LHR-HKG-TPE flights I used to fly, on a monthly basis, in Y and the difference it made when I swapped to J.
Travel policy has been since then a matter I discuss in the final stages of every interview process.
And yes I agree, flying J is indeed a privilege and I never forget it every time I board a J flight. I still remember the many LHR-HKG-TPE flights I used to fly, on a monthly basis, in Y and the difference it made when I swapped to J.
Travel policy has been since then a matter I discuss in the final stages of every interview process.
Jun 6, 2018, 6:48 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 5
Hi All,
So over the weekend after my weather rearranged return from LHR last Wednesday I now have my sought after Gold Card, yeehah!
It's taken 55 OW flights (I have had quite a few non-OW flights as well) and largely has been achieved through Y Travel with a mix of work and leisure.
Now I know I'm not nearly as entertaining as for example @bisonrav with his ongoing and entertaining quest for GGL this year, and I'm not as knowledgeable as the renowned C-W-S, Karfa and many others but for any of you who are interested I have attached my routing and time from TP reset to me achieving Gold so you can get a flavour of how much travel a Y flyer needs to do to get it.
I also previously had a comparison with getting OW Emerald with QR as a comparison with BA so have left that in there, mainly because for Y Flyers the perks of Status probably mean a little more than for those who generally travel in J or above anyway since they get the perks included with their tickets. For Ruby and Sapphire there isn't much in it, but Emerald would have taken for me a month and 9 flights less to get the status on QR rather than BA so for those economy flyers who like the status but may struggle, QR may be worth a look (not going into the difficult redemption bookings with QR and poor customer service on the ground with QR of course, this was purely a status point)
What I also have done is double check where a corporate policy for travelling J on flights over 6 hours would have left me, and I'll be honest it made my eyes water. Based on that analysis I would have achieved Gold in only 78 days from TP reset after 16 flights and would currently have a balance of 3835 TP's and with some smarter bookings on a couple of earlier personal trips (TGL, FCO) might have been pushing for the GGL Card rather than struggling to get over the Gold line. I also didn't really travel in December and had a major bereavement in January so I ended up having a 91 day flight gap in this TP year.
All in all it's been a (tiring) blast. I've had an Op-Up with QR DOH-LHR and availed myself of the QSuite (nice!), I've been Op-Upped on both trips to LOS in both directions to WT+ and generally have had very few travel shenanigans (last week aside), some excellent service from BA when required, the odd hunt for missing TP's (DOH-CGK every time argh!!!!).
Overall it's been good, and I am looking forward to breaking my normal no drink while flying rule by having a celebratory glass of something fizzy in GF next time I'm in LHR.
Thanks to all the FTers who have offered me advice as I've gone from being a "regular" leisure traveler to a "seasoned" corporate one. You've given some great advice and I've learned a lot form this site. And for all you regular corporate J Flyers out there, you are lucky.
Next Stop my 2-4-1 redemption in F to East Coast US if I can find availability :-).
So over the weekend after my weather rearranged return from LHR last Wednesday I now have my sought after Gold Card, yeehah!
It's taken 55 OW flights (I have had quite a few non-OW flights as well) and largely has been achieved through Y Travel with a mix of work and leisure.
Now I know I'm not nearly as entertaining as for example @bisonrav with his ongoing and entertaining quest for GGL this year, and I'm not as knowledgeable as the renowned C-W-S, Karfa and many others but for any of you who are interested I have attached my routing and time from TP reset to me achieving Gold so you can get a flavour of how much travel a Y flyer needs to do to get it.
I also previously had a comparison with getting OW Emerald with QR as a comparison with BA so have left that in there, mainly because for Y Flyers the perks of Status probably mean a little more than for those who generally travel in J or above anyway since they get the perks included with their tickets. For Ruby and Sapphire there isn't much in it, but Emerald would have taken for me a month and 9 flights less to get the status on QR rather than BA so for those economy flyers who like the status but may struggle, QR may be worth a look (not going into the difficult redemption bookings with QR and poor customer service on the ground with QR of course, this was purely a status point)
What I also have done is double check where a corporate policy for travelling J on flights over 6 hours would have left me, and I'll be honest it made my eyes water. Based on that analysis I would have achieved Gold in only 78 days from TP reset after 16 flights and would currently have a balance of 3835 TP's and with some smarter bookings on a couple of earlier personal trips (TGL, FCO) might have been pushing for the GGL Card rather than struggling to get over the Gold line. I also didn't really travel in December and had a major bereavement in January so I ended up having a 91 day flight gap in this TP year.
All in all it's been a (tiring) blast. I've had an Op-Up with QR DOH-LHR and availed myself of the QSuite (nice!), I've been Op-Upped on both trips to LOS in both directions to WT+ and generally have had very few travel shenanigans (last week aside), some excellent service from BA when required, the odd hunt for missing TP's (DOH-CGK every time argh!!!!).
Overall it's been good, and I am looking forward to breaking my normal no drink while flying rule by having a celebratory glass of something fizzy in GF next time I'm in LHR.
Thanks to all the FTers who have offered me advice as I've gone from being a "regular" leisure traveler to a "seasoned" corporate one. You've given some great advice and I've learned a lot form this site. And for all you regular corporate J Flyers out there, you are lucky.
Next Stop my 2-4-1 redemption in F to East Coast US if I can find availability :-).