Good job Callum. All very sensible. I agree that these changes were inevitable - the strength of my reaction is based on how aggressive BA has chosen to be, and how abysmally they've chosen to communicate this! And more Scarlett please
Thanks Matt! I think the move from the old system to pure revenue based has been pretty rapid…next step revenue based awards agh. Look forward to hearing your take on it soon! And of course…shall have to find a way to weave her into more videos!
Personally it works for me, we BA holiday every year but struggle to get bronze. Our hotel spend will now be rewarded, silver is now our new level to look forward to.
Great video Callum. The changes were expected to come at sometime however it was only a few months back that they extended the double tier points on BA holidays so there has been a very quick change in direction. I have been gold for a few years now however in some ways what they have done has helped liberate me from being attached to BA. Going forward this shall enable me to book the best deals in premium cabins and experience different carriers and avoid the dreaded LHR connection.
Thanks for the comment and watching, Houstonian79! I completely get where you’re coming from, however technically BA Holidays and BA are not the same company anymore (since the BAH unit got transferred into IAG Loyalty). While they probably work very closely, they have their own aims, objectives and targets which may sometimes counter each other. Hope you have some good trips on non BA/oneworld airlines soon!
Interesting, that the 'Executive' is being dropped - but that only executives will now be able to extract maximum value from it the club. Good explanation.
The main benefit for Silver leisure travellers was lounge access. I've never used the extra 23kg bag, for example. So, if those travellers simply choose the cheapest fare/airline and add on lounge access (currently Priority Pass is GBP 171 which includes 10 lounge visits), they will be better off over a year. And I'm guessing most leisure travellers might have only 1 or 2 long haul holidays a year (at most), so that reinforces my point - get the lounge access when you want it, at 17 quid a pop..
Sensible commentary. It’s been fun chasing the status, but if I’m honest I could definitely get better value and more variety by diverting that money to upgrades and experiences on other airlines.
Completely agree! I think I will probably move towards using frequent flyer schemes to get outsized value on award fares than bothering with status now… Thanks for watching!
Great video. This is undoubtedly a shedding exercise. No new customers will be attracted by this move, it’s entirely about reducing cost. The standard of silver and gold benefits will be the same, but at a much higher cost. As you say, time to unshackle BA and move onto interesting alternatives.
I agree. Although I did have one commenter who noted that they may benefit as their Holiday spend would be eligible - not sure how many others would agree tho? Thanks for watching and commenting 😀
Happy New Year Callum! I really appreciate your views on this epic change, where I’m now resigned to the fact I will never reach gold status without a lottery win. I will however be keeping my Avios Barclaycard and the other means of sweeping up Avios to benefit from Reward Flight Savers - the only tangible bonus for being a member of the club now. I also believe that easyJet in particular are going to do well from BA’s changes (in the short haul sector). They’re serving the same destinations, with near identical service at sometimes half the price. A small bottle of water and half a dozen pretzels is not enough to persuade me otherwise. LTN and LGW aren’t any more difficult to access than LHR either. Anyway, rant over… all the best for 2025 - Lyny 😊
Haha completely agree, Lyny! I suspect like you many people will use “The BA Club” as the home for their Avios (from cards etc) save them up for a big holiday and switch short haul to low cost carriers (esp as LHR/LGW is not always so convenient). Hope you can make the best of the new system - and wishing you an excellent new year too!
Loyalty is not just about money-spent. Even if one travels on a regular basis for work, they don't get to fly flexible premium cabin fares (e.g. academics). I've flown with BA for almost a decade as a Silver Member (and occasionally as a Gold Member) and I have developed a sense of attachment to the airline with several fond memories which is also a form of loyalty. As a frequent flier, status does matter to me so I will probably switching to Qatar or even a different alliance but it is just simply sad that BA priced some of us out...
Warm feelings and fond memories doesn’t help BA pay for the status privileges you enjoy while others may be spending a fair amount. Doesn’t sound too loyal if you jump ship at the first sign of not getting what you want. Sounds more like self entitlement.
