Planning to join BAEC - upgrades?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Marriott Gold, HGC, Spg
Posts: 81
Planning to join BAEC - upgrades?
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?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,138
There's no guarantee of free upgrades for any status level ( so no, no hidden perk)
On an overbooked flight if you were in a lower cabin there's a chance you might get selected by the computer algorithm that chooses who gets operationally upgraded. But then maybe it'll pick another member and you'll be sat where you booked and paid
On an overbooked flight if you were in a lower cabin there's a chance you might get selected by the computer algorithm that chooses who gets operationally upgraded. But then maybe it'll pick another member and you'll be sat where you booked and paid
#3
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,462
You don't get free upgrades by right on BAEC as a silver or gold, though if you get to 2500 tier points you get an upgrade voucher for one trip for two, and at 3500 two upgrade vouchers for one.
You MAY get complimentary upgrades depending on loading and BA's algorithm for selecting people for schmoozing. Don't bank on it though.
As a gold you can often upgrade using avios on your own booked tickets, which is relatively good value.
You MAY get complimentary upgrades depending on loading and BA's algorithm for selecting people for schmoozing. Don't bank on it though.
As a gold you can often upgrade using avios on your own booked tickets, which is relatively good value.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,138
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,577
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?
#6
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
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 (3000 at most)
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
BAEC is not a program to join for upgrades, as OP has found out. Even on busy flights, lower status passengers are frequently upgraded ahead of golds.
By the way - I'm not complaining about either thing here. It is what it is. But anyone joining with the idea that upgrades are likely should be advised about the rather rare possibilities.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,462
#9
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SAV/HHH
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold (current GGL), HH Diamond
Posts: 1,292
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?
Club World -> First: $400
WT+ -> Club: $706
It's definitely not a program to join for the free upgrades...
That said, on some routes BA has better business class award/upgrade availability than other airlines. You pay the extra fees, but you're not waiting until the last minute wondering if your upgrade will clear.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SAV/HHH
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold (current GGL), HH Diamond
Posts: 1,292
Or, how a GGL can open extra away/upgrade availability twice a year.
Both of those are very useful benefits...
#11
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 842
And that 2500 tier point upgrade voucher (known around here as a GUF2) is not exactly a free upgrade. For a round trip originating in the US, the per passenger upgrade fees are:
Club World -> First: $400
WT+ -> Club: $706
It's definitely not a program to join for the free upgrades...
That said, on some routes BA has better business class award/upgrade availability than other airlines. You pay the extra fees, but you're not waiting until the last minute wondering if your upgrade will clear.
Club World -> First: $400
WT+ -> Club: $706
It's definitely not a program to join for the free upgrades...
That said, on some routes BA has better business class award/upgrade availability than other airlines. You pay the extra fees, but you're not waiting until the last minute wondering if your upgrade will clear.
#12
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Dallas, US
Programs: BAEC G, Bonvoy T, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 269
BAEC is not a program based on upgrades, in fact none of the European ones as appose to the Americans. They have other benefits like having lounge access in Americas, a plus (at least for me to visit the AA Flagship).
Being BAEC Gold, I do have regular updates in long haul, specially when I fly in WT+ and CW. European flights, honestly I think I get around 2 upgrades in a year (now not flying much short haul, but I used to do like 50+ legs a year).
Being BAEC Gold, I do have regular updates in long haul, specially when I fly in WT+ and CW. European flights, honestly I think I get around 2 upgrades in a year (now not flying much short haul, but I used to do like 50+ legs a year).
#13
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,502
Yeh. I like BAEC for the lounge access in the US as I'm Mexico based. The reward flight saver deals are often excellent value, too. As for upgrades, i ditto everything said above
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Marriott Gold, HGC, Spg
Posts: 81
WTAF. I have to PAY to use the certificate? What a racket.
#15
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Meh
Posts: 2,577
And worse if you book direct there has to be reward availability in F, which on some routes is never ever there. Bit of a joke.
I mainly fly CX/AA/JAL but the last 3 months has seen me fly 12 CW sectors to India/Far-East on BA as Gold. No upgrades.
This is a point of reference only, not a complaint on my part.
I mainly fly CX/AA/JAL but the last 3 months has seen me fly 12 CW sectors to India/Far-East on BA as Gold. No upgrades.
This is a point of reference only, not a complaint on my part.