No Free Refreshments For Star Alliance Partners
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rambling ex Ringway/MAN/EGCC
Programs: EY Gold Elite; EK Gold; SPG Gold; Hertz #1 Club Gold
Posts: 35
No Free Refreshments For Star Alliance Partners
A few days ago, I took a quick return journey MAN-LHR-MAN. I hadn’t flown bmi for quite some time; in fact, the last time was just before their business class was axed completely. I used to fly bmi twice a week for two years but have since been using LH and SK as work project locations dictate.
The current in-flight refreshment regime left me in a state of bewilderment, considering that I was on a fully flexible (Y class) ticket and also, SK*G in status. It seems that to receive comped fodder/drink onboard nowadays, a Diamaond Club card (of no particular stature) is required. There’s no extension of the hospitality to any Star Alliance card holders though, including gold. Who dreamt this one up?
Bearing in mind that *G level lounge access is still granted and Star Alliance is still part of the airline’s remit, have any other non-bmi *G card holders been shunned by this closed shop action?
The short flight without a drink wasn’t the problem, the principle was. The crew looked to be a bit disgruntled, well aware of the situation and obviously used to being asked about it. Does anybody know if this is under review, or is this just another oddball bmi speciality here to stay?
RR
The current in-flight refreshment regime left me in a state of bewilderment, considering that I was on a fully flexible (Y class) ticket and also, SK*G in status. It seems that to receive comped fodder/drink onboard nowadays, a Diamaond Club card (of no particular stature) is required. There’s no extension of the hospitality to any Star Alliance card holders though, including gold. Who dreamt this one up?
Bearing in mind that *G level lounge access is still granted and Star Alliance is still part of the airline’s remit, have any other non-bmi *G card holders been shunned by this closed shop action?
The short flight without a drink wasn’t the problem, the principle was. The crew looked to be a bit disgruntled, well aware of the situation and obviously used to being asked about it. Does anybody know if this is under review, or is this just another oddball bmi speciality here to stay?
RR
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Lots, some no/low status some high status, can't be bothered to list them :-)
Posts: 1,951
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The current in-flight refreshment regime left me in a state of bewilderment, considering that I was on a fully flexible (Y class) ticket and also, SK*G in status. It seems that to receive comped fodder/drink onboard nowadays, a Diamaond Club card (of no particular stature) is required. There’s no extension of the hospitality to any Star Alliance card holders though, including gold. Who dreamt this one up?
The short flight without a drink wasn’t the problem, the principle was. The crew looked to be a bit disgruntled, well aware of the situation and obviously used to being asked about it. Does anybody know if this is under review, or is this just another oddball bmi speciality here to stay?
RR
The current in-flight refreshment regime left me in a state of bewilderment, considering that I was on a fully flexible (Y class) ticket and also, SK*G in status. It seems that to receive comped fodder/drink onboard nowadays, a Diamaond Club card (of no particular stature) is required. There’s no extension of the hospitality to any Star Alliance card holders though, including gold. Who dreamt this one up?
The short flight without a drink wasn’t the problem, the principle was. The crew looked to be a bit disgruntled, well aware of the situation and obviously used to being asked about it. Does anybody know if this is under review, or is this just another oddball bmi speciality here to stay?
RR
As for it being under review it only came into force a few months ago, prior to that blue plus/Ag/Au got nothing.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#4
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BD flights offering BD benefits for its BD members. Seems great to me ^
Each airline does this to some extent (whether it's giving its own elites OpUp preference over equivalent or even higher alliance status, or something more common e.g. it's a fight to get AA to let me pre-assign their best Y exit row seats as a OW Emerald...ditto LH and their best seats in any cabin as a BD*G). A good incentive for people to earn BD status...hell, it's not even as if you need to fly on BD metal for it!
Each airline does this to some extent (whether it's giving its own elites OpUp preference over equivalent or even higher alliance status, or something more common e.g. it's a fight to get AA to let me pre-assign their best Y exit row seats as a OW Emerald...ditto LH and their best seats in any cabin as a BD*G). A good incentive for people to earn BD status...hell, it's not even as if you need to fly on BD metal for it!
#5
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#6
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,130
But they should still give you free catering, right?
Sorry about that. In case you're still bewildered: if you're flying Y, you pay for your catering, unless you're a member of Diamond Club (blue plus and above).
Presumably someone who read the *G benefits book and realised that it didn't include free catering.
