Planning to join BAEC - upgrades?
#16
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
However, golds do get access to more redemption availabilability than silvers and lower, which can be utilised as straight redemptions or to UUA.
#17
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
The value in BA's programme is better mileage accrual on cheap tickets (not revenue based basically), no minimum spend, lounge access on ANY oneworld flight (even first class lounges, when available), good redemption opportunities in Y (even close to departure), and it's also fairly cheap to attain (Ł3000 at most)
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,254
I doubt this is what @bisonrav
However, golds do get access to more redemption availabilability than silvers and lower, which can be utilised as straight redemptions or to UUA.
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Herts, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,176
If you want upgrades BAEC is not for you, about 60 BA flights last year, (maybe 5 in the highest class which could not have been upgraded)
Upgrade rate across the other 55 flights Zero%.
coming from a US programme this will be a disappointment!
Upgrade rate across the other 55 flights Zero%.
coming from a US programme this will be a disappointment!
#20
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
No, you don't - I think there must be some confusion here. It is a one cabin upgrade, subject to availability (of revenue fare classes if booked through a Travel Agent, of redemption availability if used via BA). There's a whole thread dedicated to them linked in the Dashboard.
The only time you'd have to pay extra is if government taxes increased between cabins, for example upgrading from Y to Y+. This is a fairly rare use of a GUF - most would be from Y+ to J or J to F.
However, as you believe you'd only just scrape Gold, these are probably currently out of your reach anyway.
The only time you'd have to pay extra is if government taxes increased between cabins, for example upgrading from Y to Y+. This is a fairly rare use of a GUF - most would be from Y+ to J or J to F.
However, as you believe you'd only just scrape Gold, these are probably currently out of your reach anyway.
#21
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
If you want to get WTP or First inventory... that's another story.
#22
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
You usually see a note on the search screen to say extra seats have been released.
#23
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
But the extra seats are only available in Y. So how can you UuA to Y?
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
Ten years of flying BA, and been upgraded once. Period. And nearly all that was as Silver or (in the last few years) Gold. But then we never fly below J anyway, which tends to limit the options ... while BA are solely interested in their operational requirements, not those of ‘status’ passengers.
As noted, if the OP is planning on upgrades ... forget it! There are other benefits, which may or may not appeal (as also noted).
As noted, if the OP is planning on upgrades ... forget it! There are other benefits, which may or may not appeal (as also noted).
#25
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
The value in BA's programme is better mileage accrual on cheap tickets (not revenue based basically), no minimum spend, lounge access on ANY oneworld flight (even first class lounges, when available), good redemption opportunities in Y (even close to departure), and it's also fairly cheap to attain (Ł3000 at most)
#26
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SAV/HHH
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold (current GGL), HH Diamond
Posts: 1,293
I doubt this is what @bisonrav was thinking. He is too much aware of the program to get that mixed up.
However, golds do get access to more redemption availabilability than silvers and lower, which can be utilised as straight redemptions or to UUA.
Golds get access to V inventory for redemptions, which is an economy fare code. That can useful for short haul RFS redemptions, but it doesn't help with upgrades.
#27
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
I think the previous posts explain quite well why BA don't do upgrades based on status. If someone can get to gold for a mere 3000, doesn't make commercial sense to upgrade people based on status. To be clear, I'm not arguing against the idea of rewarding elits, but I would imagine BA would be better looking at net spend of a customer and rewarding based on their commercial importance rather than mere status alone. I know this is the much reviled method in the US (qualifying dollars), but at least it seems to make sense to the airline in terms of rewarding those who spend. Also, BA make it very easy for non-BA flyers to get to Gold by crediting their Oneworld flights. Some people have 4 flights on BA and 50 on other airlines; again, for me doesn't not make sense to then hand out priority upgrades to these people as most of their spend is elsewhere in the network. I'm sure some people may disagree with me, but just sharing my opinion. I'm aware that there are disadvantages for those who can't spend and have to fly a lot. It's about striking some kind of balance to encourage high spend and regularly flying and looking after those loyal.
#28
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,280
Here's the deal: I was 1K with United for several years, then dropped to Gold for one year, currently nothing. This year I'm doing more travel, and thinking of joining BAEC as it makes sense for the routes I'll be taking. My current plans mean I would be Silver by May, and possibly Gold by the end of the year.
What I'm not seeing is anything in the BA literature about getting free upgrades as an elite. I really valued the 6 GU certs I got as a 1K. I also liked getting complimentary upgrades on domestic (though I didn't fly domestic US much).
According to the BA site, BAEC only offers 1!! upgrade coupon at 2500 tier points?? Is there some hidden upgrade perk I don't know about?
What I'm not seeing is anything in the BA literature about getting free upgrades as an elite. I really valued the 6 GU certs I got as a 1K. I also liked getting complimentary upgrades on domestic (though I didn't fly domestic US much).
According to the BA site, BAEC only offers 1!! upgrade coupon at 2500 tier points?? Is there some hidden upgrade perk I don't know about?
Have you looked at AA?
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,010
In the USA airlines forums you see a lot of threads on upgrades (or rants on not getting) On non USA airlines forums very few threads on upgrades
#30
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
Here's the deal: I was 1K with United for several years, then dropped to Gold for one year, currently nothing. This year I'm doing more travel, and thinking of joining BAEC as it makes sense for the routes I'll be taking. My current plans mean I would be Silver by May, and possibly Gold by the end of the year.
What I'm not seeing is anything in the BA literature about getting free upgrades as an elite. I really valued the 6 GU certs I got as a 1K. I also liked getting complimentary upgrades on domestic (though I didn't fly domestic US much).
According to the BA site, BAEC only offers 1!! upgrade coupon at 2500 tier points?? Is there some hidden upgrade perk I don't know about?
What I'm not seeing is anything in the BA literature about getting free upgrades as an elite. I really valued the 6 GU certs I got as a 1K. I also liked getting complimentary upgrades on domestic (though I didn't fly domestic US much).
According to the BA site, BAEC only offers 1!! upgrade coupon at 2500 tier points?? Is there some hidden upgrade perk I don't know about?