Gold Status Much Better Than Silver?
Nov 20, 2018, 4:06 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Sixt Gold
Posts: 418
It’s a slippery slope. Once you are gold the target then becomes Gold Guest List and that’s where the fun really starts....upgrade vouchers, jokers (which release redemption seats otherwise unavailable), partner cards (1 x gold and 2 x silver to give to members of your household account), CCR access and yours for only 5,000 tier points (3,000 tier points to renew).
Happy flying!
Happy flying!
Nov 20, 2018, 4:18 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
Nov 20, 2018, 4:20 pm
#18
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: 17,915
Nov 20, 2018, 5:12 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Mucci de l'Arbitrage
Posts: 927
Nov 20, 2018, 6:08 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Europe & Indonesia
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH SEN, EK ex-Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 11,571
Following on from a previous thread I thought, as a Silver member who is going for Gold this year it would be worth asking you Golds or previous Golds who have achieved both Silver and Gold whether it's a big jump up?
Bronze to Silver for me was a huge jump but in reality is Silver to Gold as big a jump?
Bronze to Silver for me was a huge jump but in reality is Silver to Gold as big a jump?
Nov 20, 2018, 8:56 pm
#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
Of course, the real question is not whether Gold status is superior to Silver (it clearly is) but whether it makes financial sense to go out and spend significant amounts on otherwise needless travel to take advantage of the differences. Additional reward availability is useful and I take the point about the soft landing to Silver for another year but the additional expenditure required would most likely cover equivalent benefits for me anyway. As ever, YMMV.
Nov 20, 2018, 9:53 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 13,891
The V class availability is by far the biggest driver for me - it has saved me many times.
The ability to use the Arrivals Lounge at LHR also made a big difference, but now there are Priority Pass-accessible arrivals lounges in T2 and T4, that's a much weaker argument (though the ability to use the CX arrivals lounge in HK when arriving on a cheap avios redemption is still very welcome).
Honestly from where I am right now, if I couldn't retain gold from one big Hawaii trip each year plus normal flying habits, I'd be ok dropping to silver (and that's why I've never chased GGL).
The ability to use the Arrivals Lounge at LHR also made a big difference, but now there are Priority Pass-accessible arrivals lounges in T2 and T4, that's a much weaker argument (though the ability to use the CX arrivals lounge in HK when arriving on a cheap avios redemption is still very welcome).
Honestly from where I am right now, if I couldn't retain gold from one big Hawaii trip each year plus normal flying habits, I'd be ok dropping to silver (and that's why I've never chased GGL).
Nov 20, 2018, 10:58 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
Nov 20, 2018, 11:30 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 13,891
Nov 20, 2018, 11:44 pm
#26
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 138
I normally find myself about half way between Silver & Gold but pushed this year to achieve Gold (well, OWE with QF).
I don’t think I’ll be flying enough to requalify for status going forward so for me the driver was to secure lounge access (via the soft landings) for the next 2 years for when I do fly.
I don’t think I’ll be flying enough to requalify for status going forward so for me the driver was to secure lounge access (via the soft landings) for the next 2 years for when I do fly.
Nov 21, 2018, 12:01 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
It’s a slippery slope. Once you are gold the target then becomes Gold Guest List and that’s where the fun really starts....upgrade vouchers, jokers (which release redemption seats otherwise unavailable), partner cards (1 x gold and 2 x silver to give to members of your household account), CCR access and yours for only 5,000 tier points (3,000 tier points to renew).
Happy flying!
Happy flying!
Just a small clarification for others - GGL status (including CCR card) is achieved at 5,000 TPs. While GGL status is renewed at 3,000 TPs, it is necessary to reach 5,000 TPs to renew the CCR card.
Nov 21, 2018, 12:03 am
#28
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I don't think anyone can kick anyone out of a seat simply by means of status but silvers can't select exit rows on long haul flights . I often book at less than 3 weeks out and it's rare that I don't have a choice of exit row window seats.
Nov 21, 2018, 1:04 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
Nov 21, 2018, 1:07 am
#30
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC: Silver. Nothing else as TopCashBack trumps all hotel programs
Posts: 801
I do kinda miss Gold, but I soon get over it, more of a niggling craving from time to time than anything serious.
If I dropped out of Silver though that would be a real and actual inconvenience. I would go to great lengths to keep Silver. But Gold is nice for sure, just not sure how much I would pay to keep it / get it. Not a vast amount. Diminishing returns.