Do I have grounds for complaint?
Jan 24, 2019, 9:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 54
Do I have grounds for complaint?
I thought I’d check with you all to check who I complain to and if it’s likely to achieve anything.
I’m at Linate (Milan) right now, I’ve spent many thousands of pounds on BA over the past couple of months in Group 1 so I’m (as of two days ago) silver.
The inbound leg was ridiculously expensive so I’m up the back of the plane but I thought, ah well, at least I’ll have lounge access and a half decent chance of finding luggage room for my laptop bag.
I’m still flagged as Bronze and I’ve been given a Group 3. No lounge and no priority.
BA online at the progress bar says “You’re Silver” but the background and top bar status still show Bronze, so does the app.
Check in staff when asked politely said she could only give me the priority luggage tag. She was nice but couldn’t do much and of course I was polite.
Now, technically I’ve paid for this entitlement and not received it.
Where do you think I stand with this?
Thank you for any advice
I’m at Linate (Milan) right now, I’ve spent many thousands of pounds on BA over the past couple of months in Group 1 so I’m (as of two days ago) silver.
The inbound leg was ridiculously expensive so I’m up the back of the plane but I thought, ah well, at least I’ll have lounge access and a half decent chance of finding luggage room for my laptop bag.
I’m still flagged as Bronze and I’ve been given a Group 3. No lounge and no priority.
BA online at the progress bar says “You’re Silver” but the background and top bar status still show Bronze, so does the app.
Check in staff when asked politely said she could only give me the priority luggage tag. She was nice but couldn’t do much and of course I was polite.
Now, technically I’ve paid for this entitlement and not received it.
Where do you think I stand with this?
Thank you for any advice
Jan 24, 2019, 9:14 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
That being said, it is widely known around here that it takes BA IT a few (3-4) days post crediting the flight that takes you over a tier threshold to update your latest status. This seems to be what happens here. Yes, in a perfect world, it would be instant but we all know the state of BA's IT so that would be somewhat unrealistic.
You are in a bit of an edge case here I'm afraid, and it certainly is not worth complaining. For short haul if you are arriving with time to spare in the terminal, you are arriving too early in my opinion
Jan 24, 2019, 9:19 am
#3
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: 63,691
In your position I think I would just console myself that this would probably be your final flight lounge-less and Group 3.
The lounge in LIN is worth a visit, on another trip, but due to the bus boarding at LIN you aren't missing much by being Group 3.
The lounge in LIN is worth a visit, on another trip, but due to the bus boarding at LIN you aren't missing much by being Group 3.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:23 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 54
Thanks for the reply, I think... you’ve basically called me a liar but hey I’m in a good mood so I’ll ignore that. Started flying on customer contract busniness in October and it’s end of January now. Approx 200 to 250 quid a pop for flight at least once a week from LHR to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden. I think that’s counts as a few thousand pounds but I let my accountant take care of that.
I just see 625 TP.
That aside. Those 3 or 4 days are a system thing I suspect and not an entitlement thing. My question is more like, has anyone managed to successfully challenge BA on this before?
I just see 625 TP.
That aside. Those 3 or 4 days are a system thing I suspect and not an entitlement thing. My question is more like, has anyone managed to successfully challenge BA on this before?
Jan 24, 2019, 9:28 am
#5
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: 63,691
A brief guide to moving between Tiers in the BAEC
If you were at LHR or LGW I would show your app to the lounge agent and generally, if unofficially, they would let you in. I don't think I've seen it at LIN but it's possible the agent would be familiar with the App and make an exception. There's no point asking at check-in, since it's not their problem anyway. There may have been a case for asking for an AUP quote if the extra TPs and lounge would have been worthwhile.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:31 am
#6
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,238
Challenge what exactly? The fact that there's a gap between flying and a status upgrade? If so, I suggest you leave it. It will probably have resolved itself by the time you next fly and by the time you receive a response from BA about it.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:32 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 1,266
In similar circumstances, I accessed the GF lounge in T5 in the same position. Extreme politeness, understanding and a fair amount of flirting was required. However, the supervisor saw the number of TP in my account and common sense prevailed.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:35 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,367
I thought I’d check with you all to check who I complain to and if it’s likely to achieve anything.
I’m at Linate (Milan) right now, I’ve spent many thousands of pounds on BA over the past couple of months in Group 1 so I’m (as of two days ago) silver.
The inbound leg was ridiculously expensive so I’m up the back of the plane but I thought, ah well, at least I’ll have lounge access and a half decent chance of finding luggage room for my laptop bag.
