Gold Status Much Better Than Silver?
Nov 20, 2018, 11:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: London(ish)
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 567
Gold Status Much Better Than Silver?
Following on from a previous thread I thought, as a Silver member who is going for Gold this year it would be worth asking you Golds or previous Golds who have achieved both Silver and Gold whether it's a big jump up?
Bronze to Silver for me was a huge jump but in reality is Silver to Gold as big a jump?
Bronze to Silver for me was a huge jump but in reality is Silver to Gold as big a jump?
Nov 20, 2018, 11:46 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,915
Following on from a previous thread I thought, as a Silver member who is going for Gold this year it would be worth asking you Golds or previous Golds who have achieved both Silver and Gold whether it's a big jump up?
Bronze to Silver for me was a huge jump but in reality is Silver to Gold as big a jump?
Bronze to Silver for me was a huge jump but in reality is Silver to Gold as big a jump?
The big step is as you say from Blue or Bronze ( no lounge access) to Silver ( lounge access, fast track security at a lot of airports)
I think it will depend on the routes that you fly but the main benefits are
First Class Check in ( First Wing at LHR T5 is excellent)
First lounges ( LHR T3, HKG. LAX etc have some excellent lounges) LHR T5 GF is better than GC
Bonus avios,
Choice of Row 1 on some aircraft.
Better chance of op-ups ( but would not count on it)
Recognition on some airlines (Cathay is very good)
Better reward availability (you can use double miles
Regards
TBS
Nov 20, 2018, 11:49 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Gold Amb.
Posts: 159
This is going to be so dependent on your circumstances.
How often do you fly?
are you LHR based?
Are you paying for TP runs yourself or corporate travel?
How many Avios do you earn a year?
etc etc.
I believe there have been previous discussions on this
How often do you fly?
are you LHR based?
Are you paying for TP runs yourself or corporate travel?
How many Avios do you earn a year?
etc etc.
I believe there have been previous discussions on this
Nov 20, 2018, 11:51 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Silver
Posts: 175
It all depends. You get more Avios for your flights. You get Gold Priority Rewards. Depending on how you view Avios, those may help.
For day to day travel, I think the biggest differences are things like the First Wing in LHR, access to some better seats which are blocked for Golds, and access to better lounges (ranging from a tiny bit better to moderately better, depending on the airline, airport, etc.). On AA, I’ve also benefited from better IRROPS handling, but I think that is airline-specific.
All told, I saw the biggest difference going to Silver. The incremental benefits which come with Gold are real, yet seem somewhat more subtle.
For day to day travel, I think the biggest differences are things like the First Wing in LHR, access to some better seats which are blocked for Golds, and access to better lounges (ranging from a tiny bit better to moderately better, depending on the airline, airport, etc.). On AA, I’ve also benefited from better IRROPS handling, but I think that is airline-specific.
All told, I saw the biggest difference going to Silver. The incremental benefits which come with Gold are real, yet seem somewhat more subtle.
Nov 20, 2018, 11:59 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: EL AL Matmid, BA Executive Club GfL, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,085
If you wish to use Avios redemptions, there is a VAST additional inventory of Economy class Avios seats available (V class) which only Gold members can book (not only for themselves).
If (for example) you are likely to want to take your family on trips using Avios this can be a huge bonus. That is without the restrictions of the Gold Priority Rewards.
If (for example) you are likely to want to take your family on trips using Avios this can be a huge bonus. That is without the restrictions of the Gold Priority Rewards.
Nov 20, 2018, 1:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: Gold at BA, Hilton and Radisson.
Posts: 591
I made BA Gold in August for the first time. Felt pretty good. The last time I had status with BA was after a status match from the BMI days, and that was to Silver. I normally travel in J or F by virtue of Avios redemptions... so now that I travel Y Gold has been very nice.
So far Gold has been useful for three things;
- Extra Avios on flights
- Gold Wing check in
- Service recovery and treatment
Extra Avios on Flights
This was the most unexpected value. You get double the base Avios. This might not seem like much; but on a flight from Amsterdam to San Francisco and back in Y you are looking at paying roughly £220 and in return will get just shy of 17,000 Avios. Coupled with First class lounge access, exit row seating it is perfect.
