British Airways Gold Status | Can I earn Gold in Only 3 Trips?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- British Airways has one of the best travel rewards programs that allows you to enjoy many benefits, including free checked bags, priority boarding and more, and you can achieve Gold Status without breaking the bank.
It’s hard to believe but you don’t have to be a “frequent flyer” or spend huge sums on long haul business class to earn top status in the British Airways. Follow my travels as I chase BA Gold Status and see how easy it is, and how you can get BA Gold Status too.
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0.00 Intro
0:37 London Gatwick to Catania
3:06 Catania to Gatwick
4:19 Edinburgh to Bucharest
8:17 Bucharest to Edinburgh
12:42 Trip Three, Edinburgh to Athens
17:00 Is three hours enough to transit Heathrow?
17:48 What Happened Next?
My plan was three European Trips with BA Holidays and earn enough BA status points (called Tier Points) to reach BA Gold and my budget was £3000 or £1000 per holiday including flights and hotels).
I flew out of both Edinburgh and Gatwick airports and transited Heathrow, I almost got wrestled to the ground and arrested by security and I enjoyed the BA Beef Cheeks for dinner and various afternoon teas (Yum!)
If you’d like to follow me on my travels, please subscribe to the channel to get updates when I release new videos,
Thank you for watching, please remember to like and subscribe, and thank you for joining me on my Grey Gap Year.
Phil
#baexecutiveclub #bagold #greygapyear
A regular from MattsPlanet here and just subscribed and liked. Like your style and enthusiasm.
Thank you for your kind comment, very much appreciated. I'm also a big @MattsPlanet fan and I am conscious not to just ape his excellent content.
Thanks Again
Phil
How did you get to Edinburgh in order to fly back to Heathrow and then get to Bucharest? Is that another flight you have to book?
Thanks for your comment, tricky to know where in the video you are with the query, but I drove to Gatwick for trip one, then drove home. A little while later I drove to Edinburgh and parked there and I flew to Bucharest. Flew back to Edinburgh. Then I started my final trip to Athens. How that ended (or is resolved) is in the next video after this one.
Not sure I've answered your question, but I hope this was helpful.
Thanks
Phil
Hi Phil, any advice on route or location to get 400 tier points before 8th August? i am 385 points away from gold (using BA double points promo) Great channel BTW.....keep the contents coming.
8th of August as in a week from now? Time is not on your side. I think the easiest thing to get those tier points would be London to Stockholm on Finnair via Helsinki, perhaps do it twice, simple flight you can book it via Google flights. £570 return will get you 240 points (1st/2nd August). Dublin to Cairo (4th / 6th) is £716 (one night in Cairo) for 360 points. Then you might find a UK business flight for the final few points (even flexi economy might get you over the line).
Time is your issue, even a little bit more notice would have opened your options up.
Good luck and let me know how you get on,
Phil
@@mygreygapyear Hi Phil, many thanks for the swift response and the very helpful tips. Given the information you have provided i dont think it would be cost effective to try and make it this calendar year unfortunately. Maybe i will have a go next year. its so painful that i was so close, yet so far lol. Keep up the great work on the channel, a lot of us out here love your content and absolutely find the information very reliable and pertinent. Thank you
Hi when trying to search on the BA cheap flight page i get a grey outline and are not able to continue the bookings ???
Thanks for your comment, I've just had a look at the low fare finder and it seems to be up now, www.britishairways.com/travel/low-price-finder/public/en_gb
Great videos dude, been watching lots of yours, very informative, your voice sounds like Chris Moyles btw!
Thanks for your comment, I'm really glad you're enjoying the videos. I was a massive fan of Chris Moyles back in the day.
Great video! Did you consider doing any long haul flights to get your status? Club world to and from the west coast via some enroute destinations for example can get you over 1,000 tier points for less than £1500. Also, world traveller plus with the BA double tier points offer can be lucrative for not much £
Thank you for your comment and brilliant suggestions.
World Traveller Plus on Double Tier Points Offer: Never entered my head to be honest, what an excellent suggestion, thank you. I'm going to take a look at that. Do you have thoughts on the most lucrative locations?
West Coast USA: I have seen some videos, my favourite being by @MattsPlanet, but I haven't ever tried it. The nerd in me really wants to do it so perhaps in July 2024 you'll see me trying to book and execute a trip like that.
Thank you for your excellent suggestions,
Phil
@@mygreygapyear there’s currently some Middle Eastern destinations for 5 nights, for 1 person, leaving over the next few months for less than £1,000 in world traveller plus - Doha seems to be the cheapest. Now that would only get you 360 tier points as it’s only two flights, but if you can also bolt on a club Europe regional connection, you could be looking at 520 total for around a grand, plus you get to do a long haul, where the winter weather and hard product on the aircraft are better!
