Paid status match to Flying Blue (Masterthread)
Jan 24, 2025 | 11:21 am
#166
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 20,673
No! Let's hope that they have a rethink of that before long. BA slung out the Cognac some while ago and now this. In fairness, I think that people nowadays are drinking more wine than spirits. Time change and tastes change.
Jan 24, 2025 | 2:30 pm
#167
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold; LH Senator
Posts: 30,594
And yes, that means that BA Bronze has no equivalent M+M level, but BA "Rust" doesn't have a whole lot of perks anyway.
Jan 24, 2025 | 4:10 pm
#168
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: VIE
Programs: AFKL Platinum, SAS EBG (STE+), TK Elite (*G), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,364
Any BA Silver who plans to switch to FTV and expects a similar experience will be very disappointed.
Jan 25, 2025 | 2:47 am
#169
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 11,240
I'm not sure why you'd equate BA Silver with SEN rather than with Frequent Traveller - these are the first levels that grant Lounge Access, for example - and surely BA Gold would map to SEN.
And yes, that means that BA Bronze has no equivalent M+M level, but BA "Rust" doesn't have a whole lot of perks anyway.
And yes, that means that BA Bronze has no equivalent M+M level, but BA "Rust" doesn't have a whole lot of perks anyway.
BA Gold offers first class lounge access, which SEN does not. FTV lounge access is very limited (LHG + LO lounges only, no lounge at 99% of outstations) so can't really be equated with BA Silver in that regard, and it also doesn't offer other very substantial BA Silver benefits such as fast track.
Any BA Silver who plans to switch to FTV and expects a similar experience will be very disappointed.
Any BA Silver who plans to switch to FTV and expects a similar experience will be very disappointed.
but yes, BA Silver absolutely is not equivalent to *S which is what FTL is. It is a relatively good *Silver, but *Silver nonetheless. BA Silver, being OW Sapphire, is equivalent to *Gold and has benefits analogous, like lounge access (which BA Bronze/owr does not have, neither does *S, though FTL does in limited form) or priority boarding (which BA Bronze/owr does not have, neither does *S including FTL).
LH managed to create an illusion, via particularly difficult qualification criteria, that SEN status is a cut above other *G and by extension STE+/OWS statuses, but at the end of the day, it is a *G status.
Jan 25, 2025 | 4:47 am
#170
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Body in the UK, Soul everywhere
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, M&M FT, ALL Gold
Posts: 2,367
Shocking isnt it? ThoseLounges are getting more like Benidorm with all the RiffRaff, la canaille, and the Hoi Polloi that will descend on the Lounges of AMS and CDG. I hope that they have Champagne a gogo (I cant say Galore really can I?). Itll be a refreshing change from the T5 Lounges which are equally packed with the flotsam and jetsam of the world.
Now to return to topic I have done the status challenge and I am now Platinum. It made sense as I now live in France and CDG will be far more convenient for us. It was simple. All I had to do was fill in a form for us both. I presented my husbands Irish passport and my French one. I do have an address in the UK so I think that we gave that. 4 hours later we both became Platinum. It will not last. I suspect that BA will could rein back the changes and whats more I will not fly enough. I do have to go to HNL twice a year to inspect a flat that I have in Waikiki. I could try Delta as AAs service is less than stellar these days.
Anyhow I am sure that FB Forum (Silly me thought that it stood for FaceBook) will welcome us BA refugees with open arms. 🤗. Ill be around much more as I actualllike Air Frances service Longhaul in J. Where else can I get a Poire Williams after lunch?
Now to return to topic I have done the status challenge and I am now Platinum. It made sense as I now live in France and CDG will be far more convenient for us. It was simple. All I had to do was fill in a form for us both. I presented my husbands Irish passport and my French one. I do have an address in the UK so I think that we gave that. 4 hours later we both became Platinum. It will not last. I suspect that BA will could rein back the changes and whats more I will not fly enough. I do have to go to HNL twice a year to inspect a flat that I have in Waikiki. I could try Delta as AAs service is less than stellar these days.
