I've Bought a Boat
Mar 8, 22, 8:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LCY
Programs: Mucci des Ancients Matelots
Posts: 761
I've Bought a Boat
Well, I've bought boat.
Been gold for a few years and realised I was getting obsessed. I HAD to retain status, I HAD to maximise the avios, I HAD to maximise the tier points.
Through that time I think I've seen (not limited to):
It's been a revelation. Not worrying about whether the lounge in Prague still open or not. Picking Malta over Rome because I get more tier points.
A whole new adventure has started, the challenge of route planning, weather reports, tidal charts etc. I heartily recommend taking stock and thinking about what you fly for. I am lucky that I travelled a fair bit and have seen a lot of the world but maybe I also need to thank BA for showing me that there's more to do in life than just sit in a plane earning miles so I can do it again.
Oh, and sailing around the Isle of Wight, drinking fine wine on the back of your own boat, watching sunsets etc. That's good too.
I'll still fly but no longer brand loyal or even needing to fly anywhere near as often. As ever, YMMV
Been gold for a few years and realised I was getting obsessed. I HAD to retain status, I HAD to maximise the avios, I HAD to maximise the tier points.
Through that time I think I've seen (not limited to):
- reduction in leg room in most cabins
- reduction in elbow room in most cabins
- reduction in catering in most cabins
- removal of catering for economy short haul
- removal of beverages for economy short haul
- introduction of buy on board
- many increases of 'tax' for redemptions
- increases in the avios cost of flights
- no more flower in the FIRST loo
- no more centre table in CE
- introduction of HBO
- removal of access to cancel / refund avios bookings
- reduction of CE meal quality to previous economy quality (as experienced on comair, maybe BA were never that good?)
- no more amuse bouche in FIRST
- removal of tesco avios earning
It's been a revelation. Not worrying about whether the lounge in Prague still open or not. Picking Malta over Rome because I get more tier points.
A whole new adventure has started, the challenge of route planning, weather reports, tidal charts etc. I heartily recommend taking stock and thinking about what you fly for. I am lucky that I travelled a fair bit and have seen a lot of the world but maybe I also need to thank BA for showing me that there's more to do in life than just sit in a plane earning miles so I can do it again.
Oh, and sailing around the Isle of Wight, drinking fine wine on the back of your own boat, watching sunsets etc. That's good too.
I'll still fly but no longer brand loyal or even needing to fly anywhere near as often. As ever, YMMV
Mar 8, 22, 8:55 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 39,160
Originally Posted by GaxxyFlyer
I'll still fly but no longer brand loyal or even needing to fly anywhere near as often. As ever, YMMV
Mar 8, 22, 10:12 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: Sir CT-UK - Streaker pour les autres.
Posts: 5,678
Originally Posted by Greenpen
Unless you are very rich, owning a boat will remove your ability to fly in anything other than Y with an occasional once in a lifetime trip in premium economy!
You may find a stiff breeze around the needles bracing too!
You may find a stiff breeze around the needles bracing too!
Our old clunker can get us to France quite happily from Devon. Sleep 6 (8 at a push) and still affords us the "luxury" of being able to fly J etc on holidays. Good timing on an odd thread as it reminds me I have 7 harbour tickets pay for to keep the fleet legal
Mar 8, 22, 11:40 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 841
As Covid hit, we were the proud new owners of a camper (bought second-hand so not excruciatingly expensive) and it has proved a lifesaver.
Our status extensions are still in place for about another 12 months, but having done most of the destinations and lounges we wanted to visit, we no longer feel any great pressure to accumulate TPs & Avios. The ease of throwing some stuff in the back and just driving off is deeply seductive
Good luck with the boat OP, hope it gives you years of pleasure...
Our status extensions are still in place for about another 12 months, but having done most of the destinations and lounges we wanted to visit, we no longer feel any great pressure to accumulate TPs & Avios. The ease of throwing some stuff in the back and just driving off is deeply seductive
Good luck with the boat OP, hope it gives you years of pleasure...
Mar 8, 22, 11:45 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London
Programs: Sir Ratechaser Seigneur de la Patience d'un Saint (Mucci), BA Silver, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 1,724
As someone that is generally seasick on boats, this does sound the same to me as standing in a cold shower, during an earthquake, while tearing up £50 notes.
But if it makes you happy, congratulations
But if it makes you happy, congratulations
Mar 8, 22, 11:55 am
#15
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 12,817
Originally Posted by CT-UK
Our old clunker can get us to France quite happily from Devon. Sleep 6 (8 at a push) and still affords us the "luxury" of being able to fly J etc on holidays. Good timing on an odd thread as it reminds me I have 7 harbour tickets pay for to keep the fleet legal
Even for the OP (or anyone else with a craft that can make the crossing), if you are interested, I'd highly recommend doing this.
I sometimes wish I didn't have to fly... I did some road trips in 2020, and it was nice to actually see things up close, versus from 30,000 feet up, and be able to stop when I wanted to. It did take a bit longer than flying though.
