Gold member personal greeting
Jun 3, 2014, 12:43 am
#61
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,926
I work mainly in BRU, so I often take the earliest flight at 06:40 to arrive at the office at 9ish. This is the only time I would travel wearing a suit, and this is the only time I ever get any such greeting (but only in CE, not ET). As a BA Gold member in my civvies, I never get a second glance. I travel enough to know this is isn't a coincidence.
Any other travellers noticed this?
Any other travellers noticed this?
Jun 3, 2014, 1:51 am
#64
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL (but soon to lose the GL :-(), IHG Spire Amb, Hilton Dmnd (and pleb/pleb-plus in 1001 others)
Posts: 771
I tend to find the chances of a gold-specific greeting increase as I get towards the back of the plane. Towards the front there is always a certain amount of this by virtue of class of travel, so its difficult to say that any of it is triggered by status. However when you're down the back and you're the only person around you to get a greeting its obvious why.
The most effusive greeting, and constant checking on my needs, I ever experienced was on a ET hop back from AMS. I was asked, by name, if I'd like anything else at least half a dozen times - by two different crew. I remember that one time I had only just finished telling CC1 I was OK when CC2 popped up less than a minute later. The guy sat next to me wondered who the hell I was.
The most effusive greeting, and constant checking on my needs, I ever experienced was on a ET hop back from AMS. I was asked, by name, if I'd like anything else at least half a dozen times - by two different crew. I remember that one time I had only just finished telling CC1 I was OK when CC2 popped up less than a minute later. The guy sat next to me wondered who the hell I was.
Jun 3, 2014, 2:15 am
#65
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA BLUE BADGE
Posts: 1,323
I've had it a few times in CE. The last time I'd swapped seats with a friend (who hardly ever flies) so we could sit next to our wives for a bit. The FA launched into the spiel and my friend played along, interjecting with some made up gripes which made "me" sound ridiculous. No-one has approached me since. Have my first first to Vegas a week today so they are going to have to break their silence!
Jun 3, 2014, 2:29 am
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
...I often take the earliest flight at 06:40 to arrive at the office at 9ish. This is the only time I would travel wearing a suit, and this is the only time I ever get any such greeting (but only in CE, not ET). As a BA Gold member in my civvies, I never get a second glance.
I travel enough to know this is isn't a coincidence.
I travel enough to know this is isn't a coincidence.
This a bizarre thesis.
Frequent travel really isn't a proxy for logic.
Jun 3, 2014, 3:01 am
#67
Join Date: May 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Carlson Gold Elite, Accor Platinum, SPG Gold, Marco Polo Gold
Posts: 273
Jun 3, 2014, 6:51 am
#68
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: A3*G, Marriott Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium
Posts: 856
The CSM got it absolutely spot on with me on my LHR-VIE flight in ET yesterday. There was no over the top greeting but he called me by my name when collecting my rubbish and thanked me by name as I was getting off the aircraft. A nice, subtle way of recognising me as Gold without fawning all over me in front of a full aircraft. The whole crew on that flight were brilliant and the service was top notch!
Jun 3, 2014, 7:05 am
#69
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold & GGL & CCR, HH Diam, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire, Tastecard
Posts: 7,549
I've been greeted in various forms personally in different scenarios and usually it's a nice touch that I appreciate.
Just this weekend, on JFK - LHR, UD crew throughout flight referred to me as Mr chris1979 including "nice to see you mr christ1979, safe travel home" but we had had a nice chat during the flight. it's a nice touch and should happen more often but appreciate they can't remember 20 names on UD.
I once was greeted first by the CSD and then the Y purser when sat in Y, again coming back from JFK. Again, all fine but it was a bit OTT when they offered me bubbles a few times (I dont drink), checked a few times that everything was ok (it was) and offered me a bose headset (that was appreciated!). It was also a bit embarrasing as I was sat in window seat (front row though) in WT and my 2 neighbours were an slightly older couple with at least 1 silver card holder. I can't quite remember the comment the gentleman made to me but it was clear that it was a bit OTT and I think he felt a bit offput and I was a bit uncomfortable.
