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US Getting Nervous About FF's Bolting?
Interesting observation today on my flight from YYZ to PHX...about an hour into the flight the FC FA came into the coach section with a list of names, greeted what appeared to be all of the elite members by name one by one, offered FC snacks (upgraded snack mix or granola bar) and a complimentary drink to each.
I never saw this before but thought it was a very nice touch during these tough times. I wonder if this is a sign US is concerned about it's eroding FF base?
A $250 change fee for a transpacific or transatlantic schedule change is a bit over the top and shows that they really do not care what their FF think.
Look at the competition, everyone else has much lower change fees.
Just a thought, maybe their philosophy is to drive everyone to redeem their other airline miles where there are lower change fees. That may be a good philosophy on redemption but it also means they will drive their FF to fly other airlines.
Interesting observation today on my flight from YYZ to PHX...about an hour into the flight the FC FA came into the coach section with a list of names, greeted what appeared to be all of the elite members by name one by one, offered FC snacks (upgraded snack mix or granola bar) and a complimentary drink to each.
I never saw this before but thought it was a very nice touch during these tough times. I wonder if this is a sign US is concerned about it's eroding FF base?
I actually saw this same type of groveling on Eastern and TWA a few months before they went kaput.
I also remember hearing a story about a purser on the Titanic who was shouting to passengers in life boats that he hoped they would sail on White Star Line again.
Agreed...too much. Sorry, but there is a very limited amount of supplies and while I applaud his/her effort, a thank you and handshake would be better as what this f/a did was make those providing a service by procedure look bad. Most of the time I barely have enough snacks for the F/C customers.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deant
A $250 change fee for a transpacific or transatlantic schedule change is a bit over the top and shows that they really do not care what their FF think.
Look at the competition, everyone else has much lower change fees.
Just a thought, maybe their philosophy is to drive everyone to redeem their other airline miles where there are lower change fees. That may be a good philosophy on redemption but it also means they will drive their FF to fly other airlines.
While always on to be willing to criticize US when deserved, Im not sure this one is deserved. I just spent about 30 minutes on the phone with an agent (and excellent one) at the AA EXP desk about a complicated intin. One thing that came out of it was that the change fee on a flight to India or a transatlantic was $250 on AA.
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Agreed...too much. Sorry, but there is a very limited amount of supplies and while I applaud his/her effort, a thank you and handshake would be better as what this f/a did was make those providing a service by procedure look bad. Most of the time I barely have enough snacks for the F/C customers.
Ha
I found out that I get the best attention from FA when I sit in the back after pulling a person in uniform (military) to take my seat upfront I get all the drinks and snacks I want and they come and chat with me
I've had two transcons in the last 2 days. On BOTH flights, the captain came out and greeted the F cabin. Later, the FA asked for our dining options and addressed us by name. This has NEVER happened before. I liked it, but I too wondered why the change?
I've had two transcons in the last 2 days. On BOTH flights, the captain came out and greeted the F cabin. Later, the FA asked for our dining options and addressed us by name. This has NEVER happened before. I liked it, but I too wondered why the change?
Must be East flight crews. They almost always used to do this.....
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Nothing sinister,sneaky or slippery here. It's simply an occassional decision made by the FAs to personalize your experience. We've not had this happen on flights this year, but we did have it happen twice in Envoy last year as well as in previous years. Since we have a weird surname, it's always a chuckle to see how they pronounce our name when they get to us. Perhaps some FAs are being a little more proactive given the tough times they all face, but it's a nice touch in any case.
Gadget makes a good point. US is not the only carrier to jack up cancellation fees. It is indeed an attention getter with a $250 fee on international flights. If you're a business traveler, there's a good chance of brushing into these new higher fees since your itineraries can and do change and many folks are not flying on the more expensive changable fares.
I'm ambivilant about these fees. OTOH the higher fee is consistent with the unbundling process which attempts to identifiy the pax who is creating an additional cost to the airline and targeting the source of the cost ( not bad for the rest of us ). But these higher cx fees are indeed more a wallet biposy than they are additional expenses to the airline above what they already are. I think the bigger point here is that all airlines need to create a swath of refundable and flexible coach fares in addition to Y or YUP. They're all desperate for cash and the all lack the guts to simply raise the fares. Unbundling is not a bad alternative, but it only identifies some but not all elements in the equation. Airlines need to start looking beyond survival tactics and to see how the playing field has changed and what they still need to do to put a product out there which meets the needs of FFers while increasing revenue flows.
We're coming back from MAD tomorrow, so we'll see if our FAs are playing the name game.
I am often greeted this way on United. Several times once the F/A knew I was a 1K seated in coach, I was offered either drinks and/or snacks. I think a lot depends on the crew and how committed s/he is to providing quality customer service.
While always on to be willing to criticize US when deserved, Im not sure this one is deserved. I just spent about 30 minutes on the phone with an agent (and excellent one) at the AA EXP desk about a complicated intin. One thing that came out of it was that the change fee on a flight to India or a transatlantic was $250 on AA.
Do not think that fee is correct. From the AA web site, the fee for changes or cancellation is $150. In fact if you book before 1 Oct., there is no fee for a change of date as long as the routing does not change. I can not find any reference to a $250 change fee.
Must be East flight crews. They almost always used to do this.....
That's what I was thinking. West crews, I get a gruff greeting and they mix my drink for me without leaving the can of whatever mix I've called for. East crews just seem to do things a little bit better.
