Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - How come I get treated so well??

I was comped Gold two years ago. Didn't qualify in the first year to keep it (missed it by about 10%), but it was extended anyway. Qualified this year about 5 months before the end of the year. I am always made to feel as though I am special. The crews are always friendly, the Purser always comes by for a chat and says how important customers like me are for the airline. I recently flew on my birthday and was offered an upgrade to F. I didn't take upgrade because I was flying with someone else who they politely declined to upgrade. I was fine with that, expressed my sincere thanks but said I would stay in business. The crew all came by to congratulate me (to the point it was becoming embarrassing almost....), got a message on my personal screen from the Purser and was treated (along with my colleague) to a delicious dessert from F and champagne (which granted, I could have had anyway had I wanted it...but the presentation was great).

Anyway, I am a *A Gold with LH and I just never feel as special when flying LH or any other *A airline. Even when SEN was the 1st level elite at LH I never felt I was treated as well as I am on CX. Are CX just that much better with their customers or have I just been extraordinarily lucky???

CX treats all passengers well from my observation, they also track passenger activity even if you don't belong to their FF plan. After my 3rd flight with CX, many years ago, I started seeing the special treatment and it has continued. They clearly knew about my past flights. Maybe it helped that they were all in paid F, but I think CX operates this way for everyone. Other airlines sometimes equal CX (I've had similarly great treatment on AA for example -- at times), but CX is much more consistent and they always do things right. My favourite CX story is being allowed to board, and fly, when they couldn't issue the ticket in time. It was completed while I was in the air and waiting for me when I arrived. Now how many airlines are willing and able to do that?

I was comped Gold two years ago. Didn't qualify in the first year to keep it (missed it by about 10%), but it was extended anyway. Qualified this year about 5 months before the end of the year. I am always made to feel as though I am special. The crews are always friendly, the Purser always comes by for a chat and says how important customers like me are for the airline. I recently flew on my birthday and was offered an upgrade to F. I didn't take upgrade because I was flying with someone else who they politely declined to upgrade. I was fine with that, expressed my sincere thanks but said I would stay in business. The crew all came by to congratulate me (to the point it was becoming embarrassing almost....), got a message on my personal screen from the Purser and was treated (along with my colleague) to a delicious dessert from F and champagne (which granted, I could have had anyway had I wanted it...but the presentation was great).

Anyway, I am a *A Gold with LH and I just never feel as special when flying LH or any other *A airline. Even when SEN was the 1st level elite at LH I never felt I was treated as well as I am on CX. Are CX just that much better with their customers or have I just been extraordinarily lucky???


I actually also got upgraded (as well as my friend who was travelling with me) to F Class (despite it is only HKG-BKK-SIN) on my birthday. They also presented a full birthday cake and a box of chocolates. When we were in SIN the captain made an annoucement to congras my birthday!!
CX is jsut wonderful! I would never imagine QF, AA or even BA will do something like this. Not to say they are bad but CX has an extra edge and it is reasons like this that I am not giving up my MPO and my customs to another airline (ie. VS- whereby they have a better J Class product).

Which is why I'll probably switch over to CX once I fly 1MM with UA and be lifetime 1P. Anyway, both my parents are MPC Diamond and love it. In fact I've turned my Mom into doing mileage runs... that will be another thread and I've also convinced a 20+ year SQ flyer, my Fiancee's Mom, to fly CX. She had always resisted but is now most pleasently surprise by the gestures, level of service as well as the schedule of the flights out of SFO. I told a senior SQ exec in Hong Kong about this and his only reaction was an open jawed look of dumbfoundedness. Speechless if you will.

Y'all are making me jealous. I flew paid F on my birthday last year, HKG-LAX. Did CX know it was my birthday? Yes. What did CX do? Nada.

I'm jealous aswell. Being a Diamond flying paid J enough to qualify twice over, also no special treatment on my b-day last year on the plane or at check-in. In fact, on a recent SIN flight, I was even ignored by the ISM even though she greeted virtually all the other Diamond/Emerald passengers!

