OpUps as Gold vs Silver
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 801
OpUps as Gold vs Silver
I am on 1245 TPs with 6 months to go till my TP year expires, for the first time after a number of years of hitting 600-800 TPs. So I am very likely to hit Gold or maybe even GGL at a stretch.
As a Silver, the single most valuable occasional benefit has been OpUps from WTP to CW (averaging 50-75% per year on 10+ sectors).
But I read so many stories of people who turned Gold and then saw the OpUps dry up significantly.
Is this the general consensus and do we think this is linked to how DUTs algorithm works?
I am not sure GF, First Wing, the nice QF & CX F lounges are worth going for Gold for, if it means I am much less likely to get OpUps.
I know I should not expect anything more than the cabin I pay for yada yada - the informal perk is still a perk.
As a Silver, the single most valuable occasional benefit has been OpUps from WTP to CW (averaging 50-75% per year on 10+ sectors).
But I read so many stories of people who turned Gold and then saw the OpUps dry up significantly.
Is this the general consensus and do we think this is linked to how DUTs algorithm works?
I am not sure GF, First Wing, the nice QF & CX F lounges are worth going for Gold for, if it means I am much less likely to get OpUps.
I know I should not expect anything more than the cabin I pay for yada yada - the informal perk is still a perk.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, *A Gold, Hertz President's Circle, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 529
Ive only ever had Opups as a GCH - didnt get any as a SCH.
Your track record sounds exceptional. I certainly wouldnt avoid Gold on the based on maybe getting more Opups as Silver.
Your track record sounds exceptional. I certainly wouldnt avoid Gold on the based on maybe getting more Opups as Silver.
#3
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,098
As an add-on question, does BA just not have a CIV score for me as IB platino but someone that obviously flies BA quite a lot?
I've got a flight this week in B class and I'm really hoping for some sort of op-up as it seems to be rammed full in general.
I've got a flight this week in B class and I'm really hoping for some sort of op-up as it seems to be rammed full in general.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GGLfL
Posts: 1,342
I am on 1245 TPs with 6 months to go till my TP year expires, for the first time after a number of years of hitting 600-800 TPs. So I am very likely to hit Gold or maybe even GGL at a stretch.
As a Silver, the single most valuable occasional benefit has been OpUps from WTP to CW (averaging 50-75% per year on 10+ sectors).
But I read so many stories of people who turned Gold and then saw the OpUps dry up significantly.
Is this the general consensus and do we think this is linked to how DUTs algorithm works?
I am not sure GF, First Wing, the nice QF & CX F lounges are worth going for Gold for, if it means I am much less likely to get OpUps.
I know I should not expect anything more than the cabin I pay for yada yada - the informal perk is still a perk.
As a Silver, the single most valuable occasional benefit has been OpUps from WTP to CW (averaging 50-75% per year on 10+ sectors).
But I read so many stories of people who turned Gold and then saw the OpUps dry up significantly.
Is this the general consensus and do we think this is linked to how DUTs algorithm works?
I am not sure GF, First Wing, the nice QF & CX F lounges are worth going for Gold for, if it means I am much less likely to get OpUps.
I know I should not expect anything more than the cabin I pay for yada yada - the informal perk is still a perk.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,338
I had one op up in 4 years of Silver and none as a Gold in 6 months. Not sure what that means.
I’ve always had the mantra book the class of travel you want however and then you won’t be disappointed.
The First Wing check in and security and Galleries First, the extra Avios and extra reward availability for me are features of Gold that are worth it as opposed to the hope of an upgrade,
I’ve always had the mantra book the class of travel you want however and then you won’t be disappointed.
The First Wing check in and security and Galleries First, the extra Avios and extra reward availability for me are features of Gold that are worth it as opposed to the hope of an upgrade,
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cambridge, UK
Programs: Mucci, BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 761
As a single passenger flying in W on traffic heavy routes, I suspect you stand a reasonable chance of being upgraded as either a silver or a gold. I wouldn't worry about it personally as it sounds like your travel pattern is going to take you to gold anyway. Enjoy the First wing and the lounges, they are a definite step up from the Galleries Club offerings.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,305
The problem with this topic is that pretty much all of the evidence is anecdotal (and there is reams of it on this forum!).
My sense , both personally and from reading quite a bit of it over the years, is that it is much more route and cabin dependent than specific status level. I would not worry about this question, just go for gold if thats what you want and enjoy the benefits.
My sense , both personally and from reading quite a bit of it over the years, is that it is much more route and cabin dependent than specific status level. I would not worry about this question, just go for gold if thats what you want and enjoy the benefits.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Herts, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,163
I am on 1245 TPs with 6 months to go till my TP year expires, for the first time after a number of years of hitting 600-800 TPs. So I am very likely to hit Gold or maybe even GGL at a stretch.
As a Silver, the single most valuable occasional benefit has been OpUps from WTP to CW (averaging 50-75% per year on 10+ sectors).
But I read so many stories of people who turned Gold and then saw the OpUps dry up significantly.
Is this the general consensus and do we think this is linked to how DUTs algorithm works?
I am not sure GF, First Wing, the nice QF & CX F lounges are worth going for Gold for, if it means I am much less likely to get OpUps.
I know I should not expect anything more than the cabin I pay for yada yada - the informal perk is still a perk.
As a Silver, the single most valuable occasional benefit has been OpUps from WTP to CW (averaging 50-75% per year on 10+ sectors).
But I read so many stories of people who turned Gold and then saw the OpUps dry up significantly.
Is this the general consensus and do we think this is linked to how DUTs algorithm works?
I am not sure GF, First Wing, the nice QF & CX F lounges are worth going for Gold for, if it means I am much less likely to get OpUps.
I know I should not expect anything more than the cabin I pay for yada yada - the informal perk is still a perk.
However for me ive had 2 op-ups in over 250 BA flights,
#10
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 451
I have definitely noticed the OpUps dry up (WTP to CW) as Gold as opposed to Silver. And this has not been due to the lack of full cabins. I never pre order a meal and am usually travelling for business on my own.
I think there may be many factors that mean you can be ignored for an OpUp though including the seat you have chosen and if you have SSSS on your card.
I think there may be many factors that mean you can be ignored for an OpUp though including the seat you have chosen and if you have SSSS on your card.
#11
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: 63,467
Generally speaking Golds should get more upgrades than Silvers but "generally speaking" covers a multitude of things.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: BA Silver, VIPorter, VIA Preference: Privilge, Air Canada Aeroplan
Posts: 369
I definitely found that mine dried up when I was Gold for a year. Like you as a silver around 50% of my flights attracted one. When I became gold I had no OpUps for a year, and they resumed again when dropped down to silver!
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,305
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,349
Never had a single long haul upgrade on BA as years and years as GGL and years as GCH and previously SCH before that. Getting fairly frequent short haul upgrades which make little difference to me.