Fine line though and on balance, I'd probably rather have a personal touch - though low key where possible.
Just this weekend, on JFK - LHR, UD crew throughout flight referred to me as Mr chris1979 including "nice to see you mr christ1979, safe travel home" but we had had a nice chat during the flight. it's a nice touch and should happen more often but appreciate they can't remember 20 names on UD.
I once was greeted first by the CSD and then the Y purser when sat in Y, again coming back from JFK. Again, all fine but it was a bit OTT when they offered me bubbles a few times (I dont drink), checked a few times that everything was ok (it was) and offered me a bose headset (that was appreciated!). It was also a bit embarrasing as I was sat in window seat (front row though) in WT and my 2 neighbours were an slightly older couple with at least 1 silver card holder. I can't quite remember the comment the gentleman made to me but it was clear that it was a bit OTT and I think he felt a bit offput and I was a bit uncomfortable.
Fine line though and on balance, I'd probably rather have a personal touch - though low key where possible.
Jun 5, 2014, 4:33 pm
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Jun 5, 2014, 4:48 pm
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Europe & Indonesia
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH SEN, EK ex-Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 11,571
Jun 5, 2014, 9:16 pm
#72
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Berkshire, UK.
Programs: BAEC Gold, Flying Blue, SASEB
Posts: 106
2 years ago I got greeted by the CSM or a member of the CC on the majority of flights. These days it's pretty rare.
Once upon a time, when flying in WTP or WT if I was towards the rear of the cabin (last minute bookings, only seats available) a crew member would almost always come and check what my meal choice was before the meal service to ensure I got what I wanted. In the last year or so this has stopped and on several occasions there has been no choice. This was always a welcome perk, but sadly these days it appears that once on board the aircraft having a Gold card brings zero benefits.
Once upon a time, when flying in WTP or WT if I was towards the rear of the cabin (last minute bookings, only seats available) a crew member would almost always come and check what my meal choice was before the meal service to ensure I got what I wanted. In the last year or so this has stopped and on several occasions there has been no choice. This was always a welcome perk, but sadly these days it appears that once on board the aircraft having a Gold card brings zero benefits.
Jun 6, 2014, 6:15 am
#73
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bedfordshire, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Geek platinum
Posts: 2,004
Ironically, having said up-thread how I have never had a greeting in WT, I got one on the way back from ORD on the 294 last night. Indeed having introduced himself to me, the CSD then went and told one of stewards of my presence who then spent the rest of the flight looking after me really well (extra Glenlivet, always a winner). I sent off my gold ticket this morning accordingly as he really did go above and beyond and showed how a single great crew member can really transform you in-flight experience.
Jun 6, 2014, 6:38 am
#74
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fareham, UK
Programs: BA GGL+CCR, HHonors Dia, Hyatt Dia
Posts: 273
A short sharp greeting with the offer to help is much appreciated since it tells me that the CSD is more likely to treat me as a valued passenger, rather than self-loading cargo (please pardon the hyperbole). What I don't like is the gushy, kneeling-in-front-of-me five minute speech about loyalty that I had on a flight on Tuesday. It makes me cringe.
Must be a closet egomaniac
Jun 6, 2014, 6:45 am
#75
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fareham, UK
Programs: BA GGL+CCR, HHonors Dia, Hyatt Dia
Posts: 273
I work mainly in BRU, so I often take the earliest flight at 06:40 to arrive at the office at 9ish. This is the only time I would travel wearing a suit, and this is the only time I ever get any such greeting (but only in CE, not ET). As a BA Gold member in my civvies, I never get a second glance. I travel enough to know this is isn't a coincidence.
Any other travellers noticed this?
Any other travellers noticed this?
A bit like highlighted by Tobias I wear all kinds and no difference. I once on a very hot trip out of PHX had shorts/flip-flops/t-shirt and my suit jacket to save carrying it.