BA Premier
Sep 15, 2006, 1:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London, Singapore
Programs: BA Gold GGL, GFL, SQ PPS, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 124
BA Premier
Flew to ARN on Monday in CE on the 07:40 from LHR. I sat behind a BA premier (as identified by the shiny metallic Blacck badge) and was intrigued at the way the head pursar behaved. She could hardly have been more attentive if she was grovelling on the floor. Tea the right strength sir? The Captain passes on his regards sir...etc
It became quite bemusing to the other passengers as we wondered who he was. When we arrived he was escorted off the plane and whizzed through immigration by some security guard.
Now I appreciate that BA must look after their VIP's but at what point does it go OTT especialy in the close confines of CE...? Interested in any views and also around what the benefits of Premier are.
Out of interest I emailed BA a couple of years ago and asked what the criteria were. They said that those who made a significant contribution to the BA bottom line would be considered and and asked me to email back if I considered myself in that catagory. Even though I average 4000pts I suspect that I am not their target premier member!!!
It became quite bemusing to the other passengers as we wondered who he was. When we arrived he was escorted off the plane and whizzed through immigration by some security guard.
Now I appreciate that BA must look after their VIP's but at what point does it go OTT especialy in the close confines of CE...? Interested in any views and also around what the benefits of Premier are.
Out of interest I emailed BA a couple of years ago and asked what the criteria were. They said that those who made a significant contribution to the BA bottom line would be considered and and asked me to email back if I considered myself in that catagory. Even though I average 4000pts I suspect that I am not their target premier member!!!
Sep 15, 2006, 2:56 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dubai
Programs: BA Silver, FB Plat, EK Gold, BonvoyAmb
Posts: 2,021
Originally Posted by dhstyle
I sat behind a BA premier (as identified by the shiny metallic Blacck badge)
Sep 15, 2006, 2:59 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
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Posts: 12,695
I think the criteria are, if you're eligible, they know already 
I sat next to a PREM LGW-DFW in J before (F had empty seats, so no automatic OpUp for him to F, it seems!). He boarded some minutes after me but was shown to his seat by the fawning CSD, she made polite small-talk with him and she came to check on him a few times in flight. She did not speak to one other J pax. As we landed I was talking to him because I was curious "if you've got a Premier card or just know the CSD" where he confirmed the former Nice guy actually, we chatted all the way to immigration.
I wouldn't say it bothered me, but it certainly was conspicuous given she would rapidly scuttle off away from 'other' J pax right after speaking to him and him only. Mind you, given I was seated next to him and am sad enough to have any idea who the CSD is, I doubt many other pax would have even noticed much less cared.
I sat next to a PREM LGW-DFW in J before (F had empty seats, so no automatic OpUp for him to F, it seems!). He boarded some minutes after me but was shown to his seat by the fawning CSD, she made polite small-talk with him and she came to check on him a few times in flight. She did not speak to one other J pax. As we landed I was talking to him because I was curious "if you've got a Premier card or just know the CSD" where he confirmed the former
Nice guy actually, we chatted all the way to immigration.I wouldn't say it bothered me, but it certainly was conspicuous given she would rapidly scuttle off away from 'other' J pax right after speaking to him and him only. Mind you, given I was seated next to him and am sad enough to have any idea who the CSD is, I doubt many other pax would have even noticed much less cared.
Sep 15, 2006, 3:14 am
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
Originally Posted by yyzlhr
Could it have been the lost one in TIP-- he actually has proved us all wrong: don1k ?
I am sure we would have heard if he had received his Prem card !
Sep 15, 2006, 4:47 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Edinburgh UK
Programs: BA Silver, HHonours Gold, Mucci of Pucci, Oyster Card, Nectar Card, Father's Day Card
Posts: 9,372
Originally Posted by yyzlhr
Could it have been the lost one in TIP-- he actually has proved us all wrong: don1k ?
Sep 15, 2006, 4:54 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: Sir CT-UK - Streaker pour les autres.
Posts: 5,900
Well I sat next to a prem yesterday, he was sandwiched between two gold in the E seat on CE. Absolutely no difference in service for him as the rest of us from the Lounge at AMS to baggage reclaim.
Sep 15, 2006, 5:14 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: SQ-PPS+8, BA-Mucci Diamente, Mucci Siegneur des Bains Chauds
Posts: 2,286
Having phone numbers for North America, Europe, Asia and Africa Central Managers is a major advantage when something isn't going right, like loosing your bags. Here is someone in BA who gets on the phone to someone senior enough to sort out the matter wherever you happen to be.
