Have I upset the BA Gods (CSM greetings)
Sep 22, 2017, 3:01 am
#16
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 305
Three reasons: generally upgrading on a promotional rate increases the inflexibility and cost of any changes, and that often falls on to the ticket issuer (the company's travel agent). Secondly the company's deal with BA could be based on looking at sales in one particular cabin, the more sold the better. Upgrading is perceived (not always correctly) as taking the ticket out of the consideration for the statistics on sales. Finally the old fairness issue, when many companies have an economy only programme for all staff and directors, someone seen to be in the wrong cabin raises questions as to whether that person is on some sort of better/secret contract.
Sep 22, 2017, 3:18 am
#17
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,930
Also, a fourth reason: those of us in service industries (i.e. where ultimately your client pays for your travel, not your employer) are often subject to our clients' travel policies. Where that's not the case, clients will still sometimes request travel reports to scrutinise our travel costs and check that they are reasonable -- and so even if I've upgraded myself, the cabin flown would still show up on the report and it's usually not worth the hassle of explaining to valued clients. It's also extremely awkward to fly on the same flight as your client if you've upgraded yourself -- once got an OpUp and felt duty bound to offer it to my client...
). Client, no.
Sep 22, 2017, 3:22 am
#18
Join Date: May 2003
Location: DEL
Programs: Mucci du Miel d'Or
Posts: 2,376
Three reasons: generally upgrading on a promotional rate increases the inflexibility and cost of any changes, and that often falls on to the ticket issuer (the company's travel agent). Secondly the company's deal with BA could be based on looking at sales in one particular cabin, the more sold the better. Upgrading is perceived (not always correctly) as taking the ticket out of the consideration for the statistics on sales. Finally the old fairness issue, when many companies have an economy only programme for all staff and directors, someone seen to be in the wrong cabin raises questions as to whether that person is on some sort of better/secret contract.
Sep 22, 2017, 11:03 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,537
Popped over to SIN from SYD yesterday in Y because it's a personal trip. Saw the CSM giving a "personal greeting" to two other people in the cabin but nothing to me.
To be honest I quite liked it because I find the personal greeting excruciatingly embarrassing but just wondered why I was left of the list... Is my CIV too low? Should I assume they were GGL rather than my lowly GCH? Or is my anxiety playing up again and I should ignore it all?
To be honest I quite liked it because I find the personal greeting excruciatingly embarrassing but just wondered why I was left of the list... Is my CIV too low? Should I assume they were GGL rather than my lowly GCH? Or is my anxiety playing up again and I should ignore it all?
Can’t recall the last time I was greeted on BA. But CX, QR and even AA do it every time.
Sep 22, 2017, 11:16 am
#21
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,213
i would challenge this. While many of these greetings do come across as mechanical - CX's execution springs to mind, I have not found BA's SCCM greetings in anyway mechanical. It's true one shouldn't expect a greeting but when I get them, I view the interaction as a genuine ice breaker.
Sep 22, 2017, 11:20 am
#22
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK London / Salisbury
Programs: BA GGL, CCR, LTG
Posts: 543
Can't recall the last time it happened to me on BA. Flew CX on four sectors last week and on every one was visited by the senior cabin crew member and thanked. A nice touch. Not to mention the seat, the price, the food etc...
Sep 23, 2017, 1:47 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
(well four months ago)Three reasons: generally upgrading on a promotional rate increases the inflexibility and cost of any changes, and that often falls on to the ticket issuer (the company's travel agent). Secondly the company's deal with BA could be based on looking at sales in one particular cabin, the more sold the better. Upgrading is perceived (not always correctly) as taking the ticket out of the consideration for the statistics on sales. Finally the old fairness issue, when many companies have an economy only programme for all staff and directors, someone seen to be in the wrong cabin raises questions as to whether that person is on some sort of better/secret contract.
A bit of one and a large helping of three. The request ended up with the CEO (
) who was concerned, especially as I work in a control function, that someone might become aware that I was in J but not understand that I had paid the difference myself. Disappointing but not the end of the world, (probably...
).Thanks subject2load for the reassurance that I "will pull through". ^
Very comforting and some LPGS Dutch courage in the CCR will certainly also help on the outbound. The money I save can, if required, be put towards some post flight therapy.
Last edited by TravellerFrequently; Sep 23, 2017 at 1:57 am
Sep 23, 2017, 2:48 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LON
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 75
Sounds very much like Mr. Ikea himself .............
