Just made Gold! What should I look forward to?
Sep 2, 2022, 2:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SF / Berlin
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 75
Just made Gold! What should I look forward to?
I reached Gold for the first time today, after first joining EC (and reaching Silver!) as a student back in 2011- with the help of a Tier Point on AA F I learned about through FT.
Fast forward 11 years and I’m now based in San Francisco with lots of travel back to London as well as Berlin.
So a big thanks to this community for the information and advice over the years!
And on that note, any thoughts on what I should be most excited for now?
I travel on WT redemptions a lot due to their flexibility, so I’m already excited for exit row seats, increased award space and the arrivals lounge!
Fast forward 11 years and I’m now based in San Francisco with lots of travel back to London as well as Berlin.
So a big thanks to this community for the information and advice over the years!
And on that note, any thoughts on what I should be most excited for now?
I travel on WT redemptions a lot due to their flexibility, so I’m already excited for exit row seats, increased award space and the arrivals lounge!
Sep 2, 2022, 3:09 pm
#3
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,600
Sep 3, 2022, 5:55 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Berkshire / London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Nandos
Posts: 1,004
Sep 3, 2022, 6:01 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emerald), TK Elite (*A Gold)
Posts: 573
Agree with the First Wing - makes such a difference. I notice the lack of it at T3, but fortunately the First CX lounge quickly makes me forget! The first lounges globally are also much nicer in my experience, Mumbai being a particular favourite. Still looking forward to some of the East-Asia ones though.
Sep 3, 2022, 6:03 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,989
Sep 3, 2022, 12:29 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold for Life
Posts: 469
Without a doubt First Wing is a real bonus at LHR - the time saving and the quick access into the lounge and the breakfast that I don't get onboard! I think the extra allocation of Avios seats has been really helpful for me and my family. Finally, getting on board in Group 1 which guarantees that my hand baggage stays with me in the cabin and doesn't get banished to the hold.
Sep 3, 2022, 12:29 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,770
110% this. You won’t receive any actual recognition from flight crew, if that’s what you are wondering. You can just get through security faster and have a better seat, whilst earning a lot more Avios from flying. Outside of fortress heathrow, OWE gets you into many lounges that are superior to BA’s offering.
Sep 3, 2022, 12:37 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold for Life
Posts: 469
110% this. You won’t receive any actual recognition from flight crew, if that’s what you are wondering. You can just get through security faster and have a better seat, whilst earning a lot more Avios from flying. Outside of fortress heathrow, OWE gets you into many lounges that are superior to BA’s offering.
Sep 3, 2022, 12:42 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,770
Have to disagree. On my last three short-haul flights behind the curtain, cabin crew personally greeted me and offered me a drink. Yesterday the cabin crew was genuinely disappointed that I only wanted a black coffee, rather than a glass of champagne! It doesn't happen every time, and it hasn't really become institutionalised, but with the right cabin manager on board, you will get some recognition
Sep 3, 2022, 12:42 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
I reached Gold for the first time today, after first joining EC (and reaching Silver!) as a student back in 2011- with the help of a Tier Point on AA F I learned about through FT.
Fast forward 11 years and I’m now based in San Francisco with lots of travel back to London as well as Berlin.
So a big thanks to this community for the information and advice over the years!
And on that note, any thoughts on what I should be most excited for now?
I travel on WT redemptions a lot due to their flexibility, so I’m already excited for exit row seats, increased award space and the arrivals lounge!
Fast forward 11 years and I’m now based in San Francisco with lots of travel back to London as well as Berlin.
So a big thanks to this community for the information and advice over the years!
And on that note, any thoughts on what I should be most excited for now?
I travel on WT redemptions a lot due to their flexibility, so I’m already excited for exit row seats, increased award space and the arrivals lounge!
When I first turned gold, often cabin crew would recognise the status. Occasionally, prehaps an extra drink in economy. Not so long ago, many stories on here, that turning gold, on your first flight, you got a space available upgrade.
That was precovid and some years ago. Unsure if that's still the case for gold's now, with the change in cabin crew.
Also gold line should be quicker to get through to and extra Avios availability in economy. And as mentioned, to he lounges if applicable.
But the best benefit is you must be flying a lot, which I love.
Enjoy and take a look at the other threads.