Mar 11, 2020, 5:58 am
Last edit by: carrotjuice
BAEC notification
updated 25 March 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Executive Club Tier Flexibility Policy
We understand the substantial impact these unprecedented times are having on the lives of our Executive Club Members. We have taken steps to protect the Tier status and well-earned benefits of our Members.
We’ll be lowering Tier Point thresholds by 30% for all Members due for Tier upgrade or renewal in April, May and June. This results in lower Tier qualification thresholds as laid out below
To ensure our Members still have the opportunity to use their Gold Upgrade Vouchers, Companion Vouchers and Travel Together Tickets earned via a British Airways credit card, we’re applying a six-month expiration extension to any current vouchers.
The situation is constantly changing, which is why we’re continuously reviewing our policy and will communicate any updates.
See here for details: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/executive-club/tiers-and-benefits?dr=&dt=British%20Airways%20%7C%20Book%20F lights,%20Holidays,%20City%20Breaks%20%26%20Check% 20In%20Online&scheme=&audience=travel&CUSTSEG=&GGL Member=&ban=c2b728e5fe0683865614c44450048aa6%7C%7C CAM%7C6%7CCTA1%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7CHOME%7C%7C%7C%7CL4%7 C%7C%7C%7Canonymous-inspiration%7C%7C%7C&KMtag=c&KMver=1.0&clickpage=H OME#flexibility
How do I benefit from the Tier Flexibility policy?If you are eligible for a Tier upgrade or renewal under this policy, there is no need to contact us. This will be processed automatically once your Tier Point collection year ends and you will receive an email from the Executive Club team to confirm this.
In the meantime, you will not see any changes to your account until the start of your new Tier Point collection year.
My Tier Point collection year ends in July 2020 or thereafter. Does the Tier Flexibility policy apply to me?The Tier Flexibility policy only applies to Members due for renewal in April, May and June 2020. We understand that the situation is constantly changing, which is why we are continuously reviewing our policies and will be in touch with any changes that are applicable to your membership in the future. There is no need to contact us.
Where can I see my Tier Point collection year end date?This can be viewed on the My Executive Club page or the mobile app. This is shown underneath your current Tier Point total, or at the bottom of the ‘My account’ page on the mobile app.
Do I need to reach the eligible flights required for my Tier to benefit from the 30% Tier Point threshold reduction?The eligible flight requirements have been waived for Members who qualify for the 30% Tier Point threshold reduction in order to renew or upgrade.
I redeemed a Companion Voucher, or Travel Together Ticket, earned via a British Airways credit card on a booking that was changed or cancelled. Does the six-month extension apply to me?If you’ve applied a voucher, or ticket to a booking for travel from 1 March 2020, should your flight(s) get cancelled or you defer your travel to a later date, we will apply a 6-month extension to your voucher. This will happen automatically and there is no need to contact us.
I redeemed a Gold Upgrade Voucher on a booking that was changed or cancelled. Does the six-month extension apply to me?If you’ve applied a voucher to a booking for travel from 1 March 2020, should your flight(s) get cancelled or you defer your travel to a later date, we will apply a six-month extension to your voucher. This will happen automatically and there is no need to contact us.
Is my voucher included in the six-month extension policy?This policy covers all vouchers earned using a British Airways credit card. This includes American Express Companion Vouchers, Chase Travel Together Tickets, RBC Companion Award Vouchers, Asba Companion Vouchers, RSB American Express Companion Vouchers and RSB World Mastercard Companion Vouchers.
This policy also includes Gold Upgrade Vouchers.
I am close to earning a Companion Voucher, or Travel Together Ticket, with a British Airways credit card. Does the 6-month extension apply to me?We want to maximise the opportunity for Members to use their well earned vouchers. If your Companion Voucher, or Travel Together Ticket, earned via a British Airways credit card is issued during March, April, May or June, we will be automatically applying a 6-month extension. This may take some time to reflect in your account, however there is no need to contact us.
This does not currently apply to Gold Upgrade Vouchers.
updated 25 March 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Executive Club Tier Flexibility Policy
We understand the substantial impact these unprecedented times are having on the lives of our Executive Club Members. We have taken steps to protect the Tier status and well-earned benefits of our Members.
We’ll be lowering Tier Point thresholds by 30% for all Members due for Tier upgrade or renewal in April, May and June. This results in lower Tier qualification thresholds as laid out below
- Bronze: 210 Tier Points
- Silver: 420 Tier Points
- Gold: 1050 Tier Points
- Gold Guest List (Renewal): 2100 Tier Points (not on BA.com, internal only)
Gold Guest List (Upgrade): 3500 Tier Points (not on BA.com, internal only)
To ensure our Members still have the opportunity to use their Gold Upgrade Vouchers, Companion Vouchers and Travel Together Tickets earned via a British Airways credit card, we’re applying a six-month expiration extension to any current vouchers.
The situation is constantly changing, which is why we’re continuously reviewing our policy and will communicate any updates.
