Feel totally let down and disappointed by Etihad!!!
Aug 4, 2015, 1:55 am
#16
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
It is an accepted fact that large corporations have rules in place to ensure consistency, they have often removed discretion from their staff, and what you have experienced would likely be the same with a variety of other airlines. I join forums like this to, amongst other things, find the loopholes and clarification in the rules to get the most of different experiences.
I think you are being naive in the modern day to be upset when a corporation follows the rules and suspect you don't travel enough yet to realise the real dramas that go on with airlines. As for loyalty, I have very little, I choose which company suits me for the right price at the right time, rather then being a blind sheep.
I think you are being naive in the modern day to be upset when a corporation follows the rules and suspect you don't travel enough yet to realise the real dramas that go on with airlines. As for loyalty, I have very little, I choose which company suits me for the right price at the right time, rather then being a blind sheep.
Aug 4, 2015, 1:57 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,266
Actually, I was recently in an Alaska airlines lounge and a guy was asking about the cost. The front desk person told him, and he hesitated. Then she offered for him to take a look around to see what there is. I found that a nice gesture.
Of course Etihad is a big, unfriendly corporation and thus no flyertalk regular expects any help from them. But OP's point is about "niceness". As I understand it for human beings "niceness" is a very important quality. For corporations (which are "human" insofar as they can sue and be sued in court) this is a quality mostly lost.
Of course Etihad is a big, unfriendly corporation and thus no flyertalk regular expects any help from them. But OP's point is about "niceness". As I understand it for human beings "niceness" is a very important quality. For corporations (which are "human" insofar as they can sue and be sued in court) this is a quality mostly lost.
Another surreal thread. In short, EY is right, OP is wrong. There can't possibly be any sensible argument to the contrary.
Aug 4, 2015, 3:12 am
#19
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,730
The Alaska Airlines Board Room analogy is completely different.
The employee was confronted with a customer who had expressed interest in buying a product but who wavered when he heard the fee. She offered the "tour" solely in the hope of closing the deal (to be honest, I would have thought that showing him around would only have confirmed for him that he was not getting much for the money).
The guy did NOT ask for a tour; no airline anywhere will habitually accede to unsolicited requests to "sample" or "view" the facilities prior to buying. But it doesn't mean that any staff member cannot exercise discretion and extend such an offer of their own volition.
I don't accept the point about "niceness". While the OP clearly doesn't think so, I think the majority of flyers would consider making such requests to be going just a little too far. If someone is prepared to ask for something to which they have no entitlement, then they should not be surprised when these requests are refused. And they certainly should not take such refusal so personally. If you're going to put a staff member in an awkward position by asking them for something that is NOT officially sanctioned, then you have no right to complain when they refuse to comply with your request. The customer has to show "niceness", too.
The employee was confronted with a customer who had expressed interest in buying a product but who wavered when he heard the fee. She offered the "tour" solely in the hope of closing the deal (to be honest, I would have thought that showing him around would only have confirmed for him that he was not getting much for the money).
The guy did NOT ask for a tour; no airline anywhere will habitually accede to unsolicited requests to "sample" or "view" the facilities prior to buying. But it doesn't mean that any staff member cannot exercise discretion and extend such an offer of their own volition.
I don't accept the point about "niceness". While the OP clearly doesn't think so, I think the majority of flyers would consider making such requests to be going just a little too far. If someone is prepared to ask for something to which they have no entitlement, then they should not be surprised when these requests are refused. And they certainly should not take such refusal so personally. If you're going to put a staff member in an awkward position by asking them for something that is NOT officially sanctioned, then you have no right to complain when they refuse to comply with your request. The customer has to show "niceness", too.
Last edited by irishguy28; Aug 4, 2015 at 3:22 am
Aug 4, 2015, 3:18 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
leadsinger71, firstly welcome to FT.
Your request is against most airline's rules. Premium pax pay for the integrity of the cabin, that is privacy, comfort and service. Allowing pax from Y to J disturbs paying pax.
Now if you were in F and your friend in J you could meet in the lobby, but that will not be possible. Your request would require a FA to be removed from service, accompany the Y pax upstairs and then also require an escort back to their seat.
EY has a thorough youtube page and this video clearly demonstrates the J experience
If you are feeling generous you could always upgrade them with your miles, Plusgrade or pay cash at the airport.
Your request is against most airline's rules. Premium pax pay for the integrity of the cabin, that is privacy, comfort and service. Allowing pax from Y to J disturbs paying pax.
Now if you were in F and your friend in J you could meet in the lobby, but that will not be possible. Your request would require a FA to be removed from service, accompany the Y pax upstairs and then also require an escort back to their seat.
EY has a thorough youtube page and this video clearly demonstrates the J experience
If you are feeling generous you could always upgrade them with your miles, Plusgrade or pay cash at the airport.
Aug 4, 2015, 3:40 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,266
I don't accept the point about "niceness". While the OP clearly doesn't think so, I think the majority of flyers would consider making such requests to be going just a little too far. If someone is prepared to ask for something to which they have no entitlement, then they should not be surprised when these requests are refused. And they certainly should not take such refusal so personally. If you're going to put a staff member in an awkward position by asking them for something that is NOT officially sanctioned, then you have no right to complain when they refuse to comply with your request. The customer has to show "niceness", too.
