Finally made it
Mar 9, 2022, 5:17 am
#31
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 95
Well it is often said adversity in life makes you appreciate the good things when they come along. Maybe a few more of us should follow your example in long haul economy! Enjoy your trip to New York and as you say at least you can use the lounges.
Mar 9, 2022, 7:41 am
#32
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,398
I am almost ashamed to say that I have just booked my first long-haul economy in many years. Only New York, so barely "long haul" at all, and Ł900 for flights and 4 nights in a highly-rated midtown hotel was too good to miss. I am treating it as an adventure.
………………. And I can eat in the lounge so won't be relying upon the Nutrigrain bar and cup of water (or whatever BA serves in economy these days).
………………. And I can eat in the lounge so won't be relying upon the Nutrigrain bar and cup of water (or whatever BA serves in economy these days).
Not sure how representative my search was, but a cursory check of dates for April (avoiding Easter) brought up a 4 day trip at the very same cost as you quote for your own ….. BUT if switching the cabin from Y to J, the price rises meteorically to around x 7 ….. 😳😳
Never mind eating in the lounge, ……. with such a mega price saving, I reckon I would head for a seat at the T5 seafood / caviar bar ahead of departure !
Mar 9, 2022, 8:13 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991
I had a sudden urge to go to New York for Pride weekend, at the end of June. Packages on BAH were coming up at around Ł4,000 or more, which would have been a ridiculous amount to spend on a frivolous weekend away sandwiched between two "proper" holidays. I had kind of resigned myself to not going, and then suddenly remembered that there are classes other than business class. And 7 hours in a World Traveller seat isn't unbearable - I have a train journey of a similar length coming up next week.
If you're tempted to do the same, bear in mind that the prices on BAH exclude the so-called "resort fees", which can be around $40 per night. And some of the cheapest hotels on BAH, even some of the big names, get quite poor reviews online.
And, to get this back on track, the benefits that come with my Gold status dull the pain of economy class travel very significantly indeed.
Mar 9, 2022, 8:35 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,398
Good points there, thanks Misco60 - not least that of ‘resort fees’ where relevant, and duly noted.
Yes, Gold benefits are a key factor and from my perspective have meant that ET is always so much better value (barring occasional fare quirks), than CE. I guess it’s a matter of personal experimentation to see whether a sector of around 6 hours approx in the cheap seats could be (almost …. ?!) as tolerable as typical s/h durations of, say, 1 to 3
Yes, Gold benefits are a key factor and from my perspective have meant that ET is always so much better value (barring occasional fare quirks), than CE. I guess it’s a matter of personal experimentation to see whether a sector of around 6 hours approx in the cheap seats could be (almost …. ?!) as tolerable as typical s/h durations of, say, 1 to 3
Mar 9, 2022, 11:51 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Near Manchester
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 397
I'm also a newly qualified GCH, and am using a reward flight from LHR to EDI in CE tomorrow.
Now I'm HBO, so have the boarding pass already. But do I go through the fast track security at T5 where I've been going through as a Silver, or if I want to see what the First wing is like, do they have a security channel there I could use?
Now I'm HBO, so have the boarding pass already. But do I go through the fast track security at T5 where I've been going through as a Silver, or if I want to see what the First wing is like, do they have a security channel there I could use?
Mar 9, 2022, 3:25 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, FB Platinum, MB Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,401
I'm also a newly qualified GCH, and am using a reward flight from LHR to EDI in CE tomorrow.
Now I'm HBO, so have the boarding pass already. But do I go through the fast track security at T5 where I've been going through as a Silver, or if I want to see what the First wing is like, do they have a security channel there I could use?
Now I'm HBO, so have the boarding pass already. But do I go through the fast track security at T5 where I've been going through as a Silver, or if I want to see what the First wing is like, do they have a security channel there I could use?
Mar 12, 2022, 2:02 am
#37
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Central Scotland
Programs: BAEC Gold, Miles & More Silver, Privilege Club Silver
Posts: 544
As I may have mentioned earlier in the thread, reached Gold last weekend and had a trip to Rome planned for the beginning of next week which would give Mrs B and I our first opportunity to use Galleries First at LHR.
Aah how the mighty have fallen lying here in my sick bed, after 2 years COVID has struck , so Rome no more at least not for the moment.
So now it’s May and a trip to London before I get the chance to take advantage of that bright shiny virtual Gold thing.
Stay well everyone B,
This is not a sad story but one of hope that there will be a BP with Gold on it.
Aah how the mighty have fallen lying here in my sick bed, after 2 years COVID has struck , so Rome no more at least not for the moment.
So now it’s May and a trip to London before I get the chance to take advantage of that bright shiny virtual Gold thing.
Stay well everyone B,
This is not a sad story but one of hope that there will be a BP with Gold on it.
Mar 12, 2022, 3:17 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,907
As I may have mentioned earlier in the thread, reached Gold last weekend and had a trip to Rome planned for the beginning of next week which would give Mrs B and I our first opportunity to use Galleries First at LHR.
Aah how the mighty have fallen lying here in my sick bed, after 2 years COVID has struck , so Rome no more at least not for the moment.
So now it’s May and a trip to London before I get the chance to take advantage of that bright shiny virtual Gold thing.
Stay well everyone B,
This is not a sad story but one of hope that there will be a BP with Gold on it.
Aah how the mighty have fallen lying here in my sick bed, after 2 years COVID has struck , so Rome no more at least not for the moment.
So now it’s May and a trip to London before I get the chance to take advantage of that bright shiny virtual Gold thing.
Stay well everyone B,
This is not a sad story but one of hope that there will be a BP with Gold on it.
Ouch! What awful timing!
Hope you get better soon.Regards
TBS
Jun 25, 2022, 1:13 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,217
I only started flying again in February of this year and, what with health check apps, multiple cancellations, lounge closures and airport queues, it's been a very challenging time! So, I really appreciate the countless helpful threads on FlyerTalk and, in particular, the information and advice that corporate-wage-slave , KARFA and so many others provide. I'd also like to single out HIDDY for keeping everyone's feet on the ground, metaphorically at least!
Jun 25, 2022, 2:20 am
#40
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold; Virgin FF; United Airlines; American Airlines; and was frequent c/c churner - RIP!
Posts: 940
Have booked my first TP run in early August, so will finally reach Gold after that (scraping through with 1130 TPs). Have several flight booked thereafter and will be looking forward to exploring benefits it brings.