British Airways managed, again, to make everyone unhappy yesterday when they rolled out near-universal status extensions for those with little to no flight activity credited to The Club, while leaving those close to qualifying holding the bag.

British Airways not only extended those who had qualified in previous years, but also members who had received their status through partner cards.

The issue is also that BA is very inconsistent in its communication to members who have or have not been renewed.

Some agents have told members that this extension was a glitch and will be reversed, while others have said it was a strategic tier extension on a case-by-case basis, which cannot be true given how widespread it has been.

Sebastian’s Gold Renewal:

Sebastian got his Gold renewed, which I gifted him last year as part of my GGL benefits (partner cards).

I chatted with him, and there were a few Cathay and Malaysia Airlines flights credited to The Club, but nothing on BA and not even close to qualifying even for Silver.

Our BA The Club Launch Coverage:

British Airways Moves To Revenue Based Tier Points From April 1, 2025 (Read It & Weep)

British Airways Makes Significant Changes How Lifetime Gold & Gold Guest List Is Earned

BA’s Obnoxious “Announcing The British Airways Club” Email

British Airways Plummets to the Bottom of Which? Long-Haul Flights Survey

British Airways The New “Cub” Tiermageddon FAQs April 1, 2025

British Airways Flight Posting Experience After the Switch from Executive Club to “The Club” with Lifetime Tier Points Conversion

Bizarre British Airways Tier Points Postings Since April 1st?

British Airways Removes Partner Airline Avios & Tier Points With No Notice?

British Airways Posts, Removes & Corrects Finnair Flight Credit?

British Airways Posts, Removes, Correctly Posts & Then Posts Incorrectly Finnair Flight?

Conclusion

I still believe that these status extensions are due to a massive drop in elite numbers, and they (BA & IAG Loyalty) decided to extend those who barely fly at all, as they don’t clog the lounges, while they (management) can keep the numbers up to collect target bonuses.

How could they have told the media and investors that the “enhanced” The Club would have been a success if half the members were downgraded or didn’t qualify at all?

The “new” Club is good for those who actually don’t need the status-related benefits at all, as to qualify, you really need to be flying in business or first class to begin with.

Those who would mostly benefit from BA Silver or Gold status, economy flyers, cannot really reasonably qualify.

The dirty words that the loyalty people use are “net benefit use”.

Why not give status to those who don’t use it or don’t need its benefits at all? It seems that this is exactly what BA is doing here.

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