BOB £2.30 for some hot water !!
#91
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,305
It is this type of absurdity and the nasty usurious impression it leaves that made SK, who made the same move a number of years ago, backtrack and start offering coffee, tea, and cups of bottled water free of charge. Strikes a fair balance and is psychologically wise: Once people have forgotten they used to get everything for free, they'll be happy to get something for free, and even encouraged to spend some money on something to have with their hot beverage rather than leaving in a fury swearing never to set foot on the carrier again. But of course Alex Cruz is way too arrogant to draw upon anybody else's experience.
#92
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
In fact, in any four and five stars hotel in China, and in many places in Asia, hotel restaurants will be happy to provide hot water on request any time. And as I said, you have to be a PAYING customer as you are a PAYING passenger on BA. You have to compare the scenarios when consider the customer is a paying customer.
#93
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: co down
Programs: etihad guest silver/ba bronze
Posts: 181
I have. In Holiday Inn Wuhan Riverside, during breakfast, I asked for a cup of hot water as the hot tea they serve is not to my taste. I have Twinnings Breakfast Tea bag with me. The server happily provided a cup with hot water and I opened my own tea bag in front of the waitress.
In fact, in any four and five stars hotel in China, and in many places in Asia, hotel restaurants will be happy to provide hot water on request any time. And as I said, you have to be a PAYING customer as you are a PAYING passenger on BA. You have to compare the scenarios when consider the customer is a paying customer.
In fact, in any four and five stars hotel in China, and in many places in Asia, hotel restaurants will be happy to provide hot water on request any time. And as I said, you have to be a PAYING customer as you are a PAYING passenger on BA. You have to compare the scenarios when consider the customer is a paying customer.
Being in the hospitality business myself it is laughable the amount of people who get annoyed when fillet steak is more expensive than rib eye or that they can but bottles of beer cheaper in Sainsbury's. Or can a bus trip bring their own sandwiches into our establishment. No one on this forum would go to work for free so I can't understand why they expect a large company to either.
#94
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Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 325
So - entirely hypothetically you understand - if an airline didn't have bev makers on its aircraft, what would happen? Would they not be allowed to fly? Would customers be expected to go without a free mug of hot water?
#95
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,657
This is British Airways. If the flight deck can't get a brew, then the aircraft is unlikely to go anywhere.
#96
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
Sometimes this site appears to be just like trip advisor.
People sitting watching and hoping for the slightest little complaint about BA to get a week of sitting on the top thread.
The whole "I flew 2000 miles to be insulted brigade" are regulars on here and some to be nothing but cheapskates looking everything for nothing.
People sitting watching and hoping for the slightest little complaint about BA to get a week of sitting on the top thread.
The whole "I flew 2000 miles to be insulted brigade" are regulars on here and some to be nothing but cheapskates looking everything for nothing.
BA is about as imperfect as they come but it has become a litany of "BA, Dreadful as usual, did , upset, failed to recognise - and it is always someone else who is to blame. That is part of the problem of the internet. Safe within the anonymity of the internet, I can say what I like and accuse how I please. It's become the equivalent of - it's in the papers, ergo it must be true.
To think that we now live in days when people are bringing teabags aboard, still I'd rather that the sight of people putting their feet up on the bulkhead. Now, I am wearing the wrong shade of lipstick to remain serious for this length of time, and a G&T calls!
#97
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
Regarding Dave_C's marginal cost argument - I do get that, and the same argument can be applied to other examples given here such as restaurants etc. However, why should the fixed costs involved be only shared amongst those who do pay for the service (or pay a CW fare that includes the service)? Especially when those fixed costs make up most of the cost. It seems unfair to me to have an expectation, entitlement even, to have something for free when it in effect free-loads on the back of other's expenditure.
#98
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
In many parts of the world restaurants allow patrons to bring their own bottle of wine, but they charge a corkage fee--and it can sometimes be very expensive. Not because it costs the restaurant much money (how much can opening a bottle and washing a few glasses cost?), but because you are eating into their revenue stream by not purchasing overpriced wine from the restaurant.
Bring your own teabag? Then pay a tea-baggage fee.
Bring your own teabag? Then pay a tea-baggage fee.
#99
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
He paid to sit in a seat and get from A to B. That may or may not include getting free cold or hot water.