So the answer to your question, YES, you are special so enjoy it.

Y'all are making me jealous. I flew paid F on my birthday last year, HKG-LAX. Did CX know it was my birthday? Yes. What did CX do? Nada.

They can't op-up you to Pilot seat? :p Anything more then what I normally get from QF Y is good. I may do a run on CX on my b/d next year. :rolleyes:

Well, thanks for the feedback. I guess I will "make hay while the sun shines" as they say and just enjoy the good treatment. We all have a lot to gripe about nowadays with the way that airlines sometimes treat frequent flyers, so it's nice to see one airline doing things right..and that earns loyalty. I guess it's the proverbial "win-win" situation. :)

nation? perhaps

CX treats all passengers well from my observation

Ditto ... haven't flown with them on my birthday yet but, based on my experience, I consistently rate their service and *attitude* the best in Asia.

Despite not being in the CX program they treat me very well courtesy of my OW status. In addition, I have had more op-ups from CX in the last few years than I've had from QF in 15!

I could not be happier with Cathay. In terms of op-ups and treatment on board they cannot be beaten. If they cannot op-up me, they invariably block out the seat nex to me (without asking - I always say - can you block out the seat next to me and they always say "We have already taken care of that MR GY Lee"). Their F lounges at CLK are brilliant (the catering in both lounges is outstanding - dinner at the Wing or the Pier is a choice of freshly cooked hot mains, choice of premium wines, a nice glass of bubbly, table/lounge service), the fleet is modern and the network is extensive.

QANTAS should be ashamed.

If you delight a new customer, they will always come back even if there was a choice. ie CX or QF from HKG-SYD. CX is doing very well with their business plans.
The most important thing is consistent good service and decent op-ups for WP/MPO diamond when you fly CX.

CX service really is amazing. I was upgraded last night into F FCO/HK. The purser complimented me on my shirt, then noticed it had a grease mark on the back (lift door/ trolley?). Anyway, when I was gave them my clothes to hang up after changing into the new - for me- Shanghai Tang sleeper suit she took the shirt away and tried to wash the stain out with soda water.!!!

They continue to amaze me, and if only they could get the sleeper beds to have less of a recline I would make it my airline of choice. At present it is BA still for me.

I hope you got her name - that's worthy of a letter to CX Customer Relations.

I got the birthday treatment last year of F+bottle+choc+card, then I didn't take F seat as Sean was with me, and pointed out it was his birthday the next day, and we got another set of bottle+choc+card.. and it was rather embarrassing !

This year alas, we will be flying BA within Europe on my birthday, so I'll be satisfied with a free hot meal.

I booked an itinerary with CX(F) outbound and TG(F) for the return flight. CX actually took my advance seat requests for the TG flights. Within 48 hours I had a phone call and email confirmation of my preferred/assigned seats on TG. I find this truly amazing service...from the heart. Cathay provides consistently superior service with few exceptions. There is one F/A who works YVR/HKG/YVR and she is the flawed diamond in the crown. I have flown with her 3 times and each experience was the same. There were other passengers who had the same feeling with this f/a as well. My only real complaint, and I am sure I will get flamed for this, is the no hot soup/drinks while the fasten seatbelt sign is illuminated. Sometime the sign is on for an extended period of time and there is no turbulance to be felt...yes, I know it can happen at any moment. Yes, I know there are people who would be on the airphone to their lawyer before the plane landed. However, i think that policy needs to be reevaluated. I would even sign a waiver absolving CX from any "scenario" resulting from such a situation. The bottom line is Cathay Pacific Airways knows how to care for their passengers.

There is one F/A who works YVR/HKG/YVR and she is the flawed diamond in the crown. I have flown with her 3 times and each experience was the same. [/I]

What was the problem with her?

I once encountered a terrible bunch of FAs that are YVR based and ont he YVR-JFK run I was in F Class.

Basically from the moment we were out on taxi they were chatting LOUDLY and laughing like chooks until the seat belt sign is off.

