Your best status benefit?
May 15, 2022, 11:04 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD, LHR, FCO
Programs: BA Gold, etc. etc.
Posts: 1,402
For me it's access to AA's Flagship Lounges and Admirals Clubs. Also the free advance seat selection, not just on BA, but also on AA in the Main Cabin Extra rows on US domestic flights.
May 15, 2022, 11:16 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Mucci Chevalier des Internautes Amables; BAEC
Posts: 970
Gold priority, hands down. It saves me several thousand pounds a year for family SH bookings. Some may say that it’s poor value, but a manually arranged ‘old price’ double avios flight booked on the best flights regardless of the cash cost is, personally, a really good benefit. If I was more organised, it might be worth less 
May 15, 2022, 11:36 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,556
As Gold (for the moment) lounge access - First Wing, AA Flagship lounges (and Admiral Clubs elsewhere), free seat selection (+AA main cabin extra), extra baggage (and free AA baggage) - and arrivals lounge at LHR - particuarly for those TATL WT bookings!
May 15, 2022, 12:05 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, BA Silver, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 484
Most useful benefit (especially during COVID) was business class check in
Most used/best has to be lounge access, especially travelling Y 90% of the time now
Most used/best has to be lounge access, especially travelling Y 90% of the time now
May 15, 2022, 12:49 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 469
First wing... Knowing that I'm 40 minutes from home to lounge 90% of the time is amazing.
When I was based in Sydney it was the Qantas First lounge and SATS Premier check in in SIN.
Now being back in Europe with a family place in Cyprus the exceptional value RFS to LCA...
When I was based in Sydney it was the Qantas First lounge and SATS Premier check in in SIN.
Now being back in Europe with a family place in Cyprus the exceptional value RFS to LCA...
May 15, 2022, 1:47 pm
#23
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,150
I can't say I have any favourite parts of status nowadays as they all have some sort of relevant importance in their own way so overall I enjoy the Gold/Emerald benefits.
Going back few years though, whether you were Silver or Gold, I think a great status benefit but specific to 747's was being able to bank 64K
Going back few years though, whether you were Silver or Gold, I think a great status benefit but specific to 747's was being able to bank 64K
May 15, 2022, 5:49 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
Deffo good advantage for me. I'm up in the US a fair bit and access to their lounges is a huge benefit especially when you know even people flying domestic First have no entry, bar the transcontinental routes
May 16, 2022, 2:24 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Sussex
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 897
Would it be fair to say though that fast track priviledges (both for check in and security) goes without saying for those earning Jokers?
If you didn't get fast track priviledges and had to queue everytime, would Joker's still be your best status benefit?
If you didn't get fast track priviledges and had to queue everytime, would Joker's still be your best status benefit?
May 16, 2022, 2:28 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Sussex
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 897
As a GCH, it is for me priority check in access/fast track security. I sort of bundle them toggether as typically they come together and both are designed to expedite the process.
Of course I completely value the other benefits, such as lounge access and reward availability. But the portion of my business travel in europ eoften includes low cost carriers, and it is at those times when I am at the back of a check in or security queue I am reminded of how much I value my gold card. At those points I would trade lounge access to get through the queue quicker.
Of course I completely value the other benefits, such as lounge access and reward availability. But the portion of my business travel in europ eoften includes low cost carriers, and it is at those times when I am at the back of a check in or security queue I am reminded of how much I value my gold card. At those points I would trade lounge access to get through the queue quicker.
May 16, 2022, 2:32 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 946
Free exit row seating in Y on European Shorthaul when it combines with Lounge Access, especially on a T3 route I would chose this over a LCC if cost comparative. If you can time it right means a lunch and drinks at LHR and arriving around hotel check-in time.
I do find in Exit rows it tends to mean no one sat next to you.
Also with status on shorthops it means the CE benefit is negligible.
Business bag drop and priority security a close second especially when running close to the cutoff.
I do find in Exit rows it tends to mean no one sat next to you.
Also with status on shorthops it means the CE benefit is negligible.
Business bag drop and priority security a close second especially when running close to the cutoff.
May 16, 2022, 2:36 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576