Well the clue of the post is in the title – Should you be aiming to re-qualify for Gold or Silver?
Well the short answer is Yes. Because when BMI finally goes, it’s pretty much a given status will be matched by the overtaking airline – be it IAG’s British Airways or Virgin Atlantic.
Based on the current timetables, here’s my thoughts on when if to go for the full renewal:
| If you gold/Silver Expires in.. | You need to be renewing/hitting G/S … |
| January | Umm. Now? Go on. Fly! |
| February | February |
| March | February |
| April | February |
| May | The sooner the better |
| June | You shouldn’t need to add a mile to your BD account |
| July | You shouldn’t need to add a mile to your BD account |
| August | You shouldn’t need to add a mile to your BD account |
| September | You shouldn’t need to add a mile to your BD account |
| October | You shouldn’t need to add a mile to your BD account |
| November | You shouldn’t need to add a mile to your BD account |
| December | You shouldn’t need to add a mile to your BD account |
Remember the only guaranteed ways of getting BMI Status miles is to fly. Destination Miles (miles earned by shopping, hotels, etc.) do not count your status.
For UK Residents, there is also the BMI Plus Credit Card which can give youa 4,000 miles boost too, however think carefully before taking any credit commitment, and ask yourself a question “What will happen to my credit card miles after BA/Virgin takes over?”
I’m not so sure the answer is so clear-cut. It only makes sense if you really want to have points and status in that new program versus whatever the flights could otherwise be credited to. Having VS status (and points) would be nearly worthless to me. BA status/points is of similarly little value, though slightly better than VS.
I’m in burn only mode on bmi, with my *A flights being credited to a program where I can actually use them in the future.
I made the decision to leave BD redeeming my final miles a couple weeks ago. For me it was for the low *G threshold and very GENEROUS redemption table for intl C and F and with my travel destinations being *A “specialties”, it doesnt make sense for me to wait for British Airways to assume my miles. My BD gold is now tarnished to silver until Nov 2013 and UA MP has now become the plan to capture all my activity
Well, the $1m question is: Will other *A members offer a status match for existing BD*S/BD*Gs?
My BD*G will expire in April and I haven’t requalified yet. If there was the chance to become LH*G (even for a year), I’d try to renew my BD*G immediately. However as long as this is not clear all my *A flights go into my LH*S account.
Also, which one world tier level corresponds to BD*G?