Is Airline Status Worth It???

[@steve-marsh]

Spreadsheet Hero status is better than any airline status

[@MattsPlanet]

True... Would be nice if there was some sort of award offered... Like a plaque for getting to 100,000 subscribers for example - congratulations!!!!!

[@TarrelScot]

It’s because he “excel”s at what he does!

[@MH_1-9-9-6]

I agree completely with what you said at the end! I often get criticised by my work mates for how much I spend on holidays , but I don’t go out clubbing etc despite being in my mid 20’s. The 5k or so I spend a year on travel is less than some will spend on nights out , and I’ve got memories not hangovers !

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I've known people spend money on all sorts of weird stuff who are then critical of me spending mine on travel! Much smarter way to spend it if you ask me!

[@BonkersAboutAlice]

Status has changed my traveling life. All the perks and benefits mean travel is part of my enjoyable experience, not the painful bit.

[@QF_Flyer]

@@BonkersAboutAliceditto - I fell into status around a decade ago when AA mistakenly opened a promotion to everyone - I moved on to BA and ultimately QF (where I’m now lifetime, so I’m stuck with them!), but I was hooked. Seeing the mile long queue for security when you can just use the priority line on any flight is a great feeling 😂

[@Wds__99]

Memories not hangovers. Good one.

[@Kjgunn1111]

Thanks Matt - for me Bronze is the sweet spot - my partner and I both collect Avios and we use them on (mostly) economy flights. We try to go everywhere with just hand luggage and Bronze allows us to priority board and snag the space in the overhead lockers before the majority of economy customers.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - you don't hear that often - that Bronze is the sweet spot, but good on you for deciding that - 300 TPs is an achieveable goal every other year and it can make a trip much less stressful.... Silver brings lounges though!!!

[@stevecraven3502]

Personally I think you should both try for Silver. That will get you a seat you desire at the time of booking, even using Avios and with the deals Ba do for double Tier Points, it's not that much more expensive. Like you I only travel with hand baggage, so it is much nicer and easier for a quick exit and getaway from the crowds and the airport ASAP. Also, try an upgrade to premium economy, for me it was a big difference. The main thing I like about Silver though is the lounge access.(not necessarily BA) nothing better than a relaxing start to your holiday, whether your flying Business Class, Premium Economy or Economy, and if your flight is delayed for what ever reason you can go back to a comfortable lounge. At the end of the day though it is up to you. Enjoy either way. Steve. C. YNWA.

[@MattsPlanet]

There's one error in this video I need to mention... Silver card holders are blocked from selecting exit-row seats on long-haul flights but they can access them on short-haul routes. So the benefits of silver would actually be higher if they picked these premium seats. That would reduce the break-even number of trips - not by much but its even better than I showed!!! Thanks to everyone who has pointed this out!

[@jamespaul4421]

My wife thought I was nuts when I first broached tp runs to get gold-now she wants me to requalify when we could quite easily drop down to silver for a year-anyway, so she can re qualify for her silver-we’ve booked two double tp holidays-plus we’d never had a free upgrade in our lives with BA-now had two in two months! That’s worth hundreds of pounds at least!

[@MattsPlanet]

Ah.... Introducing the plus one to the concept of status running.... Not heard that many stories of people being successful here so congratulations!

[@teslaintheuk910]

Don’t forget that the free seat selection from time of booking is for everyone on that booking. Seat selection this summer for me, my wife and 2 kids to ensure we sat together, both directions on a St Lucia trip was £480. This encouraged me to do a short haul plus route to go from Bronze to Silver and also experience the Finnair lie flat seat.

[@dscott8799]

I can imagine that makes a huge difference. Plenty of folks out there don’t see the value in that, nor will want to pay the £480. Then they’ll act all entitled when little Jimmy has to sit in the middle seat 10 rows back.

[@MattsPlanet]

Of course there's a legal requirement to sit a child next to an adult so it may not be that bad to not buy seats.... But there's no legal requirement to sit a child next to more than one adult! £480 is ridiculous though!

[@RichardJHJ]

Awesome video - status becomes even more valuable if you can get some of the way there with travel that someone else pays for!!

[@MattsPlanet]

I remember those days! Very happy days!

[@papworthj]

Another great video, Matt. I’m chasing Silver this year and really see the value this will bring with lounge access, in particular. Not all spreadsheet heroes wear capes, but they do cracking videos on KZbin 👌.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks. These days its really hard to find a phone booth to use to change into my cape....

[@jimmyjames6492]

Definitely worth it IMO. Seat upgrades are nice but perks like priority check in, extra bags, and priority baggage that come with status are just as valuable IMO. Thanks for the info + video!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Jimmy

[@QF_Flyer]

Completely agree with you re your final comment about spending money on travel/experiences over other “stuff”. Firstly, it’s nobody’s business what you spend your money on anyway, but secondly definitely do what makes you happy and, like you, that’s what I spend my money on too 👍🏻 As for status, I also agree there too, I benefit from earning status credits on reward flights from QF too, but I’ve been OWE for years now and I think I’d struggle to let go! For the sake of a few $x,000 per year, for which I’ll get trips I want to take anyway, it’s definitely worth it for me (and one thing I don’t think you covered, but priority in case of cancellations/overbooking - I’m sure it’s helped me sometimes, for example occasions when I’ve been bumped from an A330 to a B737, somehow still being accommodated in the J cabin half an hour later - I don’t think everyone on that same A330 in J will have been so lucky - ok, recliner vs flatbed is still a “downgrade”, but it’s better than Y!).

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for that. I was in the QF program for many years and there's all sorts of mysteries to it that I never understood... I have a BA insider in my Patreon family and he has shared a little about the BA bot that handles rebookings and I would certainly have mentioned it in the video had I known about it before I made it!!! It can be an absolute life saver.... Not literally, but you know what I mean!

[@henrywm1451]

Great video Matt! Always really enjoy your videos and perspectives on travel. I agree with you that actually booking trips to get status makes a trip that is much more rewarding and enjoyable.

[@MattsPlanet]

For me a trip like that is not dead time or a dead cost...

[@guyosborne2696]

Thanks Matt, great video. I soft landed to Silver after the you know what and nowadays travel BA economy short haul about once a month. This has certainly convince me it is worth spending a bit of my own money to retain Silver. PS must be the first of your videos where you didn't say 'Cheers' 😎

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks guy - did I miss a catchphrase! Oh no....

[@UniversityOfTurmoil]

Good stuff. Due to BA's recent double points for holidays promotion I'm going to get Silver this year for the first time, so this information is nice and useful. Another benefit of the Brown/Bronze status with BA is being able to book your seat for free a week before the flight which often gets you some decent seats even though the silvers/golds have had first dibs. (Was good enough to get me into the exit rows with lots of legroom on both legs of a recent trip to Malta).

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks UoT - welcome to silver! It gets addictive....