You make this too easy, really you do.
Of course, that's why you should have a free drink, not because you were upset, but because the cabin crew were.
Next?
Presumably someone who read the *G benefits book and realised that it didn't include free catering.
Next?
Last edited by Wingnut; Nov 16, 2007 at 5:30 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rambling ex Ringway/MAN/EGCC
Programs: EY Gold Elite; EK Gold; SPG Gold; Hertz #1 Club Gold
Posts: 35
The idea of the post was to enlighten other Star Alliance partner cardholders of the policy, not engage in any unpleasantness. Nevertheless, thanks for doing this; you have bluntly cleared up matters, Wingnut.
Whilst the policy is great for BD members, it does little to embrace the cross alliance hand of friendship - that was the point I was trying to make. Like others have said above, all airlines are guilty of oddball specialities and I’m not saying SK or LH are the perfect models; however, changes like these come along that surprise occasionally.
I’m not a BD card holder and so, am not up to date on the current terms and conditions of Diamond Club. I’m sure there will be many people reading this thread, in a similar position who will now be aware of the policy. I'm glad I mentioned it....
RR
Whilst the policy is great for BD members, it does little to embrace the cross alliance hand of friendship - that was the point I was trying to make. Like others have said above, all airlines are guilty of oddball specialities and I’m not saying SK or LH are the perfect models; however, changes like these come along that surprise occasionally.
I’m not a BD card holder and so, am not up to date on the current terms and conditions of Diamond Club. I’m sure there will be many people reading this thread, in a similar position who will now be aware of the policy. I'm glad I mentioned it....
RR
#8
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,130
Now, now, Ringway Rambler, don't sulk, your post wasn't just an informative one, it was clearly expressing the opinion (arguably from a slightly over-entitled perspective) that the policy was unfair. You indulged in some slightly purple prose and ambitious rhetoric, and I chose to meet you on your own ground. As well as informing (information which is already in the FAQ, by the way) you were criticising, which is absolutely fine, but you have to be prepared for people to disagree with you!
#9
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Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
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...and getting blue plus status on BD is not very difficult either. So basically BD are giving free food to everyone who occasionally flies with them.
The policy is not too bad IMHO.
The policy is not too bad IMHO.
#11
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That said, alliances agree on what benefits all members will extend to other members' elites: premium check-in, lounge access and so on. Anything beyond that is, in my experience, rare. Since giving elites food that non-elites would have to pay for is not a widespread practice across the board, it's not likely to be part of an alliance-wide agreement.
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 287
I think the point about people paying for full price flex economy is a fair one - a sandwich for 180quid ticket would be nice!
BTW can you get any drinks you like off the menu free with blue+?
BTW can you get any drinks you like off the menu free with blue+?
#13
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Scotland
Programs: not a lot
Posts: 1,774
Although, I always go for a cuppa and the strangely nice Cheese Toasties.
WRT a free sandwich when paying £180 for a ticket. This ticket is worth 1200 DC miles so you only need to do 3 of these before you are eligible for the free food. Is that really too much to ask?
#14
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#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Programs: Shiny ones
Posts: 288
Having to travel multiple times before you can be fed is not reasonable
The OP asked a perfectly reasonable question then was dealt with in a manner which if it was by the check in staff would have had us dashing to Flyertalk to vent copious quantities of steam!
Food costs very little on this earth, but airlines make us feel that the most humble packet of crisps is a treat beyond compare. We shouldn't feel surprised that pax who have handed over significant amounts of hard-earned cash for a flight feel aggrieved when they are asked to hand over even more for very basic food.
Let me put the question: if you are traveling on a full service airline, would you reasonably expect to pay? Leave aside all issues of 'it's on the website' etc - most pax don't read up on this sort of thing. They may expect it on a budget carrier, but IMHO an airline pretending to be a proper airline should feed it's customers.
I'll get my coat...
Techno
Food costs very little on this earth, but airlines make us feel that the most humble packet of crisps is a treat beyond compare. We shouldn't feel surprised that pax who have handed over significant amounts of hard-earned cash for a flight feel aggrieved when they are asked to hand over even more for very basic food.
Let me put the question: if you are traveling on a full service airline, would you reasonably expect to pay? Leave aside all issues of 'it's on the website' etc - most pax don't read up on this sort of thing. They may expect it on a budget carrier, but IMHO an airline pretending to be a proper airline should feed it's customers.
I'll get my coat...
Techno