Not good enough

[get me outta here]

Did you actually read the first post and have comprehension problems,? OP did not ask for happy birthday wishes. But some people have lots of fun jumping on people, especially when it’s anonymous .

Complaining about bad service in F is more than justified, having a whinge because your self esteem is so low you go nuts because cabin crew didnt wish you happy birthday in Y is unusual. <redacted>

 

[odysseus]

Did you actually read the first post and have comprehension problems,? OP did not ask for happy birthday wishes.

Isn't that what was meant by "acknowledgement" after referring to the birthday?

I'm sure it doesn't mean that he as a person wasn't acknowledged, as that would mean he was entirely ignored which would have been worded differently.

 

[get me outta here]

Getting technical now, however my reading of, "Didn’t get personalised welcome or any acknowledgment", meaning no 'welcome back whatever yr name is / no welcome without a name being uttered / no acknowledgement that you seem to enjoy flying with us.

That seems to be what I think the OP is implying, and I took that as the inference. But, I may be wrong, my main point is that there really is no need for some to pile on.

 

[GSP]

That seems to be what I think the OP is implying, and I took that as the inference.

Only the OP can confirm this, and you may be correct that it was the general acknowledgement which origin of the gripe (and some would still say "meh" to that), but the fact that the OP mentioned his birthday prior to mentioning the gripe, I and most others have inferred there was no recognition of the birthday (with a touch of general acknowledgement).

 

[get me outta here]

Frankly my dear ....

I am not too fussed one way or the other. But yes, the OP could say, but has wisely kept the head down to not set the hares off again.

Only the OP can confirm this, and you may be correct that it was the general acknowledgement which origin of the gripe (and some would still say "meh" to that), but the fact that the OP mentioned his birthday prior to mentioning the gripe, I and most others have inferred there was no recognition of the birthday (with a touch of general acknowledgement).

 

[suze2000]

If the OP didn't want a happy birthday, he wouldn't have mentioned it was his birthday, would he?

Hubby is WP with VA and I flew with him this week for the first time in ages, J up, Y back. Nothing special in Y, but the J service was exceptional. Sparkling wine at 10am on a 737-800. I didn't think anyone does that anymore.

 

[Stealthflyer]

When I first read the OP, I assumed it was about not being wished a happy birthday. It was a bit of a distraction from the underlying complaint: that of customer service. There’s a common thread to many of the complaints on these forums: customers are sick of indifferent or sometimes bad customer service. Whether we are WP or a non-status holder, customers want to be treated with politeness and respect. I think most FAs are very good at customer service - they have to be - but there’s the odd bad egg that can disproportionately affect a customer’s experience of that service and brand. There’s a thread within the Virgin forums which asks “how does SQ treat you as a VA WP?” (I’m paraphrasing). The simple answer for me is that I wouldn’t know. In my experience, SQ staff are consistently polite and helpful regardless of status. Everyone is important. Ultimately, that’s what airlines should be aiming for: universally good customer service that makes EVERYONE feel special and valued (although I must add, the customer is not always right). I say this as someone who has done my fair share of customer service work. It’s a hard job but as we’ve seen, it can make or break brand loyalty.

 

[get me outta here]

I just think it was more it being the one day of the year that we might feel a little bit 'up' (not Jehovah's Witnesses though, they don't think anyone is important enough to have a bday), that the lack of any acknowledgement in general rankled more. The OP highlights the importance of clear writing but.

If the OP didn't want a happy birthday, he wouldn't have mentioned it was his birthday, would he?

Hubby is WP with VA and I flew with him this week for the first time in ages, J up, Y back. Nothing special in Y, but the J service was exceptional. Sparkling wine at 10am on a 737-800. I didn't think anyone does that anymore.

 

[woodborer]

When I first read the OP, I assumed it was about not being wished a happy birthday. It was a bit of a distraction from the underlying complaint: that of customer service. There’s a common thread to many of the complaints on these forums: customers are sick of indifferent or sometimes bad customer service. Whether we are WP or a non-status holder, customers want to be treated with politeness and respect. I think most FAs are very good at customer service - they have to be - but there’s the odd bad egg that can disproportionately affect a customer’s experience of that service and brand. There’s a thread within the Virgin forums which asks “how does SQ treat you as a VA WP?” (I’m paraphrasing). The simple answer for me is that I wouldn’t know. In my experience, SQ staff are consistently polite and helpful regardless of status. Everyone is important. Ultimately, that’s what airlines should be aiming for: universally good customer service that makes EVERYONE feel special and valued (although I must add, the customer is not always right). I say this as someone who has done my fair share of customer service work. It’s a hard job but as we’ve seen, it can make or break brand loyalty.

