anonHippo

I'm a DL FO and often fly on Vietnam Airlines. As STE (SkyTeam Elite) I'm under the impression that I should be able to check-in at SkyPriority check-in counters and board after STE+ on partner flights, but for some reason at VN check-in counters their system can never pull up my status (I still get miles credited). This has happened at SGN, HAN, KIX, ICN, etc. Does this happen to anyone else? I once flew on a VN flight operated by Pacific Airlines on behalf of VN and had EL printed on my boarding pass, but that never happens when flying proper VN. I'll often show the check-in agents my status inside the Delta app (where it says Elite) but they often mistakingly say that Delta Silver is not STE, to which I beg them to literally google it or ask any supervisor.

I've thought about raising this with support at VN but to be honest their support is not great, which is why I use Delta's loyalty program instead of VN now (I'm also VN Titanium which is also STE).

My theory which I have no evidence for is that their system can pull up DL STE+ but not DL STE and there's not enough of us FO serfs to bring attention to it. If you have had your DL status properly show up while flying VN, could you share what status you were at?

DLHubber

STE is not eligible for SkyPriority regardless of airline. That�s only STE+ (or first/business class).

anonHippo

You're not wrong, but that's not what I'm saying. My interpretation of the medallion program / ST published policies is that STE is elligible to use SkyPriority Check-in Counters and use the SkyPriority boarding lane (after STE+ boards). I'm not expecting SkyPriority on my boarding pass nor to use expedited security.

pt360

I'm wondering if you can fill out this form to get more clarity - https://www.skyteam.com/en/about/faq/elite-elite-plus

I tried to look through the Delta and other sites to see specifically the priority check in and boarding, and it isn't clear. One thing in the footnotes on the international partners site on Delta is that "(5) SkyTeam Elite customers will board soon after Elite Plus customers.". When I fly WestJet as FO, I get not the priority boarding but the first "general" boarding class, which could be what they are referring to here. However, as far as the check in counters, it makes sense that you should be able to use the Sky lanes just based on the wording for both Priority Check-In and even Bag Drop.

prgboy

I am also Delta silver and can emphasize with you as I was going through similar problems with KLM/AF. In about last year, they could not recognize my status, meaning no seat selection or checked bag could be confirmed. My solution was NOT to add the DL FF number into the form during the booking process. Instead, add it right AFTER I paid for the new ticket. Then it works fine. Alternatively, you may ask the operating airline to remove the FF number from the reservation and insert it again - this also always helped. I hope this helps…

anonHippo

To anyone more familiar with the process, when checking in would the status not be "refetched"? In 2 days I'm flying HAN - BKK and next week BKK - HAN on VN so I will give your suggestion a try and report back.

Also to people not familiar with what traveling in Southeast Asia is like: I would guess only 10% of flyers posses any form of airline status, so priority check-in literally saves an hour almost every time and I'm usually the first 5 on the plane.

anonHippo

I will fill out that form and share what I hear back. However, there's something I didn't include in my original post. The check-in agents often say these two statements:

- I can see that on your phone it shows you are a Delta Silver Medallion, however Delta Silver Medallions are not SkyTeam Elite. You need to be SkyTeam Elite or Elite+ to use this counter (which I then ask them to google it, read the word "Elite" next to the Skyteam Logo on my membership card, or ask a supervisor).
- Your DL FF number isn't showing up in the system as Elite (they've shown me a picture of their monitor (the section of interest had about 7 boxes with 2 or 3 letter abbreviations, none of which were highlighted).

