It Only BEGINS With Gold....

[strake]

For the last two years, my guvner and I have travelled around our world on BA First and Virgin UC respectively. We travel rather a lot.
After about 6 months, he started getting noticed by BA and received a Concorde Lounge card, trips to the opera etc and other goodies not normally advertised.
I was a bit peeved about this as I had renewed my Virgin Gold card about 3 times in 9 months and didn't even get a "hello" on the a/c....
Until last week that is.....
A very nice letter from Steve Ridgway, with a nice gift enclosed, telling me I had now joined the ranks of VA PAMS. All quickly followed by a Merc pick-up rather than a Volvo ( actually prefer the Volvo :\) on yesterdays trip to Boston, a personal escort to the lounge and an invite to the Virgin Atlantic Heroes dinner in London......
Suddenly, the shrinking amenities bag isn't quite the issue it used to be....:):)
I like it.....:ok:

[Crepello]

Sounds like a nice bit of recognition - nice going, strake. And a personal escort, eh... too bad about those shrinking amenities you mention. :E

Count your blessings mate - I've been Plat for two years with a large US carrier, but that doesn't give lounge access unless travelling internationally. Must say though, the regular upgrades and streamlined checkin/security are worthwhile.

[Mr Quite Happy]

sO sTRAKE, having had uber gold with Virgin now for a year, whats it turned out to be, what are you getting and how much do you like it? How does it compare with BA or the version I am in the running for, LH's Hon Circle? (if you know). I'd be interested in knowing what treats are in-store...

[strake]

How rude of me...not logged in for a while and only just noticed your post.

Well, I have had a year of Uber-Gold as you put it :) and have just been renewed again.

The good bits:
Made to feel very welcome as you get in the limo, arrive at the clubhouse board the plane etc.
The excellent bits:
No problem booking reward flights on exactly the dates you want. No problem getting the seat you want. Sometimes getting an escort to the crew desk for immigration at IAD. That only happened once though...I think they made a mistake and thought I was someone else... :)
Very nice invites to parties and special "do's". Nice christmas and birthday prezzies.
The bad bits:
Umm...no, none.
However, I still think VS spend too long fussing around on PA's, video briefings, notices and warnings etc. In Italy at the moment having just flown in for day with BA. Safety briefing et al all over in 3 minutes.

[Bushfiva]

1.4 million air miles on NW/KLM, and they still don't look at me while they pour the tea :sad:

[JEM60]

There I was, thinking that it was just a bus to get you from here to there, and it turns out that it's a whole new way of life. Did some Five Star cruising. Didn't like that either. Too full of pretentiousness for me. But hey, if it's free, or someone else foots the bill....................