What is the purpose of the BF concierge
#31
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: CO Platinum
Posts: 103
Do they have concierge at PEK, I am about to take PEK-EWR-DCA in BF.
#32




Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
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#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DCA
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On two of my last three BF flights, the concierges greeted me by name and provided information regarding arrivals lounges. On a LGW-IAH flight, the concierge asked if I needed instructions on how to clear immigration and customs, and then reclear security to access the Terminal E P Club. On another BF flight into IAH a few weeks ago, the concierge did nothing except help check me in at the ticket counter - she did not approach anyone individually on the aircraft.
#34




Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 976
I have to agree with a previous poster a say they do nothing much other than deny upgrades as far as I can tell. Never saw one on a flt. to BFS.... On delayed return from GLA, no reaccommodation of missed connection at EWR as promised when we left...I mean I know she only had 7 hours to do it but......when we arrived in EWR, a concierge was half asleep behind a computer in the baggage claim and refused to do anything saying we'd have to run for our original flt. - or sort it out upstairs. After a nice run, sorting it out upstairs meant riding in Y to MCO on the next flt. while we were at the gate 15 min. before our original flt. left....they had given our F seats away and would not board us....thanks for the help BF concierge...
On EWR-EDI flt. misconnected from MCO and no accommodation made on my behalf at EWR -had to find the concierge for the flt. to CDG myself and suggest that he put me on it connecting to AF so not to waste a day. He said he would make a call and get my bags on the flt. to CDG with me...did not happen in the 90 min. prior to our departure. Bags arrived in EDI via CO the next day taking another day to reach my hotel from the airport. On arrival in CDG - nothing said or done by the concierge on our very late arrival.
Pretty much a worthless marketing tool that has no tangible benefit to the PAX 99% of the time. For my money, the FA can wish me a nice flt. before we leave the gate.
On EWR-EDI flt. misconnected from MCO and no accommodation made on my behalf at EWR -had to find the concierge for the flt. to CDG myself and suggest that he put me on it connecting to AF so not to waste a day. He said he would make a call and get my bags on the flt. to CDG with me...did not happen in the 90 min. prior to our departure. Bags arrived in EDI via CO the next day taking another day to reach my hotel from the airport. On arrival in CDG - nothing said or done by the concierge on our very late arrival.
Pretty much a worthless marketing tool that has no tangible benefit to the PAX 99% of the time. For my money, the FA can wish me a nice flt. before we leave the gate.
#35


Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,424
I've never come across a concierge on flights leaving the United States. I guess they're around, but I've never seen one. On flights TO the USA, they are usually there at the security interview, check-in, and at the gate. Tatiana, the concierge at GIG was incredibly nice.
#36
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
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So, how do people thing the concierge service compares today with what it was like, say, ten years ago--1997. In that year, IIRC, DUB and SNN were added as destinations. I recall Moscow made a brief appearance as a destination in the inflight magazine--it never materialized. Do you see any difference in the level or service?
#37
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Just because CO's ads say that there are free upgrades for elites, that doesn't necessarily make it so. Ask anyone here.
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
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On an EWR-MAN flight last fall we wanted to get showers upon arrival. After arrival we waited a bit for the concierge. After a few minutes we gave up and just went to the ticket counter where they assisted us. For the most part I don't need anything from the concierge. I can see that they are useful if you do.
#39
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: IAH
Programs: CO Plat(soon Premier Gold) PC lifetime(UC Life?) SPG Plat(Soon Gold)
Posts: 895
My only experience with BF Concierge is:
After boarding and settled into the seats, one lady approached us with manifest on her hands, "Mr. PforPlatinum and Mr. PforPlatinum Jr.? Thank you for flying with us today. Do you have connection at NRT? Are there anything we can help at arrival?"
I thought we were greeted because both were Elite (Gold at that time), but now I think it must be a Concierge.
As I usually fly between IAH and NRT without connection, and hotel is always reserved at Tokyo (or as coming back home in Houston) I don't need to take shower at the airport. So I don't feel I can take much advantage of having BF Concierge, but PAX with connection would be different.
After boarding and settled into the seats, one lady approached us with manifest on her hands, "Mr. PforPlatinum and Mr. PforPlatinum Jr.? Thank you for flying with us today. Do you have connection at NRT? Are there anything we can help at arrival?"
I thought we were greeted because both were Elite (Gold at that time), but now I think it must be a Concierge.
As I usually fly between IAH and NRT without connection, and hotel is always reserved at Tokyo (or as coming back home in Houston) I don't need to take shower at the airport. So I don't feel I can take much advantage of having BF Concierge, but PAX with connection would be different.
#40




Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: FL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Celebrity Elite Plus, SeaDream Yacht Club
Posts: 243
I have been on 4 BF flights in the past 3 months and I have only seen or heard from the concierge once and found him completely useless. On this occasion, I had just settled into my BF seat on a CO flight from MXP-EWR and asked the FA about my wife possibly switching seats with me because she was seated in front of Y. The FA didn't think it was possible but he asked the concierge to confirm. The concierge rudely stated that we could only switch seats while the aircraft was still at the gate due to federal regulations. So, he was both rude and ignorant of CO's policy on this. I did not push the issue since they both said no. During the flight, the FAs acted as if I was bothering them whenever I asked them for anything. Upon landing in EWR, the concierge was nowhere to be found and neither was my primary suitcase. I am now sad to say that I am considering other alternatives when I have business overseas
#41




Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Rewards Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,406
Dumb, dumb, dumb!
Apologies, but, can anyone explain the differences among:
BF Concierge
Red Jacket
Head Gate Agent
Thanks!
BF Concierge
Red Jacket
Head Gate Agent
Thanks!
#42
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Philadelphia,PA
Programs: United 1K,Marriott Platinum Premier,IHC Platinum Ambassador,Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,898
They are Useless..after 9/11 CO did away with them to save money..they need to get rid of them..they are useless..:-:
#43
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
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Wow, such bile! On my last IAH-LGW flight the concierge greeted me and asked if I would like to shower at LGW upon arrival (yes). The staff at LGW was expecting me, and had even hand-monogrammed my towels with my initials.
The last part was a fib...
...but the rest was true. I guess there is a degree of inconsistency vis--vis the concierges.
The last part was a fib...
...but the rest was true. I guess there is a degree of inconsistency vis--vis the concierges.
#44

Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,051
I wonder if the conceirge has any behind the scene duties that are invisible to the BF passengers? If no, then I agree with CAL PHL FLYER that they are useless. You don't need an FTE that merely smiles and nods at about 30-50% of the BF passengers. Here are some things they could do but currently are not:
1. Escort BF passengers from lounge to aircraft. I don't mean one by one, but when they make the boarding call in the lounge, s/he can rally all the pax, clear the way, and get the BF pax on the plane with minimal fuss.
2. Be present upon arrival and show people how to get to the showers (this is huge).
3. at baggage claim, look for the BF luggage coming off belt, and ask the pasenger grabbing the bag if they can answer any questions re connections, lost baggage, ground transport, etc.
Edited to add: Doh! If the bag is coming off the belt, I suppose its not lost! Anyway, what I meant was, the concierge should pay special attention to lost BF luggage.
1. Escort BF passengers from lounge to aircraft. I don't mean one by one, but when they make the boarding call in the lounge, s/he can rally all the pax, clear the way, and get the BF pax on the plane with minimal fuss.
2. Be present upon arrival and show people how to get to the showers (this is huge).
3. at baggage claim, look for the BF luggage coming off belt, and ask the pasenger grabbing the bag if they can answer any questions re connections, lost baggage, ground transport, etc.
Edited to add: Doh! If the bag is coming off the belt, I suppose its not lost! Anyway, what I meant was, the concierge should pay special attention to lost BF luggage.
Last edited by Babu; Nov 21, 2007 at 8:10 am
#45




Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,395
In simplest Our Concierges are often engaged in various interactions in front and behind the scenes to address their customers’ needs, and most importantly, they have the resources to work through some of the more complicated issues when they arise. So, although you may not directly interact with a Concierge every time you fly BusinessFirst, we do hope you know they are there if you need them.

It might help the members to know precisely what "resources" they have and what authority they are granted so we all know when/if we should engage them if a problem arises.
Is there a reference/link you could quote?


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