[@simonjgriffithshr]

Another superb video! (I recently discovered your channel and have been enjoying immeasurably). I must admit though, that one of the items you've given £0 value to is just about my most valuable element: free baggage. When travelling in Europe I usually plump for economy (certainly for any flights of less than a couple of hours). Unfortunately I'm not a light traveller - even my work bag with laptop and notepads/books etc struggles to fit into the basic allowance (never mind a couple of changes of clothes). Thanks again for some brilliant and thought provoking content!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for that! I think 8 days is the longest trip I've now been on with just a rollaboard... Have a 9 dayer coming up, including a cruise, and I'm resigned to having to check a bag for that trip.... It just pains me to have to do so!!!

[@itsjoel]

I will share this video to so many people that ask me all of these sorts of questions! Thanks so much for your efforts Matt!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! Explaining the grace period is a stinker!

[@ukdavepianoman]

Matt, I've really learnt so much about status (OneWorld) from watching your videos and how to achieve it without actually spending a fortune - for that, I thank you. And, like you, I love travel and choose to spend money on this (seeing the world and different cultures is complete addictive and enhances one's view/understanding of people). As you say, someone who travels a lot and chooses to go Economy or PE now and then, it is absolutely worth it. For me the primary benefits of Silver or above are lounge access and being able to choose my seat at booking. Also priority check-in/boarding is a bonus as it just relieves boredom/stress of queueing. I'm already Silver but am on a mission to achieve Gold now. This really is a brilliant summary of the benefits.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Dave. I surprised myself with how few trips you'd need to make it pay off! And travel certainly does broaden the mind!

[@AftabKhan-yq5sk]

Hi Matt , or shall I say Our spreadsheet hero 😊 I’m watching this video for the second time ! My AMEX Plat spending ( for my company) allows me to get lots of points to redeem but iv not had status since I was VS gold many moons ago… however recently I managed to snag RJ Gold due to their hotel matching offer. I’m Marriott Plat for life giving me RJ Gold = BA silver equivalent status . Holding on to it would be nice so bit of planning of my travel needed..

[@MattsPlanet]

Hi! RJ can let you in, but whether they're happy for you to stay in is the question!

[@stevecraven3502]

Matt. Just watching this video over again. For me it's Silver level. I'm quite happy to stick with the lounge access it affords me, to some of the better lounges with other airlines, (Qantas T3 for example) I also don't think the BA 1st lounges with the exception of the Concord lounge are much better. Also, it suites my budget for the time being. I really love the whole journey and experience, not just the destination. I really do enjoy taking flights and overnight stays in hotels. Steve. C. Silver for another year. YNWA.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Steve... I think I would have preferred it if Man C had lost and Arsenal had won, but while there still a chance there's still hope!!! Silver is an excellent, achievable medium term goal to set... I do tend to focus on gold in videos, and I'm trying to do less of that as silver really is not much less valuable

[@wv_]

Considering I just spent £250 for someone to not sit next to my wife who is flying alone on Turkish in economy and I have Amex gold with Priority Pass I still often pay the £20 charge for lounge access. Lastly, I often book seats up front on Ryanair for £22+ more just to be less likely to sit next to people What I would pay the most for is skipping queues for checking baggage and security. I usually plan to arrive at the airport an hour before my flight

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I hope the wife is happy! Everyone's attitude is different and status can really help with the queues!

[@gjol90]

Another great video Matt! I travel a few times a month for work purposes and whenever I can, spend my cash on travelling and the experiences that brings. Gold status is what makes life liveable, particularly through the first wing where (relative) peace is delivered in a venue that often brings about tantrums/war/divorce. I regularly travel in club with BA and feel the experience on board could be improved (what happened to hot towels and why are they incapable of popping a bottle on the ground?) but overall the status experience is worth the many pennies spent.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks... I'd love to know what BA's service standards actually are so we can know definitively when BA's crews "can't be bothered"

[@SotiriosAligiannis]

Absolutely brilliant analysis Matt, thanks for the great video! You put some very good context on the subject. I could also add that, for those who are not interested in renewing their BAEC status on a bi-annual cycle, or capable of doing so, there's still great value in pursuing status via regular travel as well. Break-even would be different though, say 5 or 6 trips for a couple over a year, or a bit more if mixed couple and single trips are at hand, which still makes sense from the "investment" point of view.

[@MattsPlanet]

That's a great point... If you travel for work or business, it can be well worth tweaking that travel with status in mind.... An even better way to get the benefits

[@mikewarde2802]

Great video Matt, digging into the analysis, something you enjoy, clearly! I am in your camp on this. Each to their own, variety and choice are the spice of life. Of course, only if you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity of these choices.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Mike. If you really enjoy spending your money this way, and get status too, where's the downside!!!

[@ZackYounguk]

Thanks for all you do Matt, I really enjoy your videos. I was a BA exec fanboy for many years…. But jumped ship to Finnair Club, given they have some additional benefits at the same level (2 long haul or 4 short leg upgrade vouchers for BA silver equivalent, lounge access with points in their bronze equivalent and you can actually buy tier points by converting the miles (3-2-1) upto 50% of your annual threshold - you can of course also buy miles often with a 100% bonus) Worth taking a peek…

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I've always assumed a certain level of Eastbound travel that can be made on Finnair was necessary for this to be worthwhile?

[@ZackYounguk]

@@MattsPlanet I don’t believe so… they fly to US and Mexico too… but the status is one world, so you benefit from Iberia/BA/etc

[@gazzis]

Great video again Matt. Having just completed TP run 1 with Jakarta on the horizon, I completely agree with your views. One observation on your valuation of Gold though, surely the additional parachute year of Silver gives it further value?

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - the soft landing certainly does count... When scripting, it felt like one concept too many to load onto the video as getting the point about grace periods across was so important.... But if I did this video again, I'd certainly make that point.

[@graemeduncan1225]

Enjoyed this video. Two trips a year to visit Family in Australia make it pretty easy for us to maintain Silver and the benefits for us are immeasurable.

[@MattsPlanet]

Flights to Australia will help - expensive though.... Was looking at flights to Perth for a friend and it was fully priced....

[@graemeduncan1225]

@@MattsPlanet no choice really, so it’s money we have to spend anyway

[@paulmk5841]

Great video Matt. I would have spoken briefly about GGL though. Especially as should you get it one year it only take 3000 tier points to renew in subseqent years. Meaning on your figures (which I think were very close to reality) it would only work out double (ie 6 flights) over gold in the subsequent years. Just a thought. Also Double tier points till Dec 2024 with BA holidays. (with the usual T's & C's). One more thing to add is that the bonus Avios you get with the various tiers, does not apply if you book a BA holidays. That stays as the regular Avios amounts as before.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Paul. It feels like around £10,000 to get to GGL in year 1 is out of most people's reach.... It's out of mine!!! And good point on the BA holidays - although I gather the holidays team can only book a 6 leg routing (3 each way) so its not that attractive to tier point runners....

[@ETTakesOff]

The concept of tier point runs is absolutely fascinating to me. I didn't get it at first when you spoke about this in a video a couple of years back. Mainly because I was new to the concept. I think tier point runs are for people who are enthusiastic about aviation and are already travelling multiple times a year. I love planning and booking flights and travel, so I'm starting to see how this could be fun. I recently booked a flight with emirates on the A380 just for the experience! 😂😂😂

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for that - you've found the right community! People who only ever fly under protest just won't understand any attraction of a TP run... I know people who book 6 or 8 flights which fill a weekend just because they love the experience of flying!

