On board recognition - who gets any?

[Travel Guru]

I haven't read all 8 pages of the thread so apologies if it's moved past this onto something else by now, but recognition wise with VA as a Platinum is hit and miss...personally I don't care about it, but when it does happen it's usually when flying Y in Row 3 and they'll come down and address me by my surname and offer me a paper and a bottle of water.

Flying J on VA LAX-BNE the CSM came down and had a longer chat and mentioned my status.

To be honest, I don't really care, I like being in my own little world and not having to talk to anyone when I fly (which is probably why I love my Bose QC15's so much), but it's nice when it happens, especially when you're the only one in the cabin getting the treatment.

TG

 

[EuroFlyer]

Still doing better than me, no op ups or even a name greeting

I have been VA gold for approx 12 months and in that time I have had 1 op-up, quite a few spare seats beside me but little recognition other than the usual hello and name from the boarding pass. I am happy with this as I don't expect anything else.
Previously I was sg on QF for 10 years and I had 1 op-up, a few spare seats and rarely greeted by name. I am now QF silver and get very little, as expected.
At this point I am staying with VA.

 

[clarkkent]

Any possibility that people with relatively-difficult-to-pronounce surnames get fewer welcomes? Maybe they feel it's more polite to not try unless they're 100% sure of the pronunciation.

And from my experience I'd say there was a period of a few months last year where personalised welcomes seemed to dry up, but this year they've been more common again.

 

[Warks]

I did get offered a Galaxy Tablet a couple of times when I was in row 4 but that may have been because the rest of the plane has IFE screens? The sound is terrible on them anyway. For some reason they are turned down low to protect our precious hearing perhaps.

I get a "Welcome back Mr Warks" now and again and usually they know not to tell me where my seat is.

I'm not sure I miss the QF WP treatment where they come up to you and go on bended knee and say something like "if there's anything we can do for you, don't hesitate to ask" - makes me a bit uncomfortable really. But to be treated like the rest of the cattle when I've spent so many thousands with their airline probably deserves better than "yeah whatever".

 

[medhead]

I did get offered a Galaxy Tablet a couple of times when I was in row 4 but that may have been because the rest of the plane has IFE screens? The sound is terrible on them anyway. For some reason they are turned down low to protect our precious hearing perhaps.

Yes that's what is supposed to happen on aircraft still fitted with Live to air. Row 3 and 4 are offered a galaxy tab.

I get a "Welcome back Mr Warks" now and again and usually they know not to tell me where my seat is.

I'm not sure I miss the QF WP treatment where they come up to you and go on bended knee and say something like "if there's anything we can do for you, don't hesitate to ask" - makes me a bit uncomfortable really. But to be treated like the rest of the cattle when I've spent so many thousands with their airline probably deserves better than "yeah whatever".

When I get asked if there is anything I want, I truly don't know how to respond. I've paid for economy happy to get that. I'd love business booze or something, but I'm not going to ask for it.

 

[alister]

I like to try the recognition thing in reverse and use the flight attendants and ground crews names. I find if you make the effort so will they. VA crew might get suspicious when everyone starts calling them by name so give it a go next time and lets see what happens

 

[lobo76]

Yes that's what is supposed to happen on aircraft still fitted with Live to air. Row 3 and 4 are offered a galaxy tab.



When I get asked if there is anything I want, I truly don't know how to respond. I've paid for economy happy to get that. I'd love business booze or something, but I'm not going to ask for it.

Might be worth asking for a glass of red just to see what happens one time!

 

[drewbles]

When I get asked if there is anything I want, I truly don't know how to respond. I've paid for economy happy to get that. I'd love business booze or something, but I'm not going to ask for it.

I've had a 100% success rate on QF long haul with responding cheekily 'I don't suppose there's any chance of a glass of bubble from up front is there?' with a smile. It's always responded to with a sly grin and "let me see what I can do for you Mr drewbles". Every time it comes back, with noise cancelling head phones, an amenity kit, and often results in repeated glasses somehow making their way back to me. I once had to tell them to stop as i'd had far too much (I'd spent 4 hours in the F lounge prior due to a delay).

If done in the right way, I see no problems with a cheeky request. I definitely don't play a DYKWIA card, and I don't ask for it unless they have come and said 'welcome aboard'.

I've only flown W or J on VA long haul so not sure there (there was one Y flight but let's not go there ). I'm quite happy with the booze selection in VA long haul W so never asked for anything from up front.