Perfectly put, and exactly what I am trying to convey. It is this quality I am always looking for in life, and this, although may seem trivial to some, is what will direct me back to Emirates now, its the personal touch that you have described, the human quality. This is more important to me than anything.
Aug 4, 2015, 6:23 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 23
First of all, leadsinger71, welcome to FlyerTalk.
But as to your situation, let's see. You fly Business Class (and not FIRST Class) and are not even Gold yet. Honestly, this video came to mind when I read your post:
http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/SD...xtpqk.mp4.html
But as to your situation, let's see. You fly Business Class (and not FIRST Class) and are not even Gold yet. Honestly, this video came to mind when I read your post:
http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/SD...xtpqk.mp4.html
Aug 4, 2015, 6:30 am
#24
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 143
Based on this comment I have a potential solution
Swap your J class for your friends Y class.
This will allow your friend to fully sample business class and help convert him to EY and you will have the pleasure of seeing him have more joy than you.
This will allow your friend to fully sample business class and help convert him to EY and you will have the pleasure of seeing him have more joy than you.
Aug 4, 2015, 6:42 am
#25
Formerly known as Stephenk19
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 409
Aug 4, 2015, 7:02 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North America
Posts: 2,265
OP, Etihad didn't do anything wrong. They just didn't accommodate your unusual request. You're likely more upset at the fact that you sold your friend on having an 'in' and now you may feel embarrassed for not coming through.
Surely, you can appreciate the disruptive nature of such requests and why they must say no? Those 30-second peekaboo's will add up very quickly if they start allowing this and more and more passengers make such requests. Oh, and it is never 30 seconds. It usually turns into much more. A 30-second visit to the lounge turns into 'let's have a drink, you're already here!' turns into 'let's grab a bite to eat, you're already here!' turns into 'let's just wait in here, now our flight leaves in only 1 hour!'
Surely, you can appreciate the disruptive nature of such requests and why they must say no? Those 30-second peekaboo's will add up very quickly if they start allowing this and more and more passengers make such requests. Oh, and it is never 30 seconds. It usually turns into much more. A 30-second visit to the lounge turns into 'let's have a drink, you're already here!' turns into 'let's grab a bite to eat, you're already here!' turns into 'let's just wait in here, now our flight leaves in only 1 hour!'
Aug 4, 2015, 7:08 am
#28
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Actually, I was recently in an Alaska airlines lounge and a guy was asking about the cost. The front desk person told him, and he hesitated. Then she offered for him to take a look around to see what there is. I found that a nice gesture.
Of course Etihad is a big, unfriendly corporation and thus no flyertalk regular expects any help from them. But OP's point is about "niceness". As I understand it for human beings "niceness" is a very important quality. For corporations (which are "human" insofar as they can sue and be sued in court) this is a quality mostly lost.
Of course Etihad is a big, unfriendly corporation and thus no flyertalk regular expects any help from them. But OP's point is about "niceness". As I understand it for human beings "niceness" is a very important quality. For corporations (which are "human" insofar as they can sue and be sued in court) this is a quality mostly lost.
AS sells access to its lounges. Other carriers market the lounges as the exclusive preserve of their premium and HVC passengers.
AS may well commission employees who sell memberships and passes. I also presume that the lounge wasn't overcrowded when the employee did it.
My guess is that if you call AS and ask whether they will comp you access to "look around" that they won't.
OP on the other hand wants an iron-clad exception granted in advance. Slightly less cheeky if he were to ask at the lounge if he might have a guest spend 5 minutes to silently walk around, not touch anything and then leave and let the agent determine the situation.
I view even the latter approach as more than ought to be done, but at least within the boundaries of a request which might be granted.
Aug 4, 2015, 7:43 am
#29
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PVG, FRA, SEA, HEL
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Posts: 4,783
He travels to and from Thailand four times a year similar to myself so the benefits for him would be great.
Aug 4, 2015, 9:41 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 404
I am quite amused with this complaint. I understand your gripe but to swap carriers on this basis and to upgrade this to the same status as people having their baggage sent to the wrong destination, being stuck in economy for 24hrs next to a wide person, rude staff etc is frankly silly.
I wouldn't have expected any less than the formal written response to be "sorry but your name is not down so you're not coming in" but when you get to the departure a nice word to FAs would go a long, long way. Why would they ever promise you gold in writing?
If that is the main complaint about EY I'm quite happy to swap my virtual Emirates tickets to not be sandwiched in the 3 seat middle aisle to stare at that horrid fake wood panelling. In the meantime I'm flying QR and hope that one day my family can fly with me - even in economy.
I wouldn't have expected any less than the formal written response to be "sorry but your name is not down so you're not coming in" but when you get to the departure a nice word to FAs would go a long, long way. Why would they ever promise you gold in writing?
If that is the main complaint about EY I'm quite happy to swap my virtual Emirates tickets to not be sandwiched in the 3 seat middle aisle to stare at that horrid fake wood panelling. In the meantime I'm flying QR and hope that one day my family can fly with me - even in economy.