I not too long ago wrote about how I used to be contemplating altering up my oneworld standing technique. Days later, British Airways Government Membership launched a profitable standing match supply. I took benefit of this — I now have British Airways Gold standing, and I feel this may lastly be the push I wanted to modify my loyalty, and cease pursuing elite standing with American AAdvantage. Let me clarify…
How I earned British Airways Gold standing
For some background, British Airways Government Membership has a Gold and Silver standing match promotion, particularly for these in america and Canada. British Airways is matching standing from Delta, United, Air Canada, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airways, and Virgin Atlantic.
Not surprisingly, British Airways isn’t matching standing from American, because it’s regular for packages to not match standing of companions. So, how did I pursue this standing match?
First, I took benefit of Delta SkyMiles’ standing match problem. I confirmed proof of my American AAdvantage Government Platinum standing, and bought a short lived standing match to Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion standing:
- I did this as a result of with Delta, standing match challenges aren’t as soon as in a lifetime, however slightly might be carried out each three years (whereas with different packages they’re as soon as in a lifetime)
- There’s no alternative value to me for this, since I’ve no real interest in going for standing with Delta SkyMiles, as I’m pursuing SkyTeam standing with Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Impressively sufficient, the standing match problem was authorised inside hours; I submitted my request within the night, after which the next morning my standing was upgraded
Then I requested my British Airways Government Membership Gold standing match request utilizing my Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion standing. I submitted that request 4 days in the past, and simply this morning acquired discover that my standing match has been authorised (which is surprisingly quick turnaround, given the demand):
- The standing match is legitimate for six months, by means of October 14, 2024
- Now I have to take a roundtrip British Airways enterprise class journey inside that timeframe with the intention to preserve my standing by means of the tip of the subsequent membership yr
- My Tier Factors assortment interval ends on February 14, 2025, so if renewed, I feel which means my standing can be legitimate by means of a minimum of February 14, 2026 (although it could be barely totally different, given how British Airways is altering the Tier Factors assortment interval)
Let me notice that I very not often benefit from standing matches, so I wouldn’t often do a double match like this. Nonetheless, on this case, it’s a standing tier that I’ve the real intent to earn on an ongoing foundation, so I believed it was price it.
Determination time: depart AAdvantage for Government Membership?
It’s superb how simply a few weeks in the past I shared how I used to be contemplating altering my loyalty program technique, and simply days later, British Airways launched its first US standing match promotion in a few years. The timing actually couldn’t have been any higher.
Basically I’m contemplating altering my oneworld standing technique, pursuing elite standing with British Airways Government Membership slightly than American AAdvantage. Let me be clear, that is nothing in opposition to American — since I stay in Miami, American is the airline I fly most, and that received’t change.
Somewhat, it displays a change within the worth proposition of elite standing:
So even when I maintain flying American, there’s enormous worth to being loyal to British Airways Government Membership, and having oneworld Emerald standing with a overseas airline:
So I’m closely leaning towards making this alteration, as a result of frankly I see little draw back. I don’t depend on complimentary upgrades anymore, since I discover that they clear not often as an Government Platinum member with a low Loyalty Factors complete. I’d additionally get important incremental worth from having oneworld Emerald standing with a overseas program.
For that matter, I really assume I might earn British Airways Government Membership Gold standing at a considerably decrease value than what I spend to earn Government Platinum standing.
I’m after all a large advocate for US airline loyalty program, and traditionally assume they’ve been extraordinarily compelling. Nonetheless, it’s fairly a mirrored image of the occasions if the standing I’m pursuing is with Air France-KLM and British Airways, eh?
Backside line
I now have British Airways Government Membership Gold standing because of a standing match alternative. Humorous sufficient, I had thought of going for this standing earlier than the promotion was launched, so the timing couldn’t have labored out higher.
Whereas it may be laborious to interrupt outdated habits, I feel after over 15 years of AAdvantage Government Platinum standing, it could be time to maneuver on to greener — or a minimum of totally different — pastures. US loyalty packages simply aren’t what they was once on the subject of elite perks. If nothing else, it may be enjoyable to experiment, so possibly I ought to do that and report again. I can all the time return to AAdvantage if this doesn’t work out.
What do you assume — ought to I make the swap? Anybody else contemplating this?
