The Platinum Effect
Mar 25, 2024, 3:20 pm
#691
Join Date: Jul 2021
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Accor Gold
Posts: 186
Overall I'd recommend Ben Lipsey or whoever is following these forums to stop doing those surprise pamperings when people get promoted a level. It's not a good idea at all because you create this expectation that something exceptional is happening, something that won't repeat itself, or at least not consistently. At least be honest about it and just instruct the FAs to congratulate us on the new level, so we know why it's happening.
For Ulti it would be nice to have a special edition KLM house which is only awarded to Ulti members. For Platinum that year's KLM house could do. And for Gold/Silver maybe some handmade stuff in partnership with an NGO or social business from one of the communities KLM is supporting with its nonprofit arm.
Mar 25, 2024, 3:30 pm
#692
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,011
I feel we should be encouraging more pampering, and make it formal. Certainly 4 free upgrade vouchers on a milestone such as reaching PFL would be more than reasonable. It's a once in a lifetime milestone. Actions speak louder than words on a card.
Mar 26, 2024, 2:15 am
#693
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 406
Mar 26, 2024, 3:40 am
#694
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Somewhere between BHX and HUY
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Eurobonus Silver, ALL Gold
Posts: 1,676
Mar 26, 2024, 3:46 am
#695
Join Date: May 2021
Location: NYC
Programs: Flying Blue - Platinum
Posts: 136
Celebrating getting my 2nd anniversary of platinum now, with 2 more in the bank. 🥳
In the end I only got "ultra special recognition" on that one flight after being promoted. The rest was a mixed of bag, of mostly excellent service, but never anything really personalized, whether in J or in Y. Looks like I should fly Y long haul more often as most of you reported the extra attention there.
My favorite kind of cabin service is when they check frequently to top up my drinks, and my water, since I'm a very thirsty person! This is hit and miss with AFKL but when asking I have never been told no, not even in Y. This is a lot more important to me than getting a personalized greeting card or something. The highlight of these 2 years was when on CDG-TRN the CA left the whole bottle of champagne on the empty tray next to me, for 5 minutes... until they realized it was probably not a very safe thing. The lowlight was when everyone in the J cabin got PDB water but they skipped me... and I was really thirsty (I've written about it on this thread at some point).
Overall I'd recommend Ben Lipsey or whoever is following these forums to stop doing those surprise pamperings when people get promoted a level. It's not a good idea at all because you create this expectation that something exceptional is happening, something that won't repeat itself, or at least not consistently. At least be honest about it and just instruct the FAs to congratulate us on the new level, so we know why it's happening.
I have flown LH group a lot less in that period but somehow I always get greeted by name, and find them generally more attentive. I have no idea why this is happening given that many ppl in LH forums seem to complain... Maybe it's just a coincidence.
I'm doing my first long haul with One World in over a dozen years next month, so looking forward for yet another data point. Completely status-less so no seat selection until check-in.
In the end I only got "ultra special recognition" on that one flight after being promoted. The rest was a mixed of bag, of mostly excellent service, but never anything really personalized, whether in J or in Y. Looks like I should fly Y long haul more often as most of you reported the extra attention there.
My favorite kind of cabin service is when they check frequently to top up my drinks, and my water, since I'm a very thirsty person! This is hit and miss with AFKL but when asking I have never been told no, not even in Y. This is a lot more important to me than getting a personalized greeting card or something. The highlight of these 2 years was when on CDG-TRN the CA left the whole bottle of champagne on the empty tray next to me, for 5 minutes... until they realized it was probably not a very safe thing. The lowlight was when everyone in the J cabin got PDB water but they skipped me... and I was really thirsty (I've written about it on this thread at some point).
Overall I'd recommend Ben Lipsey or whoever is following these forums to stop doing those surprise pamperings when people get promoted a level. It's not a good idea at all because you create this expectation that something exceptional is happening, something that won't repeat itself, or at least not consistently. At least be honest about it and just instruct the FAs to congratulate us on the new level, so we know why it's happening.
I have flown LH group a lot less in that period but somehow I always get greeted by name, and find them generally more attentive. I have no idea why this is happening given that many ppl in LH forums seem to complain... Maybe it's just a coincidence.
I'm doing my first long haul with One World in over a dozen years next month, so looking forward for yet another data point. Completely status-less so no seat selection until check-in.
