Gold member personal greeting
Feb 7, 2019, 6:31 pm
#526
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: London. Or a plane.
Programs: "Only" 50,000 TPs until BA GGLfL
Posts: 2,773
Feb 12, 2019, 4:13 pm
#528
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver,, Oman Air Gold
Posts: 747
Silver member personal greeting (!)
I was flying back in 2A from IOM to LCY today when I saw the CSM (actually the only crew member on this flight) introduce herself and welcome the goldie in 1D.
I couldn’t hear what was said but it all seemed very friendly and spontaneous.
Then, to my surprise, she came to me and I was welcomed to the flight by name despite being a mere silver. It was not forced and I can see why, if done properly, it can be a nice moment for all you golds.
During the drinks round I asked for a G&T and was promptly given two Tanquerays and two tonics. She subsequently asked me on two separate occasions if I wanted any more - but ever mindful of my Northern Ireland grandmother’s advice that the Devil is always in the third glass I declined.
I was much weaker, however, when towards the end of the flight she asked me would I like to take away some champagne; after a mumbled “yes, please” two bottles of Castelnau quickly appeared...
I couldn’t hear what was said but it all seemed very friendly and spontaneous.
Then, to my surprise, she came to me and I was welcomed to the flight by name despite being a mere silver. It was not forced and I can see why, if done properly, it can be a nice moment for all you golds.
During the drinks round I asked for a G&T and was promptly given two Tanquerays and two tonics. She subsequently asked me on two separate occasions if I wanted any more - but ever mindful of my Northern Ireland grandmother’s advice that the Devil is always in the third glass I declined.
I was much weaker, however, when towards the end of the flight she asked me would I like to take away some champagne; after a mumbled “yes, please” two bottles of Castelnau quickly appeared...
Last edited by CoweyB; Feb 12, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Feb 13, 2019, 12:41 am
#529
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
Not yet Gold (will be in April!) but I would find the whole personal greeting thing a huge embarrassment. Fair enough if travelling in F, I have only flown F a couple of times and it is good to be treated special when spending a lot on the ticket but if I were in WT/WTP and I was singled out for a greeting I would sure be embarrassed. As a Gold we aren't that special IMO and yes, we have benefits but a personal greeting? No thanks.
Feb 13, 2019, 12:48 am
#530
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, Hyatt Prive, Hilton Impressario, Marriott Stars/Luminous, Roswood Elite, MO Fan Club
Posts: 557
Not yet Gold (will be in April!) but I would find the whole personal greeting thing a huge embarrassment. Fair enough if travelling in F, I have only flown F a couple of times and it is good to be treated special when spending a lot on the ticket but if I were in WT/WTP and I was singled out for a greeting I would sure be embarrassed. As a Gold we aren't that special IMO and yes, we have benefits but a personal greeting? No thanks.
Feb 13, 2019, 12:52 am
#531
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,989
It's certainly embarrassing when a crew member approaches you awkwardly, tells you they have a "personal" message for you from the Executive Club and proceeds to read the greeting mechanically from their iPad (which, in my experience, is what usually happens), but when it is done well and appears spontaneous it can make you feel genuinely appreciated and welcomed on board.
Feb 13, 2019, 11:08 am
#532
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: TLV/JFK/IAD/MAF
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 69
Add my last experience in the matter.
Flew TLV-LHR-JFK as WT+ on Dec 15, 2018.
On TLV-LHR segment, fell asleep before we even took off (after long sleepless night as the flight left early in morning and planned to sleep on the flight) ... to my surprise, after I woke up, the very lovely CSM (I'm assuming) came to apologize that she haven't greeted me earlier but mentioned seeming me completely asleep and didn't want to wake me up, and asked if everything is ok.
The fellow traveller next to me (a young lady) seemed very perplexed as of why and what ...
Didn't happen on the LHR-JFK (WT+ as well) later that day...
But have a JFK-LHR (First) and LHR-TLV (CW) coming in a month. would be interesting.
Flew TLV-LHR-JFK as WT+ on Dec 15, 2018.
On TLV-LHR segment, fell asleep before we even took off (after long sleepless night as the flight left early in morning and planned to sleep on the flight) ... to my surprise, after I woke up, the very lovely CSM (I'm assuming) came to apologize that she haven't greeted me earlier but mentioned seeming me completely asleep and didn't want to wake me up, and asked if everything is ok.
The fellow traveller next to me (a young lady) seemed very perplexed as of why and what ...
Didn't happen on the LHR-JFK (WT+ as well) later that day...
But have a JFK-LHR (First) and LHR-TLV (CW) coming in a month. would be interesting.
Feb 13, 2019, 11:26 am
#533
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
Well, we elders were greeted yesterday!
First time for ages, it seems. LHR-PHX, on the UD in J, and the CSM came upstairs to do it! The difference between CW ex-LHR and ex-LGW was tangible in all respects, I have to say. Two delightful CC and good food sealed the deal!
First time for ages, it seems. LHR-PHX, on the UD in J, and the CSM came upstairs to do it! The difference between CW ex-LHR and ex-LGW was tangible in all respects, I have to say. Two delightful CC and good food sealed the deal!
Feb 17, 2019, 8:50 am
#534
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BA
Posts: 45
BA460 yesterday - no gold greeting for me, or my friend (her first flight since becoming gold for the first time) - we were in F on a 773 to Madrid (CE service). My partner was on the same flight in economy, was upgraded to club the day before and was given a warm welcome at his seat for becoming bronze.Hilarious!
Last edited by BCALDavid; Feb 17, 2019 at 8:51 am Reason: extra detail
Feb 17, 2019, 9:05 am
#535
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Programs: BAEC bouncing from Blue to Gold to Blue VSFC Red CXGreen Club Accor Platinum Hilton Silver.
Posts: 914
I have 4 recent flights they were the BA123 to Doha the QR960 to DPS Bali the CX784 to HKG and the BA32 to LHR traveling with my 2 adult children (Blue's) in Y. On all 4 legs we got a non cringe worthy Gold greeting on all 4 flights, and given Champagne on the BA flights we had great crew on all flights. It was funny as my kids thought who is this man? is he famous we don't know him 
.
John
.John
Feb 17, 2019, 9:08 am
#536
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,395
BA460 yesterday - no gold greeting for me, or my friend (her first flight since becoming gold for the first time) ............ My partner was on the same flight in economy, was upgraded to club the day before and was given a warm welcome at his seat for becoming bronze.Hilarious!
It’s all good stuff. You could be forgiven for thinking that CC play a fun game amongst themselves to see who can come up with the most oddball strategy for ‘personal greetings’
Feb 17, 2019, 9:18 am
#537
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,226
BA460 yesterday - no gold greeting for me, or my friend (her first flight since becoming gold for the first time) - we were in F on a 773 to Madrid (CE service). My partner was on the same flight in economy, was upgraded to club the day before and was given a warm welcome at his seat for becoming bronze.Hilarious!
Feb 17, 2019, 11:55 am
#538
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sapporo, Japan
Programs: Junior Jet Club, Nando's Card 1 Red Chilli, Tesco Clubcard, BAEC Gold, TK M&S Elite
Posts: 520
Not sure why BA doesn't learn from Finnair, who are so good at unforced status greetings for Oneworld. Every single flight I've flown with AY, in any class, I've been warmly greeted, even on short hops.