 

[mella2007]

Last year in Y from LA to MEL, the FA came to my seat after we were in the air for about 1/2 hour and said due to my status was there anything they could get me and what meal preference did I have. I was surprised on obviously a full flight and in Y. I said I appreciated the gesture but I wasn't fussed. Came back with a Business amenity kit and the meal (served before anyone else) and some chocolates. My travelling group with me were very surprised (as was I)

 

[drewbles]

Last year in Y from LA to MEL, the FA came to my seat after we were in the air for about 1/2 hour and said due to my status was there anything they could get me and what meal preference did I have. I was surprised on obviously a full flight and in Y. I said I appreciated the gesture but I wasn't fussed. Came back with a Business amenity kit and the meal (served before anyone else) and some chocolates. My travelling group with me were very surprised (as was I)

I was upgraded years ago on QF74 and got a window seat (I prefer aisle). The CSM came and made a big fuss of me and the person in the aisle seat was very confused. She asked me what it was all about and I tried to brush it off with "oh must be some frequent flyer thing". It was actually rather embarrassing.

 

[mella2007]

It's becoming more frequent for me Drewbies...quite amusing at times. Close friends/family are starting to realise I'm the one to travel with lately

 

[drewbles]

It's becoming more frequent for me Drewbies...quite amusing at times. Close friends/family are starting to realise I'm the one to travel with lately

I've roped several people into the world of status after taking them to the QF F lounges. That got 'em hooked instantly!

And I'll forgive you my name misspell this one time

 

[maninblack]

No recognition whatsoever. VA flight crews are on the whole friendly but rather clueless about the premium service game. That being said I have noticed little gradual improvements over the past few months. It still varies considerably from flight to flight. They do not have the service history and training of an airline like QF. Last week I was on a late flight in J, the crew were clearly tired and the service was pretty slack.

 

[totd]

Just got off flight with where they gave me a platinum shadow. This particularly humorous because there are three of us in my group and I selected seats together. No idea why they bumped the rest of the group back to row 11.

 

[dough11]

I've roped several people into the world of status after taking them to the QF F lounges. That got 'em hooked instantly!

And I'll forgive you my name misspell this one time

The lounge gets them every time.

 

[grubbidok]

On my flight from MEL-SYD on Saturday business was empty so all (? - four of them) the WP pax were upgraded up (They were given the "As one of our valued platinum members we'd like to offer you the opportunity to move to the front" spiel"). I was buried in my Galaxy Tab for most of the flight but I think they just received the wrap and complimentary drinks for catering, rather than 'full service' though.

As a lowly Gold on a Saver Lite fare (and already on a flight two hours earlier than my booked time due to Fly Ahead) I wasn't invited, but wasn't complaining as it did mean I had the whole right side of row 3 to myself.

 

[drron]

As a lowly silver on the 3 flights since I descended to that level I have been given Row4,row5 with a shadow(OK it could have belonged to the guy in the window seat) and on this last occasion with mrsdrron when we had checked in online we were offered to switch to Row4 or exit row.We declined-2 aisle seats.However on this occasion she got the shadow as gold.
But I got better recognition as Red.Often got a chat on board.Must be the smile.

 

[BrentH]

On my flight from MEL-SYD on Saturday business was empty so all (? - four of them) the WP pax were upgraded up (They were given the "As one of our valued platinum members we'd like to offer you the opportunity to move to the front" spiel"). I was buried in my Galaxy Tab for most of the flight but I think they just received the wrap and complimentary drinks for catering, rather than 'full service' though.

As a lowly Gold on a Saver Lite fare (and already on a flight two hours earlier than my booked time due to Fly Ahead) I wasn't invited, but wasn't complaining as it did mean I had the whole right side of row 3 to myself.

Will be interested to see if this is the beginning of a new policy.

I think regularly doing this when J is empty could be a very good way to reward high status FFers. Would be a big perk over QF.

 

[mandmshow]

Does anyone know the logic when flying VA international for the onboard manager to introduce themselves to Platinums and Golds at the END of an international sector when travelling in Y or PE ?

The only contact I have had in several flights on VA long haul has been when they hand me the express immigration pass just before landing and tell me their name - not terribly useful at that stage. Last week I was just handed the card by a crew member.

On QF the manager introduces themselves at the START of the flight offering noise cancelling headsets (if in Y), newspapers or a drink from the bar etc and asks if there is anything you need to let them know. (You know the manager really doesn't want anyone to flag them down for anything - that's their crew's job - but it is a nice touch that is completely missing on my long haul flights).

 

[wallacej]

Does anyone know the logic when flying VA international for the onboard manager to introduce themselves to Platinums and Golds at the END of an international sector when travelling in Y or PE ?

The only contact I have had in several flights on VA long haul has been when they hand me the express immigration pass just before landing and tell me their name - not terribly useful at that stage. Last week I was just handed the card by a crew member.

On QF the manager introduces themselves at the START of the flight offering noise cancelling headsets (if in Y), newspapers or a drink from the bar etc and asks if there is anything you need to let them know. (You know the manager really doesn't want anyone to flag them down for anything - that's their crew's job - but it is a nice touch that is completely missing on my long haul flights).

My introduction on a VA flight was quite early, maybe within the first hour or two.