Programs: EK Gold, TG Royal Orchid Gold, BAEC Gold Guest List, LH Senator, Taj Inner Circle Gold.
Posts: 1,651
Lol +1. Me too, in Jan. Tried to get on BA but way too expensive for BKK JFK in CW then.
Im already in J though, and am not holding my breath Especially With EK. ( hope you have a different experience) They are not very nice to me for some reason ( on these things, not on board ) and I fly them much less as a result nowadays
They ( all airlines ) should atleast recognize It when this happens and make a small gesture. After all it's verifiable by looking at ones passport!
BA has bumped me up one other time...ummm... 18 years ago. I didn't ask. They just did it at the gate after some chat on the subject at check in ... very nice and it's helped build my loyalty ever since Never ever flown on birthday again until now!
Many years ago (I was 10 I think) on 420 the crew came up during the middle of the flight, singing happy birthday and presented me with a delicious, huge chocolate mud cake.
Best in flight experience ever and what made me begin to love EK
They ( all airlines ) should atleast recognize It when this happens and make a small gesture.
Why?
I have never understood why some peeps feel they should get something from such as EK to acknowledge a birthday or a wedding anniversary or the birth of their latest pet grasshopper. It is nothing to do with EK.
I have obviously gone into HUMBUG mode a bit early this year.
Programs: SQ TPPS, EK Silver, IC Plat RA, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, HHonors
Posts: 557
Firstly I don't believe it's reasonable to expect them to recognise all passengers' birthdays, and secondly, some passengers may not want their birthday publicly recognised. Could be a tricky situation. Birthdays only matter to the individual, not to anyone else.
Gosh I have obviously touched some nerves - I'm not expecting anything but if there are upgrades to be had, why not give them to someone who has a birthday? It's as fair (if not fairer) as doing it on alphabetical order! And at laest with a birthday you can independently verify it.
Programs: SQ TPPS, EK Silver, IC Plat RA, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, HHonors
Posts: 557
Quote:
Originally Posted by HelloKittysMum
Gosh I have obviously touched some nerves - I'm not expecting anything but if there are upgrades to be had, why not give them to someone who has a birthday? It's as fair (if not fairer) as doing it on alphabetical order! And at laest with a birthday you can independently verify it.
Touched a nerve? You asked a question and got some reasonable answers you didn't like. Sorry but you (nor I nor anyone else) is that important. Do you receive birthday cards/cake from your local driver licensing authority? They also have your birth date.
I'd say chances of a preferential op-up are nil ex-DXB, and slim from outstations.
In an outstation, if you happen to be checked in by an agent who is tasked with op-ups, and they happen to notice your birthday, and the flight is oversold, and there are not enough Golds to carry out the required op-ups, and the check-in agent found you pleasant, who knows?
On-board I would not expect anything.
How you can assist in the process: other than by being pleasant to the staff, which you should anyway... it's out of your hands.
My uncle's wife got a small birthday cake flying MEL-DXB in Y a couple years ago though she insisted her birthday wasn't until a week later. A case of mistaken identity?
Touched a nerve? You asked a question and got some reasonable answers you didn't like. Sorry but you (nor I nor anyone else) is that important. Do you receive birthday cards/cake from your local driver licensing authority? They also have your birth date.
I don't think I am that important but I have seen people on some flights given cakes or Champagne on special occasions (it happened to us on Singapore when we were on our honeymoon).
and yes I have received birthday cards / gifts from my bank, MP, credit card company and various other bodies who have my birthdate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by father_ted
I'd say chances of a preferential op-up are nil ex-DXB, and slim from outstations.
In an outstation, if you happen to be checked in by an agent who is tasked with op-ups, and they happen to notice your birthday, and the flight is oversold, and there are not enough Golds to carry out the required op-ups, and the check-in agent found you pleasant, who knows?
On-board I would not expect anything.
How you can assist in the process: other than by being pleasant to the staff, which you should anyway... it's out of your hands.
When I was still blue I received several upgrades from outstations and one from DXB but nothing since I have been silver (and doing so many trips at the moment that I will be Gold by mid Feb).
And I am ALWAYS pleasant to airport/airline staff (and with miserable immigration staff I go out of my way to be particulalry friendly and go out of my way to thank them (in the hope of them cracking a smile!))
And I am ALWAYS pleasant to airport/airline staff (and with miserable immigration staff I go out of my way to be particulalry friendly and go out of my way to thank them (in the hope of them cracking a smile!))
Always a good idea... although I draw the line at smiling at customs staff, I once said hello (in DUB) and was rewarded with a baggage inspection! Now I do the 'walk straight to the exit' routine, which produces better results.
Always a good idea... although I draw the line at smiling at customs staff, I once said hello (in DUB) and was rewarded with a baggage inspection! Now I do the 'walk straight to the exit' routine, which produces better results.
I believe that is always the best policy in airports. Only speak when you're spoken to and don't make eye contact with anyone.