Do you have any suggestions about the West Coast routes you mention? Also, are double tier points added automatically or do you have to book BA Holidays to get that?
btw, if you use the cheapest flight site and plot in the same dates (Malta) and add a hotel package 7 days it comes out to £2300 for the 1st flight ??? that 's a killer !!!
Thanks for your comment. Yeah, £2,300 is a lot for a week in Malta. Since I've been to Sicily the prices have rocketed up, it's become a really trendy place to go.
@@mygreygapyear Thanks for your replies i just wanted to mention the price as it is impossible to make the tier to gold for the amount mentioned in the TH-cam segments so maybe a price adjustment update is in its place ?
@@michaelgore115 Thanks for your suggestion, I am planning to put some time aside to go through the existing videos and perhaps add some pointers to other videos and I think this video pointing to a more recent pricing video is a good idea. I'll also put on a pinned comment with some price updates perhaps.
I don't think that TH-cam allows me to make changes to a video once it's been uploaded though, perhaps I've misunderstood.
Thanks
Phil
@@mygreygapyear That would be GREAT ! looking forward to it ! Thanks
Thank you for sharing these experiences.
The fact that you didn't quite make it only made the video more engaging. I think a lot of viewers were expecting the answer to the question in the title to be yes ! The way you let the narrative unfold was very effective in an understated sort of way 👍
BA Silver is a decent sweet spot anyway. Look forward to more flight reports !
I would like to let you know that my "stranded in London" video is the Part 2 to this and is released on the channel.
But also, thank you for your very kind comments. When I decided to start a TH-cam channel I braced myself for a lot of negativity but lovely comments like yours really do put a spring in my step for the whole day. Thank you again.
Figure I can get gold in less than 10 days. 3 trips (AUH to Jakarta) in Bus class on Sri Lankan. Then add a RT from Europe to AUH in the cheapest BA economy flight. I get 3 X 540 TPs, plus about 60 more for the EU flights to/from AUH.
Done - but tiring - in about 9 or 10 days in total. A bit less costly than the 3 BAH trips and a week less time (or more).
Thanks for your comment, I've struggled to get the Abu Dhabi Jakarta run to under £3k, when you add in hotels (which are included in my holiday costs). I think the last time I priced it I needed two nights in Jakarta, no back to backs for the £850 flight price., so that ups the cost a touch and the time. You'd also need to fly to Abu Dhabi from a regional airport via LHR to get the 4 qualifying flights for status, or take some additional ones when you get back.
If you've got a route/dates/prices that works then let me know
Thanks
Phil
Question?: if you book a car for 5 days via the BA Holiday double TP offer, can you literally pick the car up, drive out of the airport, back into the car park and return it, and still get your double TP's? or do you have to return it 5 days after picking it up?
Under the terms and conditions you have to collect the car (or check into the hotel), but do you have to keep it? I don't know. There is some debate about BA being able to track who collected or checked into what, but personally, I wouldn't risk it.
Sorry I can't be any further help,
Phil
Make sure you use Cathay Lounge next time in LHR T3! Much better than the BA lounge
Thanks for the tip, looking forward to doing the "rights of passage" T3 lounge crawl one day soon
Even now, in September 2023, it's still not back to "normal". Plenty of delays, and it's the short haul flights that get dropped first in the case of irregular operations. Continued staff shortages both in the cabin and at aircraft maintenance, all have knock on effects, not least a lack of both crew and planes. Add to that BA;s frequent IT issues and NATS going pear shaped last weekend just add to that house of cards.
Thank you for your comment. It seems like this is the "new" normal doesn't it? Regular travellers on these routes seem resigned to longer and longer delays as each day wears on.
Went from no status in mid- 3/23' to gold in 9/23 in 3 trips(3 flights only), & I'm NOT FROM U.K. I went from JFK to Turkey(1 class), JFK to Dubai(Business class), Newark to Hong Kong(Premium Econ).
Doing that from the USA is impressive. Hope you make good use of the benefits,
Thanks for your comment,
Phil
Great vid, been doing the London-Edinburgh top up route for tier points for ages. 80 point’s return is good value. 🙋♂️
Thanks for your comment, I agree you can get great value between London and the regional airports.
Hi Phil, I hope you don’t mind me asking a question. I intend to book flights for myself and my partner, does this mean I’d get the tier points for both of our flights or does/can my partner make a claim for the tier points even though she didn’t book the flights? Hope you know as I have no idea how to find out! Cheers! Pete
Of course I don't mind you asking questions, that the whole point of the channel 😊
Everyone gets their own tier points, the booking party doesn't double up. When you fill out the passenger information there will be a field for your partner's executive club number and she will earn her own tier points and status.
Thanks for your question Pete,
Phil
Nice video (and subbed!) I remember once when I earned Star Alliance Gold from one economy class trip (UK to NZ on Singapore), shame that loophole is now closed!
