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]
Mar 9, 2020, 12:31 pm
#91
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: living near Malaga
Programs: BA Gold , Mucci recipient. Coffee Drinker, Blue Sky Thinker
Posts: 2,111
General discussion of the topic in the "other" FT, for those who subscribe: https://www.ft.com/content/9ab0fd22-...3-fa40a0d65a98
Frequent flyers grounded by the growing number of corporate travel bans are unable to collect the number of loyalty points they would expect from premium airfares and hotel stays — not to mention linked points deals on the credit cards used to pay for these.
Access to different “tiers” of membership depends on how much money is spent within a set period, leading some airlines to reassure customers that they will not lose their coveted perks as a result of coronavirus disruption.
Singapore Airlines is extending the time-dependent elite status it grants to its most loyal passengers by a year, emails sent to frequent flyers showed. This means they will not lose their membership of the airline’s elite flying clubs, which is heavily dependent on the number of miles they fly at the front of the plane, if corporate travel bans keep them grounded.Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong carrier, has awarded people with the top three tiers of membership to its Marco Polo loyalty scheme extra reward points until April, giving them more chances of keeping their elite status, according to customer communications shared with the Financial Times.
However, other US, European and British carriers such as Delta, Lufthansa and British Airways are yet to follow suit, which has angered some business customers who fear their membership to elite flying clubs that offer free upgrades and lounge access will expire in 2020. Virgin Atlantic declined to comment on the policy for travellers in its loyalty programme.
Frequent travellers who qualify for BA’s Executive Club Gold membership receive double the number of Avios points on their bookings, as well as access to luxurious first-class lounges and complimentary treatments such as post-flight massages.
Catherine Ibison, a customer services executive at Microsoft, said she was likely to lose her “gold” status with BA, as her employer had asked staff to avoid travelling for work.
The airline, Ms Ibison said, had “sent nothing personal to me as an executive member” to offer reassurance that she would be able to maintain the gold status.
“I normally take nine flights a year with BA,” she added. “Now I will think twice about travelling with them in future.”
British Airways declined to comment.
FROM FT TODAY
Mar 9, 2020, 1:38 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
Synopsis, Naomi the FT (other FT) writer wrote the article in past based on, or from thoughts gleaned from this very thread in post 34. We're sort of ahead of her.
Mar 9, 2020, 5:04 pm
#93
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Mucci: Classe de la Luxe Eternelle
Posts: 816
..cue the smirking at 'nine flights a year' 
Mar 9, 2020, 5:38 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,196
Perhaps Ms Ibison could pay for her own flights in order to maintain her status and access to those luxurious lounges and post flight massages?
Mar 10, 2020, 9:07 am
#95
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 171
Finnair have started a policy of fully flex for all tickets, irrespective of when they were booked. Anything booked up to 30 Apr can be moved to anything up to 30 Nov if there is space.
Any chance of BA doing anything similar?
Any chance of BA doing anything similar?
Mar 10, 2020, 10:27 am
#96
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: London. Or a plane.
Programs: "Only" 50,000 TPs until BA GGLfL
Posts: 2,774
It's about commercial necessity. Finnair's routes are pretty much exclusively Europe-Asia so their booking position most be horrid. BA have a broader network with many routes to places that don't yet have a significant outbreak. If BA experience the degree of declien than Finnair is currently experiencing, they may well offer similar things. Just have to wait and see.
Mar 10, 2020, 10:52 am
#97
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR; TK Elite; ITA Executive; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,551
Wouldn't be surprised if BA would not take any action - although they extended for one year because the IT glitch which happened a few years ago....
Mar 10, 2020, 6:05 pm
#98
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Programs: BA, JAL
Posts: 689
ignore me. i'm obsessing over the nine flights with british.
Mar 10, 2020, 6:41 pm
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
Hopefully that whatever is done is for everyone, I say so because I had a trip effected by the strike in September, and while BA said that they would "make good" on it, it took me many e-mails and about 2 months for them to sort it out. At the end they did do it, but it took way too much work from my side..........
Mar 10, 2020, 6:56 pm
#101
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Programs: BA, JAL
Posts: 689
qatar just gave me six months status back from april onward. it said it was for my loyalty, yet i haven't flown or credited anything with them for at least a year or so.
Mar 10, 2020, 10:59 pm
#102
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Finnair website only mentions "without a change fee", so it looks like there will be a fare difference to pay. That is in effect the same as BA's Book with Confidence, although Finnair's is applicable to existing bookings as well as new.
Mar 11, 2020, 4:30 am
#103
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
So how do you see again if you've been downgraded? It's been a long time since I last had to worry about this. Nothing showing on the "order exec club items" page, but it does say "you need xxxx points to retain gold membership".
And this is 3 days after the membership renewal date, with TPs far short of 1500.
And this is 3 days after the membership renewal date, with TPs far short of 1500.
Mar 11, 2020, 4:39 am
#104
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cambridge, UK
Programs: Mucci, BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 761
Deleted
Mar 11, 2020, 5:12 am
#105
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,150
So how do you see again if you've been downgraded? It's been a long time since I last had to worry about this. Nothing showing on the "order exec club items" page, but it does say "you need xxxx points to retain gold membership".
And this is 3 days after the membership renewal date, with TPs far short of 1500.
And this is 3 days after the membership renewal date, with TPs far short of 1500.
Downgrade to Silver -Pending
Then you'll see this probably the day after, the 15th
Downgrade to Silver - Fullfilled
Your card always expires at the end of the following month so you will still have Gold Card benefits until the 30th April, 2020 and that should still be visible in your BAEC account.