Anyhow I am sure that FB Forum (Silly me thought that it stood for FaceBook) will welcome us BA refugees with open arms. 🤗. Ill be around much more as I actualllike Air Frances service Longhaul in J. Where else can I get a Poire Williams after lunch?
To satisfy your champagne needs - as well as increase the chance your flights are on time - you will need to stay away from AMS.
Problem is, since domestic flights earn 2.5 less XP though, you would get more XP with KL connections.Long hauls with AF are going to be pricey from France too. Starting in BCN, GOA etc. should help if you have the option.
Jan 25, 2025 | 10:19 am
#171
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 20,673
Welcome to the other side.
To satisfy your champagne needs - as well as increase the chance your flights are on time - you will need to stay away from AMS.
Problem is, since domestic flights earn 2.5 less XP though, you would get more XP with KL connections.Long hauls with AF are going to be pricey from France too. Starting in BCN, GOA etc. should help if you have the option.
To satisfy your champagne needs - as well as increase the chance your flights are on time - you will need to stay away from AMS.
Problem is, since domestic flights earn 2.5 less XP though, you would get more XP with KL connections.Long hauls with AF are going to be pricey from France too. Starting in BCN, GOA etc. should help if you have the option.
Jan 25, 2025 | 10:29 am
#172
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 20,673
Dear Pucci,
I used to post on the BA board, often in reply to your entertaining contributions, and I treasure your Muccis (two, I think), metaphorically feeling them, whenever I get down. But I practically gave up flying BA many years ago and, at the end of this year, I shall be Platinum for Life in FB. Just recently, because AF was not an option, I flew BA First to Australia and got back to Silver in the BAEC. It was, roughly, the standard of AF Business. I didn't enjoy a trip standing on the little train to the C gates, then waiting for a long time on the jetway with what seemed like over 100 other Group 1 passengers. .
This short message is to urge you to spoil yourself (even if only once in your life) with a trip in AF La Premire. It will cost you both arms and both legs but, as L'Oral will tell you, you're worth it. You will be driven everywhere in a limousine and won't have to wait around on any jetway. If it's an overnight flight, from CDG, eat in the wonderful 1st Class lounge restaurant, then sleep on a proper mattress on board. Mortgage one of your properties, if necessary.
I used to post on the BA board, often in reply to your entertaining contributions, and I treasure your Muccis (two, I think), metaphorically feeling them, whenever I get down. But I practically gave up flying BA many years ago and, at the end of this year, I shall be Platinum for Life in FB. Just recently, because AF was not an option, I flew BA First to Australia and got back to Silver in the BAEC. It was, roughly, the standard of AF Business. I didn't enjoy a trip standing on the little train to the C gates, then waiting for a long time on the jetway with what seemed like over 100 other Group 1 passengers. .
This short message is to urge you to spoil yourself (even if only once in your life) with a trip in AF La Premire. It will cost you both arms and both legs but, as L'Oral will tell you, you're worth it. You will be driven everywhere in a limousine and won't have to wait around on any jetway. If it's an overnight flight, from CDG, eat in the wonderful 1st Class lounge restaurant, then sleep on a proper mattress on board. Mortgage one of your properties, if necessary.
I have only one concern however - how am I going back to BA after savouring the delights of La Premiere? I might have to sell everything and become a SDF living on a bench at CDG 2
Jan 25, 2025 | 10:32 am
#173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 11,240
Jan 25, 2025 | 12:00 pm
#174
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: LH SEN, TK E (bye bye BA)
Posts: 5,222
SEN lounges are technically *A First lounges so...
but yes, BA Silver absolutely is not equivalent to *S which is what FTL is. It is a relatively good *Silver, but *Silver nonetheless. BA Silver, being OW Sapphire, is equivalent to *Gold and has benefits analogous, like lounge access (which BA Bronze/owr does not have, neither does *S, though FTL does in limited form) or priority boarding (which BA Bronze/owr does not have, neither does *S including FTL).