Thank you for your kind comment and for subscribing, I really appreciate it. I've joined the points and status game late in life and can only look back with a hint of envy at the brilliant loopholes that people such as yourself used to exploit.
@@mygreygapyear thanks! Yes, though with a family with kids I could only benefit from the lounge access a couple of times when travelling alone. Premium check-in was useful though, with impatient toddlers at the time!
I do feel very smug walking past long lines straight up to the check in desk. Sometimes I have to have a bit of a chat to myself if there's a short line and I have to wait :)
Interesting, normally we're ok with just over an hour to transition from Manchester to another international via Heathrow. Great video, enjoyed that, thanks!
Thanks for your kind comments, much appreciated. Planning to do some transits across Heathrow this year, hopefully things should be a little smoother now.
Very entertaining 😂 5 days in Bucharest!!
Thanks for the comment Richard, much appreciated. Bucharest was awesome, it would be high on my list for a weekend city break.
I’ve been to Bucharest, great city
Thanks for your comment, I was really nervous going to Bucharest and may have never gone there but for my silly BA Gold thing, but I agree with you, Bucharest is a wonderful city filled with lovely people.
you can easily earn gold in 3 trips at the moment, especially with double tier points if you book a ba holiday ex UK and including a hotel or ar hire.
Thanks for the comment. I agree, three trips is possible with the double tier points offer and I'm looking to do this again and I think three European BA Holidays is going to be difficult though and the longer haul BA holidays tend to offer less value. I'd love to hear your take on it, which three trips would you book for BA Gold?
what a great little channel this is.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, I really appreciate it.
Hello Phil, thanks for alerting me about this promotion! I thought about it for a couple of minutes but decided not to take advantage (I live in the US so it'll be quite challenging, anyway) and I've already reached Sapphire previously with Royal Jordanian. However, you did give me an idea - or rather, reminded me of it - that I could take advantage of package fares for my next trip to Europe. And for that, I give your belly 3 mad pokes!!! 🤣
- Red
Hi Red, thanks for the mad comment, I love it, although I'm not sure how my belly will feel about the three pokes.
I think Oneworld Saphire with another scheme diminishes starting with BA. I wonder if the double tier points offer is only for Exec Club members or can you assign your Tier Points to the Jordanian account? It's worth looking into
Thanks again,
Phil
@@mygreygapyear I'm no longer pursuing upper elite status, I'm afraid. I've already been one at all 3 alliances and experienced all the perks that came along. Now my focus is more on shopping whilst abroad. Poke!
I was at Lerwick and the check in belt was broken so we all had to check our bags in and then carry it over to a door - go through the door and load our bags onto the working baggage belt out the back and watch as our bags went through the X-ray machine. Must be a Scottish thing!!
Ha ha, that is brilliant. I love that.
I did gold in one trip from Jersey to West Coast US.
That is incredibly impressive, I'd love to know more about that
This video was very interesting and informative, thanks for all the hacks, will definitely using them
Thank you for your kind comment. I have a video coming out tomorrow that is specifically about the BA frequent flyer scheme and then another in the making that is scheduled for Sunday 10th September that will go through finding and booking tier point flights. Both videos have more information on the scheme and additional hacks :)
new subscriber today! tyvm for your content! did you say at about 6 mins into this video that the BA double points offer is going on til end of 2024?
actually, it was about 5 mins and 20 secs
Thanks for your comment and support, British Airways have extended the offer a few times since I made that video, and it is currently set to run until 30th June 2025 www.britishairways.com/content/executive-club/offers/holidays-double-tier-points
To get the best benefit of the Club Europe Lounge how long before the flight departs would you recommend getting to the airport for?
If I know I want a nice meal in the lounge I usually arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure. Relaxed check in, get through security and enjoy the lounge. Be aware though, not all airports open check in more that two hours before departure, the picture of me on the thumbnail is me sitting in the airport (Catania I think) waiting for check in to open 😀
Thank you for your comment and support,
Phil
Thanks, that is very helpful.
Do you to book through the BA web site to get status points?
Thank you for your question, it's appreciate it.
As far as I'm aware, you can still get tier points if you book through a travel agent, you would need to add your membership number in "Manage My Booking" on ba.com prior to your flight.
However, I always book with the airline and I avoid travel agents like LastMinute.com and Expedia for airline bookings. This is because if something goes wrong then you have to deal with the travel agent and not the airline which can be difficult and sometimes costly.
Last year I was scrambling for tier points to be credited to me BA account from a flight booked through Qantas, there was no opportunity to add my BA membership number and it was a royal pain, and Qantas are in Oneworld.
Thanks again,
Phil
Have you always been a solo traveller? :)
Thank you for your question, I unexpectedly became a solo traveller at the start of 2022.