"Ingvar Kamprad has become one of the richest men in the world yet he retains and embodies a frugal approach. In his late 80s he still travelled the world to visit IKEA stores. He drives and old Volvo car, stays in cheap hotels and flies economy class. He addresses IKEA employees as ‘co-workers’ and encourages everyone to dress informally, enjoy work, give excellent service and keep costs down."
http://www.destination-innovation.co...al-innovation/
"Ingvar Kamprad has become one of the richest men in the world yet he retains and embodies a frugal approach. In his late 80s he still travelled the world to visit IKEA stores. He drives and old Volvo car, stays in cheap hotels and flies economy class. He addresses IKEA employees as ‘co-workers’ and encourages everyone to dress informally, enjoy work, give excellent service and keep costs down."
http://www.destination-innovation.co...al-innovation/
Sep 23, 2017, 3:18 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Londinium
Programs: BA Gold. Kangorucci. NZGE.KLM Gold. VS gold
Posts: 1,617
flyingmonkie you really are asking the wrong people if you have offended the gods, we mortals are only concerned with our anxieties with the gods; will we get upgraded the next time we fly, which is better1F or 33e etc you have to ask the gods themselves. Luckily there is a way to get a certain answer.
On your return to SYD in Y keep the small water carton from the flight unopened and your boarding pass (printed version). Return home and build a BBQ outside, when the fires burn hot place your boarding pass on the fires and open the carton of BA water. IF at this point you could dress in previously used BA F PJ's it would be good but if not just smear some of the lip balm on your face from the BA CW amenity kit. Now dance clockwise 2 complete circles while shouting Y Y Y. Next complete 2 circles anticlockwise shouting WTP WTP. Next 2 clockwise dance shouting J J J and then 2 circles anticlockwise shouting F F F. Now sprinkle the water in the four directions of the compass and shout Cruz tell me please.
IF the smoke drifts north then the gods despise you, you will never be greeted again. If south they gods have forgiven you and you will be greeted again in WTP, J and F but not in Y. IF the smoke drifts west then you will be forgiven but first you have to suffer a penance and your luggage will be lost next time you fly. If it drifts east then the gods would really rather you flew China Southern in future. If it drifts straight up then gods will make it up to you next time you fly by thanking you for your continued belief in them over the PA at least 5 times.
Please don't do this in SIN, the authorities are not understanding.
On your return to SYD in Y keep the small water carton from the flight unopened and your boarding pass (printed version). Return home and build a BBQ outside, when the fires burn hot place your boarding pass on the fires and open the carton of BA water. IF at this point you could dress in previously used BA F PJ's it would be good but if not just smear some of the lip balm on your face from the BA CW amenity kit. Now dance clockwise 2 complete circles while shouting Y Y Y. Next complete 2 circles anticlockwise shouting WTP WTP. Next 2 clockwise dance shouting J J J and then 2 circles anticlockwise shouting F F F. Now sprinkle the water in the four directions of the compass and shout Cruz tell me please.
IF the smoke drifts north then the gods despise you, you will never be greeted again. If south they gods have forgiven you and you will be greeted again in WTP, J and F but not in Y. IF the smoke drifts west then you will be forgiven but first you have to suffer a penance and your luggage will be lost next time you fly. If it drifts east then the gods would really rather you flew China Southern in future. If it drifts straight up then gods will make it up to you next time you fly by thanking you for your continued belief in them over the PA at least 5 times.
Please don't do this in SIN, the authorities are not understanding.
Sep 23, 2017, 12:58 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
i would challenge this. While many of these greetings do come across as mechanical - CX's execution springs to mind, I have not found BA's SCCM greetings in anyway mechanical. It's true one shouldn't expect a greeting but when I get them, I view the interaction as a genuine ice breaker.
Perhaps with your status and frequent patronage they know you and know as a seasoned traveler you will not make unusual demands.
Sep 23, 2017, 4:07 pm
#28
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
A bit of one and a large helping of three. The request ended up with the CEO () who was concerned, especially as I work in a control function, that someone might become aware that I was in J but not understand that I had paid the difference myself. Disappointing but not the end of the world, (probably...).
) who was concerned, especially as I work in a control function, that someone might become aware that I was in J but not understand that I had paid the difference myself. Disappointing but not the end of the world, (probably...).That said, once we changed to a new corporate TA, they refused to do that anymore.
Sep 23, 2017, 7:31 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Our old corporate TA could issue the itinerary and invoice in Y that's charged to my corporate card, then change it to upgrade to J with a separate itinerary and invoice, that's charged to my personal credit card. So the company doesn't know of the personally paid upgrade.
That said, once we changed to a new corporate TA, they refused to do that anymore.
That said, once we changed to a new corporate TA, they refused to do that anymore.
Sep 23, 2017, 8:26 pm
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Life Miles, Miles and more
Posts: 518
I like the sound of Mr IKEA, if only more successful people could be so humble, the world would likely be a much better place. There seem to be plenty of far less important people here who like to make it clear that Y Is just unconscionable
