How much influence does my status really have with China Eastern?
Sep 13, 2018, 7:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 111
How much influence does my status really have with China Eastern?
Flying on MU PVG-SYD-PVD early next month. I should be PM by then. Does that do anything for me? Currently on some form of a coach fare, which I'm sure isn't upgradeable. But, you never know?
Sep 13, 2018, 8:46 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
In the air, not much. I saw no evidence that STE+ helped me at all in dealing with customer service, getting seat assignments or during service onboard. Not saying it doesn't ever happen, just that I didn't see any evidence of that.
Sep 14, 2018, 9:35 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: DL-PM
Posts: 266
Don't expect anything other than the standard SkyPriority stuff, and possibly a bulkhead or forward cabin seat.
On a recent PVG-LAX flight the buy up offered was ~$4000 to F, J was sold out.
On a recent PVG-LAX flight the buy up offered was ~$4000 to F, J was sold out.
Sep 14, 2018, 9:40 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
SkyTeam and other Delta partner carrier benefits by status are thoroughly detailed. You will need the footnotes.
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-benefits.html
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-benefits.html
Sep 14, 2018, 9:55 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
China Eastern is incredibly clear as to what ST E and E+ are entitled to while flying with them. They also publish a chart of perks for their own members.
Elite Status Membership | China Eastern Airlines
You're in for a pretty rude surprise if you're expecting anything resembling US-style upgrades.
Elite Status Membership | China Eastern Airlines
You're in for a pretty rude surprise if you're expecting anything resembling US-style upgrades.
Sep 14, 2018, 10:12 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: DL Charter DM/DM/2MM, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,925
Other than the ST+ benefits already mentioned, I can say without exception that on every flight that I have flown on CI/CZ/KE/MU and VN that the Purser has personally made a point of coming to my seat and thanking me for my status, and to be sure to let her/him know if I want anything/anytime during the flight. I always appreciate the acknowledgment as these Asian FAs are much more attentive and polite, in most cases, to the customers on their flights. Maybe as I'm always flying in Business Class, that helps!
Sep 14, 2018, 10:59 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
Sep 14, 2018, 11:16 am
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
Other than the ST+ benefits already mentioned, I can say without exception that on every flight that I have flown on CI/CZ/KE/MU and VN that the Purser has personally made a point of coming to my seat and thanking me for my status, and to be sure to let her/him know if I want anything/anytime during the flight. I always appreciate the acknowledgment as these Asian FAs are much more attentive and polite, in most cases, to the customers on their flights. Maybe as I'm always flying in Business Class, that helps!
But my experience on MU (sample size one round trip with 4 total connecting flights in J) was that STE+ went unrecognized onboard. The service was actually pretty great - I was quite pleased overall - but it didn’t include a personal greeting for me based on my status. (Not that I minded - the purser still visited every seat to greet every passenger, they just did it in numeric order.)
Sep 14, 2018, 4:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
Other than the ST+ benefits already mentioned, I can say without exception that on every flight that I have flown on CI/CZ/KE/MU and VN that the Purser has personally made a point of coming to my seat and thanking me for my status, and to be sure to let her/him know if I want anything/anytime during the flight. I always appreciate the acknowledgment as these Asian FAs are much more attentive and polite, in most cases, to the customers on their flights. Maybe as I'm always flying in Business Class, that helps!
1) they found my Delta booking (PEK-DTW) that was 2 days later and printed out a boarding pass for me in HK so that I could easily go through TWOV process in PEK
2) Made sure there was no one sitting on my row (the plane was 60% empty)
3) when I passed out in my seat after take off (I was clubbing until 4am and went straight to the airport) they came and put a pillow under my head/ put a blanket over me and tucked me in for the flight.
Sep 14, 2018, 8:49 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Kanasas City
Programs: DL DM, 2 MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 358
Does seat selection work?
I have my first flight on MU in J during last weekend of September PVG-ORD. I was able to select a seat on the Delta app. Does anyone know if this actually sticks? Or is it some phantom selection capability and I’ll just get whatever seat when I check in at PVG?
Sep 15, 2018, 6:00 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
...on every flight that I have flown on CI/CZ/KE/MU and VN that the Purser has personally made a point of coming to my seat and thanking me for my status, and to be sure to let her/him know if I want anything/anytime during the flight. I always appreciate the acknowledgment as these Asian FAs are much more attentive and polite, in most cases, to the customers on their flights.!
I just flew MU LAX-PVG in biz class. No specific aknowledgment of Diamond status. I felt well taken care of, so who knows?
Sep 15, 2018, 6:21 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
It should stick. DL got this working before they got it working with KLM.