Just how much do FAs know about elite status?
Jun 6, 2009, 5:56 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,110
Sorry, but I disagree. Yes, of course you get a different, better experience flying in biz than in coach. Clearly.
But I also believe (and I think a lot of FTers would agree with me) that status should count for something, as it's a proxy measure for loyalty and/or money spent.
I don't expect that my status would get me a hot towel when I'm flying in Y, but why shouldn't it get me a thank you?
I love it when I call the AA desk or the Mileage Plus desk and they say "thanks Ms.KS for your business."
Oh, fwiw, I've never been EXP although there have been years I've been Plat, years I've been Gold, and years I have been nothing at all.
But I also believe (and I think a lot of FTers would agree with me) that status should count for something, as it's a proxy measure for loyalty and/or money spent.
I don't expect that my status would get me a hot towel when I'm flying in Y, but why shouldn't it get me a thank you?
I love it when I call the AA desk or the Mileage Plus desk and they say "thanks Ms.KS for your business." Oh, fwiw, I've never been EXP although there have been years I've been Plat, years I've been Gold, and years I have been nothing at all.
Jun 6, 2009, 6:23 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MIA/LAS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Starwood PLT
Posts: 572
However, when I told her that due to DBEQM I'd be PLT when they calculated the miles, she told me she had never heard of DBEQM and didn't know there was a difference between miles and qualifying miles.
Jun 6, 2009, 6:43 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,837
You have no rationale or even remotely reasonable basis for expecting the FA would be able to anticipate the effect of the posting of your flight on your status- and even much less considering the double qualifying mile promo. Please be real.
Jun 6, 2009, 7:10 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
Jun 6, 2009, 8:35 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Too Many to Count
Posts: 510
Sorry, but I disagree. Yes, of course you get a different, better experience flying in biz than in coach. Clearly.
But I also believe (and I think a lot of FTers would agree with me) that status should count for something, as it's a proxy measure for loyalty and/or money spent.
I don't expect that my status would get me a hot towel when I'm flying in Y, but why shouldn't it get me a thank you? I love it when I call the AA desk or the Mileage Plus desk and they say "thanks Ms.KS for your business."
Oh, fwiw, I've never been EXP although there have been years I've been Plat, years I've been Gold, and years I have been nothing at all.
But I also believe (and I think a lot of FTers would agree with me) that status should count for something, as it's a proxy measure for loyalty and/or money spent.
I don't expect that my status would get me a hot towel when I'm flying in Y, but why shouldn't it get me a thank you?
I love it when I call the AA desk or the Mileage Plus desk and they say "thanks Ms.KS for your business." Oh, fwiw, I've never been EXP although there have been years I've been Plat, years I've been Gold, and years I have been nothing at all.
I see what you're saying and am absolutely not discounting it. I guess my message was more directed at the concept of offering great customer service. Each tier may be offered different amenities, but what everyone who flys AA should be offered is exceptional customer service. That's the mark of a great, enduring company and of a good employee.
Jun 6, 2009, 8:35 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: arlington, va
Programs: AA Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Plat
Posts: 660
AAFA, you rock! How you dealt with pax who were obviously valuable customers but stuck in back seats due to deadheading crew was fantastic - and a lot more meaningful than the robotic, mandated walk through the cabin with the list to say thanks. It's so refreshing to realize there are still people at AA and other carriers who think, care and know how to be resourceful. AA is very lucky to have you and so are we as passengers!
Jun 6, 2009, 9:18 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MSP/DFW
Programs: Priority Club PLT, Marriott Titanium, AA EXP
Posts: 480
I asked the FA about this on a recent MIA-YYZ trip and she told me she would find out. She came back not a moment later telling me that I had GLD status, that it was printed on the passenger manifest next to my name.
However, when I told her that due to DBEQM I'd be PLT when they calculated the miles, she told me she had never heard of DBEQM and didn't know there was a difference between miles and qualifying miles.
However, when I told her that due to DBEQM I'd be PLT when they calculated the miles, she told me she had never heard of DBEQM and didn't know there was a difference between miles and qualifying miles.
Jun 7, 2009, 12:26 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Jun 7, 2009, 12:30 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Sorry, but I disagree. Yes, of course you get a different, better experience flying in biz than in coach. Clearly.
But I also believe (and I think a lot of FTers would agree with me) that status should count for something, as it's a proxy measure for loyalty and/or money spent.
I don't expect that my status would get me a hot towel when I'm flying in Y, but why shouldn't it get me a thank you? I love it when I call the AA desk or the Mileage Plus desk and they say "thanks Ms.KS for your business."
Oh, fwiw, I've never been EXP although there have been years I've been Plat, years I've been Gold, and years I have been nothing at all.
But I also believe (and I think a lot of FTers would agree with me) that status should count for something, as it's a proxy measure for loyalty and/or money spent.
I don't expect that my status would get me a hot towel when I'm flying in Y, but why shouldn't it get me a thank you?
I love it when I call the AA desk or the Mileage Plus desk and they say "thanks Ms.KS for your business." Oh, fwiw, I've never been EXP although there have been years I've been Plat, years I've been Gold, and years I have been nothing at all.
Jun 7, 2009, 2:20 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,841
Agreed, the vast majority of passengers don't fly anywhere close to 100k a year. I assume you work for AA as an FA; I expected FAs to fly more than 100k a year. I suppose it depends on where you fly: back and forth between LAX and SFO wouldn't generate a lot of miles.
Jun 7, 2009, 2:23 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,841
Hmm. Interesting observation. I still think it would be nice if my status were recognized. The FA wouldn't have to do anything differently, but I think saying something like "Hi Ms.KS, welcome aboard and thanks for being such a loyal flier" would be totally unexpected and would make me feel kind of warm and fuzzy.
Jun 7, 2009, 5:38 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Texas
Programs: AA
Posts: 135
AAFA -
I was looking at the piece of paper that was taped to the wall next to the bathroom and then realized what it was. I asked the Q about fare class for two reasons. First, it would appear now that the entire business class cabin on my flight (767 2 class) had been upgraded from coach...was a little surprised by that. Second, as much as I like the aadvantage program, I wanted to see if FAs knew about fare codes becaue I have historically upgraded and wanted to compare that experience with paying for premium class fares (thanks new job).
Exp doesn't have to be that expensive, you know?
I was looking at the piece of paper that was taped to the wall next to the bathroom and then realized what it was. I asked the Q about fare class for two reasons. First, it would appear now that the entire business class cabin on my flight (767 2 class) had been upgraded from coach...was a little surprised by that. Second, as much as I like the aadvantage program, I wanted to see if FAs knew about fare codes becaue I have historically upgraded and wanted to compare that experience with paying for premium class fares (thanks new job).
Exp doesn't have to be that expensive, you know?
Jun 7, 2009, 6:05 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
Jun 7, 2009, 9:57 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MIA/LAS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Starwood PLT
Posts: 572
Exactly!
I'm pretty sure he was not assuming that the FA should have known he was going to be PLT. I take it as he was simply conversating and just bringing up the fact that through a promo he was able to move up a status. I think he was just a little suprised the FA wasn't aware of what DEQM was or that there was a difference between EQM and RDM.
Jun 7, 2009, 8:58 pm
#45
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: WAS & FPO
Programs: AS, Hyatt
Posts: 402
I've never said that I was EXP to an FA. Sorry you have to put up with pax who do stuff like that.