WOW- I had my first experience last night with a continental concierge (Leanoard-IAH) and he was on top of his game. I am fully satisfied with the level of detail they provided and their expeiriece with select/preferred individuals.

Overall- My DOMESTIC flight to IAH was delayed about 1.5 hours and I was in jeoporday of missing the last flight to EWR (7pm departure CO 310). I called the PlatPres line before my originating flight took off and they put me on hold. It turns out they "flagged" the flight with the concierge program and they were going to do everything they could to ensure that I made the flight.

We landed literally at 6:45pm in a SAAB turboprop...got thru the GATE A bus/terminal at 6:50pm. Right as i walked out- the COncierge was there waiting for me and was fully prepared to escort me to the C Terminal. It turns out there were a few other people on my flight intinerary---so they joined us as well.

Overall- he had everything planned accordingly to esnure we got the gate in time. I think they even told the Gate Agents not to let the plane leave until we were on the plane to EWR (via walkie talkie/radio). He said that if i didn't make the flight--that i was already ticketed/confirmed on the flights the next morning---and that hotel reservations would be provided.

He was able to get us the go-carts and we got to the gate on time.

Turns out the flight was a little delayed. Apparently the FC bathroom wasn't working properly...so the maintenance crew had the come on-board and put the out-of-order sticker on the door.

There was a lady sitting in Row1 that was totally crazy--almost escorted off the plane--because she was furious that she couldn't use a broken bathroom. Not sure how the flight attendent was able to put up with it all flight. The crazy lady literally tried to use it like 5 times...and everyone was watching he when she got up. To top it off--she wanted alcholol when we were about to land.

Anyways--the concierge program is awesome--and thanks to everyone that helps.
Also- the flight attendants on CO310 last night put up with more than they needed to when it comes to passengers and bathrooms.

I think they go by $$$ spent on the ticket.....at least thats my guess.
e.g., Reward BF seats will get their attention last..in that scenario.

However, I dont really know if they have a protocol.


CO was able to print my LH connecting BP's at EWR 3/4 months ago.
However, LH was unable to issue my connecting CO BP on the return. The two airlines have different systems for the ticketing, etc...so, its really YMMV.

I guess this was done because you were PresPlat? I dont think they do this for all domestic flights.

every CO longhaul I have ever flown has been in BF and I had no idea the BF concierge existed. I guess thats says it all...

I think your right about the PresPlat status making a difference. My fare was pretty expensive this past week, so that probably was why as well (it was already upgraded because of a Y/B fare and it was my 5th flight of the week since Monday). Overall...to have the final flight to EWR departing from IAH at 7pm can be pretty hectic...especially if it is a connecting flight and there potential snow that was coming through NYC.

Now that I know about the concierge program I will definately try to use it more often If I am in tight situations at hub airports. He was like my eyes/ears between flights and would extremely helpful

concierge? there's a BF concierge? :confused:

I just returned from EZE and the concierges there appeared to be at least modestly helpful. On arrival in EZE, the ISM made an announcement that the concierge had boarded and would be available for assistance (only the second time in my memory that I've seen that). On the return EZE-IAH, a concierge was at check-in as usual then on board sorting out some seat re-assignments for a couple of wheelchair pax, greeting everyone, and answering questions for several passengers. Would like to have seen her at the gate prior to the boarding scrum, though. Nothing major, but at least visible and available. MUCH more than I can say for the concierge on departure in IAH, who was at least there but greeted only a few passengers and didn't speak Spanish.

No concierge met the flight on return arrival in IAH. Several of the BF passengers on that flight appeared to speak very limited English, so I imagine that a concierge could have been of at least some use to them.

There are some times at the gate when they can be very useful. On flights where everyone has to check in with the GA (like EWR-DEL), you don't have to wait in the incredibly long line and can go up to the Concierge to have your docs re-checked.

It sounds like eliminating this was a change Jeff thought we liked.

US does this at their envoy lounge, they do the doc checks when you check in at the lounge and you get to avoid doing this with the GA.

What is difference between BF and F anyway? Will I have arrivals lounge at IAH?
 

Hi, I see that BF international arrivals get concierge service and access to lounge for shower.

I'm coming in Z class from Seattle (actually YEG->SEA->MSY) and leaving on Z class to New Orleans.

My ticket says "Fare class: First (Z)", makes me think that this is *not* a BusinessFirst. I'm Platinum.

Can I get free PC access when I land in Houston? Can I argue its an international trip because I originated in Edmonton..... ;)

Thanks, T.

Same here. Plat for 4 1/2 years, fly out of EWR. Nothing, ever.

Does the BF concierge even exist anymore?

On my flight from EWR-NRT on 3/10 in BF - there was no BF concierge. Seemed more like a domestic flight in terms of service. Nobody came around and no concierge was in sight - certainly not on the flight. We arrived pre-earthquake - so that had no impact.

There was someone sitting at the desk in the PC at EWR - but not really doing anything.

I would say overall BF is in decline. And to me the new BF seat is not all that good. Overall the feel of service is like US domestic. The IFE system was broken half the flight with constant rebooting.

No one came around prelanding.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Take it with a big grain of front line salt but concierge I spoke recently said they are considering expanding the concept to United as they integrate. Wonder if the UA operated EWR intl flights this summer are a trial of that.

I have found that the quality varies hugely by location. IAH have been superb any time I have had problems, LHR have been fine, but EWR have never been anything other than indifferent / poor at best.

Arrivals lounge confirmed for transfer
 

Just asked two different CO staff in the PC and they said the same thing,

Platinum's coming in on Business *A International and transferring outbound on Domestic Business *A get PC access at the transfer point. They said this was a new rule? Does not need to be concierge service on either leg.

Fingers crossed. My YEG->SEA->IAH->MSY starts with an Alaskan Airlines, not a *A, so there may yet be some grief in IAH next week.

I doubt you'll qualify for entry given that the international leg is not *A, regardless of travel class. If time allows, you can confirm with the PC staff in SEA, whom I've found to be knowledgeable of admissions policies.