BA Gold vs. AA Executive Platinum
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,914
#17
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, EI Platinum
Posts: 81
I'm a bit late to the party here so apologies. Personally, I don't understand why someone would use BA Exec Club when AA offer 4 systemwide upgrades and unlimited short-haul upgrades (even if you don't take them that often, 1-2 upgrades on short-haul would far exceed what BA would give you). Furthermore, if you have the flying ability to reach GGL, I'm assuming ConciergeKey is also within reaching distance? If so, I'd recommend sticking with AA.
The only added benefit of being BA rather than AA when flying on BA is the fact that your boarding card is Gold and your bag tag nicer (bigger and gold, rather than those little keychains they give with AA).
Personally, I'm sticking out with EI for their four free upgrades and companion ticket they give to their top tier members in hope they'll join OneWorld as a connect partner in the near future.
The only added benefit of being BA rather than AA when flying on BA is the fact that your boarding card is Gold and your bag tag nicer (bigger and gold, rather than those little keychains they give with AA).
Personally, I'm sticking out with EI for their four free upgrades and companion ticket they give to their top tier members in hope they'll join OneWorld as a connect partner in the near future.
#18
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Walking from one side of the terminal to the other
Programs: OneWorld Emerald
Posts: 35
I'm a bit late to the party here so apologies. Personally, I don't understand why someone would use BA Exec Club when AA offer 4 systemwide upgrades and unlimited short-haul upgrades (even if you don't take them that often, 1-2 upgrades on short-haul would far exceed what BA would give you). Furthermore, if you have the flying ability to reach GGL, I'm assuming ConciergeKey is also within reaching distance? If so, I'd recommend sticking with AA.
The only added benefit of being BA rather than AA when flying on BA is the fact that your boarding card is Gold and your bag tag nicer (bigger and gold, rather than those little keychains they give with AA).
Personally, I'm sticking out with EI for their four free upgrades and companion ticket they give to their top tier members in hope they'll join OneWorld as a connect partner in the near future.
The only added benefit of being BA rather than AA when flying on BA is the fact that your boarding card is Gold and your bag tag nicer (bigger and gold, rather than those little keychains they give with AA).
Personally, I'm sticking out with EI for their four free upgrades and companion ticket they give to their top tier members in hope they'll join OneWorld as a connect partner in the near future.
#19
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,228
I'm a bit late to the party here so apologies. Personally, I don't understand why someone would use BA Exec Club when AA offer 4 systemwide upgrades and unlimited short-haul upgrades (even if you don't take them that often, 1-2 upgrades on short-haul would far exceed what BA would give you). Furthermore, if you have the flying ability to reach GGL, I'm assuming ConciergeKey is also within reaching distance? If so, I'd recommend sticking with AA.
The only added benefit of being BA rather than AA when flying on BA is the fact that your boarding card is Gold and your bag tag nicer (bigger and gold, rather than those little keychains they give with AA).
Personally, I'm sticking out with EI for their four free upgrades and companion ticket they give to their top tier members in hope they'll join OneWorld as a connect partner in the near future.
The only added benefit of being BA rather than AA when flying on BA is the fact that your boarding card is Gold and your bag tag nicer (bigger and gold, rather than those little keychains they give with AA).
Personally, I'm sticking out with EI for their four free upgrades and companion ticket they give to their top tier members in hope they'll join OneWorld as a connect partner in the near future.
The SWUs are definitely a good benefit of being Executive Platinum, but the domestic upgrades I tend to dither a bit on. Even as EP there's no guarantee of these clearing and if you're booking revenue tickets in domestic First then there's no benefit at all. I have seen the airport upgrade list in the high teens / low twenties on some flights with maybe only one or two people clearing.
One definite advantage of using BA status would be for lounges - you would not only get AC access in places such as PHX but you would also get Flagship access in places such as LAX.
#20
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Silver
Posts: 175
In general, my sense is that you get treated about as well as EP, and even better in some areas. I agree that the SWUs are a loss (although that depends on how likely it is you would use them). The question is whether the other benefits outweigh the value you put on those.
In my case, I switched for the free lounge access and because I found it easier to earn OWE through BA than AA with my flying pattern.
