Asked to switch frequent flyer programs
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Air Canada E50K
Posts: 29
Asked to switch frequent flyer programs
Apologies if my lack of technical ability made me unable to find something like this when I searched. I was on a Lufthansa flight last week and the purser came to my seat at the end of the flight and asked if I wanted to change from Air Canada to Lufthansa with my frequent flyer program. Has this happened to anyone before and what are people's views? It came as a total shock to me as I didn't think I'd be all that valuable to an airline.
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,370
Can you give any more context? I've flown a ton of *A as AC*G in Y, J, and F, and I have never experienced this, nor have I heard of it happening to anyone else.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Air Canada E50K
Posts: 29
The context was that I was sitting in premium economy and minding my own business as I normally do and the purser walks up and said: Good morning Mr., Did you enjoy the flight? I said sure, he then said "Would you consider changing your gold membership with Air Canada to us?" I mean, I got SE status for next year although I despise the amount of travel that I do for work. Um, I spoke with him in my rather poor German when he served dinner and that's about it. What other context would be helpful?
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,370
The context was that I was sitting in premium economy and minding my own business as I normally do and the purser walks up and said: Good morning Mr., Did you enjoy the flight? I said sure, he then said "Would you consider changing your gold membership with Air Canada to us?" I mean, I got SE status for next year although I despise the amount of travel that I do for work. Um, I spoke with him in my rather poor German when he served dinner and that's about it. What other context would be helpful?
#7




Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,796
It would be interesting to know if he decided to ask this of his own accord or whether some backend department in LH has looked at your travel patterns, seen that you fly a lot of LH metal, and forwarded your name to the crew for a sales pitch.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Air Canada E50K
Posts: 29
No idea as to how he knew. He did say to call Lufthansa if I am interested. I am assuming it means that they would match the status. It was I believe my second Lufthansa flight in six years. All of my transatlantic flights have been Air Canada or SAS.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Air Canada E50K
Posts: 29
I would also be interested in people's views. I am expanding the work I am doing in Europe and have ended up acquiring a holiday home in Europe so I think LH could potentially work. I am also scaling back my interests in the US so won't be spending as much time on transborder flights so would LH offer more? They were pretty good for that one flight. At least the washroom I used was clean
#11




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite Million Miler/ AY*Gold (OWS) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium for Life(LTT)
Posts: 2,391
I'm sure they know how much you fly and your status with other Star. And I'm sure they're trying to persuade you to fly more often with them directly or otherwise.
Last October flew long haul LH and the purser instructed a flight attendant to serve only 3 pax on biz. She was speaking in German but pointed her fingers to me and 2 other pax. And throughout the flight, the attendant did only serve the 3 of us and no one else, even though the upper deck was quite full.
Different flight long haul LH this year, only 4 of us in mini cabin 747-8 and it was quite glaring on how I was treated better. Meal order first, level of attention, etc. Even better than being a SE on AC.
If given the opportunity, 110% sure I can achieve senator status yearly, and if I had to be in Europe on a regular basis, I'd take the purser's offer in a heartbeat.
Edit: I change my mind come to think of it. Biz is for sleeping and unfortunately LH has crappy seats and food. So I'd still stick with AC. But I do very much prefer their service and attention over AC. More genuine...
Last October flew long haul LH and the purser instructed a flight attendant to serve only 3 pax on biz. She was speaking in German but pointed her fingers to me and 2 other pax. And throughout the flight, the attendant did only serve the 3 of us and no one else, even though the upper deck was quite full.
Different flight long haul LH this year, only 4 of us in mini cabin 747-8 and it was quite glaring on how I was treated better. Meal order first, level of attention, etc. Even better than being a SE on AC.
If given the opportunity, 110% sure I can achieve senator status yearly, and if I had to be in Europe on a regular basis, I'd take the purser's offer in a heartbeat.
Edit: I change my mind come to think of it. Biz is for sleeping and unfortunately LH has crappy seats and food. So I'd still stick with AC. But I do very much prefer their service and attention over AC. More genuine...
Last edited by supatight80; Dec 20, 2016 at 1:02 pm
#13




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite Million Miler/ AY*Gold (OWS) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium for Life(LTT)
Posts: 2,391
Anything less than 100K yearly then it's not worth it as you'll only be silver.