Gold Wing
Going through the Gold Wing is probably the nicest perk. It feels refined and a true 'BA' experience. What's nicer is the purple people looking at you when you approach and point out security is the other way. It only happened once but it felt nice!
Service Recovery and Treatment
On a recent long haul flight two things happened. Firstly; IFE was not working and my meal choice was not available. A proactive crew member reported it I (I ended up with 7,500 Avios in my account) and found a meal from a different cabin. I doubt this would have happened as a silver. It was nice that a Gold was treated well.
To be honest though; it is a perk and an expensive one too. It cost me about £1,800 to get and I am yet to get that much value. Flying to LUX out of T3 will certainly allow you to reap back some of this if that's your thing (CX F lounge); but the extra Avios and ability to book into the additional class is probably the most valuable.
I like flying though and am happy to pay that bit more such that it is a nice experience.
So far Gold has been useful for three things;
- Extra Avios on flights
- Gold Wing check in
- Service recovery and treatment
Extra Avios on Flights
This was the most unexpected value. You get double the base Avios. This might not seem like much; but on a flight from Amsterdam to San Francisco and back in Y you are looking at paying roughly £220 and in return will get just shy of 17,000 Avios. Coupled with First class lounge access, exit row seating it is perfect.
Gold Wing
Going through the Gold Wing is probably the nicest perk. It feels refined and a true 'BA' experience. What's nicer is the purple people looking at you when you approach and point out security is the other way. It only happened once but it felt nice!
Service Recovery and Treatment
On a recent long haul flight two things happened. Firstly; IFE was not working and my meal choice was not available. A proactive crew member reported it I (I ended up with 7,500 Avios in my account) and found a meal from a different cabin. I doubt this would have happened as a silver. It was nice that a Gold was treated well.
To be honest though; it is a perk and an expensive one too. It cost me about £1,800 to get and I am yet to get that much value. Flying to LUX out of T3 will certainly allow you to reap back some of this if that's your thing (CX F lounge); but the extra Avios and ability to book into the additional class is probably the most valuable.
I like flying though and am happy to pay that bit more such that it is a nice experience.
Nov 20, 2018, 1:14 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: KLM, BA Silver, Etihad
Posts: 918
I'm going the other way and I am already missing....
First Lounge and Wing
100% avios bonus - building up avios for 2F1 redemption
Cant get front row access (very tall) even though the website says I canoodling any seat bar exit row in some long haul???
For me the seat selection is an imperative requirement otherwise I choose another airline.
i will have to get used to the wing and lounge!
First Lounge and Wing
100% avios bonus - building up avios for 2F1 redemption
Cant get front row access (very tall) even though the website says I canoodling any seat bar exit row in some long haul???
For me the seat selection is an imperative requirement otherwise I choose another airline.
i will have to get used to the wing and lounge!
Nov 20, 2018, 2:36 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Sixt Gold
Posts: 418
Bronze to Silver is the biggest jump in the programme IMO due to fast track and lounge access.
Gold gives you a very premium security experience at LHR and a nicer lounge with food worth eating and Champagne worth drinking. If based in London this is a nice jump, albeit not as huge as moving from no fast track and no lounge to having both.
If not based in London (or in OW hub airport), I'd say the jump is not that noticeable although I must confess the extra reward availability for Golds was a real money saver. I managed to book same day redemptions in Europe that were normally priced at £300+
Gold gives you a very premium security experience at LHR and a nicer lounge with food worth eating and Champagne worth drinking. If based in London this is a nice jump, albeit not as huge as moving from no fast track and no lounge to having both.
If not based in London (or in OW hub airport), I'd say the jump is not that noticeable although I must confess the extra reward availability for Golds was a real money saver. I managed to book same day redemptions in Europe that were normally priced at £300+
Nov 20, 2018, 2:47 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
I realize this isn't strictly applicable because the OP's location differs from mine, but for the purposes of an American-based flyer, Silver is definitely the sweet spot. Easily achievable--two Club flights with a connection through London or three WT+ with a connection gets the status with lounge access, extra Avios, and seat selection the biggest advantages when using BA. And the oneworld status works wonders with AA, allowing me lounge access even when flying economy within the US and free seat selection, including Main Cabin Extra, which helped make bearable my one AA TATL in the last 10 years--economy from CLT to DUB (hard to pass up $230 RT) was a lot easier in an exit row with no seat in front of me.
