Free drinks trial for BAEC Silver and Golds on selected short haul routes
#91
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,488
#93
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
Yeah the Biscoff biscuit AA gives to Y passengers are quite nice. I bought few pack from supermarket to have them with coffee and tea. It is amazingly cheap yet taste good.
#94
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
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I've found it quite amusing (almost comical) over the last few months that many on this forum seem to be actively seeking out flights from third-party airlines or franchises on BA codes rather than BA mainline (BA CityFlyer, Sun-Air, Jota Aviation, Titan etc) just to receive a reasonable level of hospitality while they fly. And we saw during the strikes last year how happy passengers were when they got their soulless economy BA flights replaced by Qatar's complimentary service. So to say that passengers aren't really interested in food and drinks when they fly (the old 'it's only a bus in the sky' argument that got pushed here so often) is really a load of rubbish.
What BA are doing with this trial is testing the water, but it's pretty obvious, for anyone with an ounce of common sense, that it will improve customer perception of the brand. I don't know why they are dilly-dallying, BA know damn well that they will eventually have to reintroduce complimentary food and drinks for all if they want to rebuild their reputation.
#95
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Blue, EI Silver, Honours Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,202
I think the trial is a good half-way proposition.
Mot rewards those simply wanting the cheapest flight, who are equally likely to choose FR, U2 or BA.
As part of a published benefit for Golds and Silvers I think it rewards the frequent BA flyer and encourages bronze members to progress through the tiers.
I cant see a negative to this, if it becomes a long-term thing. Id love to see the internal accounting for this, it seems unlikely Tourvest would be funding BAs marketing efforts.
Mot rewards those simply wanting the cheapest flight, who are equally likely to choose FR, U2 or BA.
As part of a published benefit for Golds and Silvers I think it rewards the frequent BA flyer and encourages bronze members to progress through the tiers.
I cant see a negative to this, if it becomes a long-term thing. Id love to see the internal accounting for this, it seems unlikely Tourvest would be funding BAs marketing efforts.
#96
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
This goes to the heart of BA problem, the identity crisis. For example BA will already be taking thumping losses on these 39 European flights for status passengers. BA I dont believe can combine low fares and a full service premium offering.
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,348
I agree with others that whilst - once again - I very much welcome the principle of the trial, the implementation seems a little odd. Mr Hillier sends us plenty of useless emails on a regular basis, would it not make sense to send one about this explaining to people what BA are offering, on which routes, and during what dates? For one thing people might know what to expect, secondly it might just serve as good publicity whilst it is o mystery that many of us have felt that BA was showing very little love for its most frequent flyers in recent months/years. Who knows, at the margin, a few people might even have opted to choose a BA flight over a competitor where the decision was a close call between them on other grounds which is not unusual.
I'm in fact still unclear about how the trial is explained to crew themselves. Are you being told what to say and when or are you supposed to decide how to present this yourself? "Mrs x, would you like any drink today? I see that you are a Gold cardholder so as part of an Easter promotion, your drink today will be free except for Champagne. How about you Mr X? Can I offer you a complimentary drink as well"
I'm in fact still unclear about how the trial is explained to crew themselves. Are you being told what to say and when or are you supposed to decide how to present this yourself? "Mrs x, would you like any drink today? I see that you are a Gold cardholder so as part of an Easter promotion, your drink today will be free except for Champagne. How about you Mr X? Can I offer you a complimentary drink as well"
Last edited by orbitmic; Apr 7, 2018 at 4:22 am
#98
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,508
No they will moan and gripe as they are some of the laziest crew in the skies. This move will require that they have to work. Identify those entitled and then deliver it. All the while explaining to the guy next to them that its because of status. That means effort and a far cry from waving a card as they do now.
It not difficult, its just that BA make it difficult.......as with most aspect of travel
Last edited by binman; Apr 7, 2018 at 3:42 am Reason: power failure interrupted edit
#99
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,200
Folks, can we try to shape this into a more instructive thread. The trial has begun and it appears to rolling out onto other routes. The real experiences shared here are being drowned out by the unfocused background noise.
Your assistance is appreciated
Prospero
Moderator: BA forum
Your assistance is appreciated
Prospero
Moderator: BA forum
#100
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH DIAMOND, AVIS Presidents Club, Karahi Express
Posts: 1,229
Folks, can we try to shape this into a more instructive thread. The trial has begun and it appears to rolling out onto other routes. The real experiences shared here are being drowned out by the unfocused background noise.
Your assistance is appreciated
Prospero
Moderator: BA forum
Your assistance is appreciated
Prospero
Moderator: BA forum
#101
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,059
But here’s the thing : would it not make sense - certainly from a customer perspective (albeit maybe not for BA’s bottom line, in the short-term) - to simply make it permanent without further ado ? Is it really necessary to validate the attraction of this gesture by “conducting sampling analysis from customer scores ....” ??
If my local pub ever decided to make a similar gesture, I’m pretty sure I already know what the answer to any associated survey would be.
*disclaimer: I don't work for Nunwood, but have been in a company that used them, so know how they work.
#102
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,381
Confus - oh come on now, please ! Let’s get real here.
It’s a cup of tea for goodness sake. Something which was offered to everybody on the aircraft (together with a light snack/refreshments) at no charge, just a year or so ago ........ when fares were the same as they are now.
Your analysis makes it sound as though BA are wrestling with the search for a strategy to solve world poverty.
Mind you, given the pace at which things move at Waterside HQ, decisions on complimentary tea could take just as long.
#103
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold/ All the AMEX Plat things
Posts: 195
After a not so good flight from HEL to LHR last night, had a wonderful ET experience to Budapest this morning, BA866. Excellent crew and 2 glasses of champagne for myself and my companion. Oh and some nuts!!
#104
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,400
I think the trial is more confusing than anything else. I've been on flights where others have reported to be offered a free drink and I haven't been offered a free drink. I don't care but I just want to point out the inconsistency that is IMO more annoying than anything else.
It was similar when group boarding was introduced on some both not on other Flights. Even today where group boarding is more or less being done everywhere, there are still passengers and ground staff confused about the concept.
Moreover, the idea adds yet another layer of complexity to the whole BOB system. On a recent flight to BRU, it took them nearly the entire flight to charge my seat neighbour's credit card. The service was overall slow and they spend a lot of time with each passenger that tried to order something.
It was similar when group boarding was introduced on some both not on other Flights. Even today where group boarding is more or less being done everywhere, there are still passengers and ground staff confused about the concept.
Moreover, the idea adds yet another layer of complexity to the whole BOB system. On a recent flight to BRU, it took them nearly the entire flight to charge my seat neighbour's credit card. The service was overall slow and they spend a lot of time with each passenger that tried to order something.
#105
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: London N3
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; VS Lifetime Gold
Posts: 222
The CC on both sectors were "bemused" when I told them that last October AA on a 2 hr flight in Economy BDA-PHL identified me as BA Gold/OW Emerald and offered me and my wife free snacks and drinks while BA doesn't even do so for their own status pax!