Premium Services at LAX
Mar 9, 2016, 11:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LHR
Programs: BA GGL/GfL, A3 Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 320
Premium Services at LAX
I'm flying SFO-LAX-SAN this morning on AA. To my complete surprise, I was just paged in the Flounge at LAX and picked up by Premium Services to be driven to the Eagle terminal for my flight to SAN. The agent tells me that GGL occasionally get Concierge Key services, although I'm not sure on what basis they decide who gets it. My question to those here who have had experience of this - should I have tipped the agent? I still experience that moment of doubt/insecurity at the end of an interaction over here - wish I could be better at reading those situations!
Mar 9, 2016, 11:07 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA Amex Prem, Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, Sir Crazy8534 de l'ordres des aides de Pucci
Posts: 4,460
That's interesting, I have twice now seen AA CK members escorted to the gate by SS at T5. I wonder whether they are allowed CCR access?
Mar 9, 2016, 11:13 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LHR
Programs: BA GGL/GfL, A3 Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 320
I saw that too last week. I was on a delayed inbound from DUB connecting to JFK. Two CK passengers were met off the DUB flight and escorted on. I, as it happened, found out that I'd been offloaded from my JFK flight as I went through connections with 30 mins to departure. Hmm!
Mar 9, 2016, 11:13 am
#5
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'm flying SFO-LAX-SAN this morning on AA. To my complete surprise, I was just paged in the Flounge at LAX and picked up by Premium Services to be driven to the Eagle terminal for my flight to SAN. The agent tells me that GGL occasionally get Concierge Key services, although I'm not sure on what basis they decide who gets it. My question to those here who have had experience of this - should I have tipped the agent? I still experience that moment of doubt/insecurity at the end of an interaction over here - wish I could be better at reading those situations!
I've had the pleasure of their services regularly, especially at LAX, JFK, ORD and MIA including the car service. It was very welcome especially at JFK (T8-T7) and a LAX T4 to T6 and T4 to the AA Eagle Nest.
As for tipping, I've never tipped and neither have I noticed CK members tipping.
Mar 9, 2016, 11:30 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Seems they (well, he) don't expect tips from simple walk-on passengers (but I'd bet they live in hope!). However, once any degree of baggage manhandling is involved, you are expected to stump up.
Mar 9, 2016, 2:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
never had it until quite recently. Once in the Flagship at LAX (arrived from JFK) onward in coach to LAS (with avios) got the mce seats with one seat missing - great for 2 travelers. Was escorted from lounge and agent waited until boarding.
Then also (slightly OT) at JFK (flying in from LAX) to the BA terminal for onward to LHR.
This only happened in the past few months, despite being GGL for few years.
Maybe its new, but whatever its very nice - thanks BA AA or whoever organizes this.
I had thought they think we are explat.
Then also (slightly OT) at JFK (flying in from LAX) to the BA terminal for onward to LHR.
This only happened in the past few months, despite being GGL for few years.
Maybe its new, but whatever its very nice - thanks BA AA or whoever organizes this.
I had thought they think we are explat.
Mar 9, 2016, 3:38 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: France
Programs: MUCCI, BA LTG/GGL/CCR, AF PLAT, ETHIHAD AND LH USELESS PLASTIC
Posts: 2,063
I have found AA a bit on and off with this generally. LAX and JFK are usually the best with this - and once at ORD as I remember. It's a nice bonus, but like an upgrade, best not to expect it to avoid disappointment.
I was impressed incoming from LAS recently that AA drove me from T4 to TBIT (although now I understand the airside tunnel is at last open) - and handed me straight over to BA SS. It all continued seamlessly into the QF lounge and onto the BA A380 back home, then SS met me at the door on arrival, down the airbridge lift into a BA car from C gates to A gates bus arrivals downstairs.
It was a good example of Oneworld airlines working together ^
I was impressed incoming from LAS recently that AA drove me from T4 to TBIT (although now I understand the airside tunnel is at last open) - and handed me straight over to BA SS. It all continued seamlessly into the QF lounge and onto the BA A380 back home, then SS met me at the door on arrival, down the airbridge lift into a BA car from C gates to A gates bus arrivals downstairs.
It was a good example of Oneworld airlines working together ^
Mar 9, 2016, 3:48 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,583
How is the data sharing taking place if it really is a GGL benefit? I would have thought that the sharing of data between OW airlines beyond the status database is a no-no, because in many cases they are competitors, or is this just a BA-AA thing. I was also wondering about the consent to share data...does it stop at AA?...but never mind.
Is it definitely not the case that like BA's CIV scores AA tracks certain pax (who happen to be OWE) as good customers?
Is it definitely not the case that like BA's CIV scores AA tracks certain pax (who happen to be OWE) as good customers?
Mar 9, 2016, 6:37 pm
#11
Ambassador: Oneworld Alliance
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold (GGL), Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,215
Well I know not to expect anything, but I am all excited now. I am in Las Vegas, flying home tomorrow on AA to LAX, then Phoenix, then on BA to LHR. (GGL retention tactics!). I will report what 'specials' if any come my way.
Mar 9, 2016, 7:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Betwixt SEA and LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, AS Gold MVP, IC RA, IHG Spire Elite, HH Diamond, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,354
Last edited by opalfruit; Mar 9, 2016 at 11:12 pm
Mar 9, 2016, 10:10 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 765
I also had 2 experiences at LAX too over the past month.
First was a connection from LAS-LAX and then connecting to a BA A380 at TBIT. SS lady was waiting for me as I stepped off the plane and she was there to walk me over to TBIT. The big help was at the TSA security which she helped me through. She left me there.
Last week I was on a tight connection from SJC-LAX-BOS - was in the lounge and was paged - they just wanted to let me know that they were ready to preboard me at the gate?????
So, they definitely seem to be randomly picking out GGL'ers.
First was a connection from LAS-LAX and then connecting to a BA A380 at TBIT. SS lady was waiting for me as I stepped off the plane and she was there to walk me over to TBIT. The big help was at the TSA security which she helped me through. She left me there.
Last week I was on a tight connection from SJC-LAX-BOS - was in the lounge and was paged - they just wanted to let me know that they were ready to preboard me at the gate?????
So, they definitely seem to be randomly picking out GGL'ers.
Mar 10, 2016, 9:24 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LHR
Programs: BA GGL/GfL, A3 Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 320
Premium Services at LAX
It's interesting that this appears to be some sort of discretionary cross benefit between GGL and CK, despite both of those levels being airline specific rather than an alliance thing. The agent who escorted me yesterday was aware that I was GGL and not CK, and mentioned that they don't provide these services for regular emeralds, so there's obviously some sort of data sharing going on.