Page 1 of 3
GB Top members anyone?

Posted:
15 Sep 2009, 20:52
by seanpep
Saw this phrase in paragraph 2.15 of the FC t's &c's
This applies to GB Top members who must also earn at least 30 tier points to retain Gold status
Does anyone know what GB Top members are?

Posted:
15 Sep 2009, 20:56
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by seanpep
Does anyone know what GB Top members are?
Yep

Posted:
15 Sep 2009, 21:48
by McCoy
IF there are 'levels' above FC Gold, it would appear there is a condition of discretion, as we see precious little discussion of such lofty heights... despite obvious prevalence amongst this forum.
It does not seem entirely analogous to BA Premier, as that would appear more transparent.
Anyone willing to share...?

Posted:
15 Sep 2009, 23:06
by PeterStansfield
I asked the FSM on a recent flight about this
She replied that there was Gold, and 'Gold'. The top level isn't called anything different, but at 100TPs and above, it was the least the airline could do to 'look after' you....
I find this quite believable - Gold and then 'real Gold'- where suddenly you get all sorts of offers you didn't as mere Gold

Posted:
15 Sep 2009, 23:25
by Decker
The many GB Top members here may choose to share if they so desire but my understanding is that it is nowhere near as exclusive as Premier.

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 00:16
by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by Decker
The many GB Top members here may choose to share if they so desire but my understanding is that it is nowhere near as exclusive as Premier.
And does not confer a prescribed list of benefits, but can mean some flexibility in certain areas. Very mysterious I know [ii].

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 00:26
by seanpep
I'd think that makes some sense, the only other thought I had was if it was related to flying co and a group/individual acc where the corporate account could be a top account and individuals had benefits based on that but then had to main gold status seperately...

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 10:21
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by PeterStansfield
I asked the FSM on a recent flight about this
She replied that there was Gold, and 'Gold'. The top level isn't called anything different, but at 100TPs and above, it was the least the airline could do to 'look after' you....
I find this quite believable - Gold and then 'real Gold'- where suddenly you get all sorts of offers you didn't as mere Gold
Well it does indeed have a name and it is not 'Gold' for GB Tops. I am suprised the FSM didnt know (or admit) to what it is called. Just have a peek at the manifest and you may see it there.
HG

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 11:56
by jaguarpig
quote:Originally posted by McCoy
It does not seem entirely analogous to BA Premier, as that would appear more transparent.
Anyone willing to share...?
I would hazard a guess that the upper level of VS Au equates to BA's Gold Guest list, ie it can be earned automatically through flying rather than BA Premier that has to be approved by the BA board.

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 12:19
by DMetters-Bone
I don't quite understand why it is all so secretive? OK they have an upper level than gold, but really why does the benefits have to be kept under wraps?

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 12:23
by Decker
Well if you don't formalise something you can't be called to account if you don't provide it


Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 12:34
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by Decker
Well if you don't formalise something you can't be called to account if you don't provide it

Indeed - and being a top tier member of a few airline programmes myself, I do not believe Virgin are being unique in this.[:w]

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 12:38
by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
Well it does indeed have a name and it is not 'Gold' for GB Tops. I am suprised the FSM didnt know (or admit) to what it is called. Just have a peek at the manifest and you may see it there.
HG
HG - the on board manifest does not indicate whether you are Au or 'Au'. It only has name and FC number with no other marker - sometimes I know the FSM is briefed before the flight on who is aboard who is in the top grouping (as they are for celebs), but not always does the information come through.

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 12:41
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
Well it does indeed have a name and it is not 'Gold' for GB Tops. I am suprised the FSM didnt know (or admit) to what it is called. Just have a peek at the manifest and you may see it there.
HG
HG - the on board manifest does not indicate whether you are Au or 'Au'. It only has name and FC number with no other marker - sometimes I know the FSM is briefed before the flight on who is aboard who is in the top grouping (as they are for celebs), but not always does the information come through.
Thats odd - 'cos I have seen it - infact we were shown it on the Party Bus to SFO in May as there were three of us in the Top Tier all clearly marked.

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 12:41
by Decker
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by Decker
Well if you don't formalise something you can't be called to account if you don't provide it

Indeed - and being a top tier member of a few airline programmes myself, I do not believe Virgin are being unique in this.[:w]
subtle [;)]

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 12:43
by Decker
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
Well it does indeed have a name and it is not 'Gold' for GB Tops. I am suprised the FSM didnt know (or admit) to what it is called. Just have a peek at the manifest and you may see it there.
HG
HG - the on board manifest does not indicate whether you are Au or 'Au'. It only has name and FC number with no other marker - sometimes I know the FSM is briefed before the flight on who is aboard who is in the top grouping (as they are for celebs), but not always does the information come through.
Thats odd - 'cos I have seen it - infact we were shown it on the Party Bus to SFO in May as there were three of us in the Top Tier all clearly marked.
In fairness we never did work out why some of the monikers were there


Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 12:46
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by Decker
[
In fairness we never did work out why some of the monikers were there

True,
Two of us were current and one other was a 'lapsed' IIRC
However the fact remains that it was endorsed, in type, on the manifest that Pete and I saw.
HG

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 13:00
by Decker

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 13:52
by pjh
quote:Originally posted by Decker
Speaking of MonicaSmooth segue...

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 14:14
by mdvipond
Gosh. It must be really secretive if crew/pax aren't even sure whether people are members or not. Special marks on pax manifests, eh? Makes Opus Dei look like an open shop, doesn't it...?

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 14:35
by tontybear
quote:Originally posted by mdvipond
Gosh. ... Makes Opus Dei look like an open shop, doesn't it...?
Hmmmm Dan Brown has some free time now he's finished his latest nonsense and is looking for ideas.
'The AU code' - our intrepid code breaker attempts to solve the code of Flying Club, fare buckets and is it really possible to get a companion flight ...

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 14:49
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by tontybear
[
'The AU code' - our intrepid code breaker attempts to solve the code of Flying Club, fare buckets and is it really possible to get a companion flight ...
So I will be down as a Red and you with my coding next week [:?][:w] Stranger things have happended before with Virgin [:p]

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 16:18
by ClaireAW
Does anyone remember the Frasier episode where they were invited to attend a posh spa in their silver club for the day. It was the bees knees and they waxed lyrical until they saw the gold door. They dismissed the silver level out of hand and life would not be bearable until they went through the gold door. Roz got them into the gold club, they have a marvellous time, this was the utopia of which they had dreamed.....until....they saw the platinum door. They were told not to go through, but to stay in the forest of relaxation; they ignored the staff, staggered through in their robes, honey and orange body masque etc. When they finally got through, the light was so bright and the air so hot, now this was utopia. Finally their eyes adjusted and the platinum club revealed itself; it was the rubbish area, which contained a bees nest!

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 20:19
by seanpep
Good analogy Claire, i can't really see what more you could want from a flying club, I know they've reduced the miles etc but so has everyone else. Unless they give you automatic upgrades regardless of ticket type etc!

Posted:
16 Sep 2009, 20:46
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by seanpep
i can't really see what more you could want from a flying club, I know they've reduced the miles etc but so has everyone else. Unless they give you automatic upgrades regardless of ticket type etc!
There is in fact a hell of a lot - and when you reach the magic figure of Tier points I am sure you will find out - plus has nothing to do with miles as I DONT collect them.
HG