LH managed to create an illusion, via particularly difficult qualification criteria, that SEN status is a cut above other *G and by extension STE+/OWS statuses, but at the end of the day, it is a *G status.
but yes, BA Silver absolutely is not equivalent to *S which is what FTL is. It is a relatively good *Silver, but *Silver nonetheless. BA Silver, being OW Sapphire, is equivalent to *Gold and has benefits analogous, like lounge access (which BA Bronze/owr does not have, neither does *S, though FTL does in limited form) or priority boarding (which BA Bronze/owr does not have, neither does *S including FTL).
LH managed to create an illusion, via particularly difficult qualification criteria, that SEN status is a cut above other *G and by extension STE+/OWS statuses, but at the end of the day, it is a *G status.
I'm not expecting a status match from LH/M&M, however, being already *G, I'm going to use them more anyway because they fly (SH) were I need with enough reasonable prices in Y.
AF/KL/FB could have taken a good portion of my travels, but since they aren't interested in the likes of me, I'm not going to try them.
Jan 25, 2025 | 12:52 pm
#175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 11,240
I really don't see it. Having been both SEN and non-M&M *G the only difference I see is the likelihood to upgrade, and I mean, what is it if not par for the course that airlines prefer to opup their own members over other alliance partners?
Jan 25, 2025 | 1:11 pm
#176
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: LH SEN, TK E (bye bye BA)
Posts: 5,222
It changes when you fly LHG non star-alliance airlines: SEN have priority boarding and lounge access when flying EN, *G do not. Also, if I am not mistaken, SEN have more seat options to choose in advance compared to *G
Feb 5, 2025 | 1:44 am
#177
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: VIE
Programs: BAC Silver
Posts: 68
Feb 5, 2025 | 2:15 am
#178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold; LH Senator
Posts: 30,594
Correct me if I'm wrong, but any XPs that you accummulate prior to the hypothetical status match you lose in the process right? So after status match you start with clean sheet, in my case that'd be FB Gold, 180XP to go, and 50XP (now already accummulated and more to come) down the drain.
When you actually "earn" status, then yes of course, you lose XPs in the process.
I think I saw at least one person report, over in the thread in the BA forum, that they received an upgrade but also retained their XPs; however, I can't find the post back, and I'm not sure that that is actually such a good thing. Instead of getting a full year at the new matched level, you would only apparently have however long until your currently-running membership year ends. So, while you might "gain" something in retaining your year-to-date XPs, you "lose" in that you now have a much higher target (you've been upgraded in status, so your next hurdle is correspondingly much higher) and you have less time to reach it.
(Of course, another option is that they give you the full year to requalify - and also don't take any of the XPs. That would be extremely generous. And maybe that is what the person posting in the BA thread actually experienced)
I invite you to browse that thread to see if you can find the report, and possibly reach out to the member involved. In any case, please post any further queries relating to the BA angle in that thread.
Good luck!
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...tus-match.html
Feb 5, 2025 | 5:37 am
#179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 11,240
You are right that SEN have advantages when flying non-*A M&M airlines, but that's not good enough to make SEN status markedly better than other *G.
Feb 5, 2025 | 5:21 pm
#180
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 526
I didnt have any XPs prior to being status-matched into FB (my XPs from last year had expired at the end of 2024), but from my reading of how the match has been processed in my account, I would say you should retain any existing XPs.
I had 580 XPs added then immediately three separate debits of 100, 180 and 300. The wording in the second screenshot below suggests to me that any XPs I mightve already had would have been retained.
I am also shown as having already completed 1 of the 10 years required for PfL. And have to earn >300 XPs before end of January 2026 to retain Platinum. Those flights are already booked and looking forward to flying with KL & AF this year rather than BA.
Last edited by Nikko5; Feb 5, 2025 at 5:27 pm