TonyHancock
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- Aug 26, 2010
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As an introduction to this thread on British Airways Executive Club, here's a summary of the key program features:
At 3,500 Tier Points, members receive two vouchers for just the traveller to upgrade one travel class.
At 4,500 Tier Points, members can nominate a partner for an Executive Club Silver partner card.
At 5,000 Tier Points, members receive an invitation for the Gold Guest List and a Concorde Room Card.
At 7,000, 8,000 & 9,000 Tier Points, members are able to choose between:
Terraces & Executive Club
A precursor to the Galleries brand of lounges.
Gallaries
Galleries lounges are the newer lounges in the network, and are split into 3 distinct groups.
The Concorde Room is available solely to British Airways First class passengers, and Premier & Concorde Roomcardholders. The Dining Area features private booths and a gourmet menu, the Business Centre features seats from an original Concorde jet, and private cabanas provide a daybed, bathroom and shower. Edit: As at May 2018 Concorde Room cardholders are no longer able to access the Concorde Bar in SIN.
So what has driven me to the fickle mistress that is BA? :?:
Well......where do I start? First up QF has played a big part, the changes last year really knocked me for six. I used the mASA extensively and also traveled on OW airlines. Whilst relatively minor the lack of Lifetime QF Platinum also played its part.
That is all very well I hear you say but why BA and not AA? The redemption rates with AA are much better I am told.
Whilst redemptions do matter they are not the most important thing for me. My travel is booked the best part of 12 months out and is primarily to the UK, 5-7 times per year. In order to maximise the benefits of status I like to fly with the airline I hold status with. I have been P1 with QF for four years and enjoyed the benefits associated with it.
The use of mASA's with QF, alongside two or three paid J fares allowed me to average about $5k per UK trip in J. This also allowed me to maintain P1 status and reap the rewards of multiple complimentary upgrades and excellent service recovery when things went, or looked as though they might go wrong.
I worked out that if I could hit GGL in year one, 5000 TP's, I had a shout at maintaining that level in subsequent years. (3000 TP's per year) Why did GGL matter I hear you ask? Well on the way to that level one picks up upgrade vouchers and upon reaching GGL one collects "jokers" that allow redemptions into revenue buckets. In some respects this will give me similar opportunities as mASA's. :idea:
What I did not realise is just how inexpensive some ex Europe fares could be, and by using MH/UL for positioning into the UK I could book a series of returns from Norway for under $5k per flight in J.
Of course there is a bit of faffing about, four hours of unnecessary flying and the associated time on the ground.
So for the foreseeable future I have a sustainable means of flying J and maintaining status. As with all FF schemes there is always the spectre of devaluation lurking in the background but for the time being I am happy with my lot.
I hit GGL in just over ten months and in the penultimate flight to make GGL received an op up to F on a LHR-SIN sector.
Three of my UK/US work colleagues are particularly happy as I was able to gift a gold status and two silvers.
So for the next nine months I will be a QF P1 and a BA GGL..........but it is the P1 that will go by the wayside.
1. Overview
The Executive Club is the frequent flyer program of British Airways that was started in 1995. Members earn Avios Points for redemptions and Tier Points to move through the ranks of status. Avios require activity once every 36 months to remain valid.2. Tiers
The Executive Club is made up of 5 tiers, plus one additional access card to exclusive lounges and one invitation-only tier. Bonus points are earned on BA, IB, AA and JL coded flights, unless otherwise noted.- Blue
This is the entry-level to the program and allows members to collect Avios, Tier Points, save their details and preferences and receive member-only offers. - Bronze
Attained at 300 Tier Points and 2 British Airways flights or 25 British Airways flights, this tier includes all previous benefits, plus a 25% Avios bonus, priority check-in and boarding and allows free seat selection 7 days before departure. Bronze status is equivalent to oneworld Ruby. - Silver
Attained at 600 Tier Points and 4 British Airways flights or 50 British Airways flights, this tier improves the Avios bonus to 50% and allows free seat selection at time of booking, includes all previous benefits, plus provides access to Business class lounges and additional baggage allowance. Silver status is equivalent to oneworld Sapphire. - Gold
Attained at 1,500 Tier Points and 4 British Airways flights, this tier improves the Avios bonus to 100%, includes all previous benefits, plus provides First class check-in, access to First class lounges and additional reward flight availability. Gold status is equivalent to oneworld Emerald.
At 3,500 Tier Points, members receive two vouchers for just the traveller to upgrade one travel class.
At 4,500 Tier Points, members can nominate a partner for an Executive Club Silver partner card.
At 5,000 Tier Points, members receive an invitation for the Gold Guest List and a Concorde Room Card.
