BA 100 [Valentine's Day surprise]
Feb 15, 2019, 2:03 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 303
I was just saying to my wife this morning, that these people would most likely have been blown away by First. Outside of the bubble of FT most people probably think of economy as how everyone flies, apart from bankers and pop-stars. To experience what's in front of the curtain would have been a great experience for them. I doubt they'd have complained about portion sizes of pre-departure champagne, or that they didn't get offered a chocolate after their dinner.
Feb 15, 2019, 2:05 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,092
So to be clear I have nothing against anyone that was upgraded, what a lovely surprise for them and there is nothing nicer for crew then to look after someone who is genuinely excited to be there.
But let’s be honest this is a publicity stunt and BA want it to make the biggest impact possible.
So BA filmed this over 3 days so it wasn’t as if they were desperate to find enough customers who deserved an upgrade, my point is other than the couple who had lost there parents which I found genuinely moving the rest of the people chosen had no memorable story.
But let’s be honest this is a publicity stunt and BA want it to make the biggest impact possible.
So BA filmed this over 3 days so it wasn’t as if they were desperate to find enough customers who deserved an upgrade, my point is other than the couple who had lost there parents which I found genuinely moving the rest of the people chosen had no memorable story.
Feb 15, 2019, 2:12 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 303
So BA filmed this over 3 days so it wasn’t as if they were desperate to find enough customers who deserved an upgrade, my point is other than the couple who had lost there parents which I found genuinely moving the rest of the people chosen had no memorable story.
- Parents just died? Great, you're in 4E. Do you know where our lounges are?
- Terminally ill uncle who you care very much about? Sorry, that's not gonna cut it, you're in 41E, have a nice flight.
Feb 15, 2019, 2:18 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,092
Oh yes they did, check in staff were asked to find out why customers were travelling by chatting with them, if they felt that they might be suitable they were sent to other desks where they were filmed and it was decided if they were suitable.
Feb 15, 2019, 2:22 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: City of Kingston Upon Hull
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 4,940
So to be clear I have nothing against anyone that was upgraded, what a lovely surprise for them and there is nothing nicer for crew then to look after someone who is genuinely excited to be there.
But let’s be honest this is a publicity stunt and BA want it to make the biggest impact possible.
So BA filmed this over 3 days so it wasn’t as if they were desperate to find enough customers who deserved an upgrade, my point is other than the couple who had lost there parents which I found genuinely moving the rest of the people chosen had no memorable story.
But let’s be honest this is a publicity stunt and BA want it to make the biggest impact possible.
So BA filmed this over 3 days so it wasn’t as if they were desperate to find enough customers who deserved an upgrade, my point is other than the couple who had lost there parents which I found genuinely moving the rest of the people chosen had no memorable story.
Feb 15, 2019, 2:25 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 303
Well I hope they conducted that with slightly more decorum than my tongue-in-cheek examples!
Feb 15, 2019, 2:26 am
#26
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,772
LovelyBubblyAgent: "And so Mr. CWS since it's a very special event for us, we are upgrading you to the FIRST CLASS CABIN!!!! He's your boarding pass"
CWS: "Oh, OK, yet another upgrade. Um, but it's 4E, you don't have a window seat do you?"
Feb 15, 2019, 2:54 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
Despite the general cynicism here, note the absence of any First class product thereafter? Yes it's a promotion, it's an advert, but it's more part of the PR machine to rebuke the increasing notion that BA doesn't give a .... (about its staff, its plane cleanliness, or anything, really - see 75% of FT threads, lol).
For me it works; it's successful. It's a nice, genuine film that doesn't lob in First product promo and lounges, but focuses on a real cross-section of customers.
[And the grandparent deaths wasn't expected IMO, the check-in agent did query if it was a holiday, which, obviously, it wasn't.
]
For me it works; it's successful. It's a nice, genuine film that doesn't lob in First product promo and lounges, but focuses on a real cross-section of customers.
[And the grandparent deaths wasn't expected IMO, the check-in agent did query if it was a holiday, which, obviously, it wasn't.
]
Feb 15, 2019, 3:57 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 810
Great on BA to be delighting these passengers, and I feel 100 upgrades is the perfect number. 25 upgrades per day for 4 days can easily be absorbed without the regulars feeling their loyalty devalued.
Feb 15, 2019, 4:02 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Sixt Gold
Posts: 418
Great initiative and TBH I have never been upgraded since becoming Gold but I would not see this initiative as "devaluing" my loyalty, it's just a different kind of marketing. As a company you need to balance lifetime value from existing customers with acquisition and upselling. It makes complete sense to me that upgrading random WT chaps to J or F will most likely represent for them the trip of a lifetime, which comes with a huge word of mouth amplification effect which far surpasses the odd, grumpy GGL for 7 lives that has to pay for his F seat. We all know the latter will keep flying BA anyway...
Feb 15, 2019, 6:42 am
#30
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,159
Even better they could spread the 100 Upgrades across the entire year. One every third day. Make a big deal out of the fact by email campaigns. Have people register for a lucky draw... etc etc.