When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers!

[smit0847]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

took a fancy to me (I hope she was 0% wrong with this one).

Goodness - this is 2012 - would it be so bad if he/she did?

I would avoid flying if you want to avoid being served by homosexuals.

 

[defurax]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I'd like to think that most people see it for what it is: loyalty + frequent flyer + lots of $$$ spent with the airline. I understand occasional flyers might be curious and ask FA what is going on, but usually FAs simply have to say that passenger X is a very very good customer.
I don't see people being upset in a restaurant when some customer gets special treatment (free digestif or dessert) or when the Maitre D' screams "Ohhhh Mr X" we are so happy to have you with us again tonight...
But some people will always be jealous, I think every time I fly J in a 777 or similar plane where all PAX have to walk through the J cabin to reach the Y cabin there is always someone making a comment about how J PAX are useless or rich morons or priviledged or this and that :shock: If they only knew how many people are at the front using points

 

[reductionist]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I have had at least a couple of instances on QF INT when seated next to non-status pax in Y and an FA has approached me to "apologise" for something (e.g. "that seating issue we were discussing earlier"), and then very quickly proceed to offer to make it up to me.

I play along with the game of course. It can be tricky to do these extra things in a discreet way.

Often all I really want is a bottle of water and maybe an extra pillow. I appreciate the acknowledgement but don't think one should be too greedy about it.

 

[ajw373]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

There is one problem with your resturant anaolgy which is in most resturants (in this country anyway) you are not seperated into classes, you are all together. In particular this means if you receive special treatment it is not all that obvious. But on an aircraft when your in economy and you get 'special' treatment than it stands out the preverbial. Now really don't want to complain because I reckon it is a nice touch, the problem of course comes when one expects it and doesn't receive it, or where one feels akward with the special treatment.

 

[Archphoto]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

In my experience, QF not providing these 'extra benefits' to elites in Y is more the norm.

Yup, never received *any* of the things described by you guys when I was WP (except a few of those wonderful Express Lane Arrival Passes, but not every trip) travelling in Y - but never any of the Express Pass (Departing AU) cards. (Guess ADL doesn't know what they are????)

 

[CaviAck]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I'd like to think that most people see it for what it is: loyalty + frequent flyer + lots of $$$ spent with the airline. I understand occasional flyers might be curious and ask FA what is going on, but usually FAs simply have to say that passenger X is a very very good customer.
I don't see people being upset in a restaurant when some customer gets special treatment (free digestif or dessert) or when the Maitre D' screams "Ohhhh Mr X" we are so happy to have you with us again tonight...
But some people will always be jealous, I think every time I fly J in a 777 or similar plane where all PAX have to walk through the J cabin to reach the Y cabin there is always someone making a comment about how J PAX are useless or rich morons or priviledged or this and that :shock: If they only knew how many people are at the front using points

Why don't they just board J pax after Y? That way Y pax walk through an empty cabin and J pax don't have to have watch Y pax walk through and sneer.

Just had my first paid for J flight yesterday, and I can safely say that I was the only under 20 in the cabin, as the Y class pax walked through it really opened my eyes as to how much people in Y disliked J pax... had a few people look around as they walked through and then give me a scorned look. Same happened 3.5 hours later on my second flight...
(first ever J flight was when I was 10 and got a free upgrade for being curious as to why the aircraft was different to what the ticket said lol)

 

[defurax]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

Yup, never received *any* of the things described by you guys when I was WP travelling in Y

I think the CSM plays a big part in this. One of QF CSM working on the A380 must be the most motivated person in the service industry I have ever met. When I see him at the door I know it's going to be a good flight. Actually, I just remembered his name, I think I will send a feedback email to QF to tell them how awesome this guy is! Maybe they'll give him Xmas day off...

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I think the CSM plays a big part in this.

Definitely my experience. You pretty much know, if the CSM is at the door when you board, how the flight will be. (Long haul that is.)

 

[Archphoto]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I think the CSM plays a big part in this. One of QF CSM working on the A380 must be the most motivated person in the service industry I have ever met. When I see him at the door I know it's going to be a good flight. Actually, I just remembered his name, I think I will send a feedback email to QF to tell them how awesome this guy is! Maybe they'll give him Xmas day off...

I think you're absolutely correct with this; one flight I remember the CSM did introduce himself, and was kind enough to give a pass to my partner as well for our arrival in SYD. But as for drinks, amenities kits, headphones, alcohol from J, PJs etc - never.

I've actually had more luck on the BA flights I've taken, including 2 on-departure upgrades for the same flight, beer & spirits from up front, newspapers and the like. QF seems to be very hit-and-miss, and domestically I was just another Y passenger schlepping their way to SYD for yet another international connection.

