Tempted to decline next upgrade
Nov 6, 2012, 4:07 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Programs: Tufty Club (Gold), BAGA Gymnastics level 4, 440yds swimming certificate
Posts: 2,533
Can you actually decline an upgrade if it is offered?
Even if you have a great J seat, BA can move you due to Operational Reasons and the need to move people up classes fits in with that? Whilst I appreciate the points made that some J seats are better than F seats and as such you could express distaste at the suggestion, if the Dispatcher is trying to get the aircraft out would he be within his rights to just tell you to sit down?
The situation Y to W would be even worse, imagine being told that instead of Y aisle you have W middle - yuckety yuck. Would be keen to hear a Dispatchers view.
Even if you have a great J seat, BA can move you due to Operational Reasons and the need to move people up classes fits in with that? Whilst I appreciate the points made that some J seats are better than F seats and as such you could express distaste at the suggestion, if the Dispatcher is trying to get the aircraft out would he be within his rights to just tell you to sit down?
The situation Y to W would be even worse, imagine being told that instead of Y aisle you have W middle - yuckety yuck. Would be keen to hear a Dispatchers view.
Nov 6, 2012, 4:29 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Programs: M&M SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 462
(Sun, 4 Nov, LHR to EWR #189)
Nov 6, 2012, 4:33 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 517
Adding to the comment from shogan, I've had 2 op-ups to F from CW in the last few weeks. One was fantastic - escorted to seat, given excellent service. The other one made me seriously consider filing a complaint - not only did I feel ignored, but the crew member bordered on hostile when I found my first menu choice unpalatable and requested a different dish.
I couldn't pinpoint an aspect of her behaviour though that was clearly unprofessional (it was more her demeanor), so without a solid argument I decided to let it go.
I couldn't pinpoint an aspect of her behaviour though that was clearly unprofessional (it was more her demeanor), so without a solid argument I decided to let it go.
Nov 6, 2012, 4:51 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 316
I find the service quality can be heavily influenced by the quality of the crew.
Nov 6, 2012, 4:56 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Salisbury Plain
Programs: BA: Silver,
Posts: 1,197
I see your point about status, but why should someone on a reward ticket get reduced service in advance of cash customers? They have paid for their ticket just like anyone else, merely in a different currency. They are just as much an important customer as the person who has paid for a restricted ticket, possibly more by virtue of their loyalty in collecting miles.
Other posts have been using another term: upgraded - again, speaks for itself
One class, one class of service!
Nov 6, 2012, 5:08 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, BD..oh, wait..
Posts: 4,045
My last op-up 64K to 4F (1A at the lounge, but got shunted back at the gate) which was OF. Ho-hum, but the service was great and I don't think BA has ever made me feel "different" on an upgrade. On op-ups to CW I always offer to take a substitute food course if they are short on a particular dish etc when they are taking orders. I'm not a fussy eater so I'm happy to let paying passengers have first dibs etc, but in First that should rarely be an issue and I don't bother saying anything.
Nov 6, 2012, 5:09 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
For what it is worth, the one time that I did get upgraded from CW to F I had great service! 
See the TR here!
See the TR here!
Nov 6, 2012, 5:18 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 804
I don't understand how they can treat your upgraded F from CW as 2nd rated.... CW is not exactly cheap! I mean how many people can actually afford to pay their own CW tickets?? Should treat everyone in the cabin the same regardless... I guess passengers wouldn't know weather you got upgraded or paid it with your own cash so they wouldn't really have the grounds to complain... And when you are traveling F... most people would be educated enough to be polite...
Polite enough not to complain about getting served thier meals in a specific order lol
Polite enough not to complain about getting served thier meals in a specific order lol
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Nov 6, 2012 at 5:29 am Reason: Posts merged
Nov 6, 2012, 5:25 am
#40
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 804
Adding to the comment from shogan, I've had 2 op-ups to F from CW in the last few weeks. One was fantastic - escorted to seat, given excellent service. The other one made me seriously consider filing a complaint - not only did I feel ignored, but the crew member bordered on hostile when I found my first menu choice unpalatable and requested a different dish.
I couldn't pinpoint an aspect of her behaviour though that was clearly unprofessional (it was more her demeanor), so without a solid argument I decided to let it go.
I couldn't pinpoint an aspect of her behaviour though that was clearly unprofessional (it was more her demeanor), so without a solid argument I decided to let it go.
But I think they normally only investigate when there is a lot of complains isnt ?
Nov 6, 2012, 5:28 am
#41
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ex-Eurocheat in London
Programs: BA Silver, MUCCI
Posts: 582
On op-ups to CW I always offer to take a substitute food course if they are short on a particular dish etc when they are taking orders. I'm not a fussy eater so I'm happy to let paying passengers have first dibs etc, but in First that should rarely be an issue and I don't bother saying anything.
Nov 6, 2012, 6:27 am
#42
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,552
+1. It's all about how it is handled. The crew has to manage it so that it isn't obvious to everyone else in the cabin that you have been upgraded. I don't get very frequent upgrades but when they do happen, orders for food have always been taken in a way that doesn't give away the fact that I have been upgraded. I have no problem with a paid person getting priority on choices. I would be bothered if I was treated like a poor relation though
Nov 6, 2012, 8:39 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
GBP 1.5k is GBP 28.85 per week, just a couple of trips to the pub or meals out.
Flexible tickets of course are another matter entirely!
Nov 6, 2012, 10:45 am
#45
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wild Wiltshire
Programs: Demoted to gold, Cats protection
Posts: 3,455
from paid WT+ MFU to CW op up to F everything was great, although there wasnt enough marginal utility to warrant paying or redeeming for F.
I Turned down a paid CW to F op up from PHX to be upstairs with my family
The only difference in service I have ever seen is that we were told at PHL that pre flight dining was not available to upgraded pax.
I thought I was going to see a difference on my last op up no pre flight drink, no amenity bag but it was simply an oversight and the crew couldnt have been nicer