Of course having checked in you can request a premium services escort to take you straight to the Concorde Room, and then they will even go off and do your shopping whilst you sip Blue Monopole
! And you can phone to book in the Molten Brown spa in advance.
There are also no black out periods when it comes to using miles. If there is a seat available on the flight you can use miles to grab it, irrespective of whether the Trashco club card holders have already taken all miles seats.
Where a lounge has a conference room you can book it for free.
Guaranteed seat on any flight
35% discount with Hertz and Avis.
Upgrade at most hotels to the next room category
But it's the first in the list that really can be worth its weight in gold!
Of course having checked in you can request a premium services escort to take you straight to the Concorde Room, and then they will even go off and do your shopping whilst you sip Blue Monopole
! And you can phone to book in the Molten Brown spa in advance.There are also no black out periods when it comes to using miles. If there is a seat available on the flight you can use miles to grab it, irrespective of whether the Trashco club card holders have already taken all miles seats.
Where a lounge has a conference room you can book it for free.
Guaranteed seat on any flight
35% discount with Hertz and Avis.
Upgrade at most hotels to the next room category
But it's the first in the list that really can be worth its weight in gold!
Sep 15, 2006, 5:22 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, IC Plat RA, Fairmont Plat...
Posts: 506
Back from NCE recently I was using SSCI and fast bag drop - next to me at the kiosk was prem card holder - I was in CE and got row one and he was in fact in ET and as the flight was full so no op-up - didn't see him get any special treatment at any stage...
I have a feeling there are different levels of Prem.
I have a feeling there are different levels of Prem.
Sep 15, 2006, 5:43 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
Originally Posted by VC10 Boy
Having phone numbers for North America, Europe, Asia and Africa Central Managers is a major advantage when something isn't going right, like loosing your bags. Here is someone in BA who gets on the phone to someone senior enough to sort out the matter wherever you happen to be.
Sep 15, 2006, 6:20 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 50
Originally Posted by Rambuster
You don't have to be a Prem card holder to have some good contacts !
Sadly the notation that must have appeared on the computer for that trip was swiftly removed by my next flight with BA!
Mat
Sep 15, 2006, 7:53 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA LTG + GGL, SPG LTP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 12,695
Originally Posted by VC10 Boy
Having But it's the first in the list that really can be worth its weight in gold!
Sep 15, 2006, 8:29 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AMS (SEA, JNB)
Programs: Mucci Reperateur des Coeurs Brises
Posts: 4,107
Originally Posted by VC10 Boy
Having phone numbers for North America, Europe, Asia and Africa Central Managers is a major advantage when something isn't going right, like loosing your bags. Here is someone in BA who gets on the phone to someone senior enough to sort out the matter wherever you happen to be.
Of course having checked in you can request a premium services escort to take you straight to the Concorde Room, and then they will even go off and do your shopping whilst you sip Blue Monopole ! And you can phone to book in the Molten Brown spa in advance.
There are also no black out periods when it comes to using miles. If there is a seat available on the flight you can use miles to grab it, irrespective of whether the Trashco club card holders have already taken all miles seats.
Where a lounge has a conference room you can book it for free.
Guaranteed seat on any flight
35% discount with Hertz and Avis.
Upgrade at most hotels to the next room category
But it's the first in the list that really can be worth its weight in gold!
Of course having checked in you can request a premium services escort to take you straight to the Concorde Room, and then they will even go off and do your shopping whilst you sip Blue Monopole
! And you can phone to book in the Molten Brown spa in advance.There are also no black out periods when it comes to using miles. If there is a seat available on the flight you can use miles to grab it, irrespective of whether the Trashco club card holders have already taken all miles seats.
Where a lounge has a conference room you can book it for free.
Guaranteed seat on any flight
35% discount with Hertz and Avis.
Upgrade at most hotels to the next room category
But it's the first in the list that really can be worth its weight in gold!
Sep 15, 2006, 8:36 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: SQ-PPS+8, BA-Mucci Diamente, Mucci Siegneur des Bains Chauds
Posts: 2,286
Originally Posted by SchmeckFlyer
Why does being Prem give you room upgrades at most hotels?
Benefit
The following service benefits are available to Premier members:
¤ Two persons in a double room at normal single room rate
¤ Priority on waiting list if the hotel is fully booked
¤ Special attention from Service manager
¤ Guaranteed room if booked 24 hours in advance.
¤ Upgrade room in the same room category if available
¤ Early check-in (8 a.m. on availability)
¤ Late check-out (6 p.m. advance notification)