I’m still flagged as Bronze and I’ve been given a Group 3. No lounge and no priority.
BA online at the progress bar says “You’re Silver” but the background and top bar status still show Bronze, so does the app.
Check in staff when asked politely said she could only give me the priority luggage tag. She was nice but couldn’t do much and of course I was polite.
Now, technically I’ve paid for this entitlement and not received it.
Where do you think I stand with this?
Thank you for any advice
I’m at Linate (Milan) right now, I’ve spent many thousands of pounds on BA over the past couple of months in Group 1 so I’m (as of two days ago) silver.
The inbound leg was ridiculously expensive so I’m up the back of the plane but I thought, ah well, at least I’ll have lounge access and a half decent chance of finding luggage room for my laptop bag.
I’m still flagged as Bronze and I’ve been given a Group 3. No lounge and no priority.
BA online at the progress bar says “You’re Silver” but the background and top bar status still show Bronze, so does the app.
Check in staff when asked politely said she could only give me the priority luggage tag. She was nice but couldn’t do much and of course I was polite.
Now, technically I’ve paid for this entitlement and not received it.
Where do you think I stand with this?
Thank you for any advice
when did you get to 625 points? Have you tried logging out of the app and back in again,? If I recall it said you’ve rea he’d Gold then the following day the app had refreshed if not hope you get to use it next time.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:36 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 54
great points both , thank you.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:38 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 54
Nearly time to fly anyway, I’ll join the race for luggage space soon.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:40 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,367
Without being too direct, you can't have spent that much money with BA (or other OW carriers) since if you had, you would be significantly higher up the status chain.
That being said, it is widely known around here that it takes BA IT a few (3-4) days post crediting the flight that takes you over a tier threshold to update your latest status. This seems to be what happens here. Yes, in a perfect world, it would be instant but we all know the state of BA's IT so that would be somewhat unrealistic.
You are in a bit of an edge case here I'm afraid, and it certainly is not worth complaining. For short haul if you are arriving with time to spare in the terminal, you are arriving too early in my opinion
That being said, it is widely known around here that it takes BA IT a few (3-4) days post crediting the flight that takes you over a tier threshold to update your latest status. This seems to be what happens here. Yes, in a perfect world, it would be instant but we all know the state of BA's IT so that would be somewhat unrealistic.
You are in a bit of an edge case here I'm afraid, and it certainly is not worth complaining. For short haul if you are arriving with time to spare in the terminal, you are arriving too early in my opinion
It’s quite possible for someone to spend just over £1000 a week on a fully flexible Y ticket to/from Milan and only ear. 40 TP per trip so a spend of £15750 to get silver many times the cost of most Gold Card holders I suspect
I can certainly understand the OPs upset st this.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:41 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 54
The main thread on the moving tiers is here:
A brief guide to moving between Tiers in the BAEC
If you were at LHR or LGW I would show your app to the lounge agent and generally, if unofficially, they would let you in. I don't think I've seen it at LIN but it's possible the agent would be familiar with the App and make an exception. There's no point asking at check-in, since it's not their problem anyway. There may have been a case for asking for an AUP quote if the extra TPs and lounge would have been worthwhile.
A brief guide to moving between Tiers in the BAEC
If you were at LHR or LGW I would show your app to the lounge agent and generally, if unofficially, they would let you in. I don't think I've seen it at LIN but it's possible the agent would be familiar with the App and make an exception. There's no point asking at check-in, since it's not their problem anyway. There may have been a case for asking for an AUP quote if the extra TPs and lounge would have been worthwhile.
I’m just someone who sees a broken process and wants to fix it. I reckon this system delay thing is wrong but hey it’s a first world problem. 👍
Jan 24, 2019, 9:59 am
#13
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,007
Being direct : yes you can, as the travellers who have to commute at peak times in Y to high-fare European destinations at a few hundred pounds a time for just 20TPs will attest. @:-)
Jan 24, 2019, 10:05 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,872
Well I had a bit of a rant back in July 2005 on this board along the lines of having spent £12k to get to Silver so it is more than possible to spend shed loads of money and still be bronze ( not that bronze existed then!)
However it looks like the most substantive part of the OP’s issue is the time it takes Ba.com to upgrade the status against your account. Reality is that it takes longer than it should, but complaining will probably be even more frustrating for the OP.
However it looks like the most substantive part of the OP’s issue is the time it takes Ba.com to upgrade the status against your account. Reality is that it takes longer than it should, but complaining will probably be even more frustrating for the OP.