I've never been tempted to put together a mileage run to raise my status to Gold.
I've never been tempted to put together a mileage run to raise my status to Gold.
Nov 20, 2018, 3:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 681
It’s a slippery slope. Once you are gold the target then becomes Gold Guest List and that’s where the fun really starts....upgrade vouchers, jokers (which release redemption seats otherwise unavailable), partner cards (1 x gold and 2 x silver to give to members of your household account), CCR access and yours for only 5,000 tier points (3,000 tier points to renew).
Happy flying!
Happy flying!
Nov 20, 2018, 3:10 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC | qantas | IHG | Hilton Honors | Priority Pass | Nandos
Posts: 868
Interesting thread and it reflects other posts I've read.
I've rejoined BAEC this year because my stash of dormant Avios were transferred to a new account. I've also done a couple of trips to New Zealand in the last two years (via SE Asia & Australia) and I got a taste for the benefits of status with Qantas. But now, although I thought I'd retired, some unexpected work has turned up, so I decided to use it to fund some travel. The idea was to get to Silver (based on what I'd read), but I've just booked the OTP-PHX-OTP bargain and at the end of that, I should find myself around 290 TPs short of Gold with a few months of my year left to run.
I'll also be going to NZ again later in the year anyway, so my current thoughts are to go for Gold in my current year, go to NZ next 'year' and think again. I'll have 15 months of Gold to see how I like it (and then a year of Silver), but the NZ trip would probably make retaining Gold within reach!
Just seen Newly Wed's post - I don't fly many sectors, or for work, so the higher Gold levels are completely out of reach but, for me, if think that Silver will be sustainable - I'm just intrigued about the Gold 'experience! And I'd like to see how the CX First lounges at HKG compare to the business versions!
I've rejoined BAEC this year because my stash of dormant Avios were transferred to a new account. I've also done a couple of trips to New Zealand in the last two years (via SE Asia & Australia) and I got a taste for the benefits of status with Qantas. But now, although I thought I'd retired, some unexpected work has turned up, so I decided to use it to fund some travel. The idea was to get to Silver (based on what I'd read), but I've just booked the OTP-PHX-OTP bargain and at the end of that, I should find myself around 290 TPs short of Gold with a few months of my year left to run.
I'll also be going to NZ again later in the year anyway, so my current thoughts are to go for Gold in my current year, go to NZ next 'year' and think again. I'll have 15 months of Gold to see how I like it (and then a year of Silver), but the NZ trip would probably make retaining Gold within reach!
Just seen Newly Wed's post - I don't fly many sectors, or for work, so the higher Gold levels are completely out of reach but, for me, if think that Silver will be sustainable - I'm just intrigued about the Gold 'experience! And I'd like to see how the CX First lounges at HKG compare to the business versions!
Last edited by peter h; Nov 20, 2018 at 3:16 pm Reason: Newly Wed's post
Nov 20, 2018, 3:21 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,985
In answer, no the jump is not as big as from Bronze to Silver, but having said that I really like the First Wing and seat selection options, and I would definitely spend a fair bit if I had to, in order to keep Gold.
Nov 20, 2018, 3:31 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,439
The two big jumps in status are Bronze to Silver and Gold to GGL.
Gold itself has some useful benefits. V class converting into award space is one I have got some good use from, partner F lounges can be excellent and the First Wing at T5 is the first genuine improvement in BA’s product for quite some time. But I don’t think I would chase Gold at all (have GfL so a moot point).
Gold itself has some useful benefits. V class converting into award space is one I have got some good use from, partner F lounges can be excellent and the First Wing at T5 is the first genuine improvement in BA’s product for quite some time. But I don’t think I would chase Gold at all (have GfL so a moot point).
Nov 20, 2018, 3:33 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,925
Jump not as big but the benefits are nice. They also extend across the OW group so you may find, depending on where you travel, that there are lounge benefits for example. In Japan Silver gets you a room, coffee and crisps but Gold gets you a similar room plus a soup, bread, a rice cake and a Danish pasty type of thing plus better booze.