When I requested a meal to be serve 1.5 hours into the flight they forgot and it took them like another 30 minutes to get ready. Then they forgot the rice and just got me some fried rice from J Class.

Also they were hiding in the galley most of the time and I had to open the side lockers to get get my duvet. When we were landing I was lectured by the ISM that I should not have opened the side locker and retrieve the duvet.

It was the worst CX experience I had and it was such a pity because the HKG-YVR segment in F was so good at the Purser Yatsuko was EXCELLENT!!!

However I did receive good service before on the YVR-JFK route before in J Class. so it is a mix batch in YVR.

What was the problem with her?

It was the delivery of her service. When asked for certain things--like water or tea, she simply forgot. Once she delivers the wrong entree--even though she clearly wrote down what I requested. Her service was slow depsite the fact the cabin only had 3 pax. She pours red wine when white wine was requested. She was less than pleased to prepare the bedding for me--and other passengers as well. Empty glasses were never collected or refilled. Everything seemed beneath her. If it happened once I would assume she was having a bad day. However, she is consistently "North American" with her service...yes, she is YVR based. Because I love flying I always give the cabin crew the respect they deserve--ie smile, say please and thank you, may I have at your convenience, etc. This is all just wasted on her.
Every other CX flight has been flawless. The cabin crew have always been delightful--even on the short 2 class flights. I am always treated like I am in First Class. Very personalized. When I have started flying CX after reaching SQ Solitaire--Cathay must be good.

She sounds very uncharacteristic of the usual service levels! It might be worth dropping a note to customer relations, since you have had the same experience with her 3 times. She seems to be creating a very bad impression.

When we were landing I was lectured by the ISM that I should not have opened the side locker and retrieve the duvet.I don't think CX provides a duvet for YVR-JFK, they were probably on board for use on the subsequent JFK-YVR leg. And now they would be one duvet short for that flight. JFK provisioning does seem to be rather problematic.

She sounds very uncharacteristic of the usual service levels! It might be worth dropping a note to customer relations, since you have had the same experience with her 3 times. She seems to be creating a very bad impression.

Actually I have written to Cathay. After the third time. I provided all my travel documents and named the flight attendant so there was no question. I received a proper letter back stating they were surprised that such an experienced senior crew member was delivering substandard service. Luckily, she has not soured my taste for CX. I know she is the exception. Whoever came up with the adverstising slogan "straight from the heart"--nailed it. It could not be more true.

No offence but... by very low chance... they Senior Crew didn't like you...?
I got a CX trip in 2 weeks time in Cattle. I want to see if their service is still the same.

[QUOTE=Wongo]No offence but... by very low chance... they Senior Crew didn't like you...?

Anything is possible--But I highly doubt it. I certainly gave her no reason to dislike me. If you read my earlier posts I am most polite to cabin crew. I even purchase perfume from the duty free catalogue to give to outstanding flight attendants...I will buy it and then present it at the conclusion of the flight. Also, considering every other flight on CX has been outstanding--if it was a problem with me--I think I would have more complaints. But ya never know...cheers.

CX is just wonderful! I would never imagine QF, AA or even BA will do something like this. Not to say they are bad but CX has an extra edge and it is reasons like this that I am not giving up my MPO and my customs to another airline (ie. VS- whereby they have a better J Class product).

I have to say that I was on-board BA recently and the flight crew did actually wish the passenger on-board a happy birthday as well as one of the cabin crew. The interesting thing was that they forgot me, as it was my birthday too! Still as a QF top-tier member, what do you expect from BA?

Three birthdays on an A319 at the same time. Is this a record?

Three birthdays on an A319 at the same time. Is this a record?No. It will happen on about one flight in forty. So pretty much every day on BA I would guess.