I agree with your perspective, takuyamatsuda230 - however, with a company that penny pinches like BA (brunchgate) it doesn’t surprise me that they would perhaps annoy some loyal customers to try and chase a dwindling business travel segment which will impact bottom line more (and possibly reduce the number of people in their lounges, reducing OPEX). I think being a free agent of status might be the way to go… Thanks for watching and commenting 😀
@incognito-vz8tm fair point… however BA have consistently reduced the value of the Executive Club through overnight devaluations etc. loyalty is a two way street - and BA have done themselves few favours.
I am an academic constantly flying between the UK and Asia in economy/premium economy and I could always qualify for Gold. I was the textbook definition of a loyal frequent flyer. However, calculating my costs from the last years I wouldn't even get silver some years on the new system!!!! I will now move to the Cathay Pacific program (better airline and global lounges anyhow!!!!)
@@noameier46 I am actually on the same boat. As an academic, I also only get to travel mainly in Y or PY but I do travel pretty frequently both long and short haul. The existing system served us pretty well since status was totally achievable as long as you are loyal. As a frequent flyer (mostly in Y and PY), status is a necessity to make traveling much easier (pre-selection of seats, fast-track, lounge access, and priority in the stand-by list in case of missed-connections) so I guess I need to shop-around different programs...
OMG. I was crying when you joking said the milestone award could even be a luggage tag. That is literally one of the options for American Airlines next year. Now I’m get it because at that level nothing else will add value for me but it was still funny for you to mention it.
It’s quite feasible - for UK based flyers, they’ll probably to consider either other European oneworld airlines or those which don’t have a minimum segment requirement. Will do a bit of digging to see what could be a good replacement for “easy” oneworld status going forward…
Very good sum-up. I feel what British Airways is missing is that people who majorly fly short notice business fares don't really need a status. They get the key perks anyway. A status is especially attractive who fly a lot in lower classes or in a wide mixture of classes (gaining status in the "posh" flights, enjoying comfort in the other ones...). BA will loose these customers - or they will at least look for the best package (price, connection, comfort) for their connection. I am half way to my BA Lifetime Gold and will likely leave BA. Transferring in Heathrow is painful anyway. I feel that even KLM in Amsterdam is better. I already decided to push my Platinum XP for 300 more points to have an additional lifetime year there, due to the BA changes. I feel that BA had to change. The short notice and the drastic change is terrible though, as well as the poor communication with many open points. I am based in Germany and still haven't received an e-mail from them...
@@CallumElsdon I’m departing for Auckland on the 7th using Singapore Airlines Business Class ( on my own £ I might add ) and a few more United flights this year Silver status will be achieved
@ no but 7x miles flown and extras I’ve been with United for a considerable amount of time and have a vast amount of miles which when used will elevate me to the level where I’m able to
likewise. been told x years and never again. not the end of the world to be honest but still hurts. just cancelled all flight x 2025. ill take a loss but pointless to fly. ill focus on AF where level of service much higher, crew not obese or gay or tattoo covered.
Some leisure travellers may simply just travel less and buy paid discounted first and business class fares on airlines with the best fare when they actually have to travel.
Good job Callum. All very sensible. I agree that these changes were inevitable - the strength of my reaction is based on how aggressive BA has chosen to be, and how abysmally they've chosen to communicate this! And more Scarlett please
Hey Matt could you please put a comment up when you can - I trust your views
Thanks Matt! I think the move from the old system to pure revenue based has been pretty rapid…next step revenue based awards agh.
Look forward to hearing your take on it soon!
And of course…shall have to find a way to weave her into more videos!
I’ve been too loyal with BA for too long, this is a helpful push I needed to start being less precious about my airline and go for better deals…
Personally it works for me, we BA holiday every year but struggle to get bronze. Our hotel spend will now be rewarded, silver is now our new level to look forward to.
