Gold Membership real benefits??

I just wanted to ask other peoples opinions regarding being a gold club card holder. I achieved my gold card last year, and am on target to renew my card.
Since getting my card i have flown both Upper Class and premium economy. When you fly UC you get all the benefits of the lounge etc, so a gold card doesn't do a huge amount for you.
However when you fly Premium Economy it gives you lounge access and some preferential treatment. When i have flown PE i havent once had any member of the flight crew speak to me with any reference to being a Gold card holder.
Also i have flown K class a number of times, and i had been told by the Gold Card support team that if there was availability on the aircraft that check in team could upgrade me using either miles or miles and money (due to being a GC holder) each time i have enquired about this at the check-in desks im am told it is 1000+ (one way) to upgrade, no other options are available, even though Upper Class was less than 2/3rds full .

I guess what i trying to find out is, is this what is to be expected ?
Because to be honest, i can fly Silverjet or other airlines and get a similar experience without a gold card.

The tangible benifits for me are Clubhouse access and Op Ups 50% of the time when not in Upper.

Anything else is a bonus. And despite all the moaning about LHR, I would still rather fly from there than Luton.

cheers!

Dean

[Nottingham Nick]

Welcome to the site Psyence.

This is much discussed subject. If you have a look at this thread and this one, you will get some idea of opinions, but there are other threads on the same subject.

Personally, I think it is more than worth it, as I have said in previous threads.

Nick

Originally posted by Wolves27
The tangible benifits for me are Clubhouse access and Op Ups 50% of the time when not in Upper.

If you have been Op-Upped on half of your VS flights since making Gold, then I would respectfully suggest that you have been *VERY* lucky!

As the V-Flyer FAQ Guide states, Op-Ups are kept to a minimum [on any airline], but on occasions they do have to happen. If VS are Op-Upping 50% of their Gold card holders, where is the incentive for them to buy the UC ticket?

James

[RichardMannion]

Yes Dean is a lucky boy!

Thanks for the replies, from my perspective yes the lounge is great as are the services but my frustration is really the difference in information that i receive from the check-in staff and the people and the Gold card support line.

Im more than happy to use my miles or a combination of cash and miles to upgrade myself (as i have been told by GC support line) but the check-in staff just flat refuse this every time i have asked.
Being told at check-in that my only option is £1200 (one way), is a joke, especially when you consider that Silverjet is £1050 return.

I have flow Silverjet a couple of times, i have to say their beds are not as good, but the food and service is better.

Originally posted by Kraken

Originally posted by Wolves27
The tangible benifits for me are Clubhouse access and Op Ups 50% of the time when not in Upper.

If you have been Op-Upped on half of your VS flights since making Gold, then I would respectfully suggest that you have been *VERY* lucky!

As the V-Flyer FAQ Guide states, Op-Ups are kept to a minimum [on any airline], but on occasions they do have to happen. If VS are Op-Upping 50% of their Gold card holders, where is the incentive for them to buy the UC ticket?

James

I would say very, very, very lucky - it simply does not happen unless the lower class is oversold. Either that or I have been bad listed by VS [}:)].

That said, without a doubt to me two things make it worthwhile - lounge access and the UC fast track security at LHR, and the extra miles.

Bear in mind that is about 50% of PE sectors, so much less of flights overall (obviously you can't get op upped from J).

Just done the maths its 4 OpUps out of 12 Y or PE sectors, thats 33%, not 50%.

Still pleased I guess [:D]