 

[MadFairlane]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

Got it from VA when heading to BNE from LAX in whY...

Meal choice, express cards etc... Guy next to me got all upset with the special treatment that myself, my plus1 and another gentleman got.

He wanted to know why we got the "nice things".

The other premium pax put it well... "we get it because we spend to many hours in the air"... LOL

 

[DTM1]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

Interestingly, when boarding a MEL - SYD flight last week, I noticed the CSM has an ipad sitting by the entry which listed in large bold characters the various statuses (CL, VIP, P1, WP, SG and silver (no mention of QC) and number of pax on the flight. I know this has always been contained on the manifest, but it appears that it is now being focused on directly. Interestingly, for a 7am flight, only 2 of us P1s on the flight and no CL or VIP.

 

[cmon0005]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

Interestingly, for a 7am flight, only 2 of us P1s on the flight and no CL or VIP.

Interesting, what were the % of the other statuses WP, SG & PS. My guess is PS would be the highest percentage and SG & WP being close to each other.

 

[simongr]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

The iPad thing is pretty big - all in flight reports have to be done on them and lots of other things. I was sat next a CSM who was a huge technophobe and he is just starting to learn what he needs to do... interesting chap and a nice chat (and the CSM on the flight itself was awesome).

 

[sydflyer]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

i've been a couple of flights in last few months where CSM has come up to give a personal welcome and ask if I need anything, using an iPad rather than a hard copy manifest.

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

Certainly been iPads on my last 8 A380 sectors. (October-December)

 

[MrJetset]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I believe that BA introduced iPads last year with which they are supposed to research F and Top elites. I imagine a team at HQ would find photos online and attach to pax's profiles as the crew is supposed to recognise you. They are also supposed to note preferences for future use, like pax prefers G&Ts etc.

Performed well (without letting the pax know you have researched them), this is great for customer recognition and loyalty. If it's mismanaged pax can get very concerned, offended and angry.

You wold be surprised how many companies would research you. Even NGOs will pay someone to create detailing our date of birth, school and uni history, corporate profile, wealth indicators and family info if you have made a donation of $5,000+. I speak from personal experience.

Starwood is the first major hotel chain to do the same under the Personalization program. Some W hotels will even locate your Facebook, and if can access photos of you and your partner, or pet, place it in a frame next to your bed.

 

[Hvr]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I believe that BA introduced iPads last year with which they are supposed to research F and Top elites. I imagine a team at HQ would find photos online and attach to pax's profiles as the crew is supposed to recognise you. They are also supposed to note preferences for future use, like pax prefers G&Ts etc.

Performed well (without letting the pax know you have researched them), this is great for customer recognition and loyalty. If it's mismanaged pax can get very concerned, offended and angry.

You wold be surprised how many companies would research you. Even NGOs will pay someone to create detailing our date of birth, school and uni history, corporate profile, wealth indicators and family info if you have made a donation of $5,000+. I speak from personal experience.

Starwood is the first major hotel chain to do the same under the Personalization program. Some W hotels will even locate your Facebook, and if can access photos of you and your partner, or pet, place it in a frame next to your bed.

I think there is a very fine line between research and stalking. Having photos of my partner/pet etc (especially since I have neither) would cross the line. Way too much potential for it to go wrong especially if you're "playing away" as it were.

On my recent flight to ASP I spoke with the FA about being referred to by my first name and wished that it could be put in my profile . She mentioned that the CSM had their iPad and could update my profile.

 

[defurax]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

On my recent flight to ASP I spoke with the FA about being referred to by my first name and wished that it could be put in my profile . She mentioned that the CSM had their iPad and could update my profile.

Good to know! Next time I will ask if they can refer to me as Count Defurax or Your Excellency

 

[Kangol]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

On domestic flights I have had exceptional service on 737s in Row 4. My observation are that they generally look after WP in Row 4 ONLY.

Interesting, my experience has been the opposite. If anything the slightly-better-than-usual service when in row 4 dom has been when I was SG or lower. That isn't anything to write home about, certainly compared to what has been mentioned here. Another case of YMMV.

I've often had them "forget" to offer me a drink several times right after they have offered the person in 4B/E one and as for the BP I don't even know why they print pax details if none of the FAs are going to read it. Is it so hard to address someone by their correct title, if you are going to address them by it at all?

It's probably because I look younger than the average WP, even though I certainly don't look as young as I used to be

Talk about discriminating against higher status flyers (boo hoo).

 

[oz_mark]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

Starwood is the first major hotel chain to do the same under the Personalization program. Some W hotels will even locate your Facebook, and if can access photos of you and your partner, or pet, place it in a frame next to your bed.

This could go horribly wrong....