🥇 The Journey to British Airways Gold: Final Reflections

Dear fellow aviation enthusiasts and points aficionados,

As we wrap up our whirlwind journey in pursuit of British Airways Gold status, it's time for some final reflections and insights. Buckle up for some candid thoughts on this tier point run!

The Good, The Bad, and The Sleepless

Let's start with the positives: This was truly an amazing experience. The sheer number of flights packed into a short time was exhilarating, if exhausting. Cathay Pacific's regional business class was a standout, offering a premium experience complete with free Wi-Fi - a game-changer for long flights.

Hong Kong Airport deserves a special mention. Its impressive lounge selection made layovers a pleasure rather than a chore. And while Taipei was sweltering (who ordered the sauna weather?), it was a fun and unexpected bonus to explore.

Now, for the challenges: Those night flights on SriLankan from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta were tough. Even with empty seats next to me, catching quality sleep on 4-hour flights proved to be a Herculean task.

The Route That Wasn't

Interestingly, I had a secret hope for a flight cancellation by SriLankan. Why? The chance of being rerouted via Qatar, Cathay, or Etihad was tantalizing. A subscriber who did this route just a week before got lucky with a cancellation. Me? I was "unlucky" enough to have all my flights operate as scheduled. The irony of aviation enthusiasm!

Lessons for Next Time

If I were to embark on this adventure again (after a good, long rest in a stationary bed), I'd make a few tweaks:

1. More Lie-Flat Seats: While the regional business class was comfortable, for a trip this intense, maximizing lie-flat itineraries would be a priority.

2. Diversify the Route: Doing the same four flights twice in quick succession was efficient, but not as exciting as it could be. Next time, I'd keep the AUH - CGK return as a base, but nest inside it a TPE route with Cathay Pacific. Then, perhaps a TPE to another Asian destination via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Airlines. The goal? More variety in places, planes, and airlines.

3. Strategic Layovers: With the knowledge gained from this trip, I'd plan longer layovers in airports with exceptional lounges (looking at you, Hong Kong), and minimize time in less comfortable transit points.

The Numbers (A Quick Refresh)

• Total Flights: 12

• Miles Covered: 26,882

• Tier Points Calculated: 1,480

• Total Flight Cost: £2,349.79

• Cost per Tier Point (flights only): £1.59

The real total cost needs a bit of explaining. This includes hotels in Jakarta and Taipei only, and does not include any food or drink purchases. I utilized free hotel transfers where possible too.

• Total Cost (including expenses): £2,648.36

• Cost per Tier Point (including expenses): £1.78

It came in a bit higher than it would have if I’d have kept the 3x AUH - CGK runs with SriLankan, however I am glad I paid the extra to see a new city and fly a new airline!

Was It Worth It?

This is something yet to be seen. I have a lot of flights coming up over the next 1-2 years, many of them with oneworld via the hub airports, so it made sense to go for this now in my opinion.

Since attaining Gold, I have been able to book seats on three British Airways flights which would have cost me a few hundred quid per booking, so there’s some solid savings there already.

I'll keep an eye on this and let you know my thoughts over the next few months if they change. For now, I think it's a fun challenge, but Silver is the probably the best option for most.

Final Thoughts

This tier point run was a crash course (pun intended) in the art of status chasing. It pushed the limits of what's possible in airline status runs and provided unique insights into different airlines and airports across Asia.

Would I do it again? Potentially, but with the tweaks mentioned above. For those with the time, budget, and passion for air travel, a tier point run like this can be an efficient way to climb the status ladder. However, it's not for the faint of heart - or those who value consistent sleep patterns!

Remember, the true value lies not just in the gold card, but in the experiences gained along the way. From discovering the joy of a perfectly timed lounge visit to mastering the art of sleeping in various seated positions, every moment contributes to our growth as savvy travelers.

As I sign off, still refreshing my British Airways app and hoping for that final push into Gold status, I'm grateful for this whirlwind adventure. It's been a journey of miles, smiles, and yes, a few tired grimaces.

Thank you all for following along on this adventure. May your future travels be filled with upgrades, short security lines, and always, always, a lie-flat seat (especially on those night flights!).

Until next time, keep reaching for Gold!

Jack

P.S. To any airline executives reading this: I'm always open to testing out new routes for "research purposes". You know, for the good of the aviation community! 😉