CX refuses to honour Oct 97 upgrade promise (Oriental Daily)
#16
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: HKG, TXL
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 566
In my book thats already worth well more than what the 'favour' should have been. It was a polite offer from CX's side for the great help and the polite answer to that offer would have been 'don't worry, maybe a few asia miles?!' ... but obviously since this is HK after all, you gotta request the moon.
Otherwise, if they offer me 'any favours' next time ill just ask them for a peak mansion with an infinity pool. It was 'any favour' after all, right?
The other day I was travelling from DUS to Berlin by train and someone had a serious medical condition. Soon enough a doctor volunteered to help and guess what, he was totally happy with getting the train ride refunded (around 150 EUR value).
Last edited by mxr; Apr 5, 2017 at 3:19 am Reason: added
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,557
Even if the "favor" was materialized by an upgrade voucher, as it would be today, it is subject to availability. As we all know April is the month of Ching Ming, Easter and Spring Holidays. Not surprising that there is no availability for two opup.
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PVG, FRA, SEA, HEL
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 4,783
What does availability mean? Availability of physical space, or availability of a certain upgrade fare class?
#19
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,398
So if I was her, I would have asked to get a written confirmation of this upgrade pledge from 'mgr Paulo'.
Seriously, what a drama for something that happened 20 years ago. Also, pretty typical "ma fan" locals attitude from Mrs. Chung of requesting something that goes way beyond 'returning the favor'. I mean, seriously, the entire family??? For some probably minor medical help offered?
Besides, if you know you wont be flying another CX flight in the next 20 years, then why not ask for something like a cash voucher or extra AM?
Seriously, what a drama for something that happened 20 years ago. Also, pretty typical "ma fan" locals attitude from Mrs. Chung of requesting something that goes way beyond 'returning the favor'. I mean, seriously, the entire family??? For some probably minor medical help offered?
Besides, if you know you wont be flying another CX flight in the next 20 years, then why not ask for something like a cash voucher or extra AM?
She was saving the "favor" for longhaul upgrade. She said her vacations were usually on regional flights. That's why she didn't request for it. So I am not sure if the 20 years without flying CX statement is correct.
#20
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 139
So if I was her, I would have asked to get a written confirmation of this upgrade pledge from 'mgr Paulo'.
Seriously, what a drama for something that happened 20 years ago. Also, pretty typical "ma fan" locals attitude from Mrs. Chung of requesting something that goes way beyond 'returning the favor'. I mean, seriously, the entire family??? For some probably minor medical help offered?
Seriously, what a drama for something that happened 20 years ago. Also, pretty typical "ma fan" locals attitude from Mrs. Chung of requesting something that goes way beyond 'returning the favor'. I mean, seriously, the entire family??? For some probably minor medical help offered?
Btw while I'm not trying to advise how big the favour should be but I really hope you know when CPR should be done during an emergency. It's for saving lives and it's not something like minor medical help.
Last edited by davidtai; Apr 5, 2017 at 5:08 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
In my book thats already worth well more than what the 'favour' should have been. It was a polite offer from CX's side for the great help and the polite answer to that offer would have been 'don't worry, maybe a few asia miles?!' ... but obviously since this is HK after all, you gotta request the moon.
Otherwise, if they offer me 'any favours' next time ill just ask them for a peak mansion with an infinity pool. It was 'any favour' after all, right?
Otherwise, if they offer me 'any favours' next time ill just ask them for a peak mansion with an infinity pool. It was 'any favour' after all, right?
As ridiculous as it sounds, it could be a mansion in the Peak (although CX is not really into real estate).
Per CX's policy for A-card - Availability of physical space, i.e. an actual seat is available at the airport.
#22
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: MNL
Programs: CX MPO DM, Le Club Accor Platinum, World of Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,284
Would it be possible that the upgrade offer was for any CX flight but since they wanted to maximize that "favor" they waited for a long haul flight to use it instead of using it back in 1997 or 1998 for a regional one?
