Poor BF experience and Customer Care reply
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott Platinum, Starwood Gold
Posts: 265
Poor BF experience and Customer Care reply
So I’m not one of the posters that makes a post about anything and everything that goes wrong – but my recent experience really surprised me.
My girlfriend (Silver) and I (Platinum) were in paid BF to AMS last month and had probably the worst service I have ever had from a CO employee. She had a huge attitude toward the two of us, spilled wine on me three times and constantly complained about passengers and her other crew members.
I spoke to another one of the crew members who agreed she was “not a good representative of Continental flight attendants.” When I arrived in AMS, I spoke with the concierge who said he couldn’t do anything I had to call customer care.
On my return home I called Customer Care and explained the situation, along with a compliment of service on my flight to IAH. The rep explained that I would receive a letter within the week.
So today I get the letter and I was amazed – It was a form letter (including digital signature) apologizing and asking me to “please fly with us again.”
I never expected a full refund or anything extreme, but form letter that they send out to everyone without a mention to loyalty is a bit insulting.
I am out of line to expect something more – I would have been happy with a real signature.
Sorry for the rant.
My girlfriend (Silver) and I (Platinum) were in paid BF to AMS last month and had probably the worst service I have ever had from a CO employee. She had a huge attitude toward the two of us, spilled wine on me three times and constantly complained about passengers and her other crew members.
I spoke to another one of the crew members who agreed she was “not a good representative of Continental flight attendants.” When I arrived in AMS, I spoke with the concierge who said he couldn’t do anything I had to call customer care.
On my return home I called Customer Care and explained the situation, along with a compliment of service on my flight to IAH. The rep explained that I would receive a letter within the week.
So today I get the letter and I was amazed – It was a form letter (including digital signature) apologizing and asking me to “please fly with us again.”
I never expected a full refund or anything extreme, but form letter that they send out to everyone without a mention to loyalty is a bit insulting.
I am out of line to expect something more – I would have been happy with a real signature.
Sorry for the rant.
#2




Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Israel
Programs: UA Platinum, LY Silver
Posts: 633
I would have expected more myself - I don't think you're out of line.
Though I don't know that it'll get you very far, you could write up your experience (more or less like you did in your post) and send it to the OnePass and customer service folks. Even if you don't get a response, hopefully someone will at least take the feedback to heart and perhaps in the future they'll add a more personal touch.
Though I don't know that it'll get you very far, you could write up your experience (more or less like you did in your post) and send it to the OnePass and customer service folks. Even if you don't get a response, hopefully someone will at least take the feedback to heart and perhaps in the future they'll add a more personal touch.
#3




Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,959
I don't know how you worded your complain to CO.
When I have a complain I state the facts (objective and precise), skip the hurt feelings part and ask very clearly for what you want in exchange (attorneys call this make you whole again).
I have been spilled stuff in flights and ALWAYS have been given a voucher for cleaners and re-imbursed promptly.
When I have a complain I state the facts (objective and precise), skip the hurt feelings part and ask very clearly for what you want in exchange (attorneys call this make you whole again).
I have been spilled stuff in flights and ALWAYS have been given a voucher for cleaners and re-imbursed promptly.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 146
I doubt continental will give you anything as you were both on 1000 dollar discount bf fares and don't find you to be valuable customers. If you want compensation perhaps ua or nwa would be better.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Gotham City
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, HHonors, Amex MR; Browns, Cavs, Indians, and Buckeyes Season Ticket Holder
Posts: 2,027
#6

Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: EWR, ORD, IAH, LGA
Programs: UA GS, AA CK, DL PLT, HH DIA, MARRIOTT PLT, FAIRMONT LT PLT, HYATT DIA, SIXT PLT, AVIS PC
Posts: 506
As stated being on a paid BF fare and especially as an elite something seems to be wrong. Either you slipped through the customer service cracks or there is something else going on. As the agent spilled wine on you the minimum you should have recieved would be dry cleaning for your clothes plus some type of due compensation. You should esclate this via a letter to Continental Headquarters or a PM to COinsider.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental, American
Posts: 288
I don't agree that cost should be/is a factor. I had an experience this past August where I was annoyed at a drunkard next to me. I was in 1B and the offender was in 1A. I had to fly IAH-MCT, but on the leg back, LGW-IAH, the person next to me became drunk to the point I worried about my safety. At one point, the senior service manager actually complimented him on how he was "still with us", and went on to say that she was very impressed on how much he could drink. All while re-filling his glass. After he was not being served anymore wine in his seat, he just went up to the forward galley, glass in hand, to ask for more, and he was served.
By this time the flight attendants noticed, and did not serve him, so what did he do? He took his glass to the back of the plane. Do they server FC passengers in the rear, or did he pay? Not sure. Anyway, it was finally obvious to the senior service attendant that the guy was drunk, and she came by and kneeled in front of him and had a private conversation with him and asked him if he was celebrating, and that he needed to stop because he was embarrassing the crew! Yes, the crew. He was a Continental Express pilot! He bragged about it to me earlier, even showing me his credentials. He had just completed some sort of training in Europe, not sure what though, but it was job related as he was not a paying customer (he bragged about that too).
So I sent CO a nice email, telling them I was not comfortable being next to this guy who I thought either was going to fall on me trying to get over my seat as he almost did a couple of times, or worse. I was direct and told CO it was not a nice experience for me. I told them my cost for this trip was just under 12K, and that I would at least like some miles posted to my account. I didn't even ask for an amount, just enough to acknowledge that it was not a pleasant experience for me to have to constantly wonder what would happen with this guy.
So I got a phone call, and the agent on the phone apologized. That was it. I asked her if I could get miles as I did in my email, but then she asked me if I had asked to be reseated. I said no, the BF cabin was full. She said I could have asked to be moved, and because I didn't, it was my fault basically. Even though it was about 3+ hours into the flight when all this happened.
I also gave the name of the guy, but she said she had no record of him in BF. Does CO update their online records when they let their own come from coach to be seated in BF? At this point I figured it was a losing battle, and left it, but my record is on file if anyone who works for CO would like to check.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 146
Continental does not compensate very well and really doesn't care about you.

