UK to Canada / BAEC status match on other airlines?
Oct 3, 2022, 2:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 62
UK to Canada / BAEC status match on other airlines?
Evening all,
Ive been scouring the internet and the forum, and its time to pick the collective brain here.
I fly to Canada once or twice a year - to YVR or YYC, usually flying WTP. Looking to book a trip for this Dec, but there seem to be no (or vanishingly few) direct BA offerings, and even non-direct is pretty pricey in WT, let alone WTP.
So, Im now considering other airlines. Im BAEC silver, is it worth trying to get a status match with (e.g.) Air Canada / Virgin / Lufthansa etc who all seem to have better offerings for Canadian routes I generally travel there for skiing so the baggage allowance from BAEC silver is helpful.
Any info / tips appreciated (including on where to find a non eye-watering BA fare!).
Thanks, as ever.
Ive been scouring the internet and the forum, and its time to pick the collective brain here.
I fly to Canada once or twice a year - to YVR or YYC, usually flying WTP. Looking to book a trip for this Dec, but there seem to be no (or vanishingly few) direct BA offerings, and even non-direct is pretty pricey in WT, let alone WTP.
So, Im now considering other airlines. Im BAEC silver, is it worth trying to get a status match with (e.g.) Air Canada / Virgin / Lufthansa etc who all seem to have better offerings for Canadian routes I generally travel there for skiing so the baggage allowance from BAEC silver is helpful.
Any info / tips appreciated (including on where to find a non eye-watering BA fare!).
Thanks, as ever.
Oct 3, 2022, 2:58 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 62
Not an awful lot, hence asking here
Air Canada dont seem to status match - overtly at least.
Ive found a Virgin Status match, and some contradictory info on whether its possible to match (in convoluted fashion) to the KLM or Lufthansa schemes.
Air Canada dont seem to status match - overtly at least.
Ive found a Virgin Status match, and some contradictory info on whether its possible to match (in convoluted fashion) to the KLM or Lufthansa schemes.
Oct 3, 2022, 3:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: British Airways GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond & Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,629
It would be best to go to the KLM/AirFrance boards and ask there if anyone has matched.
Oct 4, 2022, 7:45 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Burnaby, Canada
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 109
Sadly, Virgin does not fly to Canada (they do to Seattle, which is close to Vancouver. Albeit, in another country). I would rather fly BA economy then Air Canada anything (Canadians know why).
On Google flights. I see LHR to YVR return, Dec 3 - 13 for $2843 Cdn. It does go up, as you approach Christmas.
On Google flights. I see LHR to YVR return, Dec 3 - 13 for $2843 Cdn. It does go up, as you approach Christmas.
Oct 4, 2022, 11:51 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,760
If you're going to YYC your choices are AC, KLM and Westjet. LH is a codeshare with AC I believe, I don't think LH metal comes to YYC.
YVR has a few more options. I'm not aware of WS offering status matches, your best bet might be KLM.
YVR has a few more options. I'm not aware of WS offering status matches, your best bet might be KLM.
Oct 4, 2022, 1:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,760
Oct 4, 2022, 1:06 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 62
I may have found a Finnair fare to YVR via an OTA (connecting in Seattle outbound, LAX return) which isnt crazy money, though only economy. Looking like a reasonable option right now.
Oct 4, 2022, 1:25 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,170
Eurowings Discover has been sending a Finnair A350 on the FRA-YYC route for a while now, with the forward J cabin sold as J, and the rear (smaller) J cabin sold as Y+... so you'd basically get Y+ service in a J seat. Pretty decent fares too, but I think they only credit to M&M.
Oct 4, 2022, 2:49 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 62
Eurowings Discover has been sending a Finnair A350 on the FRA-YYC route for a while now, with the forward J cabin sold as J, and the rear (smaller) J cabin sold as Y+... so you'd basically get Y+ service in a J seat. Pretty decent fares too, but I think they only credit to M&M.
Oct 4, 2022, 3:32 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,760
Oct 4, 2022, 4:23 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: AC75 MM
Posts: 969
Evening all,
Ive been scouring the internet and the forum, and its time to pick the collective brain here.
I fly to Canada once or twice a year - to YVR or YYC, usually flying WTP..................... Im BAEC silver, is it worth trying to get a status match with (e.g.) Air Canada / Virgin / Lufthansa etc who all seem to have better offerings for Canadian routes I generally travel there for skiing so the baggage allowance from BAEC silver is helpful.
Thanks, as ever.
Ive been scouring the internet and the forum, and its time to pick the collective brain here.
I fly to Canada once or twice a year - to YVR or YYC, usually flying WTP..................... Im BAEC silver, is it worth trying to get a status match with (e.g.) Air Canada / Virgin / Lufthansa etc who all seem to have better offerings for Canadian routes I generally travel there for skiing so the baggage allowance from BAEC silver is helpful.
Thanks, as ever.
If you did make that status, you would get 2 free 23kg bags (and free sports equipment like skis as part of that), and 20 upgrade credits - not quite enough to upgrade a latitude or premium economy fare to business both ways (22 or 24 required respectively), but enough for econ to premium Economy (although read the upgrade rules carefully as some fares have a co-pay). Upgrades are tricky via YYZ, but mostly easier on the direct YVR route.
So unless you travel more frequently on AC, its not going to be of much use, and even if there was a status match it might be difficult for you to maintain it. If you lived in Canada or the US then you could get a premium CC a few of which come with complimentary E25 status.
The other carriers mentioned in this thread would give you more earning opportunities from your other flying.