#100
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,657
I'm trying to figure out if your post is patronising, sarcastic or just plain rude
Regarding Dave_C's marginal cost argument - I do get that, and the same argument can be applied to other examples given here such as restaurants etc. However, why should the fixed costs involved be only shared amongst those who do pay for the service (or pay a CW fare that includes the service)? Especially when those fixed costs make up most of the cost. It seems unfair to me to have an expectation, entitlement even, to have something for free when it in effect free-loads on the back of other's expenditure.
Regarding Dave_C's marginal cost argument - I do get that, and the same argument can be applied to other examples given here such as restaurants etc. However, why should the fixed costs involved be only shared amongst those who do pay for the service (or pay a CW fare that includes the service)? Especially when those fixed costs make up most of the cost. It seems unfair to me to have an expectation, entitlement even, to have something for free when it in effect free-loads on the back of other's expenditure.
The reason you do this is because it's all about customer service. It's about delivering a great experience onboard the aircraft and turning your passengers into advocates that will come back again and again.
The total cost to BA for giving someone a Club Europe mug and hot water is in the pennies. If that person gets the warm and fuzzies, they're likely to spend more money by booking again, as opposed to being so grumpy they go to the competition.
#101
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
This is exactly the thinking that's going on with the BA management team at the moment which is why it's so screwed up.
The reason you do this is because it's all about customer service. It's about delivering a great experience onboard the aircraft and turning your passengers into advocates that will come back again and again.
The total cost to BA for giving someone a Club Europe mug and hot water is in the pennies. If that person gets the warm and fuzzies, they're likely to spend more money by booking again, as opposed to being so grumpy they go to the competition.
The reason you do this is because it's all about customer service. It's about delivering a great experience onboard the aircraft and turning your passengers into advocates that will come back again and again.
The total cost to BA for giving someone a Club Europe mug and hot water is in the pennies. If that person gets the warm and fuzzies, they're likely to spend more money by booking again, as opposed to being so grumpy they go to the competition.
#102
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,657
But imagine if your point was widely applied in the real world. A croissant probably costs 10 or 20p to Caffe Nero. Imagine if I went in, purchased a nice cup of coffee, then asked if I could just have one of their croissants for free. They refuse, then I get grumpy and say I'm never buying from you again! Or I notice my friendly greengrocer has a lot of apples, and after I've bought my vegetables I say may I just have one of those lovely juicy apples for free? He says no, I get grumpy and vow never to shop there again. To me your point just doesn't seem realistic.
Besides, the scenario I'm talking about is very much real world, and not hypothetical in the slightest.
I think it also touches on a further point about how (some) cabin crew feel they lack discretion to deliver upon, or exceed customer expectations.
I'm sure there are some old school EuroFleet CSDs that simply would have brought down a mug of hot water without thinking about it, simply because it's the right thing to do for that customer.
#103
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
None of those are in any way analogous to what we're talking about.
Besides, the scenario I'm talking about is very much real world, and not hypothetical in the slightest.
I think it also touches on a further point about how (some) cabin crew feel they lack discretion to deliver upon, or exceed customer expectations.
I'm sure there are some old school EuroFleet CSDs that simply would have brought down a mug of hot water without thinking about it, simply because it's the right thing to do for that customer.
Besides, the scenario I'm talking about is very much real world, and not hypothetical in the slightest.
I think it also touches on a further point about how (some) cabin crew feel they lack discretion to deliver upon, or exceed customer expectations.
I'm sure there are some old school EuroFleet CSDs that simply would have brought down a mug of hot water without thinking about it, simply because it's the right thing to do for that customer.
#104
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,930
Quite, people have to accept that BA short haul economy is now BoB. No matter how much we dislike it, it is what we have to put up with or go elsewhere. BA will gladly provide hot water free of charge if you have a suitable receptacle, if not then it is BoB or do without. We should not expect to receive a Club Europe mug or a crew cup. This is the product folks, don't expect to receive you do not pay for.
#105
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Silver, Mucci
Posts: 5,289
But imagine if your point was widely applied in the real world. A croissant probably costs 10 or 20p to Caffe Nero. Imagine if I went in, purchased a nice cup of coffee, then asked if I could just have one of their croissants for free. They refuse, then I get grumpy and say I'm never buying from you again! Or I notice my friendly greengrocer has a lot of apples, and after I've bought my vegetables I say may I just have one of those lovely juicy apples for free? He says no, I get grumpy and vow never to shop there again. To me your point just doesn't seem realistic.
I actually bought a cup of tea in Starbucks yesterday, then asked for a cup of water with ice. They gave me a cup of water with ice, a lid and a straw. The service in Starbucks makes me happy as a customer, and as a shareholder.