Membership year changes – requalifying for Silver

[Londonsteve]

I’m currently Silver with a membership year end of 8 June. My Silver status expires 30 July after which I drop to Bronze, which will certainly happen as I’m not planning to collect enough tier points before 8 June. I’m weighing up whether to qualify again for Silver in the shortened membership year that will run 9 June 2024 – 31 March 2025 and benefit from a maximum of 18 months Silver status, or to launch a push to collect tier points only from 1 April 2025 in order to benefit from as near to a full 2 years as possible.

Multiple competing thoughts about this: 1) The double tier point offer from BAH is only available until end 2024, we don’t know if it will be extended, perhaps not; 2) The entire system to qualify for status in BAEC may change 1 April 2025 and it’s likely to become harder if it does, not easier; 3) The benefits of the various tiers may change and not in a way that’s advantageous for passengers.

Part of me thinks I should qualify for Silver as soon as possible after 9 June this year and accept that membership is only for 18 months and not 24 as it would have been previously. Another part of me wants to hold back and wait for 1 April 2025. I could bridge the 9 months of Bronze by flying in J on Avios ensuring I can still access lounges and benefit from the enhanced luggage allowance. This ihasthe advantage of making short haul flights much easier to book as BA often holds back with Y availability until a day or two before departure.

Am I right in saying that there’s no strategy that would enable me to qualify this year and retain Silver until 31 July 2026 as I would have done previously (and was planning to do before everyone’s membership year was aligned)?

Any thoughts are most welcome.

[Londonsteve]

Bump. I’d really appreciate any wisdom from some of the many experts here.
Especially in light of the extension to the BAH double TP offer until end June 2025 which feels like it could be a game changer.

[jj]

I don’t think anyone can answer your question, as no-one knows why you want status and what it’s worth to you.

Personally, I take the slightly contrarian view that status is largely of value to people who fly often enough to ensure they earn it without trying too hard. Are you sure it’s all worthwhile? You can put an accurate monetary value on seat reservations, lounge access and extra baggage – total it up and work out how much value Silver has to you. You might be surprised at how small the answer is.

[Londonsteve]

Silver is worth it for me as I fly often enough for the lounge access, extra luggage allowance and seat selection benefits to make it worthwhile.

Like probably many others here, I’m more often than not flying with Avios on a reward seat so I don’t receive TPs for the flight. If I did, it would make qualifying a lot easier!

In summary my question above is whether I should seek to qualify after 9 June this year and bag an 18 month extension to my Silver status (until 30 April 2026), or take the risk that goalposts may move in the meantime while aiming for 2 full years of membership from 1 April 2025 until 30 April 2027. I could get the necessary TPs quite quickly with a couple of BA Holidays between 1 April and 30 June next year.

[John]

It’s still a personal decision based on your planned flights (destination, redemption/cash, cabin class) and whether you can survive bronze.

Nobody knows when the goalposts will move.

[Londonsteve]

I agree, none of us have a crystal ball. It’s a poker game at the end of the day and I’ll just have to decide if I go for red or black.

There’s not much variance to my flying, a monthly round trip in Economy on short haul for cash or Avios is what I need Silver for. That’s 20-24 sectors a year. Any long haul trips are sporadic and either in J with Avios or cash in Y; obviously the Silver status comes in handy for seat selection and lounge access for the latter but it’s mainly the short haul flying for which I value status.