Paying for the “upgraded experience” in F
Jun 18, 2018, 12:37 pm
#1
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Paying for the “upgraded experience” in F
partial gripe fest here but also curious how others feel. I have seen a marked reduction in the DL F domestic soft product in 2018 (meals taking over 2 hours to be served once they start, rarely coming through to check if anyone needs anything, sitting most of the flights on their phone, etc.)
i get that getting to my destination is what I pay for and I shouldn’t expect a Singapore airlines experience but I feel like even what used to be the floor for “passable” service has gone WAY down.
Maybe it’s just me? I just don’t see what I’m getting in domestic F anymore besides a slightly larger seat.... (and it’s getting a lot harder to convince myself to pay for basically just that larger seat)
i get that getting to my destination is what I pay for and I shouldn’t expect a Singapore airlines experience but I feel like even what used to be the floor for “passable” service has gone WAY down.
Maybe it’s just me? I just don’t see what I’m getting in domestic F anymore besides a slightly larger seat.... (and it’s getting a lot harder to convince myself to pay for basically just that larger seat)
Jun 18, 2018, 12:40 pm
#2
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Isn't the larger seat the most important thing? How much more would you pay for C+ if it provided an "F-level" soft product? I can't imagine a premium of more than $20-30 for a hot meal and slightly more attentive service on top of what is already offered.
What kind of service are you really expecting? You can always call the FA if you need anything. If anything I find an FA constantly asking if I need anything to be an annoyance.
What kind of service are you really expecting? You can always call the FA if you need anything. If anything I find an FA constantly asking if I need anything to be an annoyance.
Jun 18, 2018, 12:43 pm
#3
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Isn't the larger seat the most important thing? How much more would you pay for C+ if it provided an "F-level" soft product? I can't imagine a premium of more than $20-30 for a hot meal and slightly more attentive service on top of what is already offered.
What kind of service are you really expecting? You can always call the FA if you need anything. If anything I find an FA constantly asking if I need anything to be an annoyance.
What kind of service are you really expecting? You can always call the FA if you need anything. If anything I find an FA constantly asking if I need anything to be an annoyance.
the irony is for the most part the regionals have been getting way better at the soft product and mainline is going the other way
Jun 18, 2018, 1:06 pm
#4
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Jun 18, 2018, 1:15 pm
#5
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partial gripe fest here but also curious how others feel. I have seen a marked reduction in the DL F domestic soft product in 2018 (meals taking over 2 hours to be served once they start, rarely coming through to check if anyone needs anything, sitting most of the flights on their phone, etc.)
i get that getting to my destination is what I pay for and I shouldn’t expect a Singapore airlines experience but I feel like even what used to be the floor for “passable” service has gone WAY down.
Maybe it’s just me? I just don’t see what I’m getting in domestic F anymore besides a slightly larger seat.... (and it’s getting a lot harder to convince myself to pay for basically just that larger seat)
i get that getting to my destination is what I pay for and I shouldn’t expect a Singapore airlines experience but I feel like even what used to be the floor for “passable” service has gone WAY down.
Maybe it’s just me? I just don’t see what I’m getting in domestic F anymore besides a slightly larger seat.... (and it’s getting a lot harder to convince myself to pay for basically just that larger seat)
Jun 18, 2018, 1:31 pm
#6
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Jun 18, 2018, 3:16 pm
#7
Join Date: May 1999
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Posts: 1,429
My experience is that it really depends on the crew. I've had stellar service and mediocre service. Since I am paying the difference and "upgrading" my corporate coach ticket to First class, I expect the service level I am paying for. I've pretty much given up on chasing the upgrade, and I am a Diamond 3 million miler. Write a complaint if the service is poor. It helps us all if we get the mediocre staff moved to back cabin or get retraining on what service means. I, like the OP, get irritated to see Comfort plus get drinks prior to FC, and that drink service sometimes taking up an hour to occur. Again, write a letter and complain, it is the only way it will get any better. That said, if you do get good service, write a letter and compliment! The FA's get points for positive affirmations.
Jun 18, 2018, 3:17 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2016
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I appreciate when they do the walk throughs without unnecessary interaction; aka when they come through and eyeball drinks, maybe point to it if its empty...but otherwise, they slowly walk through and you can nicely ask them for something should you need it.
Jun 18, 2018, 6:34 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2015
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Jun 18, 2018, 7:15 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
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The best F service I've had all year was on a FCM upgrade, SLC-DCA ($200 covered LAS-SLC-DCA). I fell asleep right after I had my PDB, and woke up about 45 minutes out from DCA. One of the FAs saw me wake up and came over to me and offered to take my drink order, and then brought me a refill 20 minutes later. I was refreshed when I got up to deplane. He even thanked me for being a 2 MMer.
I've been #1 on the UG list for 0 seats 5 times this year, so I can't plan on automatic upgrades any more.
I wish Delta would change things up in the beverage department, finding some micro-distilleries with good products (like Alaska Airlines with Sun Liquor and Crater Lake Coffee Hazelnut Vodka; the latter beats the pants off Kahlua) while keeping old favorites like Woodford. Maybe replacing the "Princess of Plonk", Andrea Robinson, for someone with more inspired $10/bottle wine choices, would be a good move.
I've been #1 on the UG list for 0 seats 5 times this year, so I can't plan on automatic upgrades any more.
I wish Delta would change things up in the beverage department, finding some micro-distilleries with good products (like Alaska Airlines with Sun Liquor and Crater Lake Coffee Hazelnut Vodka; the latter beats the pants off Kahlua) while keeping old favorites like Woodford. Maybe replacing the "Princess of Plonk", Andrea Robinson, for someone with more inspired $10/bottle wine choices, would be a good move.
Jun 18, 2018, 7:32 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2016
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Posts: 1,509
I'm paying for the WHOLE "experience." It's ALL of the little things that combine to deliver on the value of the added expense -- else I'd fly Southwest, Spirit, or WOW.
I want a better seat, better boarding, a club to kick back in and have a drink or something to eat, more attentive service, a better meal, more personalized treatment (I like it when the FA makes the extra effort and greets me by name, and actually pronounces it correctly!). Each one of these alone does not justify the often exorbitant premium of paid F, but combined they add-up to the reason I spend the extra Benjamins. Remove or dilute ANY of those things, and I'm less willing to pay that premium.
I want a better seat, better boarding, a club to kick back in and have a drink or something to eat, more attentive service, a better meal, more personalized treatment (I like it when the FA makes the extra effort and greets me by name, and actually pronounces it correctly!). Each one of these alone does not justify the often exorbitant premium of paid F, but combined they add-up to the reason I spend the extra Benjamins. Remove or dilute ANY of those things, and I'm less willing to pay that premium.