Originally Posted by
emma69
Actually, on a few occasions, as a woman I feel I have been treated better than male colleagues with some travel related things. For example, hotel check in staff often assign me a nicer room (when we are all booked in the same category). I have always assumed it is because women are generally fussier so giving them the room with the nicer view, bigger bathroom etc. is somewhat logical to them.
If I was on a flight with a colleague, and they (male) were offered an upgrade, and I was not, my first thought would likely be because they are taller, and need the legroom more than me. And many of the male colleagues would automatically suggest I take the upgrade - so maybe there is a thicker plot here - perhaps the man is offered the upgrade (makes him feel valued), he then offers it to female colleague (gets him 'good guy' points with the colleague and the airline crew) whether she accepts it or not...
He is much shorter than I am 😂
Originally Posted by
Skatering
I've not observed men being treated better than me in any flying situation. I get plenty of issues being young, but not for being female.
I'm acquainted with a female traveller who regularly observes men being prioritised for emergency exit seats, which irritates her significantly.
I'm youngish (and apparently look younger than I am) so maybe that's a factor. The other women who have passed comment are older though.
Originally Posted by
ajeleonard
Someone looking for evidence they're being discriminated against will usually find it
Couldn't agree more, which is one of the reasons I am so baffled. Truly have never felt like this at any other time in my life and I work in male dominated industries.
I genuinely don't think I am looking for it, yet after 12 years of extensive business travel, I had to ask the burning question for validation.
Originally Posted by
Zeeb
If you travel a lot more than him wouldn't you be Diamond to his Plat?
To better answer the question though, are you talking about an op up on an international flight or an off the list upgrade on a domestic flight?
Not sure which program you're referring to, but Platinum is the highest.
It was a flight from AMS to MAD and he was upgraded after boarding.
His economy seat was never filled.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I suspect the OP is Plat with FB, not DL.
It would help to know specifics of route as well as the operating carrier, marketing carrier and ticket stock if different, fare class, etc. as well as to confirm the FF programs of both passengers.
I assume that OP and colleague are not on the same PNR.
AMS-MAD
KLM
Same travel agent
Same class
Both FB Platinum
Not the same PNR
I have other examples from the past I can reference. Not just upgrades but preferential treatment in general. This was just the one that tipped me over the edge in terms of curiousity.
Originally Posted by
pinniped
These days, the computers make most of the upgrading decisions based on pretty straightforward logic. While all fliers don't know all of the parameters, I imagine GA's are aware of the parameters and could explain it if asked. Fare basis, check-in time, or other tiebreakers within a status level probably sealed the deal for your colleague.
Partner elites are usually quite low on upgrade lists, if they're even on the list at all.
Same fare basis
I checked in earlier (online) as I didn't check a bag. He checked a bag.
Can't imagine the icebreaker within status. He does 2X Transatlantic Business Class/Year and 30 x economy within Europe/Year. I do 15x Transatlantic business class/Year and 15 x economy within Europe/Year. He joined the program 6 months after me, so doesn't have longer with the airline for status.
Not sure what you mean by partner elites?
Originally Posted by
SanDiego1K
I'm a female who has traveled for decades on personal and business travel. I'm comfortable with how I am treated. There's always the occasional burp in a travel experience that causes me to raise an eyebrow, but nothing that I would attribute to systematic sexism.
That's good to hear! Thanks for sharing.
Originally Posted by
will2288
In my experience, upgrades are usually done correctly according to the airline's policy of status/fare code, etc. And, sure, sometimes FAs break those rules for friends, colleagues, etc. But I would also guess that if a male FA was going to upgrade someone randomly, he would favor a woman (at least an attractive one).
Overall, I do not notice any type of systematic sexism, whether in favor of men or women.
Thank you!
Originally Posted by
pinniped
I'm on so many full flights these days that there is hardly an opportunity for an FA to do a random (or even nonrandom) onboard upgrade.
Even GA's...by the time the flight is in their hands, there's often a long waitlist. 20 people on the board waiting for 1 F seat. (I often laugh at my own ranking...20th in line for an F seat on an E175...
) Sure, I guess they could cheat at that point, but I would imagine the guy at the top of the list would get irritated. If you're #1 on the list, you're probably hanging out close to the GA...if the sneak someone in front of you, good chance you'll notice unless they're real sly about it.
It's not like in the US where there is an actual upgrade process that you can request. No board with names.
Originally Posted by
princeville
Ditto this. I've travelled quite a bit with male colleagues and don't recall ever noticing a difference in how we were treated.
This thread did remind of a time after I had boarded an Alitalia flight from MXP to BOS (not in business attire) and a male flight attendant was offering newspapers. I asked what he had available (they weren't visible) and he said he had USA Today and International Herald Tribune. It was noisy and I didn't catch what he said and asked him to repeat his answer. At that point he handed me the USA Today and said in a patronizing tone, "perhaps this would be best."
Maybe it was because I was female, maybe because I'm blonde, maybe I just seemed a bit simple to him. I thought it was funny but I'm sure if people talked to me like that on a regular basis I would be bothered.
Thank you! Yes, I would have found thy funny too. Unless it happened all the time!