Gold for life question

I recently attained gold for life status, and was wondering what, if any, benefits it offers beyond just having gold status.

Obviously I understand that it offers the basics of gold membership, but is there anything further that isn't mentioned?

Gold for life just removes the yearly qualification threshold I am afraid.

No added bonus, although I am given to understand that you will appear on a separate list at VS HQ which may or may not translate to additional recognition on board or on the ground - as an Au I am sure you know that is hit and miss at the best of times.

[mitchja]

Slightly related question - does anyone know if the million miles thing (once you earn 1 million Flying Club miles from flying VS metal only; not partner mileage or any other earnings, you apparently get the same lifetime Gold status)

Does it still count even if you drop to Silver or Red at any point or is it whilst your are only Gold status?

It’s just that you only see the total mileage count on Gold accounts, however, it does seem to tally up all your VS flight mileage even when you where not Gold?

Slightly related question - does anyone know if the million miles thing (once you earn 1 million Flying Club miles from flying VS metal only; not partner mileage or any other earnings, you apparently get the same lifetime Gold status)

Does it still count even if you drop to Silver or Red at any point or is it whilst your are only Gold status?

It’s just that you only see the total mileage count on Gold accounts, however, it does seem to tally up all your VS flight mileage even when you where not Gold?

Good question. I *think* if you drop to silver or red, it doesn't matter. Dropping should only matter if you are trying to do the 10 consecutive years as gold, which is arguably easier than the 1m miles.

I've always been curious as the whether reward flights count towards that 1m miles total too. It would be nice if they did...

[mitchja]

I've just dropped back down to AG here from the beginning of June (should be back to AU from Sept though thanks to VS TP's lasting 12 months) when I was AU, it showed my as having earned 320,739 total miles so I still have a fair way to go yet!!

It doesn't look to include reward flights as I keep a spreadsheet of my total VS milage flown (all VS flights; including reward flights) which currently stands at 434,543 miles since I started flying VS in Feb 1998, though I didn't join Flying Club until Aug 2000 and I'd flown VS 4 times between 1998 and 2000.

If I filter out those 4 initial flights and the reward flights I've taken, it's roughly the same figure VS have me down as.

Be nice if the actual number of flight legs counted for something as well as I'm currently at 116 one-way VS flights in total.

I'd imagine the Gold for life members are few. 10 consecutive years is significantly less mileage than the 1m miles!

116 one way's is pretty good going!

I'd imagine the Gold for life members are few. 10 consecutive years is significantly less mileage than the 1m miles!

I suspect you’re right - after all it was only last year that the first person hit 2 million.

https://blog.virginatlantic.com/meet-st ... ile-flyer/

[mitchja]

Do remember though that VS have been known to hand out gold for life to some corporate customers, so I'd imagine there are more than you may think.

That does dilute things - I agree. Whilst on the manifest theres likely no difference between the two 'versions', internally - I am sure VS know the difference between someone they gave out as a freebie, and someone who spent many thousands earning it the hard way.

Even with hundreds of free corporates, the number is still likely low/mid thousands I think.

[preiffer]

I’ve had GFL for around 4-5 years now (from the 10 year rule), and it’s just a standard gold setup, no different.
If you also have UNIQ on top of that, it shows separately in the manifest - but the Au status itself is the same as any other. No extra benefits etc.

Is it still called UNIQ? I heard after the DL takeover, that it changed.. but don't know to what. Maybe just a rumour?

They are still called UNIQ as far as I know - the crew on my last flight 3 days ago made reference to UNIQ passengers

Is it still called UNIQ? I heard after the DL takeover, that it changed.. but don't know to what. Maybe just a rumour?

The new programme is called WINGS which replaced PAMs a couple of years ago. Most VS staff will know the members as UNIQ though so that term is no doubt still in use.

v1mm.png (158.79 KiB) Viewed 2911 times

Woohoo finally made it!

Wonder what the 'special gift' from VS marketing is going to be????

Many congrats!

Woohoo finally made it!

Wonder what the 'special gift' from VS marketing is going to be????

Congratulations. I hope to join the ranks of Gold for Life at the end of February.. where have the last 10 years gone

I believe that they send you a pair of headphones, a cool box with a graphic of your flight data and a letter from SRB himself. I've never seen it outside of a concept pitch by an outside media agency though so please do let us know what they send you.

having just received my GFL for 10 years continuous Gold status I received ........er nothing .... bar a standard email - mmm....VS really could do something a little more imaginative than that!!

I’ve seen the headphones gift on other websites but don’t know if that’s still it. VS staff keep saying marketing come up with something

Rumour has it that they show you a special handshake to use with waiting staff to get an extra sausage with your clubhouse breakfast

I’ve seen the headphones gift on other websites but don’t know if that’s still it. VS staff keep saying marketing come up with something

You seen the diorama concepts too? Showcasing your most travelled destinations... another nice idea, but not sure if that made it off the drawing board or it may have been meant solely for the UNIQs.

I do think the flight data made into a graphic is a fantastic idea, every person's gift would be unique and if VS printed it on high res paper it's something that could be framed and truly appreciated for years to come.

Rumour has it that they show you a special handshake to use with waiting staff to get an extra sausage with your clubhouse breakfast

Shhhhh... we don't speak of such things in public places

I had to go to the doctors last week because everything I touched turned to gold.....

He told me I had a gilt complex

The other day I sat next to and swapped seats with a fascinating lady who had achieved the million on both BA and VA. The sheet swap was that she didn't want to be in 11A without a window ...the reason... Nervous flyer. Kudos to her!