I not too long ago wrote about how I was taking into consideration switching up my oneworld status strategy. Times later on, British Airways Government Club introduced a worthwhile status match supply. I took edge of this — I now have British Airways Gold status, and I think this may well lastly be the press I desired to change my loyalty, and end pursuing elite position with American AAdvantage. Let me explain…
How I gained British Airways Gold position
For some history, British Airways Govt Club has a Gold and Silver position match marketing, particularly for these in the United States and Canada. British Airways is matching position from Delta, United, Air Canada, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
Not shockingly, British Airways is not matching status from American, as it’s typical for systems to not match standing of associates. So, how did I pursue this standing match?
Very first, I took advantage of Delta SkyMiles’ position match obstacle. I showed proof of my American AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, and received a temporary status match to Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion position:
- I did this mainly because with Delta, status match challenges are not after in a life time, but fairly can be accomplished each a few decades (though with other systems they are as soon as in a life span)
- There’s no prospect cost to me for this, because I have no fascination in heading for status with Delta SkyMiles, as I’m pursuing SkyTeam status with Air France-KLM Traveling Blue
- Impressively ample, the standing match challenge was authorised in just hrs I submitted my ask for in the evening, and then the adhering to morning my standing was upgraded
Then I requested my British Airways Government Club Gold status match ask for employing my Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status. I submitted that ask for 4 days in the past, and just this early morning obtained notice that my standing match has been authorized (which is remarkably quick turnaround, given the demand):
- The position match is legitimate for 6 months, via October 14, 2024
- Now I need to get a roundtrip British Airways company class excursion within just that timeframe in order to sustain my position by way of the conclusion of the next membership calendar year
- My Tier Points collection period of time finishes on February 14, 2025, so if renewed, I think that suggests my position would be valid via at the very least February 14, 2026 (while it could be a little bit distinctive, supplied how British Airways is changing the Tier Points selection period of time)
Allow me observe that I really not often get advantage of position matches, so I wouldn’t usually do a double match like this. Nevertheless, in this situation, it is a position tier that I have the legitimate intent to get paid on an ongoing foundation, so I considered it was worthy of it.
Choice time: depart AAdvantage for Govt Club?
It is astounding how just a pair of months back I shared how I was thinking about changing my loyalty application approach, and just days afterwards, British Airways released its very first US standing match advertising in many years. The timing definitely couldn’t have been any greater.
In essence I’m thinking about modifying my oneworld standing strategy, pursuing elite status with British Airways Govt Club relatively than American AAdvantage. Let me be very clear, this is practically nothing towards American — considering that I dwell in Miami, American is the airline I fly most, and that will not alter.
Rather, it reflects a transform in the price proposition of elite standing:
- Back again in the working day, elite standing with US airlines applied to be so a great deal extra profitable, as 1st course upgrades transpired often that’s no longer the scenario, at minimum based mostly on my journey designs
- I consider American is clever for working with its Loyalty Details process for elite position, and greatly incentivizing people today spending income on its playing cards however, I think about the chance price of that expending to be too high, and it’s just not a match I’m intrigued in taking part in
- American has created some minor alterations that have actually degraded the worth of going for standing, from ending the Small business Further method, to altering the goalposts for Loyalty Position Benefits
- American delivers extremely tiny incentive to remain faithful extensive expression, given that the carrier’s lifetime elite standing system is completely uncompetitive
So even if I preserve traveling American, there’s huge value to staying faithful to British Airways Executive Club, and having oneworld Emerald standing with a overseas airline:
- I’ll acquire most of the very same precedence solutions at the airport, and I’ll also however acquire complimentary Main Cabin Additional seating
- I’ll receive Flagship Initial Look at-In even on domestic itineraries
- I’ll get entry to all oneworld Emerald and oneworld Sapphire lounges, even when touring domestically, and that contains American Flagship Lounges, the Qantas To start with Lounge LAX, and additional
- British Airways essentially has a powerful lifetime elite status application, as you can gain lifetime Gold position, which would get you oneworld Emerald position for life
So I’m heavily leaning toward generating this transform, simply because frankly I see little draw back. I really don’t count on complimentary updates any more, due to the fact I uncover that they clear almost never as an Government Platinum member with a minimal Loyalty Points whole. I’d also get substantial incremental price from possessing oneworld Emerald standing with a international method.
For that subject, I actually consider I could make British Airways Government Club Gold standing at a significantly reduce value than what I spend to generate Government Platinum status.
I’m of study course a large advocate for US airline loyalty plan, and historically consider they’ve been particularly persuasive. Nonetheless, it is fairly a reflection of the periods if the status I’m pursuing is with Air France-KLM and British Airways, eh?
Base line
I now have British Airways Executive Club Gold status thanks to a status match chance. Humorous adequate, I experienced viewed as going for this position ahead of the marketing was introduced, so the timing could not have labored out superior.
When it can be really hard to split previous routines, I think immediately after over 15 years of AAdvantage Government Platinum position, it could be time to go on to greener — or at the very least diverse — pastures. US loyalty plans just are not what they applied to be when it will come to elite benefits. If absolutely nothing else, it can be enjoyable to experiment, so possibly I ought to do this and report back. I can usually return to AAdvantage if this doesn’t perform out.
What do you consider — ought to I make the change? Anyone else thinking about this?