Recognizing frequent flyers
Nov 12, 2011 | 9:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: QR Plat | SK Diamond | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,612
Recognizing frequent flyers
A funny thing happened last week. A friend was flying MEL-SIN in Y, and the cabin was pretty empty. Out of nowhere, the crew gave him champagne and Godiva chocolates and took really good care of him on the flight. He's Skywards Blue. He tells me that the pax in front of him was Gold, and received no attention during the flight.
I wonder if this was a case of the crew mixing up seat numbers and giving the intended recognition for continued business to the wrong person? Needless to say, my friend didn't question the crew about this, and he's so impressed with EK he wants to do a RTW in F on EK instead of SQ!
I wonder if this was a case of the crew mixing up seat numbers and giving the intended recognition for continued business to the wrong person? Needless to say, my friend didn't question the crew about this, and he's so impressed with EK he wants to do a RTW in F on EK instead of SQ!
Nov 13, 2011 | 4:27 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,064
More likely, your friend was young, probably single and caught the eye of one of the girls/guys.
Nov 13, 2011 | 5:38 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards silver :-(, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,572
It also depends on how many golds are there in Y. Obviously if Y is full of gold they wouldn't be able to do this.
It is a nice gesture and that's why I stil like EK
Last edited by ukdoctor; Nov 13, 2011 at 8:49 am
Nov 13, 2011 | 8:03 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,064
Because that is not the prescribed service.
Passengers in the same class of service should receive the same level of service, regardless of their elite status. Dishing out unsolicited champagne and chocolates simply serves to embarrass the recipient and alienate the other customers.
Passengers in the same class of service should receive the same level of service, regardless of their elite status. Dishing out unsolicited champagne and chocolates simply serves to embarrass the recipient and alienate the other customers.
Nov 13, 2011 | 8:48 am
#7
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It might be the young/ traveling alone thing.
Nov 13, 2011 | 9:53 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,064
Nov 14, 2011 | 1:42 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,944
Had the special champagne surprise several times when flying in Y, always served by a flirtatious early-30s female FA. Go figure ...
A very nice gesture, though.
Nov 14, 2011 | 1:46 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,944
I bet this is what happened, they mixed up the seat number. I am always surprised how some FAs are struggling when handing out the fast immigration cards to Golds in Y (some seem to have the same problem reading seat numbers as some passengers).
Nov 14, 2011 | 4:38 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: Priority Club Platinum, Skywards Gold, BAEC Silver, SAA Voyager
Posts: 255
On most of my flights in Y I get the 'speech' and, quite frankly, that embarrass me enough! The only thing I will ask for is what I would get in Y anyway, so maybe some drinks quickly, or perhaps asking for a specific meal choice to be reserved.
The best form of Gold recognition for me is when the boarding pass beeps red and is replaced by a pass for a seat in J! And it happens quite frequently too
The best form of Gold recognition for me is when the boarding pass beeps red and is replaced by a pass for a seat in J! And it happens quite frequently too
Nov 14, 2011 | 5:02 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,064
Amen. A quiet word to welcome on board is fine, but anything more than that is over-the-top. I usually bring my own food and drink when flying in Y class anyway, so the best they can do for me is just leave me alone.
Nov 14, 2011 | 9:34 am
#14
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Nov 16, 2011 | 6:51 am
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 9,606
Me, as a humble EK Gold, have had flights where I got pre-flight Champagne, nuts (both in C "ware") and lots of recognition. I later asked if I was the only Gold in Y, and indeed I was. Flight was only around 50% full, so I think on empty flights and with some motivated crew, EK actually will give out some goodies to their premium customers. It's a hit and miss, though.