Should I keep my Au Card

If I'm to retain Gold status next year I need to book another UC flight before the end of July.

It's not impossible for me to do this either money or timewise and I had planned to book a flight for the last week of July, however I've now found out my son's gradution dates and I obviously can't miss that.

I don't return from MCO until 21 May which would mean going back (because my villa is booked for early July) within a couple of weeks of returning or travelling somewhere else and paying extra for accommodation.

I can't decide whether to just let it slip but in theory I'll probably never get to Au again and will forever be Ag.

Someone help me make up my mind, please.

Jilly

[Nottingham Nick]

Interesting debate, one we have wrestled with many times before, both in the forum, and during discussions at social events.

IMHO, if you are a regular UC flyer, then the Au card is of limited value to you.

You get CH access, you get to use the UC check in and op-ups are of no interest to you. In addition to this, Gold Card events are few and far between, leaving the only tangible benefit of the mileage bonus.You do have guaranteed seats on busy flights, but if you are a regular MCO passenger, the chances of you needing last minute tickets are minimal I would guess.

On the other hand if, like me, you don't always fly in UC, then the card is a very valuable asset.

We have had discussions in the past about how VS could make the Gold card more valuable to UC pax - More Gold Card events, better reward availability, the ability to purchase discounted CH passes for guests etc. etc.

I believe that until some of these benefits are introduced then I can't see the need for you to do a mileage run.... sorry. [8D]

Others may disagree though.

Nick

Let it slip - See my countdown timer! Not worth it in my opinion

Paul

I agree: Virgin Gold status does not seem to have many benefits. The Clubhouse in London is great, but is it really worth spending £1000's in extra tickets to use - I think not. And with the exception of extra miles, some of the other benefits are laughable: eg: 1st class upgrades on the Heathrow express - a 17 minute ride - does anyone really care about this?

Compare with the benefits of the top tier of other airlines: On United for example, at 1K level one gets 6 FREE one-way class upgrades from virtually any fare, from/to any destination. Double miles, automatic rebooking during flight irregularities, frequent op-ups, etc. Come on, Virgin, get with it!

[Nottingham Nick]

Playing devil's advocate here a little, Virgin Gold seems an awful, lot easier than United 1K to earn.

For United 1K you have to fly 100,000 elite qualifying miles or 100 elite qualifying segments in a calender year. That appears to be LOT of flying.

Nick

[preiffer]

Yup, and those living in the SF area get about a 20-30% chance of even SPENDING their upgrades they're given as a 1K, due to the sheer number of them in the catchment area.

VS Gold, if you're going to fly Upper Class anyway is a pretty pointless addition to your wallet. I've often sat and wondered exactly what "extra" I REALLY get as an Au holder. [ii]

Thanks everyone - at the moment I am leaning towards letting it go.

I have a couple more trips planned this year(although not booked yet) and at least one will have to be in Y so I know I will miss the Clubhouse but TBH other than that realisticly I probably wouldn't notice the difference.

I've also got enough miles for 2 UC redemption fares, but with the availability as it is would have to plan those last minute anyway and they will obviously give me the CH access.

I know the advice makes sense, just didn't want to make the decision and then regret it.

Jilly

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by jilly
just didn't want to make the decision and then regret it.

I know how you feel Jilly. If I was in your postion, I would convince myself that as soon as I let it lapse there would be a fantastic gold card event or a great new benefit. [:w]

Nick

You're so right that's exactly what I'm afraid of; coupled no doubt with some snobbery!

I've been sat here looking at various UC fares to various destinations. My imagination has been running away with me - only a few minutes ago I was walking around SFO and five minutes later I was sat on a beach in ANU (just in my head you understand).

Jilly

Nick- You're right about the need to fly 100K miles on United to get 1K (less if you fly business/first), but those miles purchased in coach are typically less than 1/2 as expensive as Virgin's PE. Although United's Economy Plus (extra legroom) is not as wide as a PE seat, it's not too bad, and as a 1K you can almost always (80-90% of the time in my experience) get an upgrade to Business, even from SFO where I live.

I decided to give Virgin a try this year, and am pretty impressed with most aspects of the service (esp: the staff and the UC seating), but there are a few "underwhelming" areas - flying club Gold benefits are one.

best regards

Is there any evidence to suggest that on-board service can vary according to/proportional to FC status?