[@stevetriantaena9994]

All useful info aside, you are a pleasure to watch :) keep up the amazing work

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for that!

[@Halfwayto100]

Brilliant video! Completely agree that spending money on travel experiences and the lifelong memories it brings is good value for our hard earned money.

[@MattsPlanet]

Absolutely. And for the record, I don't dislike Taylor Swift!!!! I just wouldn't pay that to see her live

[@doc.aviator7337]

Thank you Matt for your explanations and all your videos! Very useful:)

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@paololim3513]

I was super super close to hitting status with oneworld 11 years ago. I missed it by less than 500 miles. I should have booked a return ticket with BA rather than one-way and the inbound flight with someone else. Could have saved money too. Lounge access with CX and BA. Now CX has changed its Marco Polo club scheme to make the threshold higher. Which gets me to my most important piece of advice...start earning early and fast because you never know when they would inflate or complicate the requirements to earn or renew status, or reduce the benefits at your current level.

[@MattsPlanet]

Good advice!

[@colinwalker9583]

Cheers Matt and thanks again. We attained Gold as a result of your advice. Dropping to Silver next year which is OK but going for gold again before we hit bronze....Abu Dhabi Sri Lankan does look good!

[@MattsPlanet]

Fantastic! I didn't talk about soft landings in this video (it was long enough!) but hopefully the excellent strategy you've adopted was obvious from what I did include! SriLankan is fun....

[@adenwellsmith6908]

I used to have gold on Swiss. I made full use of the baggage allowance when I moved back to the UK. I think my record on one flight 62 kg. I did struggle on the train ...

[@MattsPlanet]

62kg is a real challenge without lots of wheels to assist you!

[@okeesmokee6658]

Completely different scenarios with Delta in the US, but I have been buying upgrades to my tickets I purchase for business trip in order to maintain status. It makes my current trip more comfortable, invests in future benefits, and I only have to pay the difference in the ticket price. Delta allows upgrades after purchase, so the reimbursement receipt is solid. Interesting BA scenarios.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks. US schemes are radically different and I've never felt the need to fully investigate them... Although non-US schemes seem to be inexorably moving in that direction so its probably a time investment I need to make....

[@LKM_EDI]

100% agree. I would add though that holding emerald status does make a difference even if you fly business class most of the time. Having a BA gold card grants access to first class check-in and lounges and as you pointed out, these make a difference. Without TSA pre-check, access to first class security lanes is especially valuable in the USA. Then free upgrades are never guaranteed, but more likely for gold card holders (I got three this year). And a gold card saved me several times in North America, where weather-related flight cancellations are quite common. Emerald status almost automatically guarantees you a seat on the very next flight out, unless the cancelled flight was super status heavy.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I do value the gold and consider it worth the extra investment over silver as I explain in the video... And its a good point about being able to pull rank in the US when things go wrong.... Fortunately I've been lucky and never had a bad experience but just one would make gold worth it!

[@QF_Flyer]

I agree - I fly J a lot, especially long haul, and value QF Platinum over Gold hugely in spite of this. I actually find CX are the airline that treat Emeralds best out of anyone - regardless of who you are Emerald with, the personalised welcome and service is outstanding - they also have dedicated First Class boarding queues, even on flights without F cabins - minor benefit ultimately, but still makes me feel that little bit more valued.

[@logicalthinking4376]

I get told each year and would add the possibility of upgrades if travelling solo as a gold holder. When work booked me in Premium for a long haul return, I got upgraded both ways very luckily to business

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - a few have made this point.... I've had a couple of PE to club upgrades over the years, but only ever on LHR-DXB... I didn't mention it in the video as I don't want to give people the idea that its something that might actually happen!

[@trimley]

Spot on video Matt 👏 I’ve just had my first status from BA 😊, so now chasing silver which I’d obtainable the near future - unfortunately the membership dates for myself (November) and my wife (January) are a real pain! Keep up the excellent work - bet you have a spreadsheet of KZbin earnings and status?

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - next stop silver! I do track my earnings... In Powerpoint! Joking... It's in excel....

[@davidbalcon8726]

While you are correct to note Silver doesn’t get lounge access in most STAR/SkyTeam programs (because they assign this to their first tier level, but…BA Silver is it’s true mid-tier elite but most STAR/SkyTeam carriers give lounge access with their equivalent mid-tier status. And what’s similarly confusing is that most programs use Silver as their first tier and Gold as their mid-tier whereas BA uses these metals/colours for mid and top tier which often confuses partners like AA. And then there’s further confusion with the alliances’ elite tiers nomenclatures. But good overview. Yes, status is a tangible intangible!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - it is a good point.... I assume people rarely fly on their own airline but Sky and Star do have that detail for their silvers... I have no idea which is the most valuable out of Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires which makes it a terrible basis for status.... Like the naming of the new OneWorld lounges in New York - I have no idea which out of Soho, Chelsea and Greenwich is the most premium!

[@tokoexplore]

Thank you for this video, Matt. Currently, i have only silver with iberia. But what i found nice when i still had gold was a free upgrade to business.

[@MattsPlanet]

Aha - the elusive upgrade! Rarer than BA's website working....

[@obdev9473]

Thanks Matt. As someone who used to commute weekly to Europe in Y, status was worth every penny, especially in winter when things didn't always go to plan. I enjoyed the comparison between the LHR lounges and 'spoons ! And was that free-pour champagne or free, poor champagne ?

[@MattsPlanet]

Ha ha! I've always got time for a spoons but the ones airside can be crazy busy!!! And for the champagne, both have applied at different times!

[@adamingleton8529]

Gold Priority Reward makes so much sense, charging double the Avios...if you spend your avios for an important flight to go business...it might mean you have to pay full price for your next BA flight as you have no avios...spending cash/avios and creating loyalty makes so much sense

[@MattsPlanet]

I'm planning a video on whether spending avios to reduce the cost of a flight you're buying makes sense.... My experience is that it all depends on what sort of redemption value you're able to get elsewhere....

[@CallumElsdon]

I think this is a very balanced video on the benefits of status - it's all subjective to the individual, and as you say people won't bat an eyelid at spending extortionate amounts for 2 hours of entertainment! That being said, I have been questioning the benefit of my oneworld status more especially as most of my recent travel (outside work) has been in premium cabins on award redemptions. Not sure what I will do for my next renewal, but will probably move back to BA Executive Club from Finnair and opt to drop down to BA Silver through a TP holiday to cover the times when I'm not in premium cabins. Look forward to the next video soon, Matt! 😀

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Callum. I deleted it out of the video (it was long enough!) but you could look upon the £3k investment in Gold as lasting 3 years (so £1k per annum) with the soft landing factored in....

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Still more complex a subject than astro-physics, Dr Matt. £3000 for Gold? A surprising figure.

[@francp3691]

Thanks Matt, I enjoyed the video and I would be first in line to agree with you that airline status is worth it. I appreciate that most people will have different views and that there is no right answer, however, is looking at silver and gold in a standalone way a fair comparison? Is it not fairer to look at the incremental costs for the additional benefits between the £600 for silver and the £1500 for gold? In other words is the incremental cost of £900 worth the additional gold benefits?

