Sweet-talking your way into the CCR - unacceptable
Dec 30, 2018, 11:42 am
#76
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
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Posts: 15,926
Where do you draw line though?
For example would you say no redemptions or cheap upgrades should be allowed in F because you personally have paid £4.5K out of your own pocket for the same seat?
Indeed there are two sides to every argument.....you weren't deprived of your published benefits and what one person may see as unacceptable may be considered by others to be neither here nor there.
For example would you say no redemptions or cheap upgrades should be allowed in F because you personally have paid £4.5K out of your own pocket for the same seat?
Indeed there are two sides to every argument.....you weren't deprived of your published benefits and what one person may see as unacceptable may be considered by others to be neither here nor there.
Dec 30, 2018, 11:56 am
#77
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
I think you may have just provided the stereotypical image of those who think being allowed into a lounge is something that should be reserved only for 'the right kind of people'. Thanks for the laugh.
If someone is good enough to 'blag' their way in, they sound like people I would enjoy meeting. That takes some real talent. Having status or paying for entry is something pretty much anyone can do quite easily. It's like someone who solos Mt. Everest vs. someone who just buys their way to the top as happens these days.
If someone is good enough to 'blag' their way in, they sound like people I would enjoy meeting. That takes some real talent. Having status or paying for entry is something pretty much anyone can do quite easily. It's like someone who solos Mt. Everest vs. someone who just buys their way to the top as happens these days.
Dec 30, 2018, 1:30 pm
#78
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Indeed that is one solution. Personally I don't have an issue with agents using the occasional bit of judgment provided there is capacity and those who are entitled to be there due to ticket/status are not in some way deprived.
Dec 30, 2018, 1:39 pm
#79
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I think you may have just provided the stereotypical image of those who think being allowed into a lounge is something that should be reserved only for 'the right kind of people'. Thanks for the laugh.
If someone is good enough to 'blag' their way in, they sound like people I would enjoy meeting. That takes some real talent. Having status or paying for entry is something pretty much anyone can do quite easily. It's like someone who solos Mt. Everest vs. someone who just buys their way to the top as happens these days.
If someone is good enough to 'blag' their way in, they sound like people I would enjoy meeting. That takes some real talent. Having status or paying for entry is something pretty much anyone can do quite easily. It's like someone who solos Mt. Everest vs. someone who just buys their way to the top as happens these days.
OT but wouldn't a mountain expert consider it foolish for even the most expert climber (and even someone who has already made it to the summit in previous years) to attempt to solo Mt Everest?
Dec 30, 2018, 1:54 pm
#80
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Programs: BA, JAL
Posts: 689
Just yesterday, two passengers in front of me (a young couple who were off somewhere to celebrate the New Year) managed to blag (a.k.a sweet-talk) their way into the Concorde Room. I witnessed the whole episode as they were directly in front of me
To my complete amazement, the dragon then said, "oh ok then, but don't tell anyone!". She typed a few things into the system and off they went.
.. I did feel that this was unfair on those who had either paid for their tickets (like me), redeemed F seats through miles or flew with BA so often that they were given such a privilege through the Concorde card. One of them was a blue member and the other didn't have any details on the boarding pass. I didn't complain (didn't see the point), but sadly did observe them putting their feet up on the seats and acting unbecoming of the place. I won't stereotype but I'm sure you can imagine (...think of the people who appear these reality shows).
To my complete amazement, the dragon then said, "oh ok then, but don't tell anyone!". She typed a few things into the system and off they went.
.. I did feel that this was unfair on those who had either paid for their tickets (like me), redeemed F seats through miles or flew with BA so often that they were given such a privilege through the Concorde card. One of them was a blue member and the other didn't have any details on the boarding pass. I didn't complain (didn't see the point), but sadly did observe them putting their feet up on the seats and acting unbecoming of the place. I won't stereotype but I'm sure you can imagine (...think of the people who appear these reality shows).
All I would say is that this is consistent with what I have seen in and around BA lounges.
Same description of couple rubbishing BA CE ("why aren't we in business? oh because it's ****") on boarding and two minutes later they have sweet talked into business, first her then her partner.
These days I just burn avios and prefer business revenue tickets with others. That way I don't feel hard done by when I see these things.
Dec 30, 2018, 2:16 pm
#81
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LBA
Programs: KLM FB Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 454
First Class is exclusive, by it's very nature.
So the desk agent should have told the freeloaders to naff off!
Dec 30, 2018, 11:38 pm
#84
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I confess to failing to see the problem here. So somebody is granted something that they are not, by the normal way of things, entitled to. How does that actually affect others in there that day any more that a hotel guest who is given a complimentary room upgrade or a birthday cake in a restaurant?
As is often the case, those who support hard and fast rule adherence only take that view when it is working in their favour.
As is often the case, those who support hard and fast rule adherence only take that view when it is working in their favour.
Dec 31, 2018, 1:38 am
#85
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: VS Flying Club (Gold), BA Exec Club (Silver), Hilton Honors (Diamond)
Posts: 59
I find this really interesting as I am a “blagger” having recently blagged myway into the Seattle Delta Sky Club and a few years ago famously blagging an upgrade into Upper Class for a friend who was in premium, I myself was already in Upper! I’ve also been the recipient of numerous first class blags on trains across Europe and Eurostar.