Synapseturquoise

This happens regardless of your status. I am gold and flew aerolineas Argentina in Feb. The first flight didn't carry over my status so I had to re-add my FF number at check in.

prgboy

Yes, I would not expect that this is the question of the level of status.
Rather of the different systems not talking to one another.
But a few years ago it worked OK for me - at least DL status showing in KLM reservation. I only began to have problems about a year ago.

upnorth

I have been Platinum for a decade and last year due to still restricted travel I am Silver this year. Silver in the US is no big deal. I just buy Comfort+ tickets and have no checked bags. Even if I had, with the self check-in and baggage drop it is still a breeze. With TSA Pre and Clear no delays at security check either. However, traveling anywhere outside the US, no Sky Priority can make things really difficult. At Paris no lounge. CDG if no Sky Priority means you also have to go through the long general security check lines. I flew to BLR/India and SCL/Chile this year and the economy section check in lines were brutally long. At BLR, I managed to talk myself to go into Sky Priority because no one was there at AF checkin counter. Using Amex Plat/PP, I had no problem accessing the lounge. At SCL, the economy check in lines were brutally long and slow. However, because the flight is DL, they allow Silver into the Sky Priority for check-in purposes. For boarding no issues because I had Comfort+. I am heading to HND/Japan later this month but both ways I have DL Premium Economy which comes with Sky Priority and lounge through Amex Plat. This trip I will be Gold and by June Platinum again. I realized the benefits of Sky Priority flying with Siliver status on international trips. I had never noticed it over the last million+ miles. Bottom line is if you are flying partner airlines, no status for checkin, but you do get to board in Main 1 after Sky Priority.

anonHippo

Well I called in to wipe and re-add my FF number and got told to email [email protected]. Below is my message and after it is their response. I don’t know how someone can seriously write these words and hit send, or am I the crazy one?

—-

Hi there,


I have a booking ABCDEF for myself (name) for April 6 going from HAN to BKK on VN 615.

I already have my frequent flyer number there, but sometimes there is an issue with the system retrieving the status when I go to the airport. Could I ask you to please remove the frequent flyer number, save, and then add the same frequent flyer number again? My FF number is Delta Airlines 1231231234

Thank you,
Name.

—-

Dear Name,
Thank you for contacting Vietnam Airlines,For our further assistance, please kindly advise us your Lotusmiles frequent traveller number as we are unable to modify information on other airlines's account.

Or you may wish to contact Delta Airlines for further assistance if your number belongs to Delta Airlines.

In case of emergency, please directly reach us at 19001100/ (+84) 24 38320320 (For calls from outside of Vietnam).

Sincerely yours,
Name

—-

I’m not trying to modify information on another airline’s account. I’m trying to modify a Vietnam Airlines booking made on Vietnam Airlines website and ticketed by Vietnam Airlines. Delta cannot modify this reservation.


—-

(boilerplate)
Thank you for your contact with Vietnam Airlines.

Please be informed that your request has been re-directed to Lotusmiles department for further assistance and please wait our response.
(boilerplate)

---

Could you please give them this updated information:

As April 6 has passed, I have already flown on VN 615. I have another booking for April 00 from BKK to HAN with PNR ABCDEF on flight VN 614. I am requesting that my FF number be taken out and re-added to this reservation, in hopes that the system can properly read the elite status.

Thank you!

---
(boilerplate)

Thank you for contacting Vietnam Airlines,

We have re-added your card number 1231231234 in your booking code , but the system does not show the ELITE status as you mentioned. In this case, please contact Delta Airlines to check your case.
(boilerplate)

---

Edit: added their response. I got a response from telesales rather than their lotusmiles email, but this was from a different agent.

anonHippo

I�ll take a picture on my return leg, but at HAN and SGN there is a big sign at the start of the SkyPriority check-in lane that says the membership levels allowed to use it and SkyTeam Elite is included there.

(one time I was flying ICN to HAN on KE and one of the gate agent assistants told me SkyTeam Elite isn�t eligible to use Priority boarding, I told her I�ve been doing it for years on KE and she let me go. I think many agents are trained on Elite+ privileges but not Elite.)

RealHJ

Sounds like whomever is training DL reservations agents is also training VN CS agents. This level of service and total lack of attention to detail (not even bothering to read the request) is almost as bad as Delta service for PM/DM. Almost.