#23
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: MNL
Programs: CX MPO DM, Le Club Accor Platinum, World of Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,284
a little off topic but back in 2015 I was promised by Sofitel So Bangkok of an upgrade on my return as a service recovery. I never got to stay there again as it was a little out of the way. Fast forward to this March, I decided to stay there again. I wasn't really expecting for an upgrade and it wasn't offered during check in. (normally they do put it in your profile, which is attached to your membership info with the hotel group)
Anyway I was totally okay with it but when they told me that my room won't be ready until later that afternoon, I had to ask if they could just upgrade me as promised. They came back to me saying there was no upgrade instructions left on my profile but fortunately i was able to find the old email from the hotel about the offer but it still took them a good 30mins to sort it out and that was just 2 years ago.
Anyway I was totally okay with it but when they told me that my room won't be ready until later that afternoon, I had to ask if they could just upgrade me as promised. They came back to me saying there was no upgrade instructions left on my profile but fortunately i was able to find the old email from the hotel about the offer but it still took them a good 30mins to sort it out and that was just 2 years ago.
#25
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,398
That's exactly what she did. Saving the offer to maximize its value. That's probably what some FTers would have done too but probably would not have waited for 20 years to cash in
#26
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
2) Given the circumstances the family might not even travel a lot, and this time they would want the luggage allowance (1st move student)? Dont expect they are all us flyers.
3) What would CX do for those who do CPR these days? To be honest i dont think an upgrade for 2 would be much of an issue as a favor - offering an upgrade for 1 is clearly more insulting than not offering anything at all. Except for business travellers, most people dont fly as singles (students perhaps, but i would think it's a very stingy offer if you're upgrading 1 person instead of a group.
4) Surely the (hypothetical) upgrade would be a 1-class upgrade to J as PE did not exist back then. maybe we can discuss whether she/they should be located in J or PE but with a CPR style favor i think CX has nothing to lose if they simply gave 2 of them in J.
5) I personally think CX has nothing to lose putting them 2 in J, a) I don't see a point to upgrade 1 but not the other since it didn't originate from some random seat failure for 1 person; b) as a life or death issue that the original CX Manager clearly value Mr Chung's help; c) it would be much goodwill to the family as the daughter is only now 12. even if her future business will only be in Y that's quite a few tickets to buy. but dont worry, seems like she wont be flying CX anymore if i were Chung Snr (CX will not be the cheapest nor w best service)
#27
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
The issue is how a reasonable person defines "any favours". To many of us, it may be reasonable to request upgrade for one. But "any favours" could really mean the entire family FWIW.
Well, too bad for CX to name "any favour".
As ridiculous as it sounds, it could be a mansion in the Peak (although CX is not really into real estate).
Per CX's policy for A-card - Availability of physical space, i.e. an actual seat is available at the airport.
Well, too bad for CX to name "any favour".
As ridiculous as it sounds, it could be a mansion in the Peak (although CX is not really into real estate).
Per CX's policy for A-card - Availability of physical space, i.e. an actual seat is available at the airport.
now the CX management in 1997 clearly saw Mr Chung's deeds was way beyond what an a-card may do, hence "any favour" was written in the letter.
with "any favors" in the letter, using it on a family of 2 (mother and daughter) to upgrade to business class (which is what it would have been like in 1997... the idea of PE havent even existed back then) is clearly CX not playing ball with the "promise" in the letter.
i personally think the Chungs did the right thing taking this to the press, as the current CX management wouldnt have done anything wrt the promise in 1997.
or, this is how CX see/value life in 2017.
#28
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
what you said is very likely true yet i dont see why anyone would just use it for fun on a regional trip. or they might have forgotten about it until they need to relocate their daughter to UK as a student.
#29
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: CX DM, QF PL
Posts: 96
Another 'non-story' by the ODN whose owner is still upset after an airport check in incident, what, four years ago?
This forum is in serious danger of becoming irrelevant if we try to second guess the motives of a passenger who was offered a 'favour' 20 - yes, TWENTY - years ago, and then chastise an airline as a result.
Move on, nothing to see here ...
This forum is in serious danger of becoming irrelevant if we try to second guess the motives of a passenger who was offered a 'favour' 20 - yes, TWENTY - years ago, and then chastise an airline as a result.
Move on, nothing to see here ...
#30
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SIN and Medway, UK (so... LCY/LGW/BRU)
Programs: A3 *G, BA OWS, VS Gold, IHG Diamond Amb, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 749
Wouldn't that not pass muster though? I mean if Mr Chung was the one who got the upgrade, I would only think it would be fair if he was the one making a request than Mrs Chung no matter the circumstances.