See here for details: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/executive-club/tiers-and-benefits?dr=&dt=British%20Airways%20%7C%20Book%20F lights,%20Holidays,%20City%20Breaks%20%26%20Check% 20In%20Online&scheme=&audience=travel&CUSTSEG=&GGL Member=&ban=c2b728e5fe0683865614c44450048aa6%7C%7C CAM%7C6%7CCTA1%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7CHOME%7C%7C%7C%7CL4%7 C%7C%7C%7Canonymous-inspiration%7C%7C%7C&KMtag=c&KMver=1.0&clickpage=H OME#flexibility
FAQs
Show all|Hide allHow do I benefit from the Tier Flexibility policy?If you are eligible for a Tier upgrade or renewal under this policy, there is no need to contact us. This will be processed automatically once your Tier Point collection year ends and you will receive an email from the Executive Club team to confirm this.
In the meantime, you will not see any changes to your account until the start of your new Tier Point collection year.
My Tier Point collection year ends in July 2020 or thereafter. Does the Tier Flexibility policy apply to me?The Tier Flexibility policy only applies to Members due for renewal in April, May and June 2020. We understand that the situation is constantly changing, which is why we are continuously reviewing our policies and will be in touch with any changes that are applicable to your membership in the future. There is no need to contact us.
Where can I see my Tier Point collection year end date?This can be viewed on the My Executive Club page or the mobile app. This is shown underneath your current Tier Point total, or at the bottom of the ‘My account’ page on the mobile app.
Do I need to reach the eligible flights required for my Tier to benefit from the 30% Tier Point threshold reduction?The eligible flight requirements have been waived for Members who qualify for the 30% Tier Point threshold reduction in order to renew or upgrade.
I redeemed a Companion Voucher, or Travel Together Ticket, earned via a British Airways credit card on a booking that was changed or cancelled. Does the six-month extension apply to me?If you’ve applied a voucher, or ticket to a booking for travel from 1 March 2020, should your flight(s) get cancelled or you defer your travel to a later date, we will apply a 6-month extension to your voucher. This will happen automatically and there is no need to contact us.
I redeemed a Gold Upgrade Voucher on a booking that was changed or cancelled. Does the six-month extension apply to me?If you’ve applied a voucher to a booking for travel from 1 March 2020, should your flight(s) get cancelled or you defer your travel to a later date, we will apply a six-month extension to your voucher. This will happen automatically and there is no need to contact us.
Is my voucher included in the six-month extension policy?This policy covers all vouchers earned using a British Airways credit card. This includes American Express Companion Vouchers, Chase Travel Together Tickets, RBC Companion Award Vouchers, Asba Companion Vouchers, RSB American Express Companion Vouchers and RSB World Mastercard Companion Vouchers.
This policy also includes Gold Upgrade Vouchers.
I am close to earning a Companion Voucher, or Travel Together Ticket, with a British Airways credit card. Does the 6-month extension apply to me?We want to maximise the opportunity for Members to use their well earned vouchers. If your Companion Voucher, or Travel Together Ticket, earned via a British Airways credit card is issued during March, April, May or June, we will be automatically applying a 6-month extension. This may take some time to reflect in your account, however there is no need to contact us.
This does not currently apply to Gold Upgrade Vouchers.
COVID-19 - TP reduction requirement for re-qualification [currently to June year end]
May 26, 2020, 6:17 am
#1636
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,436
BA certainly aren’t short of ideas if they’ve followed this thread 
Perhaps we should have a poll on the best extension, policy change ideas on here and then that might help BA to decide......
Perhaps we should have a poll on the best extension, policy change ideas on here and then that might help BA to decide......
May 26, 2020, 6:26 am
#1637
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,690
May 26, 2020, 6:27 am
#1638
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
Maybe I’ve been in lockdown for too long and am slightly delirious, but I’m seeing increasing parallels between BA and HMG strategy and PR. Throw a reasonable but incomplete policy out there early, fail to provide clarity for many people, watch while others put clear policies out there, then (we shall see for BA) launch something a bit late in the day that is trumpeted as world-beating.
The parallel would be complete if we subsequently discovered that someone important with a farm in Northumberland turned out to have been getting special treatment all along (too soon?
)
More seriously, watching this thread from the sidelines I’m interested by the apparently blind faith of some posters (or maybe they know something others don’t) that BA will do “the right thing”, whatever that may be. No doubt whatever is done will suit some, but if this crisis has shown anything, it’s that BA will only do what suits BA, and we’d better hope it doesn’t consider its customers as captive as its staff...
The parallel would be complete if we subsequently discovered that someone important with a farm in Northumberland turned out to have been getting special treatment all along (too soon?
)More seriously, watching this thread from the sidelines I’m interested by the apparently blind faith of some posters (or maybe they know something others don’t) that BA will do “the right thing”, whatever that may be. No doubt whatever is done will suit some, but if this crisis has shown anything, it’s that BA will only do what suits BA, and we’d better hope it doesn’t consider its customers as captive as its staff...
May 26, 2020, 7:17 am
#1639
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
I think that even SCAT airlines probably has a better policy. BA, are you really worse than SCAT? https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesas.../#5240f3744f18
May 26, 2020, 7:35 am
#1640
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Just do what Delta did:
Extend everyone 1 year.