[@MattsPlanet]

That indeed is the question! The good thing is that people have the choice - hopefully this video gives some insight into the differences... Some good feedback in the comments too...

[@steve-marsh]

Henry Kelly would always go for gold

[@MattsPlanet]

That reference ages you a little!

[@sidepocket28]

Hi Matt, First of all, thanks for all the work you put in making these very informative videos. Can you spare a minute and see where I stand in my tier status please. Blue status 220 points Tier collection ends 8th April Card expiry 31st May I’m flying from Glasgow - New York 3rd April - 9th April = 200 points. The outward 100 points takes me to bronze. Glasgow - vegas - 10th May - 18th May = 200 points I think I understand your explanation in this video, am I right in saying I’ll have silver status after I finish these flights for almost 2 years and can shoot for gold within this timeframe?

[@MattsPlanet]

Its all a bit complicated! Under the old date scheme, the outbound 100 will count to the old year (taking you to 320). Normally I'd say that the return 100 should go into your "new" year, as you take off on the 9th, ie after the year ends? So under the old scheme you're right - you'll hit bronze and have enough booked to renew Bronze really quickly. But your "new new" year will start on 1 April, so all 400 will go into the new year. But your balance will reset on 1 April so that won't be enough for silver, but will be a fair chunk of what you need.

[@eddieffblog2006]

Matt, can you explain the sweet spot in light of the new BA memberships year changes please? I assume that grace period is only for April. Is that correct? Thanks.

[@MattsPlanet]

A video is coming.... The grace period contracting to 30 days (from 51 or so) is the big consequence - with 100% of members now looking at the same month...

[@MatteoMariano]

I secured silver this year (a lot thanks to you!!) and I LOVE it! Average a trip every 2-4 weeks so absolutely worth it for me! Theoretical seating also appears to be a benefit for silver too, happened on a few flights now when I knew for certain there wasn’t a Goldie on my row. Good video, with insight to things I’d not even thought of before, thanks!

[@MattsPlanet]

Theoretical seating working for silvers is an interesting data point.... If you're sure the other person in the aisle wasn't gold giving you the halo benefit....

[@MatteoMariano]

@@MattsPlanetyeah I’m sure, I knew them and their status, so it must work. Granted, the flight was fairly empty so they probably don’t hold onto the seats anywhere near as long as Goldies. :)

[@martinkeeler5675]

@@MattsPlanetI can confirm that on our last few silver status flights there has been been a suspiciously empty seat on my wife and i’s row - love your channel Matt (and we are now committed to the Abu Dhabi to Jakarta tier run as a result !)

[@madds6678]

Thanks Matt, wish I was a spreadsheet king just achieved gold for the time 🙂 but it did cost us a small fortune we did however take advantage of the double tier points promotion with BA holidays to lighten the cost. Our season tickets at Arsenal cost £1300 each (have to share them with 4 friends now as too expensive on our own) I still find the achieving status for 2 years confusing but I think I’ve got it from your reply to another comment which gave a scenario with the year end as 8th Nov which mine does, so I need to bag 1500 between Nov & Dec 😬 We’re looking to fly to Oz using the double tier points holiday promotion but don’t think it’ll be enough to bag gold again & certainly can’t afford club world. I didn’t see if you picked up on another comment or received the email about the BA Amex black card promotion of tier points after a certain spend total, was wondering if you have any thoughts on it. Great video again thanks for the effort you put into making them.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks... I was going to throw in a comment about my team (Liverpool) having a 30,000 person waiting list for a season ticket... I believe Arsenal's is a lot shorter which is why I picked them!!! The 2 year thing is complicated but hopefully this video will get people to understand it - it is crucial! I don't love the Amex tier points purchase thing - a slippery slope... I think it will reward existing behaviours rather than drive new behaviours which is poor marketing if you ask me... I'm certainly not going to spend £25k for 200 tier points - I'd spend £1.5k on a return to New York form Dublin, get 440 tier points (or more) and have a weekend in New York!

[@roybackhouse117]

Brilliantly witty ending. Haha.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers

[@tonyracks2956]

man what great video a very simple explanation in simple words to help anyone thanks again matt for another great video

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching Tony

[@lewisbeecham5014]

As a silver status holder I also get exit row seats for free from point of booking, not just gold. I do not get the exit rows booking long haul economy however.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Lewis... Slight whoopsie from me here. Silvers can't get the exit rows on long haul but they can on short haul.... I think the thrust of the video holds despite this error!

[@lewisbeecham5014]

@@MattsPlanet I made a booking recently for 8 people to Athens for a cruise on BA. I was able to bag 6 people an exit row for free with my status. Unlucky dip for two! What a perk that is for very little money as you pointed out well in your video. Naturally the two who didn't get the exit row tag teamed to be my lounge guest. First one at T5 South and then at T5B.

[@immiPlanet]

Like you, my year end is 8th July. Bugger! Right bang in the expensive bit of the year. But, if I book early enough, would it still be TP cost-effective to do a (Not) UK to LAX with lots some transfers TP run thingie in August? Also, and very importantly, indeed crucial to this channel, is our need to know if the beard is a permanent feature or intermittent? Sometimes here, sometimes not. I could not shave for 15 years and not have beard such as this.

[@MattsPlanet]

Two very different questions!!! Before the you-know-what, I didn't find August too bad a month to travel as it was in the summer holidays, business travel in the US was down so attractive fares were offered... It wasn't too bad.... Since the y-k-w, its not completely stabilised but I'm optimistic it will be ok in the future. As for question 2 - the beard usually appears as an insulation device in the winter. I often get support for the beard being a year-round feature... If only it grew so strongly on the top of my head....

[@immiPlanet]

@@MattsPlanet Thanks for the reply!

[@BaMb1N079]

Although I never held status with an airline and probably never will - I'm member of Miles & More and Qatar Privilege Club - I completely get you. I also spend my hard earned cash on stuff others don't consider to be worth anything or necessary. Like nice computers, home servers or business class tickets and expensive holidays :-). Being in a DINK household makes those things considerably easier though. Some might call it a hobby or a passion , maybe even desire :-). Don't let those mean comments get to you!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! Never gone as far as a home server but now I have terabytes of video files its something I probably should think about!!! I really don't get many outright nasty comments, but I've got a pretty thick skin for the ones I do get!!!!

[@ianworthington2324]

I would value additional baggage higher: not on BA, but on IB I can take cheaper economy tickets and add a free bag. I value this at at least €70 per person per leg, and is something I happen to do regularly. I actually think that the sweat spot is probably GFL. I plan to start this next year getting GGL then keeping that up for another few years giving me access to the best lounges for those years followed by gold access for free for the rest of my life, regardless of how little I might fly. And this is on flights I want to take anyway, so the incremental cost will be all that matters.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Ian. I lived overseas for many years so only really started my BA journey about 12 years ago.... If I'd been posing all the business travel to a BA account prior to that I'd probably be in range of GFL in which case this would be an excellent strategy... If that's you, then fantastic!