So not getting a personal greeting is bad customer service?
What over entitled nonsense.

 

[Stealthflyer]

So not getting a personal greeting is bad customer service?
What over entitled nonsense.

Let’s turn that around. A personal greeting, in other words, a simple “welcome back, woodborer” as a customer hands the FA their boarding pass on entry is an easy way of acknowledging a customer’s business and makes them feel welcomed and valued. It’s nothing about entitlement. It’s entirely in line with the friendly and upbeat image VA is trying to project. Alignment between marketing and experience is important.

 

[Vic]

The next chance I get I’ll be switching to QF on a status match..

Right, so you're never going to be moving to Qantas then if you're waiting for a status match with velocity.

 

[Vic]

I don't know about VA, but on QF they're supposed to acknowledge their higher status pax in economy thus:

"Identify Chairmans, Platinum One and Platinum Frequent Flyers, using their names throughout the flight."

Except Qantas rarely do so...

 

[get me outta here]

The only place I feel a genuine approach to personal service is SQ. Luckily, I cannot comment on J or Y.

Except Qantas rarely do so...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Would the crew call AFP if OP had made a fuss about not being greeted on his birthday/no specific birthday greeting upon entry onto the aircraft instead of letting off steam on here?

 

[hydrabyss]

Let’s turn that around. A personal greeting, in other words, a simple “welcome back, woodborer” as a customer hands the FA their boarding pass on entry is an easy way of acknowledging a customer’s business and makes them feel welcomed and valued. It’s nothing about entitlement. It’s entirely in line with the friendly and upbeat image VA is trying to project. Alignment between marketing and experience is important.

Last year I missed a connecting flight and after boarding the next flight and sitting down was surprised when the FA came over as they where aware it happened. Little things like this make a difference and cost so little but give a more personal experience.

 

[Dee#]

Happy birthday Bion.You share it with some important people such as David Boon et moi.
I hope you got the birthday month discount.As a member of the top 90% of VA flyers I was offered one.

I have only flown once on my birthday it was back in 1969.It was on Air Pacific HON-POM.They made it special by not booking any other pax on the flight and then making it an open bar.
Escorted down the stairs at POM by an FA on either side.They had even arranged for a band to play the National Anthem as I got off.Well they were actually expecting the Aust.GG that day.

I'm platinum and so is my Partner. Birthday both January. Never been offered any discount. Platinum for a few years now and going Business Perth to Auckland 3 Feb (birthday holiday). Double status credits on these, will sort our platinum for another year then flying any airline we fancy. However in Oz only Virgin, best of the bunch. Can't stand Qantas.and forget *hitstar.

 

[Dee#]

I’ve been a VA Plat 4 years,top 1% for the last two and gifted platinum for the last three years.

Never once have I received a personalised welcome, drink from business or extra snack...

VA treat their true FF’s like sh@t, I’ve just learnt to live with it...The future doesn’t look any better and the companies unwillingness to join a alliance is the icing on the cake. The next chance I get I’ll be switching to QF on a status match.. and I’ll take my 150k yearly spend with me not that VA will give a stuff

yes but they are aligned with Singapore air which is all you want for Europe. But living in Perth is inconvenient now Etihad no longer fly out of here and air NZ no longer aligned is a real bummer.

 

[Dee#]

I wouldn't be too happy either. Trouble is, where would you jump to? Qantas? i can assure you they are no better.

Qantas yes agree. Virgin domestic best of bunch.

 

[brebbles]

And even if it was your birthday, there's a very good chance you're not the only one on the plane: Understanding the Birthday Paradox – BetterExplained

While you might be the only one that also had status, you'd be one of a few birthdays each flight. For any meaningful (active) recognition of this it would need to be a formal process - if it's a tickbox, it's a bit less special, isn't it?

Apologies for being a pedant and taking this slightly OT. The chance of more than one person on a plane sharing the same birthday - whatever day that happened to be - is not the same as more than one person sharing a birthday on the specific day of the flight.

23 people are all that is needed for there to be at least 50/50 chance of at least two of the people sharing ANY birthday. 253 people are needed for there to be at least 50/50 chance someone shares the same birthday as you.

Birthday problem - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Wheelsup64]

If You are spending that much I would certainly be with QF.

I’m not a top tier flyer and I’m often welcomed on QF and offered above and beyond what is expected.

Yeah they do. The personalised escort to the front of the security line at JFK is worth it’s wait in gold!