I'm not a Pandion, but a friend of mine who used to work for SGS told me that EBPs (and HONs for that matter) usually are not the kind that flashes their card all over the place. Sometimes he wouldn't even notice until after he had said "have a nice trip" that the person was an EBP. He was very aware of the EBP, and they were all well informed by SAS about the importance of great service ("never say no to an EBP..."). He said that in his experience, the worst kind was EBS and some of the EBGs, and that they much more often made a fuss if they couldn't get on a flight etc.
Back to EBPs, though. Once he had been at the regular bag-drop station (not EBG/Business Class), and a guy comes over asking about the possibility of making the earlier flight. He presented his id, but not his EBP card. My friend told him that the flight was completely full, that the gate was closing, but that he could go straight to the gate and hope for a no-show, though he couldn't check-in his luggage. The guy kindly asked if there was no chance of him getting on, to which my friend said that it didn't look like he could help. The guy then got out his EBP-card and asked "will this card help me?". My friend was like "Of course, yes, why didn't you say so?" He then called the gate, told them to get someone off the plane if necessary, followed the guy through security to the gate and wished him a good flight. Afterwards, he said he didn't remember whether the EBP was in the system in the first place, but that showing the card at check-in definitely made things easier for him.
Anyway, that is what I call good EBP-service. Maybe it was one of the EBPs here?
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Back to EBPs, though. Once he had been at the regular bag-drop station (not EBG/Business Class), and a guy comes over asking about the possibility of making the earlier flight. He presented his id, but not his EBP card. My friend told him that the flight was completely full, that the gate was closing, but that he could go straight to the gate and hope for a no-show, though he couldn't check-in his luggage. The guy kindly asked if there was no chance of him getting on, to which my friend said that it didn't look like he could help. The guy then got out his EBP-card and asked "will this card help me?". My friend was like "Of course, yes, why didn't you say so?" He then called the gate, told them to get someone off the plane if necessary, followed the guy through security to the gate and wished him a good flight. Afterwards, he said he didn't remember whether the EBP was in the system in the first place, but that showing the card at check-in definitely made things easier for him.
Well, I would guess this story has gotten slightly better each time it is told :-)
But I do can confirm that CI does notice the EBP. Escorting you to the gate and offloading someone to get you on the earlier flight... I don´t think so.
To follow up on reports regarding EBP service.
Called regular reservations (member service closed at this hour). Asked to make a award reservation for three persons ARN-BCN via CPH for flights with only very high booking classes open in the high season summer (no I, P or X available on any of the legs). I told the agent that there was no award space on the flights but he had to check with space in CPH. "-Of course mr SK_RSJ, no problem, I make a reservation and Space Control will confirm seats first thing in the morning."
Took about a minute in total.
As my Hilton membership recently dropped to Silver VIP, I was happy to fill in the form that came with the Pandion renewal kit making me a HHonors Gold VIP again. Puh. Especially since I have quite a few stays at Hilton properties coming up in the summer.
Well, today arrived my new Diamond VIP card. Thank you SAS. Expires in 2011.
Guess I will now have to pass by the complimentary cocktail reception tomorrow by Quintesentially in Stockholm so that SAS doesn´t waste their money on no good.
Programs: AC Elite *G :: LH Sen *G :: IC Royal Amb :: PC Plat :: HH Diamond
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SK_RSJ
As my Hilton membership recently dropped to Silver VIP, I was happy to fill in the form that came with the Pandion renewal kit making me a HHonors Gold VIP again. Puh. Especially since I have quite a few stays at Hilton properties coming up in the summer.
Well, today arrived my new Diamond VIP card. Thank you SAS. Expires in 2011.
Guess I will now have to pass by the complimentary cocktail reception tomorrow by Quintesentially in Stockholm so that SAS doesn´t waste their money on no good.
Grr, that kind of behavior from HHonors makes me really angry (not pointed to you personally SK_RSJ)… Why the hXll do they give away free Dia (I can live with gold being handed out)? Those of us who actually stays 60+ nights EACH year only gets ONE year at a time, but non status members gets 2 years with just a few nights? Really devaluates the program!