[@chasingstatustravel]

Thanks, Enjoyed your channel for years now. My circumstances have now changed and think it would be a unique video for you to do. Family Travel. I achieved silver about 2years ago now. (I took a trip to Bucharest and achieved it in one trip) £1400 solo! This then granted me silver and a guest. It's worked perfectly till now haha. Year runs out in July. We now have a daughter who turns 2 in March and that's where things change. She will now be a guest. This has changed our focus onto us both needing silver now to guest our daughter into lounges etc as that's main perk for us. Recently looking and we are going to struggle to get silver for us both for under £3000 and that will be about 2 trips plus a ba holiday give or take. Be great to get your feedback or even better a video. Pleasure as always. Thanks ❤

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - pesky kids.... I'm sure they're a delight in many ways but at the airport? Not so much! Theoretically at £2 a tier point you'd need 600 twice so £2,400 would be a target... Tricky in one trip and pricing does seem to be drifting upwards for some of the usual suspects like SOF....

[@pb456-7]

Just a small point - pretty sure silvers can reserve exit rows on short haul - only long haul they can’t (at least that was the case for the last few years).

[@MattsPlanet]

It's exit rows on long haul flights that aren't available to silvers - other seats are available long haul. Exit rows are the ones you want, but that's the rule!

[@Samantha-sv9hf]

Can I just double check the grace period for Tier status is definitely 2.months? I am going to be very close to Silver on my renewal on 8th March and considering doing a run but everything else online seems to be talking about 2 weeks. I want to check I get this right before taking the plunge. Thanks!

[@MattsPlanet]

There's a 2 week period after the end of the year when BA will be sympathetic to backdating a few tier points if it clinches status. That's sort of a grace period, but the "Grace Period" as BA defines it is a just under 2 month period when the old status prevails into the new year. The 2 weeks is not written in policy, and there's no rule on how many tier points they'll allow you to backdate....

[@visions1970]

Interesting video Matt, especially for someone new to gaining status... One note though, if the Swifites come for you, I fear you are on your own!

[@MattsPlanet]

Ha ha!!! I reckon I could take swifties if they came at me in twos or threes, but they move in thousands I believe....

[@sarahsutton9680]

You said Gold can snag the emergency exit rows on shorthaul as if Silver couldn’t but as a Silver I always go for the exit row seats at time of booking too

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Sara - an excellent point... Silvers can't get the exit rows on long haul flights and that was what I had in mind.... First person to spot the error so congratulations!

[@redcomusic]

Well for me as a frequent traveler, it is. But more specifically, I thought long and hard about tier point running for Star Gold status where you recommended doing it via Aegean's scheme, and I thought Air China's more sector-based scheme (certain fare codes only, though) is better for US customers but actually Aegean is still easier in terms of both energy and budget. It's just that with Air China's scheme once you reach Star Gold, you have it for 2 years! But then again with Aegean you only have it for a year but re-qualifying is easy. So now I'm looking forward to 2024 with an eye toward the Aegean scheme and flying within Greece to complete the requirements. The best part about having a Star Gold status (that's NOT with United) is being able to access United lounges whilst flying domestic in the US. - Red

[@MattsPlanet]

Aegean has a 50% off sale running for Black Friday - ends tomorrow... May be a bit soon for you to jump aboard but it really helps keep the cost of the 4 Aegean flights down.... I'm sure you've noticed but the renewal without Aegean flights is now up to 70,000 points, which is in line with other star partners these days...

[@jamessimmonds812]

New to Silver status, and just booked some excellent value TP runs purposely at the start of my next collection year. Did so thinking i needed 600 TP a year to retain.... But not knowing about the grace period, and that TPs in your second year of silver hold effectively no value...that was good to know but hard to hear... Still lesson learned. You'd best get the bubbles in Cathay and Malaysian...Ive got some money to claw back.

[@MattsPlanet]

It's not a disaster Jamie - if you renew in year 2 that'll get you status into year 4... Not a perfect renewal strategy but not a complete disaster either.... You can then take the year off tier point gathering in year 3 rather than year 2

[@richardbroadwith3170]

That's really interesting analysis. You make a really important point at the start that if you travel in business for work but then don't fly with BA/OW for leisure then what's the point!? But... For me as a gold card holder for the last 5yrs or so, I would say the things I enjoy the most are: Priority check-in for any OW flight. Ever been abroad at as small airport where economy has two check in desks and a queue snaking outside the terminal?! You can avoid it completely. Additional baggage when travelling as a family. The increased luggage allowance is both weight and quantity and applies to all passengers on the booking so one card holder can me a family has a huge luggage allowance. Suddenly packing lots of kids clothes / toys etc is easy and if you buy heavy items abroad, bringing them back is no issue. Finally, the lounge access is great, but... From a leisure point of view, if you only have a plus one that's OK, but if you have partner plus child(ren) - the benefit is wiped out as you can't take the additional people to the lounge. Some charm has meant I have sometimes managed to sneak a young one in, but not always. If only BA allowed some sort of payment in money or AVIOS to add a child. I don't think an 8yr old is going to cost them what another adult would? There is something else which is a bit sporadic and that's the gold welcome. Sometimes staff remember and they come to say hello at the start of the flight. Recently I felt that BA has forgotten and then it happened and they offered me food before other passengers. On a recent trip with Qatar, about two or three times in the flight the crew came to check I was OK etc. More of entertainment than value, I suppose 😊 Thanks for making great videos by the way and I wholeheartedly agree with you final comments... Travel is a far more rewarding and fulfilling way to spend time and money than so many other 'popular' activities - in my opinion!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Richard. The "kids in the lounge" question is a good one.... BA is usually not shy in opening up revenue streams so you'd think they'd have done so for non-drinkers getting into the lounge... But I suspect that crowding issues and a perception that youngsters are going to disrupt the tranquillity of the lounge. Not that they're usually that tranquil anyway but you get the point!! Never had a gold welcome on BA - had them on most other airlines but never (to my recollection) on BA!

[@jimhicksuk]

You are 100% correct. Anyone can be uncomfortable….

[@MattsPlanet]

Uncomfortable is often the default status!

[@bgurley412]

Thanks for this! How close are you to lifetime Gold status? How long will it have taken you to achieve that?

[@MattsPlanet]

I'm only on about 7k lifetime tier points so I doubt I'll ever get there.... I had a BA account before the concept of lifetime TPs started, then lived overseas for 14 years. Opened a new account when I got back to the UK into which 7k has gone...

[@RichW3440]

Another great video although I feel it's worth mentioning that you can now effectively 'buy' tier points if you have the BA premium amex card. Although the fact you have to spend £20-25k between now and May next year for a maximum of 200 tier points (not even enough for bronze!) isn't anything to shout out about in my opinion. But for those able to spend that kind of money, it might give them that little push into silver or even gold, say, if you have a few big purchases to make you could get 50 tier points minimum??

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Rich. That was announced after this one was in the "can" (on the memory stick!!!!) I'm really not excited about this development as BA may well decide its a brilliant idea and move gaining status more towards a paid route.... Booo!

[@RichW3440]

@@MattsPlanet I don't think anyone outside BA will think spending £20k+ for 200 tier points is a brilliant idea but I see your point. I agree going places to gain status is far better and you get the memories that go with it so it's win win in my view.

