Physical BAEC Bronze cards and bag tags eliminated
Jan 19, 2021, 8:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leicestershire / Dubai
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite & Lifetime Gold, Heathrow Rewards Premium, Tesco Clubcard
Posts: 663
Physical BAEC Bronze cards and bag tags enhanced
Apologies if this is posted elsewhere but I couldn't see if it was.
I logged into BAEC and noticed the following message:
This is fine, but I have had requests for physical cards to be presented in the past (E.g. at HKG when I was using the J check-in area for our oneworld friends at CX).
What happens if a physical card is demanded in the future and where they do not accept an electronic card?
I also noticed that under Executive Club Items, bag tags can no longer be ordered. Again, I have no major issue with this, but they have come handy in the past (E.g. when lounge staff looking after my luggage cannot spell my name so they just glance at my tag and let me enter the lounge).
I logged into BAEC and noticed the following message:
Your Digital Membership Card
We’re taking steps to fully digitalise the Club experience, and so your Bronze membership card is now purely digital. You can view your card and access your benefits via the British Airways app on your mobile, or here on our website – quickly, conveniently and from wherever you are in the world.This is fine, but I have had requests for physical cards to be presented in the past (E.g. at HKG when I was using the J check-in area for our oneworld friends at CX).
What happens if a physical card is demanded in the future and where they do not accept an electronic card?
I also noticed that under Executive Club Items, bag tags can no longer be ordered. Again, I have no major issue with this, but they have come handy in the past (E.g. when lounge staff looking after my luggage cannot spell my name so they just glance at my tag and let me enter the lounge).
Last edited by Paren; Aug 29, 2021 at 1:08 pm
Jan 19, 2021, 8:25 am
#2
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
I think it's a good idea for these to be removed and I'd move everyone at all status levels to electronic versions if possible.
The only possible exception - and it's a stretch - are third party lounges in far flung places that absolutely insist on a physical card and for that you're not going to get anywhere with a bronze one anyway.
The only possible exception - and it's a stretch - are third party lounges in far flung places that absolutely insist on a physical card and for that you're not going to get anywhere with a bronze one anyway.
Jan 19, 2021, 8:38 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2019
Programs: BA - Bronze , IHG - Spire Ambassador, Hilton - Diamond
Posts: 133
Just logged in and saw the same for my silver card, so it's not just bronze being targeted. Guess this is the logical next step after automatically not mailing them out anymore
Jan 19, 2021, 8:42 am
#4
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,962
Is it no longer possible to order a replacement physical card if you go in to Manage my account>>Replacement Executive Club card or bag tags?
Jan 19, 2021, 8:45 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 327
Jan 19, 2021, 8:49 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2019
Programs: BA - Bronze , IHG - Spire Ambassador, Hilton - Diamond
Posts: 133
Jan 19, 2021, 9:40 am
#10
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,962
Yes so this was the previous related thread BA to stop BAEC Welcome packs
At the time I think you could still order a card and tags if you want, but this option seems to be removed for tiers up to silvergold now [EDIT: see tom139's post below, still available for gold and ggl].
At the time I think you could still order a card and tags if you want, but this option seems to be removed for tiers up to silver
Last edited by KARFA; Jan 19, 2021 at 9:55 am
Jan 19, 2021, 9:46 am
#11
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 579
Rediculous especially for Silver with certain lounges (outstations and some OW partners) only accepting physical cards and not recognising the app....
Why happens if your phone is out of battery (not impossible on a long trip, especially with USB ports not available on all carriers and fleets)?. What happens if for whatever reason your membership number has not been properly recorded on your boarding pass....
Why happens if your phone is out of battery (not impossible on a long trip, especially with USB ports not available on all carriers and fleets)?. What happens if for whatever reason your membership number has not been properly recorded on your boarding pass....
Jan 19, 2021, 9:55 am
#13
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 579
Not really an enhancement either.
I guess one can print out a membership card for annoying outstations.
I also recall that physical cards can be used for checking either with BA or some OW partners (insert card to self service checkin, and it automatically finds your booking and commences checkin...)
I guess one can print out a membership card for annoying outstations.
I also recall that physical cards can be used for checking either with BA or some OW partners (insert card to self service checkin, and it automatically finds your booking and commences checkin...)
Jan 19, 2021, 9:56 am
#14
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Jan 19, 2021, 9:58 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Sic transit. I knew that things were going from bad to worse when I boarded at IDW and they couldn't even be bothered to put a propeller on the engine.
Anyone who is concerned may print a copy of their card using the drop down menu and slide that into their folder of critical travel documents. Over time, the demands for the physical cards will go away because nobody will have them.
Anyone who is concerned may print a copy of their card using the drop down menu and slide that into their folder of critical travel documents. Over time, the demands for the physical cards will go away because nobody will have them.
Last edited by Often1; Jan 19, 2021 at 10:24 am