Signed up with Chase 100k BA credit offer previously (like two years ago). Spent an additional 30k in that year to get the free companion ticket and cashed in finally for TWO first class tickets to Europe. I must say paying ~$2500 in taxes for FREE tickets was shocking as this was more than economy tickets.
Had to fly PHX->LHR (not our first choice and actually had to buy a connection PHX). PHX F lounge was nothing special. Had some soup.
First class was kind of disappointing. They didn't even have a power adapter for the power port in my seat (claimed someone stole it out of the bag they had). Sleeper seat was ok, flight attendant made my seat into a bed but with no shade didn't have much privacy. Seat itself was kind of lame. Plastic wallpaper was peeling off mine. Food was ok but prob equivalent to $50 meal.
From Paris -> LHR -> PHX got the chance to use the Concorde room in LHR for 4 hrs -> pretty cool. Saved a bunch of time by using the first class security connection line in LHR. Best part was the free massage but all the business class people also got that. Cabana was neat but the one we had no curtain so it was ackward to use the toilet with the wife sitting on the couch. Also could only stay in the Cabana for 1hr because we didn't make a reservation ahead of time -> this is kind of ridiculous, my ticket is the reservation and they know when to expect me. Ate twice (once in the Concorde room and once on the plane back).
Still shocked at what the seat neighbors got for paying $30,000 in what amounts to nothing much special. Especially shocked when the plane in LHR was boarded using a bus and were cramped in with all other business/gold members on the bus and having to carry our carry on up the stairs onto the plane. For $30,000 you would think they would carry your carry on up the stairs to the plane and have some special transport.
Luckily all I did was sign up for a credit card and buy some items for my business and never flew once on BA before
Used the BA card in Europe -> no fee is quite nice but not worth the $95 they charge me a year.
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oh dear...should we expect some serious rage now from BA-evangelists that would continue for about 235 pages with the original message well forgotten by page 3?
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What airline are you used to travelling and in which cabin?
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Sounds like old F to me given the Empower adaptor issue.
The point here is that the Op had now experienced First and found it is not what all the hype is about.
It is an experience that many others have not experience and the Op is now wiser from the experience.
I have paid a lot more for a private jet but then, had to pour my own champagne and take the food out of the hamper and serve it myself. No button to press to order a coffee. No in-flight entertainment either. The high life is not always what it is cracked up to be but at least one can chalk it up to experience.
Ah yes, the disappointment of spending $2,500 instead of well more than that for two F tickets. Don't get me wrong F can be a let down at times. But in the grand scheme of things this was still a bargain.
Also, and I would have to check, I do not believe the companion tickets are promoted as 'free'. There's a little astric somewhere
I am sorry to reading of your poor experience on BA F.
I can agree that Old First (which seems to be the case) seat and TV can be a very let down compared to New First and meals and sometimes service in First on BA could be disappointing compared to other carriers.
However at times it is possible to find fares in First or Club that are very convenient and relatevely cheaper compared to other airlines.
I think F is over-rated in terms of people's expectations in many cases.
Ideally the experience should be fantastic but really, it's usually nice but not fantastic overall. That's on almost any airline, though. OK, CX F being the exception so far (I think the cabin layout is outstanding) but they may prove me wrong tomorrow by giving me a nice but not fantastic experience
I think F is over-rated in terms of people's expectations in many cases.
I certainly agree with that.
It was HIDDY who put it best, describing first class air travel as "the most over-rated product in the world", or words to that effect.
Having had the good fortune to fly F three times myself, including once as an opup from CW, I do appreciate the extra space and comfort. But it is clear to me that this and only this is where the value in F lies.
CW will continue to do very nicely for me for the time being.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xrayflyer
PHX F lounge was nothing special. Had some soup.
I expect it would be uneconomic for BA to make a significant capital project investment at PHX, which is only served by one flight a day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xrayflyer
First class was kind of disappointing. They didn't even have a power adapter for the power port in my seat (claimed someone stole it out of the bag they had). Sleeper seat was ok, flight attendant made my seat into a bed but with no shade didn't have much privacy. Seat itself was kind of lame. Plastic wallpaper was peeling off mine.
It is unfortunate that BA's old F product is still operating. They really should ramp up the program to reconfigure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xrayflyer
Also could only stay in the Cabana for 1hr because we didn't make a reservation ahead of time -> this is kind of ridiculous, my ticket is the reservation and they know when to expect me.
There are only four(??) or so cabanas. And probably about 500 passengers per day using the CCR. For this reason I think that your comment is a bit unfair!
Quote:
Originally Posted by xrayflyer
Especially shocked when the plane in LHR was boarded using a bus and were cramped in with all other business/gold members on the bus and having to carry our carry on up the stairs onto the plane. For $30,000 you would think they would carry your carry on up the stairs to the plane and have some special transport.
I agree that BA should develop some kind of solution to provide special F treatment for remote stands. But for fit and healthy passengers I would not expect this to include carriage of cabin baggage to the door.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xrayflyer
Especially shocked when the plane in LHR was boarded using a bus and [we] were cramped in with all [the] other business/gold members on the bus and having to carry our carry on up the stairs onto the plane.
At least they separated you from the great unwashed flying in economy*
*Apart from the odd gold card holder flying in economy
I expect it would be uneconomic for BA to make a significant capital project investment at PHX, which is only served by one flight a day.
There is an empty space adjacent to the lounge (to the left going up the stairs; used to be
the old smoking room). This would make for a nice spa area But I suspect you are right as
one flight a day is probably not worth it. Ah, which is why they should increase it two
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoch
Ah yes, the disappointment of spending $2,500 instead of well more than that for two F tickets. Don't get me wrong F can be a let down at times. But in the grand scheme of things this was still a bargain.
Also, and I would have to check, I do not believe the companion tickets are promoted as 'free'. There's a little astric somewhere
H
In what grand scheme of things was it a bargain ? If you can get much superior flying experience with other airlines for the same effort of collecting miles and lot less cash outlay then what makes the OP's flight a bargain ?
OP thanks for the report, seems not much has changed since I stopped flying BA for almost exactly th esame reasons alongwith a less than Y sevice from CC.
Yes the astrik is there, does not lessen the negatives inspite of knowing the cash outlay expenses. Now if they also astriked what the OP received then I agree it is fair !
