Gifts for QR cabin crew
May 26, 2017, 7:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 101
Gifts for QR cabin crew
As flights tend to be relatively quiet from/to LHR to DOH these days, I now use Y more than J class on this route. As always, cabin crew are attentive and acknowledge Gold.
On Sunday, I travelled from DOH to LHR in J. The flight was fine.
I have always thought about buying the crew chocolates or sweets. I did so, but ended up not giving them - would I have made a fool of myself? Are they allowed to accept? Are there security restrictions?
I took home four large bags of chocolates which I will never eat!
I probably wouldn't do this for BA, whom I HAVE to use for European trips, because quite frankly, they are not interested in passengers.
On Sunday, I travelled from DOH to LHR in J. The flight was fine.
I have always thought about buying the crew chocolates or sweets. I did so, but ended up not giving them - would I have made a fool of myself? Are they allowed to accept? Are there security restrictions?
I took home four large bags of chocolates which I will never eat!
I probably wouldn't do this for BA, whom I HAVE to use for European trips, because quite frankly, they are not interested in passengers.
May 26, 2017, 7:39 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: CBG
Programs: QR Gold, BA silver
Posts: 352
On CX the usual practice is to buy onboard duty free chocolate to the crew, which would be the safest option.
I have been wanting to do that but QR only sell brands which are not appropriate as a gift...
I have been wanting to do that but QR only sell brands which are not appropriate as a gift...
May 26, 2017, 8:02 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Lisboa, PT
Programs: QRPC Silver, BA Silver
Posts: 243
I always take a few bags of sweet/choc - the crew always accept and even once all made me a card which they all signed and wrote nice messages in for me thanking me.
99.9% of customers won't even thank them - so a little touch for them goes a hell of a long way, and they're so lovely they definitely deserve it!
99.9% of customers won't even thank them - so a little touch for them goes a hell of a long way, and they're so lovely they definitely deserve it!
May 26, 2017, 10:07 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,520
I've rarely but occasionally given staff chocolate when service has been excellent.
To me the basic condition is to offer it at the end of the flight and not the beginning as this suggests a genuine thank you without expectation of favoritism as opposed to an attempt to 'buy' better service which I would personally consider inappropriate.
To me the basic condition is to offer it at the end of the flight and not the beginning as this suggests a genuine thank you without expectation of favoritism as opposed to an attempt to 'buy' better service which I would personally consider inappropriate.
May 26, 2017, 10:17 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: CGK/KOA
Programs: AA ExPlat HH Diamond
Posts: 1,683
I once gave a box of chocolate to a crew on Jan 1. Every crew member on the flight stopped by my seat to thank me. Upon landing, the older couple seated behind me asked me for my autograph. "Why would you WANT my autograph??" We thought you were famous bc you got so much attention
May 26, 2017, 10:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,269
I don’t get it. Sure, I ALWAYS thank crew that have provided service above the norm & I have written to QR CS to praise a particular staffer. I would never consider buying them chocolates, or any other gifts though. I guess I would find it mildly awkward, to say the least. Not saying I have an issue with others doing exactly this (it is a “nice” thing to do I guess) but...a serious question.....why 
May 27, 2017, 12:04 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Qatar, Turkish, Aeroflot
Posts: 546
I've done it a few times for different airlines, QR included, and everyone so far has been very appreciative of it. Given I have friends who work for EK, QR, BA, LH, FR, EZY and EY (as well as others who previously worked for other airlines) and hearing about their horror stories, I can't help but think that a small gesture like some chocolates makes their job that little bit more satisfying, giving them peace of mind that not every passenger is a complete A-hole.
May 27, 2017, 12:30 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,053
I once gave a box of chocolate to a crew on Jan 1. Every crew member on the flight stopped by my seat to thank me. Upon landing, the older couple seated behind me asked me for my autograph. "Why would you WANT my autograph??" We thought you were famous bc you got so much attention
haha I genuinely laughed out loud.
May 27, 2017, 1:21 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,334
On my last EK flight from DXB to LHR the person in the seat next to me spotted a young lady giving chocolate to the stewardess welcoming guests.
She asked the FA later if this happens many times and she yes 'as its common practice for flight crew flying off duty to bring chocolate for their working colleagues'.
So they might think you are a Purser off duty but I guess they will still like it
She asked the FA later if this happens many times and she yes 'as its common practice for flight crew flying off duty to bring chocolate for their working colleagues'.
So they might think you are a Purser off duty but I guess they will still like it
May 27, 2017, 2:28 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I don’t get it. Sure, I ALWAYS thank crew that have provided service above the norm & I have written to QR CS to praise a particular staffer. I would never consider buying them chocolates, or any other gifts though. I guess I would find it mildly awkward, to say the least. Not saying I have an issue with others doing exactly this (it is a “nice” thing to do I guess) but...a serious question.....why
I'm mildly surprised cabin crew are allowed to accept sweets from strangers, the safety and security hazard seems obvious.
But even if crew were constrained to bin the chocs, it's good to learn good manners prevail and they thanks the donors.
May 27, 2017, 3:52 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Lisboa, PT
Programs: QRPC Silver, BA Silver
Posts: 243
I would always give it at the beginning of the flight. At the end of the flight it's more than likely they'll just give whatever you gave them to the cleaning crew.
I certainly don't think it's ever been in any way awkward or seen as trying to buy extra service. That's a very sad state of affairs if that's how you look at it. It's simple human kindness, and believe me, they really do appreciate it. You don't have to buy expensive chocolate- I've never spent more than 5GBP!
I certainly don't think it's ever been in any way awkward or seen as trying to buy extra service. That's a very sad state of affairs if that's how you look at it. It's simple human kindness, and believe me, they really do appreciate it. You don't have to buy expensive chocolate- I've never spent more than 5GBP!