[@hendrikdevries9725]

Grrreat video! Although not for a status reason, I'm flying the abu dhabi to Jakarta route with Sri Lankan as a holiday in April! Gonna visit Jakarta, Bandung and Belitung Island. And extra Black Friday sale discount! My BA status year ends in August. I was considering setting up a new account as I already lost my 200 odd status points last August. Any thoughts?

[@MattsPlanet]

Enjoy Indonesia - next week's video will share my experiences there.... Those 200 "lost" points still qualify as lifetime points, alongside any you've earned in previous years.... So if the total is only 200 then resetting the year could make sense....

[@garethjennings7607]

Might have missed it in the comments, but exit-row seats are free for Silver members on short-haul, but not long haul. so in the example you used, the silver member could have booked the £22 seats. Believe gold gets you gree exit row seats on long haul where silver doesnt.

[@MattsPlanet]

Indeed. Finally - proof I am not perfect!!! I've pinned a comment as a few people have pointed this out but thanks. It actually makes silver status better and lowers the break even a little....

[@garethjennings7607]

​@@MattsPlanet I still enjoy the videos... even if they aren't perfect ;)

[@paololim3513]

If I may suggest, one related topic you could make a video about is what is the case for being members of multiple carriers' frequent flyers within the same alliance? I know the main reason for having just one frequent flyer account per alliance is to attain status benefits applicable across the entire alliance quickly. On the other hand, a reason to the contrary that I could think of though is to get benefits exclusive to the airline that is directly running the programme (e.g. free Wifi, ability to manage IFE playlist and carry it over to other flights, Nectar points).

[@MattsPlanet]

Interesting idea. I am Aegean in Star Alliance but I've also joined Air Canada's Aeroplan as their points redemption options are quite mindbending.... I've put it on the ideas list!

[@paololim3513]

@@MattsPlanet you mean Agean and AirCanada are both Star? I’m sure you’re aware of what will happen to SAS alliance-wise… I’m both KrisFlyer and Eurobonus member on Star, as well as SkyPass and SkyMiles on Sky, and Asia Miles and Executive Club on OneWorld.

[@MattsPlanet]

@@paololim3513 Sorry - was typing too quick! Both are Star. SAS may become an interesting route into SkyTeam when they move....

[@paololim3513]

@@MattsPlanet I don't think SAS will be the only Star to Sky move to anticipate in the foreseeable future. I'm looking at you Asiana.

[@courtybellaroadmodelrailwa1906]

Hi Matt, I’m 40 points off bronze BA status (renewal 07th Sept 24) we fly on 02nd Oct 24 so will get the required points but four weeks after our year ends. Do you think it’s worth contacting BA and asking if the Oct flight points can be added to my current state to take us to bronze ?

[@MattsPlanet]

It never hurts to ask! 4 weeks is a long-ish time but if you speak to them, who knows.... I'd never suggest an outright lie, but if a plan for travel in September had to be postponed because of an illness / bereavement / lost dog / lost cat / bad hair day then who knows what they'll say!

[@jamespaul9929]

I sometimes wonder if I should take the hit and spend with my BA Amex abroad and effectively pay £150 in exchange fees to earn an extra 50 TP’s (BA TP Amex spend offer)-especially with the cost of business flights right now

[@MattsPlanet]

If its business expenses where someone else is reimbursing you, then I wouldn't hesitate.... If you need the 50TPs, you can get them from flying for a lot less than you'd need to run through Amex.... I just feel that 50 is nowhere near enough reward for that level of spending!

[@latorregolf]

Very well explained 🎯 ..having just booked a BA club world flight can confirm no early seat selection (recently downgraded to bronze)

[@MattsPlanet]

That seat selection thing is a real difference for BA.... It's brilliant when you have status, but makes you want to throw your computer out of the window if you don't....

[@andrewbell52]

But with Club Suite confirmed to be rolled out across the entire network, all with guaranteed aisle access, is there really a bad seat and a need to pay either seat fees or for status ?

[@jamespaul9929]

When costing out airline status I also consider potential upgrades-wife and I have had 2 short haul flights to and from Italy upgraded whilst I’ve been gold-so four business flights in total-what would you value that at for my spreadsheet?

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks James.... A few years back I had a run of 3 out of 4 upgrades from PE to club on the LHR to DXB route, (which is known as a sweetspot for that sort of thing) but other than that, I can't recall ever being upgraded.... So I'd value them at zero, but consider gold as giving you free tickets to the upgrade lottery!!

[@yvr2002rtw]

For this video to be more useful, you might want to mention to those who are not familiar with the BA program what the equivalent status in Oneworld is. For example, Oneworld Sapphire, Oneworld Emerald etc. While I usually fly paid business and sometimes first class, and only travel about once or twice a year now, I no longer go for status. However, sometimes when I see vloggers go into lounges as as the Finnair Platinum Wing in Helsinki (only available to Oneworld Emerald members) or use the Qantas First Class lounge in Sydney (even when flying business class), a part of me wants to achieve Oneworld Emerald. Also, on airlines like SWISS and Lufthansa, even when flying business class and you don't have status, you get the inferior "Business Lounge" as opposed to the Senator Lounge. On the other hand, certain airlines treat their Business Class passengers better than status holders. As examples, Qatar Airways only allow those flying Business Class to use their Al Mourjan lounge. Status holders instead go to an inferior lounge. Singapore Airlines only allows those flying Business Class to use their Silver Kris Lounge in Singapore, while status holders in Economy go to the inferior Kris Flyer lounge.

[@MattsPlanet]

These are all excellent points.... I really need to learn the ranking of the oneworld tiers as I don't instinctively know whether an emerald is more valuable than a ruby!

[@cammyk34]

Fantastic advice as always. Superb advice.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@treaiskit]

I love the comparisons at the end! Hilarious! 😂 and It really made me think!

[@MattsPlanet]

Well done for making it to the end! Lot's don't...

[@jillianbeggs1395]

Great video and yes it’s worth it, and there is always the chance of a free upgrade, which could be worth a lot more!

[@MattsPlanet]

I agree that you do find yourself further up the invisible, unpublished, mysterious upgrade list with status.... Still unlikely in my experience!!!

[@timtony7153]

Hi Matt, Spreadsheet hero, should make that into a T shirt!! Thank you for hitting up my comment! You are spot on with your assesment! I appreciate your analysis! As usual, great job on your content. Cut above as per usual!

[@MattsPlanet]

It was all down to you! Thanks for the idea and I hope I did it justice.... Not an exact response to your question but I think I answered the gist of it!

[@timtony7153]

@MattsPlanet I took it as, don't see a tierpoint run as A to B via C, hotel, back the next day, but as an experience ,holiday, adventure first with added bonus that if you wish to travel in the....well 24 months after that trip, you can fly economy and save money whilst still have the comforts of lounge and seat selection. That is if you sell your soul to the devil that is BA!....one world...... Again, top notch video, even my wife who is silver for 10+ years now knows what that card in her purse represents!

