The Platinum Effect
Sep 30, 2022, 8:00 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: VIE/PRG
Programs: FB Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,592
Platinum recognition is almost non existent. I do not travel in less than J on long haul but on AF I have been always lucky to drink champagne from P whilst other pax around me were refused. KL WBC most of the times first meal order taken. European hopping in Y, after covid, nothing. During covid lovely chats with KLC crew on empty flights. What I value the most is incredible Czech service center that recognises the plat status very well.
What bothers me the most with the statuses is that now everybody has one - lounges, at least AMS are heavily overcrowded.
What bothers me the most with the statuses is that now everybody has one - lounges, at least AMS are heavily overcrowded.
Oct 1, 2022, 12:58 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 170
On AF flight to US, I have done my first Long Haul flight after the COVID period (I hope) two weeks ago. As Platinum member, I received no recognition: no special salutations, no glass of wine from J. I was considering as a standard passenger.
Before, in the past before the COVID period, AF personnel came to ask if the flight was going well. Not anymore for me.
Before, in the past before the COVID period, AF personnel came to ask if the flight was going well. Not anymore for me.
Platinum is only nice for the dedicated line. For the rest, no big difference as Gold member.
Oct 1, 2022, 6:28 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
I have any number of colleagues in the perennial Silver category who made Gold thanks to the pandemic XP bonuses and are now helping to pack the lounges.
Johan
Oct 1, 2022, 9:47 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: FB, M&B, UA, AA
Posts: 2,489
I had something weird flying back in J from Bogota end May to Paris - have now some 3-4 years plat status in part thanks to COVID. Handwritten card with a word of welcome of the J purser thanking me for my loyalty! Got this flashback to Up in the Air where George Cloony starred as this lonely consultant for whom the plane was home.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_in_...orge%20Clooney).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_in_...orge%20Clooney).
Oct 1, 2022, 10:24 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MAD
Programs: FB Plat
Posts: 250
I've had a few times the crew approach me by my name and ask me if everything is ok with the flight and to ask them for anything I might need. It has happened very rarely in short intra EU flights, but a lot more consistently in long haul -- I guess because they have more time to go through their ipad to identify status and the time to then approach them.
Oct 1, 2022, 10:32 am
#21
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,339
On my last short haul AF flight the purser came to welcome every Plat pax and ask if there was anything that we'd need (2-3 pax). Nothing substantial but a nice gesture. Was already in C so no need to ask for Champagne specifically 
Oct 2, 2022, 1:16 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Plat, *A Silver, Volare Exec (LOL), some hotels (Gold)
Posts: 621
had it happen only once on a EU flight. been plat for a short while, but I took some 30 flights since.
not that it matters much to me, the good thing of plat is the skypriority stuff and the secret hope to reach life status.
not that it matters much to me, the good thing of plat is the skypriority stuff and the secret hope to reach life status.
Oct 2, 2022, 3:21 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2021
Programs: FB Platinum
Posts: 43
I've had a few times the crew approach me by my name and ask me if everything is ok with the flight and to ask them for anything I might need. It has happened very rarely in short intra EU flights, but a lot more consistently in long haul -- I guess because they have more time to go through their ipad to identify status and the time to then approach them.
On longhauls I am always approached by the purser (chef de cabine ?) before or right after take off for a quick talk and to ask if there is something I need.
Once I was offered bread and cheese from J after my Y meal, I really appreciated that.
Oct 3, 2022, 7:33 am
#24
Join Date: May 2005
Location: EUR
Programs: FB Plat./BA Gold (thanks BD)/A3 *Gold/HH Diamond/A Club Gold
Posts: 918
It used to happen sometimes, but recently (since summer) it really has been every time and somewhat more sincere/natural in the past. This morning it even happened on a Paris-Amsterdam.... (just a polite enquiry from the purser if Mr Fr needed any extra assistance with his luggage as sitting in the exit row)... nothing OTT to make it awkward, but enough to make me feel appreciated...
Oct 4, 2022, 6:06 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 649
Sorry if too much off-topic, but did not want to start a new thread. I friend of mine who is Platinum booked me an award flight on AFKL. When I go to check out my reservation, I see the same benefits that he would receive. For sure this is not the "Platinum Effect"? Should I go on and select seats etc. or just wait for the benefits to disappear at some point or to stick? I do have equivalent status through ITA, so not that much of a difference, but using ITA is such a pain sometimes, so this scenario would be easier.
Oct 6, 2022, 5:59 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Reality, Freedom • Fly Tarom •
Programs: AF FB Platinum For Life (F+ Rouge VintageŽ) / Hertz President's Circle / SNCF Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 10,077
Long-haul TATL today (11+ hours) and the "Plat Effect" was in full force - the CCP came by three times to welcome/thank me, as well as bringing Champagne from Business (I was flying PE). The PNC responsible for the PE cab also welcomed/thanked me.
Oct 7, 2022, 12:27 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
That's a bit over the top. I figure once should be plenty enough. Even that may be one time too many. Opinions no doubt differ, but I can do without these welcome shows, especially the perfunctory tablet-in-hand variety. I don't think that anybody at KLM genuinely values my custom, I'm just one of very many (lifetime) PEs out there. If they truly care about our loyalty, they could start by improving their inflight J product, especially the atrocious catering.
Johan
Johan