Finally made Gold!
Oct 22, 2018, 9:31 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: Mucci, BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Stena Gold
Posts: 1,093
Oct 22, 2018, 11:14 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Herts, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,177
I only have a couple of recent data points, but at 6-7am there is a que for each aisle back to the entry machines.
Whenever i have flown monday mornings over the last few years the flights seem to have more people in priority boarding than normal
Whenever i have flown monday mornings over the last few years the flights seem to have more people in priority boarding than normal
Oct 23, 2018, 4:46 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: coastal Croatia
Programs: BAEC Gold, M&M Senator
Posts: 2,181
And to the OP, congrats on making Gold. enjoy the first wing, the T3 lounges and the extra Avios and redemption availability for double Avios.
Oct 23, 2018, 5:04 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
British spelling was one of the levers we used to achieve global domination and Empire. While the untutored foreigners were struggling to work out what we had written, we crept in through the back door and took over their countries.
Oct 23, 2018, 11:10 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BAEC Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 450
So glad that no one has taken the DYKWIA stance of ‘you’ve forgotten GGL/CCR/PRM’. As a silver one day gold wannabe there can sometimes be a lot of snide oneupmanship goes on in this forum!
Oct 23, 2018, 11:19 am
#25
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London WC1
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 437
Until 1 Jan 2020, that is, when I will get busted straight back down
Oct 23, 2018, 1:08 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA Gold; Surrey CCC
Posts: 97
Never understood that to be honest - some travel more than others, that's fine! Not sure why people choose to call that out. To be fair, most of the GGL's that I've met so far (albeit very few) have been really fantastic!
Oct 23, 2018, 1:23 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,609
Honestly, silver is the rational sweetspot for status. You get most of what gold gets, at least from outstations and it's fairly easy to maintain with a mix of work travel and private.
Then gold gives you some decent perks and I don't know many people who having got it would want to slip back - more redemption availability is good, and you earn faster so it's easy to take RFS flights when you want them. The flounge is pretty good really, and being able to take front row seats and be in Group 1 is nice. So I think you'll enjoy gold.
There is a bit of status willywaving, but most of the GGLs I've met have been lovely people. I do intend to buck that trend myself, but mostly it seems to be the case with others.
But at every level, you have to set expectations. The CCR isn't the Fat Duck, and it wouldn't even rate a mention in a regional restaurant guide. You don't get fawned over and constantly upgraded. Most continental lounges offer processed cheese and salami with a coffee machine and a fridge of coke and beer. Etc.
Then gold gives you some decent perks and I don't know many people who having got it would want to slip back - more redemption availability is good, and you earn faster so it's easy to take RFS flights when you want them. The flounge is pretty good really, and being able to take front row seats and be in Group 1 is nice. So I think you'll enjoy gold.
There is a bit of status willywaving, but most of the GGLs I've met have been lovely people. I do intend to buck that trend myself, but mostly it seems to be the case with others.
But at every level, you have to set expectations. The CCR isn't the Fat Duck, and it wouldn't even rate a mention in a regional restaurant guide. You don't get fawned over and constantly upgraded. Most continental lounges offer processed cheese and salami with a coffee machine and a fridge of coke and beer. Etc.
Oct 24, 2018, 2:30 am
#28
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London WC1
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 437
Honestly, silver is the rational sweetspot for status. You get most of what gold gets, at least from outstations and it's fairly easy to maintain with a mix of work travel and private.
Then gold gives you some decent perks and I don't know many people who having got it would want to slip back - more redemption availability is good, and you earn faster so it's easy to take RFS flights when you want them. The flounge is pretty good really, and being able to take front row seats and be in Group 1 is nice. So I think you'll enjoy gold.
There is a bit of status willywaving, but most of the GGLs I've met have been lovely people. I do intend to buck that trend myself, but mostly it seems to be the case with others.