That’s fair - and there will be some people who will benefit from the changes. Thanks for watching 😀
Great video Callum. The changes were expected to come at sometime however it was only a few months back that they extended the double tier points on BA holidays so there has been a very quick change in direction. I have been gold for a few years now however in some ways what they have done has helped liberate me from being attached to BA. Going forward this shall enable me to book the best deals in premium cabins and experience different carriers and avoid the dreaded LHR connection.
Thanks for the comment and watching, Houstonian79! I completely get where you’re coming from, however technically BA Holidays and BA are not the same company anymore (since the BAH unit got transferred into IAG Loyalty). While they probably work very closely, they have their own aims, objectives and targets which may sometimes counter each other. Hope you have some good trips on non BA/oneworld airlines soon!
Interesting, that the 'Executive' is being dropped - but that only executives will now be able to extract maximum value from it the club.
Good explanation.
Thanks for the comment! And yes agree, they will be the ones who most benefit from these changes….
The main benefit for Silver leisure travellers was lounge access. I've never used the extra 23kg bag, for example. So, if those travellers simply choose the cheapest fare/airline and add on lounge access (currently Priority Pass is GBP 171 which includes 10 lounge visits), they will be better off over a year. And I'm guessing most leisure travellers might have only 1 or 2 long haul holidays a year (at most), so that reinforces my point - get the lounge access when you want it, at 17 quid a pop..
Sensible commentary.
It’s been fun chasing the status, but if I’m honest I could definitely get better value and more variety by diverting that money to upgrades and experiences on other airlines.
Completely agree! I think I will probably move towards using frequent flyer schemes to get outsized value on award fares than bothering with status now…
Thanks for watching!
Great video. This is undoubtedly a shedding exercise. No new customers will be attracted by this move, it’s entirely about reducing cost. The standard of silver and gold benefits will be the same, but at a much higher cost. As you say, time to unshackle BA and move onto interesting alternatives.
I agree. Although I did have one commenter who noted that they may benefit as their Holiday spend would be eligible - not sure how many others would agree tho? Thanks for watching and commenting 😀
Happy New Year Callum! I really appreciate your views on this epic change, where I’m now resigned to the fact I will never reach gold status without a lottery win. I will however be keeping my Avios Barclaycard and the other means of sweeping up Avios to benefit from Reward Flight Savers - the only tangible bonus for being a member of the club now. I also believe that easyJet in particular are going to do well from BA’s changes (in the short haul sector). They’re serving the same destinations, with near identical service at sometimes half the price. A small bottle of water and half a dozen pretzels is not enough to persuade me otherwise. LTN and LGW aren’t any more difficult to access than LHR either. Anyway, rant over… all the best for 2025 - Lyny 😊
Haha completely agree, Lyny!
I suspect like you many people will use “The BA Club” as the home for their Avios (from cards etc) save them up for a big holiday and switch short haul to low cost carriers (esp as LHR/LGW is not always so convenient). Hope you can make the best of the new system - and wishing you an excellent new year too!
Loyalty is not just about money-spent. Even if one travels on a regular basis for work, they don't get to fly flexible premium cabin fares (e.g. academics). I've flown with BA for almost a decade as a Silver Member (and occasionally as a Gold Member) and I have developed a sense of attachment to the airline with several fond memories which is also a form of loyalty. As a frequent flier, status does matter to me so I will probably switching to Qatar or even a different alliance but it is just simply sad that BA priced some of us out...
Warm feelings and fond memories doesn’t help BA pay for the status privileges you enjoy while others may be spending a fair amount. Doesn’t sound too loyal if you jump ship at the first sign of not getting what you want. Sounds more like self entitlement.
I agree with your perspective, takuyamatsuda230 - however, with a company that penny pinches like BA (brunchgate) it doesn’t surprise me that they would perhaps annoy some loyal customers to try and chase a dwindling business travel segment which will impact bottom line more (and possibly reduce the number of people in their lounges, reducing OPEX). I think being a free agent of status might be the way to go…
Thanks for watching and commenting 😀
@incognito-vz8tm fair point… however BA have consistently reduced the value of the Executive Club through overnight devaluations etc. loyalty is a two way street - and BA have done themselves few favours.