Roll over TP from 2020 to 2021 (allowing those who would have increased in status to do so - you have 2 years to attain status.)
Fair and easy. The lack of an update from BA is deafening. This year in travel is essentially done, BA just can't/won't see it.
Extend everyone 1 year.
Roll over TP from 2020 to 2021 (allowing those who would have increased in status to do so - you have 2 years to attain status.)
Fair and easy. The lack of an update from BA is deafening. This year in travel is essentially done, BA just can't/won't see it.
May 26, 2020, 7:40 am
#1641
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991
Well, of course BA will do what is best for BA, and I'm surprised that anyone would think otherwise. They are a business, a pretty ruthless one, and everything they do, including Executive Club, is for the maximisation of revenue.
May 26, 2020, 8:31 am
#1642
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC | qantas | IHG | Hilton Honors | Priority Pass | Nandos
Posts: 868
Whereas the majority of suggestions posted have been aimed at maximising the benefits of the posters.
May 26, 2020, 8:44 am
#1643
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: BAEC Silver, Volare Executive / Skyteam Elite+
Posts: 672
Everyone has their self-interest in mind I expect, but the self-interest of high value customers in maintaining status benefits probably coincides with BA's self-interest in retaining high-value customers. I'm sure BA have run the numbers to death on whether those benefits are worth that 'loyalty' and come up with a 'yes', otherwise they would have closed all the lounges years ago.
May 26, 2020, 9:09 am
#1644
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
Uhhh Peter..........Misco......BA being at least moderately competitive with EVERY OTHER serious carrier ON EARTH is for BA's benefit as much as any passenger. Those sorts of comments could "fly" 2 months ago, not now when BA is competing with SCAT and ARIANA when it comes to this subject.
May 26, 2020, 9:42 am
#1645
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
May 26, 2020, 9:57 am
#1646
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
I have no real skin in this game, I'm GCFL, however I want BA to be a viable, competitive airline, and the way they are handling this, they are not doing what they should be doing.
May 26, 2020, 10:04 am
#1647
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA
Programs: BA GGL, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 187
I agree with yoru table, and that is what I am working on (hoping for). The problem when you get to 90% reductions is that you are then in the situation that someone who happened to take a Dec/Jan premium economy return somewhere, or one way Club World plus a connecting domestic is suddnely Gold on the basis of one flight trip! Or someone with two CW return trips in say November and Jan would then be GGL (when similar rate of flying would only yield Gold in a normal year), Similarly soneone who flew discount economy in December or Jan as their once a year holiday would then be promoted to Silver. All situations are a bit silly and cast the net too wide imho, although could be an interesting incentive to get people flying again. At that point in the year previous/existing status should probably start to figure in the calculations. Which is why a blanket extension, and/or rolled TP into next with held status year would be the best course of action at this point.
I also appreciate the challenge BA is in and the balance of short term and long term priorities here.
BA chose a short term solution. It makes sense if we had a speedy recovery and travel patterns are back to normal ~June.
Assuming travel patterns do not return to normal until sometime in 2021 BA is
- Locked on this path (my projected table). The problem as GBOAC calls out is it does not make sense as you apply it over additional quarters
- The sliding window reduction model ends up with someone who made Silver early on could reach GGL with just 500TPs
- Ultimately it lands with an extension and generates lots of customer dissatisfaction along this journey
- Or they have to create a new longer term solution (like the one from ISTFlyer below). However they would need to retroactively apply it to folks impacted in April/May/June
A fairer approach would be to consolidate 2 tier years, extend status until the end of the 2nd year and then return to normal if we don't have any second wave, or something else that would prevent flying.
I haven't mentioned in the chart but the same could be done in terms of flight segments. For example, for Silver, 50 BA flights in 2 years.
Edit: Consider the Status Valid until part as August 31, 2021; September 30, 2021; October 31, 2021;...
It didn't appear for a reason I don't know why.
I haven't mentioned in the chart but the same could be done in terms of flight segments. For example, for Silver, 50 BA flights in 2 years.
Edit: Consider the Status Valid until part as August 31, 2021; September 30, 2021; October 31, 2021;...
It didn't appear for a reason I don't know why.
Hopefully we'll get clarity soon with their July schedules and dealing with the UK quarantine mandate.
May 26, 2020, 10:09 am
#1648
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991
I can't help thinking that some people are massively over-thinking this issue.
May 26, 2020, 10:52 am
#1649
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC | qantas | IHG | Hilton Honors | Priority Pass | Nandos
Posts: 868
Loyalty schemes are an amazing marketing invention (and you could be a testament to that), but I have no idea how 'elastic' the loyalty to BA is, or how far BA can stretch it until it snaps....
May 26, 2020, 11:05 am
#1650
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,990
But how do you know? The game has only just started and BA hasn't finished what it started when it announced the threshold reductions a while ago.
Loyalty schemes are an amazing marketing invention (and you could be a testament to that), but I have no idea how 'elastic' the loyalty to BA is, or how far BA can stretch it until it snaps....
Loyalty schemes are an amazing marketing invention (and you could be a testament to that), but I have no idea how 'elastic' the loyalty to BA is, or how far BA can stretch it until it snaps....