[@stevegonzales3612]

If you asked me 20 years ago if holding airline status is important...I would simply say "Hell No!!". No let's roll back 15 years to present and I will say I currently hold two top tier status in both Star Alliance and One World. I am currently (1K) with United Airlines and (Gold) with British Airways. The cost of maintaining status now in 2023, is ridiculous, but with that being said...the comfort and amenities with having such status is the reason I continue to keep my top tier status. Living in the U.S...(all) my flying is internationally so sleep is my priority - I NEVER eat on the flights, I simply sleep. I eat in the United Polaris Or B.A. first class lounges prior to my flights, so I can rest and acclimate to the time changes. I NEVER use my points to upgrade as I utalize the points for other things. Nor do I use these "companion" passes I get on a regular basis, since they tend to have alot of obstacles/restrictions in small print and just don't work well for me!?!? Basically...Comfort, amenities and less drama is why I keep my status.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Steve - short Eastbound flights are just not long enough to eat and sleep so that's a smart strategy - if you have the self-discipline to turn down the catering once you're on the plane!

[@immiPlanet]

Hi Matt - just wanted to share that there is CRAZY availability British Airways LHR-SIN in First Class both ways May, June, July. Also for Business but who’d wanna fly Business eh? Pah! 😀 Imran

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - you beat Head for Points by a good 15 hours with this one - well done!

[@vincevinnyp9224]

Whilst not quite a tier point runner I always try to schedule good tier point revenue travel plans for my grace period. My sweet spot is Silver but I push for gold every 3 years. Thereby getting the 2 year gold and 1 year silver whilst I burn through reward flights . Not sure how thar works out in value.

[@MattsPlanet]

A three year cycle makes great sense provided that year as silver isn't too painful having got used to being gold!

[@vincevinnyp9224]

@@MattsPlanet In a bizarre fluke I just realised I am 1460 off Gold for life so that will make matters easier.

[@js6120]

If you're not overly bothered about maintaining Gold, you can get 2 years of Gold followed by a year of Silver when you get downgraded. So a total of 3 years of lounge access, fast track security and free seat selection 😀

[@MattsPlanet]

Absolutely. Something I cut from this video as I thought it was already too long... Based on the number of comments I should have left it in!!!

[@dscott8799]

Great video as always! I wasn’t paying attention to the numbers much but how many bottles of champagne did you include on that spreadsheet? 😂

[@MattsPlanet]

I was conservative and included just the one for a couple! Call me a fool....

[@jasiekzar]

I can’t agree more with your last sentence. To all those criticising or laughing at people following their passions (be it flying, trains or whatever they choose): get over yourself! I watched the whole thing even though I live in Luxembourg and have no interest in getting One World status - Star Alliance is more up my alley! All the best to all travellers (whether bronze, silver or gold! :))

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for that! Here's to a travel filled 2024, whatever your preferred alliance!

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

If you fly a lot it is definitely worth to get to gold in most programs. I am gold in a couple of programs and this is great if you can use that to access the lounge when flying economy. For me star alliance is the best program in Europe. Nice video.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - been working on how I'll resecure gold status on Aegean in the next few months.... A video will no doubt emerge from that process!

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

@@MattsPlanet looking forward to seeing it.

[@richardstreet7518]

Silver for me just makes life easier... i have never been turned away from the lounge and generally very happy with the seating... how we spend our money is our own business really 😂

[@MattsPlanet]

Been some interesting debate about whether the less tangible benefits of Gold make the extra worth it... I think it probably is but I can certainly understand how silver makes great sense.

[@MoQureshi-ti1nj]

Thank you

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@nav33d]

Love these videos Matt. Thanks for making it. While we’re talking about theoretical values, what value would you put on lifetime gold? 😉 Keep up the great work!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! GFL has significant value - but at £2 per TP it needs to have a lot of value as it would cost £70,000 to get it!

[@njtalbot]

Thank you Mark. I really appreciate your videos and love your attitude to flying. I have been looking at booking with BA a return flight between Heathrow and Wellington NZ. I am disappointed that Tier points cost between £9-10. Would you have any suggestions?

[@MattsPlanet]

Hi! I know you know it's Matt.... Buying a BA ticket to Wellington is going to cost an absolute packet so £10 per TP doesn't surprise me... I think Qantas is the only oneworld airline to serve Wellington? You'd do better with Qatar from LHR - AKL, better still from somewhere like OSL-AKL. And you might find value doing something like DUB-LAX and getting to AKL from there.... And of course Abu Dhabi to Jakarta covers probably half the distance and you might get better value building that into a routing in the middle. But you'll certainly need to break the trip into chunks which will increase the inconvenience but will improve the £/tp ratio

[@njtalbot]

@@MattsPlanet Thank you. This is very helpful.

[@richardallen2236]

I found this video fascinating & I certainly wasn't expecting the break even point to be so low. I recently watched your video on the Srilankan tier point run and subsequently my wife & I did the run. It was very interesting & great fun. The other interesting part about the trip is , that due to my status as Diamond Ambassador Elite with IHG hotels & lounge access at the airports, we managed to sepnd not a single penny on food whilst on the trip. Free breakfast at each hotel & club lounge access as well, this gave us some great food & free alcohol each evening & also if we were around the hotel during the day, free tea, coffee & soft drinks & cakes/sanwiches for the afternoon. So, although we spent £450 return flight to Abu Dhabi on BA/Qatar & then £831 each on the Srilankan leg, plus 5 nights in hotels in Jakarta/Abu Dhabi (£750 for both of us), it worked out to be a brilliant trip at quite a reasonable cost. Although I haven't maximised my length of status, I will going forward. I was swapping from AA to BA, as getting AA status has become almost impossible for me now & BA seemed a lot easier thanks to your videos.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for sharing that. Very happy the Jakarta run was a good experience for you - I'm hearing lots of reports of Sri Lankan cancelling flights left right and centre which is throwing a spanner in the works of many people's runs....

[@richardallen4397]

@@MattsPlanet We nearly had a flight cancelled on us, the 2 previous flights from Colombo to Abu Dhabi had been cancelled, they put on a replacement aircraft operated by another airline. Lucky.

[@GG-hi5if]

Hi Matt, been a sub since before you got 4 k subs and teetering on subbing to your patreon! I travel approximately 6-9 times a year, mostly in Economy or Premium Economy. Nudging myself over into Silver through a Club Europe trip to Europe seems worth it for me, especially if work is approximately paying for 30-50% of my tier points. Quick baggage drop, lounges, priority boarding, priority baggage, seat selection (on BA and others) are valuable perks for me. So I can justify this, especially when flying Premium Economy which is the “sweet spot” of status in my mind. My year as an example: 210/600 tps from work. 160 from a holiday (POUG upgrade). 80 from long haul economy and a club europe city break nets me 610/600 tps. Easy! I am going to re qualify in April, and going to do the UL flights to Jakarta in July 2024 when my TP year resets. £1100 for 560 tier points. I will then need to find 4 qualifying flights on BA/IB for the remaining 40, easily done! I will do a return to MAN on return from CGK 🙂 This will extend my status out from July 2024 until 31 August 2026! Which I believe is: Year 1: 9 July 2024 - 8 July 2025 Year 2: 9 July 2025 - 8 July 2026 Year 3: 9 July 2026 - 31 Aug 2026

[@MattsPlanet]

That sounds about right! You'd be most welcome in the Patreon group - I've had very few people cancel out of it once they've joined up so I think there is value there.... But I would say that wouldn't I!!!!

