Star Alliance - Do non * agents know * policies?

I was wondering, if a * flight is worked on by non * agents, do you find that they are familiar with * policies? Things like extra baggage, priority baggage, early boarding?

goodo

[This message has been edited by goodo (edited 10-15-2003).]

In my experience: no.

- Michael

No...but why would they.

I don't expect LH agents, for example, to be familiar with CX policies.

LondonElite, I have slightly rephrased my question to make it clearer. In general I wouldn't expect LH agents to be familiar with CX policies, unless (and this is where my question applies) they were working CX's FRA-HKG flight.

goodo

Most carriers have a "duty manager" or "duty staff" that are present at check in/gate for the flight. They are the ultimate yes/no authority for queries/questions/problems the contracted handlers may have.
Long story short, most contracted ground handlers are given briefings/training/manuals on the carrier they are handling, and one would assume policies relating to their alliance as well. I've not seen it as much of a problem with the big alliances, as they seem to use other alliance partners for their ground handling these days, (and continue to consolidate in multi partner airports) negating many of the problems associated with privated contracted handlers.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by goodo:
LondonElite, I have slightly rephrased my question to make it clearer. In general I wouldn't expect LH agents to be familiar with CX policies, unless (and this is where my question applies) they were working CX's FRA-HKG flight.

goodo</font>

Gotcha...These are usually the worst: contracted handling agents. They know very little (ie need to be reminded of priority luggage tags, lounges, extra baggage).

No is the answer...but then I wouldn't expect them to http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Some do and some don't. As I noted in the other thread - SQ is handled by QF at MEL (and I'm going to jump in with an assumption that this is what you're talking about http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ). In general they don't pay much respect to that. For example the only preboards they do are for familes with small kids etc. However as I said if you prompt them they'll call and find out to verify your Star Alliance benefit if they don't know. So if they hassle you about baggage you can point out it's published benefit. If you want to be extra sure, print out the blurb from the * website about it. Don't expect any special gate treatment or anything like that though. The check in people are pretty good though. Last time I asked for a * priority tag on my bag (on a Y ticket) I got a raffles one as well just for good measure. LOL!

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RichardMEL:
Some do and some don't. As I noted in the other thread - SQ is handled by QF at MEL (and I'm going to jump in with an assumption that this is what you're talking about http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ). In general they don't pay much respect to that. For example the only preboards they do are for familes with small kids etc. However as I said if you prompt them they'll call and find out to verify your Star Alliance benefit if they don't know. So if they hassle you about baggage you can point out it's published benefit. If you want to be extra sure, print out the blurb from the * website about it. Don't expect any special gate treatment or anything like that though. The check in people are pretty good though. Last time I asked for a * priority tag on my bag (on a Y ticket) I got a raffles one as well just for good measure. LOL!

</font>

Last time I flew SQ out of MEL (last year) they did preboard Star Gold.

goodo

Ground Handling agents who are responsible for certain STAR airlines flights will be briefed about their elite status' and privileges.

Finer details about ticketing issues and cross acceptance of tickets without endorsements will then fall to the hazy areas as non-star agents are not ticketing agents and hence will not be able to advise you on what we probably already know.