- Lifetime Gold
Attained at 35,000 Tier Points, this is one of the few lifetime oneworld Emerald tiers available to earn in a loyalty programme. Lifetime Gold status is equivalent to oneworld Emerald. - Gold Guest List
Members receive two Executive Club Silver partner cards and one Executive Club Gold partner card, to share benefits with those who matter most. Booking redemptions is easier, and a dedicated team is at your call to help with reservations, similar to Qantas’ Platinum One. At British Airways lounges GGL members can also bring two guests with them, instead of the usual one. Partner hotel status with Hilton at the Diamond level is also offered. Members can also make a redemption booking for up to 5 people that is booked into a revenue class, commonly referred to as a Joker, twice a year. Renewal only requires 3,000 Tier Points. Gold Guest List status is equivalent to oneworld Emerald.
At 7,000, 8,000 & 9,000 Tier Points, members are able to choose between:
- An additional Joker
- An additional two vouchers for just the traveller to upgrade one travel class
- 50,000 Avios points
- Concorde Room
The Concorde Room card is attained at 5,000 Tier Points, as previously mentioned. It provides access to the best lounges British Airways offers, the London Heathrow Terminal 5 and New York JFK Terminal 7 Concorde Rooms, usually only accessed by those travelling in First class. It also provides access to the Concorde Bar, a lounge within a lounge concept at Dubai and Singapore. Edit: As at May 2018 Concorde Room cardholders are no longer able to access the Concorde Bar in SIN.
3. Premier
This tier is not earned merely through flying, but is awarded by British Airways to individuals who are considered commercially important. Similar to Qantas’ Chairman’s Lounge, each member has to be approved by the board.4. Lounges
British Airways operates a number of lounges.Terraces & Executive Club
A precursor to the Galleries brand of lounges.
Gallaries
Galleries lounges are the newer lounges in the network, and are split into 3 distinct groups.
- Galleries Club lounges are essentially Business class lounges, accessible by Business class passengers, Executive Club Silver members and oneworld Sapphire members. Features include hot and cold food, self-serve bar, showers and tarmac views.
- Galleries First lounges are essentially First class lounges, accessible by First class passengers (although British Airways First class passengers may want to seek out the Concorde Room if offered), Executive Club Gold members and above and oneworld Emerald members. In addition to previously listed features of Galleries Club lounges, a larger buffet is offered or an a la carte menu. There is also a Champagne Bar, Kids Zone and Business Centre.
- The Galleries Arrivals lounge is located in London Heathrow Terminal 5 and available for use by First or Business class passengers, Executive Club Gold members and above arriving on a longhaul flight.
The Concorde Room is available solely to British Airways First class passengers, and Premier & Concorde Roomcardholders. The Dining Area features private booths and a gourmet menu, the Business Centre features seats from an original Concorde jet, and private cabanas provide a daybed, bathroom and shower. Edit: As at May 2018 Concorde Room cardholders are no longer able to access the Concorde Bar in SIN.
So what has driven me to the fickle mistress that is BA? :?:
Well......where do I start? First up QF has played a big part, the changes last year really knocked me for six. I used the mASA extensively and also traveled on OW airlines. Whilst relatively minor the lack of Lifetime QF Platinum also played its part.
That is all very well I hear you say but why BA and not AA? The redemption rates with AA are much better I am told.
Whilst redemptions do matter they are not the most important thing for me. My travel is booked the best part of 12 months out and is primarily to the UK, 5-7 times per year. In order to maximise the benefits of status I like to fly with the airline I hold status with. I have been P1 with QF for four years and enjoyed the benefits associated with it.
The use of mASA's with QF, alongside two or three paid J fares allowed me to average about $5k per UK trip in J. This also allowed me to maintain P1 status and reap the rewards of multiple complimentary upgrades and excellent service recovery when things went, or looked as though they might go wrong.
I worked out that if I could hit GGL in year one, 5000 TP's, I had a shout at maintaining that level in subsequent years. (3000 TP's per year) Why did GGL matter I hear you ask? Well on the way to that level one picks up upgrade vouchers and upon reaching GGL one collects "jokers" that allow redemptions into revenue buckets. In some respects this will give me similar opportunities as mASA's. :idea:
What I did not realise is just how inexpensive some ex Europe fares could be, and by using MH/UL for positioning into the UK I could book a series of returns from Norway for under $5k per flight in J.
Of course there is a bit of faffing about, four hours of unnecessary flying and the associated time on the ground.So for the foreseeable future I have a sustainable means of flying J and maintaining status. As with all FF schemes there is always the spectre of devaluation lurking in the background but for the time being I am happy with my lot.
I hit GGL in just over ten months and in the penultimate flight to make GGL received an op up to F on a LHR-SIN sector.
Three of my UK/US work colleagues are particularly happy as I was able to gift a gold status and two silvers.
So for the next nine months I will be a QF P1 and a BA GGL..........but it is the P1 that will go by the wayside.
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