Yikes I have NO idea! thats one for Empress.
BUMP http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Simon & why fly, I am just a bit confused here (and read through the thread few times) so can you clarify: what was the question in regards to? I just see the LHR issue with FatboyYVR but can't see why fly + LHR in this thread.

Simon was asking about fare values? I thought? I don't know how to compare fares between UA-AC.

seems the latest at YVR is..there is a GOLF CART waiting at position 104..for SE
to drive you from ckin to the Security Area
by a Concierge.....? ........comments please ?????

Sorry, I made a mistake there. I meant FatboyYVR's original ticket -- do we know what fare class it was? Perhaps it is NOT one that allows same-day standby?

Simon

As far as I know, he was on a H fare upgraded to C. No restrictions on booking class for international standby. The only issue is usually checked bags (which I understand FatboyYVR didn't have any).

Haven't heard of this and certainly didn't see it when I was at the airport last week. I'll see what's up with that when I fly out to Asia this week.

I saw what I think you are referring to at YVR. It is actually just one of the usual golf carts, but is covered in various logos. The most prominent one is "Super Elite" which does make it look like some kind of dedicated cart. However, it also says Elite, Prestige etc in other places. Sadly, I think it is not an unpublished benefit (though it might be worth someone emaling the SE desk to confirm... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )

As a new SE in 2004, I have had only 2 occasions to deal with the concierges thus far; both times I received excellent and courteous service :

1- coming into YYZ with a tight cnx from T2 to T1 I was met and quickly escorted to the airside shuttle with the concierge radioing across that I was on my way;

2- met a CDG concierge earlier this week and asked her to help with finding tickets to a major sports event in CDG next Saturday; when I logged on upon arrival back home she had already sent me a progress report by e-mail; I might not get the tickets, but I'll sure appreciate the effort !

AC Concierge Service http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

Last week the snow storm to BUF we were a bit tight for our flight BUF IAD EZE in fact the flight was 6:55 we arrived at check in at 6:40 they told us we were to late then noticed i was 1K.... that was it the agent called the gate held the plane ... she zipped us through security and got us on the plane. Some airlines have differnt ways of keeping the customer happy.
OH PS Argentina is an amzing place if you have not been add it to the list of amazing cities to visit... and its a bargin!

Well I can't thank concierge enough.

Yesterday, I got off AC8 from HK at 9:40 (arrived at 9:35), got to immigration from the furthest gate after a good run at 9:45 (nobody else there as no other flights arriving at that time). Passed the concierge on a run by international check-in shortly after that and asked if it was possible to get on 10 AM to Calgary (I was booked on 11 AM flight as logical next connection but I already was a day late getting into Canada and had a meeting starting at 12:30 in Calgary).

She made two quick calls, put me at front of line at security and had a golf cart waiting on other side. After a secondary screening of my boots to delay me a bit, I was on the golf cart at 9:55 and at gate 36 by 9:58 where they had my boarding pass printed for Executive Class. Doors closed at 10. Flight left on time and the flight got into Calgary ahead of sched so I made my meeting only about 5 minutes late.

All done with the usual concierge affability and concern for the customer. No way I would get this treatment as a non-status customer.

Thanks again to the concierge service--I made it in less than 20 minutes from international at YVR to domestic gate--a new record for me!

same day international standby
 

As you can see from other threads, concierge could not assist me in getting same day standby today on international flight. NOT ALLOWED. I could have been home 4 hours earlier!

I was polite to a fault and went through a detailed analysis, including presenting Empress' summary-- all to no avail. First time for everything I guess but doesn't make me a happy flyer.

I have found out that the concierges also serve a "meet and assist" function - for any AC passenger, not just SEs. I had emailed the concierge at ORD in advance, to help with my wife (and Elite) and daughter - last November (I was not a SE at that time).

They were transferring between AC (YOW-ORD), and UA (ORD-PHX) - they missed the first connection (due to AC flihgt to ORD from YOW being delayed), so the concierge arranged the hotel arrangements, and showed them the way to the airport hotel.

Coming back, the concierge directed them from the UA terminal, to the terminal with AC.

In addition, when the two of them connected between an AC flight from YYZ flying to Frankfurt and an onwards on a LH flight 2 years ago, and again this past March, the concierge helped them go from the gate of the incoming flight, to the gate of the outgoing flight, and showed them where the LH Senators lounge was located.

In those situations, I was not with them. Going between those two locations at ORD and at FRA is relatively simple for me - as I have connected through those airports on several occasions.

PS-On a similar situation, when I was with CP in the late 90s as a Gold member, with advance communication, I had asked the airline to send someone to "meet and assist" me at YOW with (at that time) 3 yr old daughter - we were coming back from India. One of the concierges showed up, to assist us - particularly with the luggage- not easy at an airport, when one is dealing with a child, and there are no porters.

PPS-Through that concierge, I was in contact all these years, even when AC took over CP - I was therefore able to initiate a communication with the ORD concierge directly by email.

Speaking of "Porters".... does LHR have porters? I have been in LHR so often, yet I can't remember ever seeing any Porters.

Actually, in my experience these days they do nothing. The last few times I have tried to contact a concierge I have been unsuccessful or they have not followed through on what they said they would do. If they are not going to fund the service properly, perhaps it's time to eliminate it and stop pretending.