[@GG-hi5if]

@@MattsPlanet How many are in the patreon group? Do you have any metrics as to demographics youd be comfortable sharing on a youtube comment? And just to confirm. Tier points are allocated on the date of departure?? My year will reset on the 8th therefore I am planning to depart from LHR on the 8th (on the new BA direct service) using avios for the flexibility a redemption provides and depart (noting the 12 hour layover) on UL on the 9th July. With 5 or so days in CGK what would you recommend? I’d love to do old colonial Jakarta and see the Borobudur temple (one day excursion for sure!)

[@MattsPlanet]

@@GG-hi5if Tier points land on the date of departure, local time. So even if the time zone means it's not the 9th in London, it still counts into the 9th. Next week's video shows a bit of what I did in Jakarta - I had 5 nights in total and did 2 of them in Jakarta with 3 in Bali.... Never been to Borobudur - I did watch a video recently about doing it independently as a day trip and it certainly is possible although an organised tour is obviously easier. I didn't go there but Jakarta has some islands close by which make for an interesting tour if you decide to stick in Jakarta longer. And get (and register for) the Grab app before you leave home!

[@GG-hi5if]

@@MattsPlanet and youre absolutely right about persuing status is a part of the enjoyment of travel rather than a separate activity in its own right. I will requalify this year with a flight to HEL return in AY business, before connecting onto their flights to Seoul where I will go and see Taegu, Busan and Jeju-do! I look forward to practising my Korean there :)

[@GG-hi5if]

@@MattsPlanet Great, departing UL on the 9th (Dubai Time) will sort me fine. Building in an HBO fare to Man at the end of the leg will be a nice trip back up to Manchester. As if often the case for frequent travellers (who optimise a balance between subjective value and objective cost) I am time poor and need to conserve annual leave too!

[@palajoda]

Hi spreadsheet hero, i would love your opinion. I live in caracas venezuela. What is the best way to get star alliance gold status.

[@MattsPlanet]

Hello Caracas! I was there in 1995 - quite an experience!!! Venezuela is so poorly served these days that you'd almost certainly have to get somewhere else to find real value... Depending on the scheme you're in, work out which partner airlines are the most generous with points then start trawling through google flights to find good deals... I'm with Aegean and TAP (Air Portugal) is where I usually start looking

[@gmoule]

I'd value the British Airways business lounge much higher as there's free flow champagne in there and also the lounge is much better quality than the plaza. The other thing you missed out was the upgrade potential of holding status compared to not holding it

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - champagne is on request in the business lounge - if you get friendly with a server it might end up being free flow!

[@markwaite5265]

Thanks for this video Matt - really interesting for those of us who *do* perform a Status Run each year and, yes!!, I was surprised at your calculated break-even costs although they are unsurprisingly with a BA-centric eye!! One point I'm going to pull you up on though and I think it's really just your terminology. You state " .... silver status on a oneWorld airline provides Lounge Access" and this may be confusing for those who are silver status on a non-BA airline who do NOT have lounge access. Perhaps it may have been better to have said " .... BA silver status provides lounge access when flying a oneWorld airline" since - for example Qantas silver status does not provide lounge access (save two Qantas Lounge access vouchers per year). Better still, and I realise I'm getting very picky here and this *may* be a subject for another video, perhaps it would have been better to have stated "BA silver equates to oneWorld Executive Sapphire Status and that opens the door to Lounges when flying oneWorld". However, again you *are* providing this perspective from a BA viewpoint and - even as a QF FF - I still found this both enlightening and entertaining so .... PLEASE ... keep these great videos coming!!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Mark - that is an excellent point. I guess I focus on OneWorld "silver" giving lounge access versus "silver" on Star and Skyteam not doing so, but its not that simple in reality.... Sky and Star do allow their own "silvers" to access their own lounges when flying their own airline, whilst Garuda didn't let me into the lounge as a "Gold" as it was a domestic flight.... It may actually make for its own video.... And don't get me started on whether emeralds are more valuable than sapphires!

[@markwaite5265]

@@MattsPlanet The Garuda domestic exception sounds very similar to that of American Airlines and their elites (or maybe it isn’t and that is only based on COS!!) - maybe a video on the cross alliances benefits which also gives details of specific airline exemptions …. Or maybe that’s now getting into the realms of a full Hollywood production!

[@MattsPlanet]

@@markwaite5265 I think a video like that would be a) long and b) dull!!! Duller than usual even...

[@markwaite5265]

@@MattsPlanet LOL … long definitely but I couldn’t describe your videos as dull!! Just plant that little seed … !! 😁

[@RJS4287]

Do BA do "lifetime status"? - I am QF lifetime gold which I reckon is the best thing Qantas have ever done for me. Means I fly QF, MH, Cathay when without this I would be on SQ. '

[@MattsPlanet]

They do. 35,000 lifetime tier points gets you gold for life. I think its 100,000 for gold guest list for life. Both of which are quite a lot!!!

[@christianheld9720]

Despite having reached Silver. Since we only fly 1-2 a year, I'll just pay for business as otherwise it doesn't make sense for us to use the benefits

[@MattsPlanet]

For many that will be the way to go. If you travel a lot in economy, the status benefits elevate it significantly

[@gazzis]

By the way, I booked a redemption with Virgin points the other day to get back to LHR from AUH, the flight is in J with Air France and they are also charging for seat selection.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks... Just saw Kym Ilman on AF and it looked pretty decent. In business at least.... It has been suggested I start a crowdfunding project to be able to fund a trip in La Premiere but I'm not sure I have the gall to pursue that!

[@gazzis]

I need to check that out and La Premier. Crowdfunding for a premium seat sounds like a top idea.

[@stevena9305]

Sadly another one to avoid then

[@martinaussenhof2852]

Thanks Matt! I’m actually considering getting gold based on this. I think the point that it is £1.5k a year and not dead money is quite valid.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Martin - £1,500 sounds better than £3,000!

[@ponsaelius6276]

I was bronze and reset on 8th march i took a flight on the 13th the return flight would have took me to silver, should I be asking them to re add them to get silver status??

[@MattsPlanet]

If the flight you took just after the year ended would have taken you to silver, give them a call and ask them if they'll move it back. They may say no, but they may say yes!

[@ponsaelius6276]

@@MattsPlanet thank you, I will give them a call see what happens.

[@pgriff44]

Does status influence how many seats are available when you are using a 2 for 1 voucher?

[@MattsPlanet]

That's an excellent question - although status only makes extra economy seats available so there's no benefit when using a twofer for an upgrade. Sadly...

[@herogeroi8521]

Seeing as there isn't a Vlog for the Doha to Melbourne economy trip I think it's only fair you book the flight again and this time record it.

[@MattsPlanet]

Ooooof.... It was a long way in economy and I was a younger man!!! Not out of the question to repeat it in business class though!

[@herogeroi8521]

We've already seen you sit in a Q Suite for 22 hours Matt! What we really want is you sandwiched in the middle row of a 777 for our viewing pleasure@@MattsPlanet