I know everyone has a different experience but I find I’m consistently offered small gestures on my flights, and it’s one of the few things that distinguishes platinum from gold. Could it be better? Yes. Would I miss it if it stopped? Certainly.
Mar 26, 2024, 3:48 am
#696
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 406
Apr 1, 2024, 11:31 am
#697
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 406
Obviously not complaining about all these Wanderboxes I get to consume (even in part sometimes), but can't help but wonder what this "special attention" other people seem to be getting feels like - perhaps I need to fly more long haul or more AF for that.
Apr 7, 2024, 6:57 am
#698
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,342
Interesting experience just now. Received a proactive/cold call from AF asking if I would want to upgrade tomorrows KL ATH flight with miles. Was told it’s an offer for Platinum members at 14K. Decided to decline as the flight seems to have a fairly light load and at T-24 still 2 rows of comfort are fully available for selection.
During olci the same upgrade was offered at 250 euros.
During olci the same upgrade was offered at 250 euros.
Apr 10, 2024, 6:21 pm
#699
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: DL DM, TK ELP, LA PASS Black, FB Platinum
Posts: 108
Flight 16th. march AMS-CDG in Business on AF. Nothing. Only another passenger was being greeted personal.
Later on CDG-BOG in Business. Nothing. Not even asked first for meal, which I on all long haul flights with AF ever had.
04.th April CTG-AMS in Business. Again absolutely nothing. Not even addressed by name. Ok, on KL I never had any special treatment.
Looks like that since Ultimate is a new status, special treatment of Platinums has gone.
Later on CDG-BOG in Business. Nothing. Not even asked first for meal, which I on all long haul flights with AF ever had.
04.th April CTG-AMS in Business. Again absolutely nothing. Not even addressed by name. Ok, on KL I never had any special treatment.
Looks like that since Ultimate is a new status, special treatment of Platinums has gone.
Apr 11, 2024, 12:04 am
#700
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DUS, BRU, POA
Programs: Skyteam E+ (FB PfL), Latam Black, LH MM, Iberia plus, HH: Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy: Plat
Posts: 1,124
Apr 11, 2024, 5:42 am
#701
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: VIE/PRG
Programs: FB Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,592
VIE-CDG-FCO and FCO-CDG-PRG this week in J, nothing special, no recognition, very ordinary flights. Missed connection at CDG and had to stay overnight, booked myself Sheraton and it was paid back to me within moments I claimed it however fight for EU compensation will go on.
Apr 15, 2024, 2:40 am
#702
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 406
The platinum line came through for me big time today. An interesting adventure this morning flying BRS-BRS due to a slats problem only realised in flight. Unresolvable on the ground in the short term so flight canceled. Options were very scarce for same day travel but the nice PSL agent told me she got me the last seat on the plane for the next departure. I didn't realise until afterwards that the last seat was in row 1 - on both segments.
Will be a 10 hour delay in the end for me, but I get there today. Very impressive service recovery - less good for Swissport at BRS, who really don't deal with this sort of thing well at all.
Will be a 10 hour delay in the end for me, but I get there today. Very impressive service recovery - less good for Swissport at BRS, who really don't deal with this sort of thing well at all.
Apr 15, 2024, 5:17 am
#703
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate, Hilton Diamond, Sixt Diamond, Hertz Platinum, Amex Centurion
Posts: 135
VIE-CDG-FCO and FCO-CDG-PRG this week in J, nothing special, no recognition, very ordinary flights. Missed connection at CDG and had to stay overnight, booked myself Sheraton and it was paid back to me within moments I claimed it however fight for EU compensation will go on.
Platinum status is really only meaningfully different when not flying J/C (looking purely from a service point of view).
Apr 15, 2024, 4:59 pm
#704
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: DTW, IST, ESB
Programs: AF/KLM Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 425
Agreed, but a huge part of elite status is the guarantee (hope, actually) of getting superior treatment when it comes to IRROPS, which can be very frustrating. The 3 US legacy carriers seem to treat their high-end elites (elite level 3 and above) much better when it comes to IRROPS, generally speaking. Of course, there are tons of issues when it comes to other aspects of their FFPs, but that's the topic of another conversation.
Apr 15, 2024, 5:03 pm
#705
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: DTW, IST, ESB
Programs: AF/KLM Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 425