I am an academic constantly flying between the UK and Asia in economy/premium economy and I could always qualify for Gold. I was the textbook definition of a loyal frequent flyer. However, calculating my costs from the last years I wouldn't even get silver some years on the new system!!!! I will now move to the Cathay Pacific program (better airline and global lounges anyhow!!!!)
@@noameier46 I am actually on the same boat. As an academic, I also only get to travel mainly in Y or PY but I do travel pretty frequently both long and short haul. The existing system served us pretty well since status was totally achievable as long as you are loyal. As a frequent flyer (mostly in Y and PY), status is a necessity to make traveling much easier (pre-selection of seats, fast-track, lounge access, and priority in the stand-by list in case of missed-connections) so I guess I need to shop-around different programs...
OMG. I was crying when you joking said the milestone award could even be a luggage tag. That is literally one of the options for American Airlines next year. Now I’m get it because at that level nothing else will add value for me but it was still funny for you to mention it.
Hahah I didn’t even know that? But it wouldn’t surprise me! Thanks for watching and commenting - and happy flightings
Why not just get Emerald or Sapphire status on other Oneworld partners? Credit BA flights to other Oneworld partner programs?
It’s quite feasible - for UK based flyers, they’ll probably to consider either other European oneworld airlines or those which don’t have a minimum segment requirement. Will do a bit of digging to see what could be a good replacement for “easy” oneworld status going forward…
It's even harder especially like myself based in Asia.
They are all creating their own eco system with banks and cards for locals only.
Very good sum-up. I feel what British Airways is missing is that people who majorly fly short notice business fares don't really need a status. They get the key perks anyway. A status is especially attractive who fly a lot in lower classes or in a wide mixture of classes (gaining status in the "posh" flights, enjoying comfort in the other ones...). BA will loose these customers - or they will at least look for the best package (price, connection, comfort) for their connection.
I am half way to my BA Lifetime Gold and will likely leave BA. Transferring in Heathrow is painful anyway. I feel that even KLM in Amsterdam is better. I already decided to push my Platinum XP for 300 more points to have an additional lifetime year there, due to the BA changes.
I feel that BA had to change. The short notice and the drastic change is terrible though, as well as the poor communication with many open points. I am based in Germany and still haven't received an e-mail from them...
I think it’s bye bye BA, hello Star Alliance for me
I’m with you SA all the way
Haha nice! Which programme will you opt for?
@@CallumElsdon I’m departing for Auckland on the 7th using Singapore Airlines Business Class ( on my own £ I might add ) and a few more United flights this year Silver status will be achieved
Nice 😁 does silver attain you any lounge access on Star Alliance?
@ no but 7x miles flown and extras I’ve been with United for a considerable amount of time and have a vast amount of miles which when used will elevate me to the level where I’m able to
Are there still going to be companion vouchers thru Amex?
Yes 😀 no changes to the companion voucher right now (although wouldn’t put it past them to change it in future like Virgin). Thanks for watching!
Emerald is worth it, but QR Privelge Club would be the way to do it.
Such dreadful news! I'll barely even be able to hit bronze! 😢
likewise. been told x years and never again. not the end of the world to be honest but still hurts. just cancelled all flight x 2025. ill take a loss but pointless to fly. ill focus on AF where level of service much higher, crew not obese or gay or tattoo covered.
@ConorTakesOff, it’s a shame really… but hopefully we can still get some more excellent videos from you in the future even without status 🙌
@@CallumElsdon too kind! Broke with expensive taste; thats my problem! Cheers! :P
You can get good deals without spending a fortune trying to get status on specific airlines.
For sure 💯 it can open a world of new airlines to you haha. Thanks for watching and commenting 😀
Some leisure travellers may simply just travel less and buy paid discounted first and business class fares on airlines with the best fare when they actually have to travel.
Completely agree! I’ve seen a fair number of people comment this on various forums and FB groups. Thanks for watching and commenting 😀