#21
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
In theory, so is the Gold Guest List (see section 3 below)
https://askba-faqemail.custhelp.com/...t+Jan+2015.pdf
https://askba-faqemail.custhelp.com/...t+Jan+2015.pdf
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
AC membership isn't that costly and many of the lounges are ordinary at best so for me that would never be enough to justify that switch.
#23
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Walking from one side of the terminal to the other
Programs: OneWorld Emerald
Posts: 35
Well, too be fair, I also no longer fly domestic US enough anymore to justify purchasing an AC membership (which I used to pay for), so I've only used it in the few times I needed it. It is not as if I use it weekly, but the few times that I did need OWE to access AC (which I otherwise would not have been able to aside from purchasing a day pass or AC membership), it worked great for me, functioned as designed and was nice to have. And yes, I cannot argue with you in that AC lounges do not compare to lounges belonging to non-US carriers, but if you are in an airport that only has an AC, it's nice to gain entry without having to pay extra.
#24
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
Well, too be fair, I also no longer fly domestic US enough anymore to justify purchasing an AC membership (which I used to pay for), so I've only used it in the few times I needed it. It is not as if I use it weekly, but the few times that I did need OWE to access AC (which I otherwise would not have been able to aside from purchasing a day pass or AC membership), it worked great for me, functioned as designed and was nice to have. And yes, I cannot argue with you in that AC lounges do not compare to lounges belonging to non-US carriers, but if you are in an airport that only has an AC, it's nice to gain entry without having to pay extra.
#25
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Silver
Posts: 175
As far as lounge quality, it depends which airports you use the most and what you value in a lounge. There are some ACs that I’m happy to skip. There are others that I find quite calm and quiet places to work or relax. And, then, there are the Flagship Lounges, if you fly through one of the airports that have one.
#26
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
From time to time, you will receive "CK" treatment when traveling with AA.
If I understand correctly, flight from DXB has minimal fuel surcharge on BA for redemption purpose....
Potential Emerald for life reaching 35K...
Life is better on another side.
#27
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Ok, so on the advice of this thread, I am now AA EXP and BA Gold. Now what? If I continue to credit my OW flights to BA, I can get to at least 2,650 tier points this year, possibly more. Does that do anything for me? Other than going for lifetime Gold -- and I'm not sure that's in the cards at this point -- is there any difference between crediting flights to AA or BA for the remainder of the year?
(BTW, by using my BA number rather than my AA number in my reservation, I probably screwed myself out of a J-to-F upgrade on an AA-operated LAX-HKG flight. Even though I was using an AA-issued VIP upgrade, I was prioritized as a BA Silver rather than an AA EXP, and four people cleared into F ahead of me as a result. Oh well, at least J on AA's 773s is pretty darn good.)
(BTW, by using my BA number rather than my AA number in my reservation, I probably screwed myself out of a J-to-F upgrade on an AA-operated LAX-HKG flight. Even though I was using an AA-issued VIP upgrade, I was prioritized as a BA Silver rather than an AA EXP, and four people cleared into F ahead of me as a result. Oh well, at least J on AA's 773s is pretty darn good.)
#30
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: coastal Croatia
Programs: BAEC Gold, M&M Senator
Posts: 2,181
Ok, so on the advice of this thread, I am now AA EXP and BA Gold. Now what? If I continue to credit my OW flights to BA, I can get to at least 2,650 tier points this year, possibly more. Does that do anything for me? Other than going for lifetime Gold -- and I'm not sure that's in the cards at this point -- is there any difference between crediting flights to AA or BA for the remainder of the year?
(BTW, by using my BA number rather than my AA number in my reservation, I probably screwed myself out of a J-to-F upgrade on an AA-operated LAX-HKG flight. Even though I was using an AA-issued VIP upgrade, I was prioritized as a BA Silver rather than an AA EXP, and four people cleared into F ahead of me as a result. Oh well, at least J on AA's 773s is pretty darn good.)
(BTW, by using my BA number rather than my AA number in my reservation, I probably screwed myself out of a J-to-F upgrade on an AA-operated LAX-HKG flight. Even though I was using an AA-issued VIP upgrade, I was prioritized as a BA Silver rather than an AA EXP, and four people cleared into F ahead of me as a result. Oh well, at least J on AA's 773s is pretty darn good.)
Last edited by eefor jfp; Sep 23, 2018 at 1:12 am