For someone who apparently does risk analysis professionally I'm surprised that you didn't work this out for yourself! :)

I was comped Gold two years ago. Didn't qualify in the first year to keep it (missed it by about 10%), but it was extended anyway. Qualified this year about 5 months before the end of the year. I am always made to feel as though I am special. The crews are always friendly, the Purser always comes by for a chat and says how important customers like me are for the airline. I recently flew on my birthday and was offered an upgrade to F. I didn't take upgrade because I was flying with someone else who they politely declined to upgrade. I was fine with that, expressed my sincere thanks but said I would stay in business. The crew all came by to congratulate me (to the point it was becoming embarrassing almost....), got a message on my personal screen from the Purser and was treated (along with my colleague) to a delicious dessert from F and champagne (which granted, I could have had anyway had I wanted it...but the presentation was great).

Anyway, I am a *A Gold with LH and I just never feel as special when flying LH or any other *A airline. Even when SEN was the 1st level elite at LH I never felt I was treated as well as I am on CX. Are CX just that much better with their customers or have I just been extraordinarily lucky???


Similar happened to me as well... (well, remotely similar)
Being a student, I've once had silver and unable to keep it for the next year (by a biggggggggggggggg margin). However I've been invited to the CX lounge a month on a HKG-LHR after being a Greenie. I was totally bemused when I've received the lounge coupon. I suppose it's cuz my birthday was like 2 weeks later.. that's the only reason i can think of anyways. Unless ITCI in a F counter counts as another reason...

I once encountered a terrible bunch of FAs that are YVR based and ont he YVR-JFK run I was in F Class.

Basically from the moment we were out on taxi they were chatting LOUDLY and laughing like chooks until the seat belt sign is off.

When I requested a meal to be serve 1.5 hours into the flight they forgot and it took them like another 30 minutes to get ready. Then they forgot the rice and just got me some fried rice from J Class.

Also they were hiding in the galley most of the time and I had to open the side lockers to get get my duvet. When we were landing I was lectured by the ISM that I should not have opened the side locker and retrieve the duvet.

It was the worst CX experience I had and it was such a pity because the HKG-YVR segment in F was so good at the Purser Yatsuko was EXCELLENT!!!

However I did receive good service before on the YVR-JFK route before in J Class. so it is a mix batch in YVR.

I had the same experience last year (Cathay, are you reading?), in F from YVR to NYC. I have also had bad experiences on ex-YVR flights on at least 2 other occasions in F.
The FAs basically chatted loudly in the galley and rushed - and I mean RUSHED the 5-course meal service. It was the worst CX experience I've ever had.
The really sad thing is the very poor presentation of the meal - sloppy, especially the dessert of an ice-cream cake with sloppily-placed hot fudge.

And as for that antipasto plate with the 4 appetizers that is ALWAYS on the menu - how about a change? It looks bad when plated - again, sloppy.

My wife could not sleep on the flight because of the rush (you can really feel the FAs running by when in 4 C,D) and all the noise from the galley.
No one was checking on the passengers after the meal service.
I wrote a letter to CX and got a ridiculous form letter - how thoughtful!
I think the YVR based crew are not as professional. I wonder why?

I have yet to experience a noisy or chatty crew on a JAL flight. In general, we alternate between CX and JL on flights from the US to Asia several times a year (in F).

It was the delivery of her service. When asked for certain things--like water or tea, she simply forgot. Once she delivers the wrong entree--even though she clearly wrote down what I requested. Her service was slow depsite the fact the cabin only had 3 pax. She pours red wine when white wine was requested. She was less than pleased to prepare the bedding for me--and other passengers as well. Empty glasses were never collected or refilled. Everything seemed beneath her. If it happened once I would assume she was having a bad day. However, she is consistently "North American" with her service...yes, she is YVR based. Because I love flying I always give the cabin crew the respect they deserve--ie smile, say please and thank you, may I have at your convenience, etc. This is all just wasted on her.
Every other CX flight has been flawless. The cabin crew have always been delightful--even on the short 2 class flights. I am always treated like I am in First Class. Very personalized. When I have started flying CX after reaching SQ Solitaire--Cathay must be good.

Sounds like she needs to be sacked.