So firstly, respect the class you are blagging into, don’t sit there and blatantly take the water, read the mood of the environment you’re in. In the case above the Skyclub was dead and very quiet, I sat in the corner with a glass of champers (purchased) a glass of rose wine a few cookies and flight radar 24. I cannot stand people who ruin other people’s enjoyment or peace and tranquility.
Then with regards to “entitlement” as a “blagger” you take the rough with the smooth, I’ve been told I can sell coal to Newcastle, well I am a Geordie, and to be fair I did in a former life sell loans to very rich people, but for every time you can use a bit of charm to grab a little cheeky empty seat in a first class coach, you get knocked back. Is it right? Well I think it’s subjective, do I get annoyed if someone else gets an upgrade and I paid or didn’t? Sure but it’s purely out of jealously and admiration for the other persons skill!
So firstly, respect the class you are blagging into, don’t sit there and blatantly take the water, read the mood of the environment you’re in. In the case above the Skyclub was dead and very quiet, I sat in the corner with a glass of champers (purchased) a glass of rose wine a few cookies and flight radar 24. I cannot stand people who ruin other people’s enjoyment or peace and tranquility.
Then with regards to “entitlement” as a “blagger” you take the rough with the smooth, I’ve been told I can sell coal to Newcastle, well I am a Geordie, and to be fair I did in a former life sell loans to very rich people, but for every time you can use a bit of charm to grab a little cheeky empty seat in a first class coach, you get knocked back. Is it right? Well I think it’s subjective, do I get annoyed if someone else gets an upgrade and I paid or didn’t? Sure but it’s purely out of jealously and admiration for the other persons skill!
Dec 31, 2018, 1:44 am
#86
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991
I doubt very much that you would be able to blag your way into the first class carriages of European trains, and in particular Eurostar, without a first class ticket or paying for the upgrade. It simply doesn't happen.
Dec 31, 2018, 12:06 pm
#88
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,271
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinhold_Messner
The most famous quote in mountaineering history is probably that of Edmund HIllary who was the first to reach the top of Everest. When asked why he wanted to climb it, he reputedly replied, 'because it's there'. Some things are done simply for the achievement of having done them. Foolish or sensible have nothing to do with them.
There are really two issues here. One is why would someone try to 'blag' anything and the other is why someone would be annoyed by someone else getting some 'privilege' that they were not 'entitled' to. They are totally separate issues are they not?
Blagging is generally done for the fun of blagging but from the viewpoint of someone who thinks in terms of 'privileges', they can only see it as someone getting something they aren't 'entitled to'. The OP clearly sees it that way and doesn't appear to be able to simply admire someone else's 'blagging' skills for what they are.
It has been my experience that those most likely to get upset over 'privilege' are those who did not have it before. The OP mentions having lived in a 'council house' in the past. I can understand someone with that background feeling they have 'earned' a privilege and not liking it when someone who they see as not having 'earned' it, gets the same privileges. But that is seeing 'earned' in a very narrow way. The blagger simply 'earned' his entry in another way. The blagger probably didn't even care much about what 'privileges' he got. What's that saying about, 'it's the chase, not the catching that matters'
I don't generally try to 'blag' although I have on some occasions, but I do regularly 'negotiate'. There is little I enjoy more than 'negotiating' a better deal and especially for something that most people consider as being 'non-negotiable'. I suppose it comes from my background in sales. For me, everything is negotiable. I don't negotiate to 'save money', that may be the end result but it is the fun of the negotiating that I enjoy. It's like a match of wits and skill with words, some you win and some you lose but regardless of the outcome, the fun is in the trying, 'because it's there'.
Dec 31, 2018, 12:17 pm
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,196
I confess to failing to see the problem here. So somebody is granted something that they are not, by the normal way of things, entitled to. How does that actually affect others in there that day any more that a hotel guest who is given a complimentary room upgrade or a birthday cake in a restaurant?
As is often the case, those who support hard and fast rule adherence only take that view when it is working in their favour.
As is often the case, those who support hard and fast rule adherence only take that view when it is working in their favour.
That is what really affects others when others behave badly and especially when they know they have been done a huge favour in the first place.
Dec 31, 2018, 12:18 pm
#90
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,271
Suppose I go to Eurostar and tell them that I am a freelance travel writer doing articles on train journeys in Europe. I show them an impressive portfolio of articles I have written and that have been published in mainline magazines and websites, like Conde Naste, National Geographic Traveller, etc. Then I tell them I would like to write a feature article on the Eurostar first class experience on their London to Paris train and I ask, 'would you be interested in letting me ride your train'?
What do you want to bet that there is not a good chance that they would let me? I would not have 'blagged' an upgrade to First, I would have 'blagged' it entirely for no cost at all.
Why would you want to call ColOrd a liar by saying, 'it simply doesn't happen', when you have no way of knowing what he is capable of and how he can do it? Your comment reflects YOUR abilities and inabilities, not someone else's.