Took me (4) trips to go from no tier status to Gold Status, with B.A. Took me roughly 11 months to get my United Airlines 1K status. I've been B.A. Gold status (6) months, United Airlines 1K status (8) years.
Thanks for your comment, BA is definitely the easier scheme to get status with at the moment, currently looking at fun ways to renew in July.
Did he stay in any countries
Thanks for your question, I certainly did. The main places I stayed in were Sicily in Italy and Bucharest in Romania and Marrakech in Morocco. But I earned tier points going to Australia and also between Perth and Melbourne with Qantas.
Thanks again,
Phil
cant wait to see you in edinburgh
Thanks, I had a great time there.
Subbed from 🇨🇦👋
Thanks for your support, CA, I'm taking a guess at California?
Hi Phil, My partner and I are off to Catania for August for some tier points, would love to know what you did and anything we definitely should see? :)
Ok, well you are in for a treat (#jealous). My key piece of advice would be to rent a car and go exploring. Take your time, keep to the right and let the crazy maniacs past and you'll be fine.
If I was going back I would want to spend some time in both Ortigia (small island in Syracuse) and in Taormina. Both are beautiful and wonderful to explore on a warm evening. I warn you though, both get very busy as the evening wears on and there are large queues (and physical arguments) for parking, so get there for an early tea time and enjoy a leisurely evening. Great restaurants, windey little streets. it's like your on a film set. They both have remains to explore but Taormina has the Amphitheatre.
You'll need to hire a car or go on organised trips for these:
If you 're a fan of the Godfather movies (I am) then Savoca and Forza d'Agrò are amazing. I really enjoyed the Roman Villa, to find a villa fromthat time so in tact is unusual.
And the Valley of the Temples is fantastic. Park at the South (or West) can park, Google Map search [Parcheggio Porta V Valle dei Templi] and then get a cab to the North (East Entrance) [Ingresso e biglietteria Valle dei Templi - Tempio di Giunone]. Then you will walk one way back to your car on a slightly down hill slope starting at the Temple of Juno. There will be cabs waiting in the south car park, it looks like a scam, but it's a good idea.
And at the Valley of the Temples pay the extra to see the gardens (if you have the energy) it's the end you parked your car at. And make sure you walk around the Temple of Zeus.
And of course, Mount Etna, you can walk up or take the cable car. I took the cable car and went on the organised tour, and of course I had a beer up there, because you don't get the chance to drink a beer on an active volcano every day.
I've got a vide with a few additional hints and tips,
th-cam.com/video/q2TjxwpHXfY/w-d-xo.html
Have an amazing trip,
Phil
PS. The lounge at the airport is poor so don't arrive either early or hungry.
Love the video, hope the revenue from this channel would help you improve the quality of footage over time!
Thank you for your kind comment. I'll need 1000 subscribers to become monetized on TH-cam so along way from that, but monetization isn't then main objective.
I'm currently using a GoPro and I shoot in 4k and 30fps but the footage often comes out a little grainy, especially in low light. Do you have any tips? I really don't want to spend money on a new camera at the moment.
@@mygreygapyearand look where you are now! So proud of you man
@@Alex-dg8nf Thanks mate, much appreciated. I've used the ad revenue to buy a new Sony camera 😊
As a Scot i winced at the the thought of an Edinburgh Glasgow clash at the A gates 😂
😂 Thanks for your comment, it was tough to stay positive in that. Glad you enjoyed watching it. The crazy thing was we were all waiting for busses to take us over to (possibly) terminal 3.
The seats may be the same, but since the middle seat is turned into a table you are guaranteed a lot more space.
You are 100% correct, middle seat is left empty and I find this a massive boost being a broad shouldered guy. I've taken 10 BA Club Europe flights and I've actually made an in-depth video about it here if, you're interested
th-cam.com/video/zkvkb3BfKv0/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for your comment,
Phil
Nice video!
Thanks, it's much appreciated.
I would have wanted to spend the big money on some long haul flights tbh, but a European tier point run is very interesting.
Thanks for your comment, appreciate your support. I do want to do some West Coast USA runs but I didn't feel confident finding and booking them, maybe next time. These worked out well because I wanted to do some travel but didn't really care where so in that regard they offered superb value.
Thanks
Phil
By the look of you you’ve spent too much time in the lounge already ,, stick to Michael o learys outfit 👍👍
😂 I look pretty dreadful at the end don't I? I'll try to avoid Michael O'Leary's pie to the face look though. Thanks for the comment
😂😂😂😂👍👍
Not worth it, just stick with Ryanair and pay for the emergency exit .....no poncing around missing connections
Thanks for your comment, totally take your point on using budget airlines over full service airlines. When you're flying from a regional airport their direct flight is often better than flying through London. I wish that BA would fly more international flights from the regions.