A sad day for a leisure traveller.
Jun 9, 2019, 9:02 am
#47
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,549
Jun 9, 2019, 11:05 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Jun 9, 2019, 11:38 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
After many years in the elite bracket (including 10+ at Gold), I slid down the slope a couple of years back after making a conscious career decision which took me away from flying in the pointy bit (or indeed having the disposable income to pay for the pointy bit out of my own pocket). BA comped me Gold in the first year which was nice and then I dropped to Silver and then Bronze. I managed to maintain Bronze last year and will likely do the same again.
My situation is somewhat different to yours or that of the OP, though, as it is a switch to a different alliance rather than a complete loss of status (I am Platinum with Flying Blue). I was also very far away from LTG whereas I should be able to achieve the equivalent status in Flying Blue more easily, so that was another factor that eased the move away from BA .
Jun 9, 2019, 11:46 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
While it is true that there are alternative ways to get lounge access, the nicer lounges are, as a rule, lounges which are only accessible by those traveling in the premium classes of the relevant airline or through frequent flyer status. relying on paid access or on lounge membership programmes (priority pass and the like) typically gives access to lower quality lounges.
Jun 9, 2019, 11:50 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: UK. West Sussex
Programs: BAEC. Gold
Posts: 786
Jun 10, 2019, 8:37 am
#53
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: France
Programs: too many
Posts: 686
used to be Gold on the big 3 alliances (AF G, CX G and A3 G) a few years ago...not anymore
This year will be the first in a while I won't get to Silver, having flown 10 TP only this year, and to be honest I can't be bothered:
1.Flying with 2 kids means that both wife an I would have to renew.
2. BA dropping ORY this year and ANE a few years ago has had a big impact on travel patterns.
3. Flying with toddlers implies we get priority boarding anyways regardless of the airline flown, with the usual exclusion of Ryanair.
4. Lounge access covered by Priority Pass with Amex Plat
5. Level of service on short haul is on par with easyJet now
This year will be the first in a while I won't get to Silver, having flown 10 TP only this year, and to be honest I can't be bothered:
1.Flying with 2 kids means that both wife an I would have to renew.
2. BA dropping ORY this year and ANE a few years ago has had a big impact on travel patterns.
3. Flying with toddlers implies we get priority boarding anyways regardless of the airline flown, with the usual exclusion of Ryanair.
4. Lounge access covered by Priority Pass with Amex Plat
5. Level of service on short haul is on par with easyJet now