British Airways Avios or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club?

PeacefulWaters

malkie76 wrote: »

Why you'd want status on a carrier you don't use doesn't make sense to me.

Low barrier to silver status, useable across numerous other airlines and Avios tend to be more use than other frequent flyer rewards.

Nick_C

malkie76 wrote: »

Why you'd want status on a carrier you don't use doesn't make sense to me.

1 lounge access
2 business class check in when flying economy
3 better chance of an upgrade
4 You earn more Avios if you have status. Eg LHR to JFK in J class, 5187 Avios each way if you are Blue, 6916 if you are Silver

Status and perks apply across the OW alliance.

And sometimes BA is the best choice. BA have premium economy. Not all carriers do. They also have some exclusive routes.

dickydonkin

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Or four Iberia flights.

They don't have to be Iberia either.

Any carrier with a BA prefix will also be deemed an eligible flight. My four eligible flights this year were operated by Finnair with a BA prefix.

dickydonkin

malkie76 wrote: »

Why you'd want status on a carrier you don't use doesn't make sense to me.

Access to one world lounges when flying economy
Free seat selection on BA when I use RFS's
Priority Boarding (albeit a joke on BA)
Priority Check in.

There are more, but as an aside, returning from Stockholm on Saturday through Heathrow to Newcastle, I decided to check out the new First Wing.

Instead of going through connections, I exited the airport and entered departures where The new facility is located.

I was on a cheapy RFS positioning flight ticket, but was allowed to use the First Wing due to status.

I am not normally complimentary of anything related to BA or LHR, but I was impressed.

It has its own check in counter and security screening and enters you into the F lounge without having to meander through the shopping centre. I was through in a few minutes.

Another status benefit.

I avoid BA on revenue flights where possible....I had enough last year, but status is still easily achievable by earning points elsewhere.

For me, BAEC is the airlines only saving grace at this current time, although I hope improvement like the F Wing will be the start of improving the airline and its terrible image.

malkie76

You'd get all of that with status of any OW carrier (even when using BA), which was my point. So why not obtain status with the carrier you actually are using ?

Nick_C

malkie76 wrote: »

You'd get all of that with status of any OW carrier (even when using BA), which was my point. So why not obtain status with the carrier you actually are using ?

Because most of us live in the UK, BAEC is the obvious choice.

Suppose you decided to go for status on AA instead. Would it be easy to get AA status on a flight from the UK to Asia or South America? Can you earn AA miles shopping on line in the UK, or doing your grocery shop?

malkie76

I'm really struggling to understand the point people are making here. The earlier posts where getting excited about gaining status with BA without ever stepping on a BA flight.

Now people seem to be defending gaining status on BA for use with BA. That was my original challenge - ie what's the point if you don't use BA?

I've sort of made my point I think.

[edit]

To answer your query - yes, it would be very straight forward to gain status on AA on flights from the UK to Asia or S. America. You can also earn AA miles shopping in the UK with an MBNA card.

PeacefulWaters

malkie76 wrote: »

I'm really struggling to understand the point people are making here. The earlier posts where getting excited about gaining status with BA without ever stepping on a BA flight.

Now people seem to be defending gaining status on BA for use with BA. That was my original challenge - ie what's the point if you don't use BA?

I've sort of made my point I think.

[edit]

To answer your query - yes, it would be very straight forward to gain status on AA on flights from the UK to Asia or S. America. You can also earn AA miles shopping in the UK with an MBNA card.

Avios are a more useable currency than most other airline miles.

BA Silver status is easier to earn than lounge access status with other airlines.

Simple.

malkie76

I'm not sure I agree. Sorry.
I'd argue QF is the easiest to obtain status.
But it really doesn't matter.

dickydonkin

malkie76 wrote: »

You'd get all of that with status of any OW carrier (even when using BA), which was my point. So why not obtain status with the carrier you actually are using ?

Qatar and Cathay do not fly directly out of Newcastle so for me, it makes sense to stick with BAEC as I use those carriers mainly for long haul out of Europe, but use BA for positioning flights.

OW Emerald/Ruby is also easier for me to attain with BAEC so again, it makes sense to pool tier points and Avios to the account which is more compatible for my travel patterns and how I use Avios that are earned.

QF may indeed be 'easier' to gain status......only if you fly them of course.....and that is the point I was trying to make.