I am strongly in favour of trying to keep it ... here's two reasons:

(1) my company will fund PE travel for me, so wherever I go with my Au card I get to use a Club House or lounge ... that's worth a fortune in terms of peace of mind/comfort and well, a fortune!! (especially when I take a colleague in ...)

(2) usually twice a year, the no. 1 gets a free UC flight when we go on holiday (and I book UC for myself) and the extra miles bonus on all the PE flights helps us do this

I appreciate my circumstances are just that, mine, and I do agree with others, if you usually fly UC there's no point busting a gut to retain gold.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by McCoy
Is there any evidence to suggest that on-board service can vary according to/proportional to FC status?

I have known the FSM come down the back a couple of times to say hello a couple of times, but on other flights - absolutely no obvious difference at all.

Nick

[Decker]

In THEORY you should get your first meal choice but if the collective get around to posting the last Thursday LHR-NRT TR we'll see this isn't always the case.

[buns]

Originally posted by Decker
In THEORY you should get your first meal choice but if the collective get around to posting the last Thursday LHR-NRT TR we'll see this isn't always the case.

[:0][:0]

This is in keeping with experiences of others who havre travelled recently


buns

Originally posted by Decker
In THEORY you should get your first meal choice but if the collective get around to posting the last Thursday LHR-NRT TR we'll see this isn't always the case.

Can't honestly see how that would work. Assuming you are flying in econ then I have never seen cabin crew selectively walk round asking certain people (FC AU) and ask them which meal they would like. - If you are flying in PE same can be said and flying in UC I have never heard on anyone not getting their choice of meal (but bear in mind that I usually fly on the 14 suite LGW metal)


A few years back VS did seem to put on a few decent Au events. Nothing for at least the past two years, and for me the only benefit I receive from Au status is using the lounge once a year when I fly PE to NYC. The rest of the time I fly UC anyway.

I am sure at some point VS will realise that they are loosing customers and AU holders and will probably do something about it. However, make a choice and stick with it, don't worry about what might happen.

Paul

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by p17blo

Originally posted by Decker
In THEORY you should get your first meal choice but if the collective get around to posting the last Thursday LHR-NRT TR we'll see this isn't always the case.

Can't honestly see how that would work. Assuming you are flying in econ then I have never seen cabin crew selectively walk round asking certain people (FC AU) and ask them which meal they would like. - If you are flying in PE same can be said and flying in UC I have never heard on anyone not getting their choice of meal (but bear in mind that I usually fly on the 14 suite LGW metal)

Paul

If you read Jon Morgan's trip report he has a description of what happened when he didn't get his choice of meal as an Au member in UC

My vote is to let it go, As the others have stated if your'e always flying UC, there is no real benefit apart from the bonus miles.

Originally posted by honey lambIf you read Jon Morgan's trip report he has a description of what happened when he didn't get his choice of meal as an Au member in UC

Though that pales beside The Great Bento Box Fiasco.

I'm hanging on to my Gold (in fact I planned my last trip specifically to get me in under the wire of my requalification), because I'm usually booked in PE and the ability to hit the Clubhouses and get useful work time in before a flight is unbelievably valuable to me. The extra miles help with an occasional miles-based upgrade, and even as per the holiday trip I did with my other half a couple of months back, an occasional op-up. But if I was always booked in UC I'd think long and hard about working to hang on to Gold.

Still trying to justify keeping the card - sad I know.

1. I do fly PE at least twice per year - although sometimes only outbound.

2. My husband get's to keep his SSC and earn extra miles too.

3. I was checking and filing long overdue paperwork yesterday and after a few calls this morning I am due £3000 in overpaid gas bills which will be credited to my account next week.

Although finances weren't a particular problem it certainly seems a good way to spend the unexpected windfall - although my husband could have other ideas.

Jilly

Personally if you fly PE then it's a must. I am still lamenting missing my renewal last year by a single flight - slow travel year.

I am now faced with 8 return flights with no CH, little chance of an upgrade, no Fast Track etc. Not a welcome prospect. I do think that VS need to introduce improved benefits for Ag members - especially the year they drop down (couple of CH vouchers?).

The one tangible advantage for Au holders flying UC is the additional 25% mile bonus (50% for Au but only 25% for Ag). I guess this is worth around 5-10k miles.

Phil FM