But at every level, you have to set expectations. The CCR isn't the Fat Duck, and it wouldn't even rate a mention in a regional restaurant guide. You don't get fawned over and constantly upgraded. Most continental lounges offer processed cheese and salami with a coffee machine and a fridge of coke and beer. Etc.
Then gold gives you some decent perks and I don't know many people who having got it would want to slip back - more redemption availability is good, and you earn faster so it's easy to take RFS flights when you want them. The flounge is pretty good really, and being able to take front row seats and be in Group 1 is nice. So I think you'll enjoy gold.
There is a bit of status willywaving, but most of the GGLs I've met have been lovely people. I do intend to buck that trend myself, but mostly it seems to be the case with others.
But at every level, you have to set expectations. The CCR isn't the Fat Duck, and it wouldn't even rate a mention in a regional restaurant guide. You don't get fawned over and constantly upgraded. Most continental lounges offer processed cheese and salami with a coffee machine and a fridge of coke and beer. Etc.
Having achieved Gold, all of 2019's long-haul will be J on non-OW airlines and using 241s in J/F so almost a total waste anyway
Oct 24, 2018, 4:36 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,985
Honestly, silver is the rational sweetspot for status. You get most of what gold gets, at least from outstations and it's fairly easy to maintain with a mix of work travel and private.
Then gold gives you some decent perks and I don't know many people who having got it would want to slip back - more redemption availability is good, and you earn faster so it's easy to take RFS flights when you want them. The flounge is pretty good really, and being able to take front row seats and be in Group 1 is nice. So I think you'll enjoy gold.
There is a bit of status willywaving, but most of the GGLs I've met have been lovely people. I do intend to buck that trend myself, but mostly it seems to be the case with others.
But at every level, you have to set expectations. The CCR isn't the Fat Duck, and it wouldn't even rate a mention in a regional restaurant guide. You don't get fawned over and constantly upgraded. Most continental lounges offer processed cheese and salami with a coffee machine and a fridge of coke and beer. Etc.
Then gold gives you some decent perks and I don't know many people who having got it would want to slip back - more redemption availability is good, and you earn faster so it's easy to take RFS flights when you want them. The flounge is pretty good really, and being able to take front row seats and be in Group 1 is nice. So I think you'll enjoy gold.
There is a bit of status willywaving, but most of the GGLs I've met have been lovely people. I do intend to buck that trend myself, but mostly it seems to be the case with others.
But at every level, you have to set expectations. The CCR isn't the Fat Duck, and it wouldn't even rate a mention in a regional restaurant guide. You don't get fawned over and constantly upgraded. Most continental lounges offer processed cheese and salami with a coffee machine and a fridge of coke and beer. Etc.
. I doubt I'll be Gold for life and therefore I will have to prepare myself for a fall from grace at some point. I do occasionally fly with airlines where I have no status and/or which are LoCo, and I wouldn't say I behave any differently, except my expectation levels are different. The status/loyalty game definitely creates a sense of entitlement, which sometimes can drive unreasonable behaviour or expectations. It's an interesting topic, and my impression is that airlines seem to have taken it further than most other businesses. After all, Tesco's club card only comes in one form (I believe??!!) and there is no separate check out for gold card holders, or special trolley for anyone silver or above......
Oct 24, 2018, 6:09 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: South London
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 215
I received the Gold Achieved on my app this morning for the first time, looking forward to the colour change tomorrow!
Main reason I've gone for gold is:
1) It was possible and I enjoy flying/travelling.
2) I'll be spending a lot of Avios next year and wish to maintain Silver. The main reason being that I value lounge access and few airports have F lounges.
I'm actually planning a day or two in Hong Kong in 2019 just to use the Emerald Lounges for what may be the only possible time.
Main reason I've gone for gold is:
1) It was possible and I enjoy flying/travelling.
2) I'll be spending a lot of Avios next year and wish to maintain Silver. The main reason being that I value lounge access and few airports have F lounges.
I'm actually planning a day or two in Hong Kong in 2019 just to use the Emerald Lounges for what may be the only possible time.