Grr, that kind of behavior from HHonors makes me really angry (not pointed to you personally SK_RSJ)… Why the hXll do they give away free Dia (I can live with gold being handed out)? Those of us who actually stays 60+ nights EACH year only gets ONE year at a time, but non status members gets 2 years with just a few nights? Really devaluates the program!
Well, not that many EBPs fortunately. And I guess you are supposed to get Gold VIP only, but if you already have HH status that may trigger Diamond VIP. On the two years I am amazed as well.
Grr, that kind of behavior from HHonors makes me really angry (not pointed to you personally SK_RSJ)… Why the hXll do they give away free Dia (I can live with gold being handed out)? Those of us who actually stays 60+ nights EACH year only gets ONE year at a time, but non status members gets 2 years with just a few nights? Really devaluates the program!
To get Diamond you need 28 stays, so 28 single nights will do. Right now HHonors is throwing both Diamond and Gold after you. I pretty much register for everything they send me and I earned gold after 3 work stays and 1 personal stay. If I stay 6 more nights before the end of June, I get Diamond (not that I will, the difference between Gold and Diamond is pretty much nothing and I'm very happy with my current SPG Plat and Hyatt Diamond status).
So that a very few travelers that spends A LOT of money gets Diamond comped (by mistake or not) is probably a good idea for Hilton
Having read at FT about EBP benefits, or sometimes the lack of it, it was interesting to see how it would turn out.
I have noticed some nice attention, three times in 1½ month. The best was when I got some sample of the new wine, another when the FA asked me during the flight if I was N.N. and I was wery welcome and if I wanted anything extra. And, this week in CPH, at the boarding, when they want aft seats to board first, pandions were also welcome to board.
So I think it is nice, not to mention when you need a seat at a full flight 25 hours in advance...
And, this week in CPH, at the boarding, when they want aft seats to board first, pandions were also welcome to board.
Welcome to FlyerTalk! Always fun to hear about EBPs experiences.
Did they only include pandions in the pre-boarding announcement? No EBGs? IMO that's just a joke (no offence to any EBPs, of course). Once they make the effort to give priority boarding, they should have included EBGs. On a full flight, it's always nice to board first so that you are sure to get enough space for carry-on.
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Yesterday there was quite a line for the gate keeper desk at CPH Fast Track and there was an additional agent working the line apparently to inform non legal guests in advance and ask others to have boarding pass and EBG card ready. When i presented my EBP card he asked me to follow him and we passed the line and he also escorted me directly to the x-ray station as there was a line there too. I was not busy for my flight.
Train platform to lounge -> no more than two minutes in total, at a very busy hour.
[quote=SK_RSJ;11819679] When i presented my EBP card he asked me to follow him and we passed the line and he also escorted me directly to the x-ray station as there was a line there too. I was not busy for my flight.
QUOTE]
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BV01
And, this week in CPH, at the boarding, when they want aft seats to board first, pandions were also welcome to board.
So I think it is nice, not to mention when you need a seat at a full flight 25 hours in advance...
I have never heard SAS Norway call aft seating and Pandions first, here in Norway it's all at once. Sometimes I have heard them in CPH call for Star Gold and aft seating to go first.
I am pretty impressed with EBP recognition with SAS Sweden lately as I have reported in this thread. Made a domestic return trip today. Morning flight; when I left the aircraft the purser said "It was nice to see you onboard again, sir!". Afternoon return flight. Ordered a couple of wraps (the new ones are pretty good), Ramlösa, Smoothie, Tea (for me and a co-traveller). I didn´t even got close to my wallet when the purser said: "Oh, it´s on the house of course".
Small things, but it´s enough for me to feel good about tomorrows flights...
Some SAS staff aparently feel the gound under them are hot (or burning), as they might get fired if SAS don't improve alot and fast, and then they are more eager to give a better service!
But hopefully it keeps improving, would be great not to see SAS "turning the key"...
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