Silver status

I need 4 points to retain silver status (before the end of the year). It is unlikely that I will be making any more flights; is there any other way to attain 4 tier points in order to retain silver status for another year?

[Neil]

The only way to earn TP's for UK FC members is through flying, either directly with VS or with a partner airline. Either way 4 is not going to be cheap, I guess you need to decide if Ag is actually worth it, with you not even getting 10 TP's this year you don't seem to fly VS very often and with Ag benefits weak at best I imagine the answer will probably be no.

Neil

You could do a couple of cheap return to somewhere like Belfast with BMI - i recently got 1 TP each way for a very reasonably priced flight return (in Business - don't know about Y ?)

Regards,

Hackneyguy

[RichardMannion]

A full Y would yield the TP's on BMI too.

Thanks for the prompt replies.

I've held Silver status for a number of years, but generally fly Premium tot eh US several times a year for work anyway, so not really benefited from having it (other than receiving the additional 25% miles). This year I've only flown to the US a couple of times.

I think you're right, it adds little value, unless flying economy & then there's the benefit of premium check-in.

Kind regards,

[Nottingham Nick]

I would suggest that in these days of OLCI, the benefits of silver, even when flying in economy don't justify taking a flight just to get even a single TP - never mind 4.

Nick

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
I would suggest that in these days of OLCI, the benefits of silver, even when flying in economy don't justify taking a flight just to get even a single TP - never mind 4.

Nick


plus don't you get a few upgrades on the Heathrow and Gatwick express' to 1st Class with Silver plus earn more Miles when flying VA on qualifying fares ? That amy tip the balance for some.

Regards,

Hackneyguy

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
plus don't you get a few upgrades on the Heathrow and Gatwick express' to 1st Class with Silver plus earn more Miles when flying VA on qualifying fares ? That may tip the balance for some.


Ag get an extra 25% of miles flown and yes you do get some upgrade vouchers for HEX (not sure about Gatwick express), still very little for the cost to earn 4 TP's.

Neil

I think we all agree, Ag has little value in most circumstances, but perhaps for the frequentish flyer in Y, where the 25% extra miles would add up to something valuable?

[Nottingham Nick]

Compared to the amount of points you can very easily accrue with the black VS Amex, I think the extra 25% is a drop in the ocean.

The HEX / GEX vouchers have never appealed as, given that I would still have to lug my baggage onto the tube from Kings Cross / St Pancras to Paddington and then buy (IMHO) a very expensive standard class ticket on the HEX. I would sooner rough it on a single journey on the Piccadilly line.

Nick

Not sure I'll re qualify this year. I am leaning towards BA miles now, as it's cheaper to upgrade with miles than with VS. An upgrade to CW from WT+,to NYC is about £850 and 25k miles. With VS it's about £1300 and 40k miles. There just aren't any real benefits to silver that make it worthwhile. That said, if a decent VS sale fare comes up, I may be tempted. [:?]

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Compared to the amount of points you can very easily accrue with the black VS Amex, I think the extra 25% is a drop in the ocean.

The HEX / GEX vouchers have never appealed as, given that I would still have to lug my baggage onto the tube from Kings Cross / St Pancras to Paddington and then buy (IMHO) a very expensive standard class ticket on the HEX. I would sooner rough it on a single journey on the Piccadilly line.

Nick



Indeed where you reside it is not as advantageous- but as the OP lives in London I thought it may appeal.

HG

[Nottingham Nick]

Fair point. [y][y]

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

The HEX / GEX vouchers have never appealed as, given that I would still have to lug my baggage onto the tube from Kings Cross / St Pancras to Paddington and then buy (IMHO) a very expensive standard class ticket on the HEX.


has anyone ever discovered why the HEX is so astoundingly expensive? or why people actually use it? Its the same price for me to get a cab to heathrow... granted I live in SW london.. but still...

quote:Originally posted by capetownflyer
[quote]Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

The HEX / GEX vouchers have never appealed as, given that I would still have to lug my baggage onto the tube from Kings Cross / St Pancras to Paddington and then buy (IMHO) a very expensive standard class ticket on the HEX.


has anyone ever discovered why the HEX is so astoundingly expensive? or why people actually use it? Its the same price for me to get a cab to heathrow... granted I live in SW london.. but still...


I have had to use it - as sometimes the VS service drop you off there if the traffic is bad ( and they pay for it) - it is quick and if I dint have a car & driver I for one would use it all the time

quote:Originally posted by capetownflyer
has anyone ever discovered why the HEX is so astoundingly expensive? or why people actually use it? Its the same price for me to get a cab to heathrow... granted I live in SW london.. but still...


It is expensive isn't it - e.g. compared to Schipol to Central Amsterdam ... however if I lived closer to Paddington I would use it all the time for the convenience and short time.

[HighFlyer]

All our trains and public transport, IMO, seem expensive compared to our continental cousins. Hardly an incentive to get people out of their cars.

Thanks,
Sarah

I don't understand why more people don't use Heathrow Connect. I guess those on expenses will always use HEX but for everyone else the Connect is good value for money. Especially as travelcards are valid most of the way. I think the excess on top of a travelcard is £5. OK so it's slower and less frequent than the HEX but it's still air conditioned and the start and end stations are the same.

quote:Originally posted by capetownflyer

has anyone ever discovered why the HEX is so astoundingly expensive? or why people actually use it? Its the same price for me to get a cab to heathrow... granted I live in SW london.. but still...


Why people use it? One word: Traffic.
For me a cab to Paddington + 2 HEX tickets is the same as a cab or car service to LHR. Which we use is all about time of day. I've had a couple of occasions where traffic was worse than expected as we started on our way to LHR so we changed routes at the last minute and got dropped off at Paddington. Instead of the stress of sitting there in traffic wondering how long it will actually take to get to the airport, you can relax on the HEX knowing you will be there in 15 minutes.

quote:Originally posted by capetownflyer

has anyone ever discovered why the HEX is so astoundingly expensive? or why people actually use it? Its the same price for me to get a cab to heathrow... granted I live in SW london.. but still...


I'm guessing the expense is somehow down to the way it was financed?

As to why I use it, it's got me onto flights I would otherwise have missed [:I]

The expense is simple - supply and demand. There's plenty of demand so why shouldn't they charge that amount. I think the platforms at LHR are 9 coaches long and at peak times the HEX operates this length of train. I believe BAA own the tunnel section - hence the levy on the Heathrow Connect.