Emirates over rated?
#257
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Skywards
Posts: 946
#258
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
I'd have to completely disagree with HMPS assertion between "Western" ways and "ME/Indian subcontinent ways"/The West and "The Rest" regarding customer service and don't feel it is a cultural or racial thing per se - I know plenty of Western companies and individuals with utterly abysmal customer service. In fact, there are plenty of Western countries and regions with stereotypes of infamously poor customer service.
The deciding factor, imho, is simply the organisation and its internal cultural attitude to customer service. I have been in many places in "The Rest", both in the ME, the Indian subcontinent and throughout Asia where the service and service recovery have been outstanding, both on a commercial basis and in the hospitality industry. Likewise in "Western" countries. And similarly poor service in "Western" countries, and in "The Rest".
What we have with airline customer service specifically is a department that receives many nasty complaints on a daily basis and staff that really don't care or are numb to it (understandably).
However, I find that a critical skill in dealing with customer feedback is to separate the merits of the case from the professionalism in your reply - the main trait in a poor customer service department is being unable to separate the two, and allowing a bad day, or customers with complaints with no merits affecting their job performance too much, without a consistent policy to fall back on.
#259
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
#260
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
imho, it is manner of reply - good customer service departments can determine the merit of any individual complaint and give a response based on that.
Poor customer service questions the integrity of anyone complaining in their response (absent any sustained record from an individual customer).
#261
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Europe
Programs: EK plat, ex-FB gold, Accor plat
Posts: 1,076
What's the cost of an apology ? Some paperwork, some skywards miles ? Then who cares ? It's a cheap cost compared to a dissatisfied premium customer.
Premium customers often don't only fly by themselves, they are also prescribers among fellow colleagues, team members, family, well-positioned friends.
Companies don't have ego, only balance sheet and shares. Customers do have ego.
If a customer was truly convinced that the world is flat, I would advise him to stay away from the edge and use my product (whatever it is).
#262
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CPT SA
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 196
sorry I come from the school of "The Customer is Always Right"
if a customer complains, they must feel they have legitimate gripe whether it is actually justified or not, I am definitely not going to question their honesty or sanity
1st Class passengers pay a lot of bills and I would do whatever is reasonably necessary to retain them, even if I have to give up a little of the profit margin to please them
there is simply not an unlimited number of potential 1st class passengers out there
if a customer complains, they must feel they have legitimate gripe whether it is actually justified or not, I am definitely not going to question their honesty or sanity
1st Class passengers pay a lot of bills and I would do whatever is reasonably necessary to retain them, even if I have to give up a little of the profit margin to please them
there is simply not an unlimited number of potential 1st class passengers out there
#263
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 188
I was flying First only once in my life (on LH) on miles. Booked seat 1A. When on board, crew privately asked me if there's any chance to switch my window seat with an upset F passenger seating aisle. He was disappointed not having a window seat. Of course I was kind and switch. The crew captain came to me mid-flight with 200 eur vouchers as a thank you...
First world's problems.
What I want to say is that in this case, the customer was the king. And LH took an F passenger with all respect and fulfilled its wish. I was also happy to get 200 EUR. However, if I had 10kEUR to pay for F, 200EUR was only pocket money. But the gesture was in favour of the other passenger and he surely was happy and did not think of booking the next F travel with AF or EK for example. If he was right or not, there's no correct answer. He wanted that and got it.
I don't know if EK does the same with F passengers or Platinum status members but to certain extent they (EK) should be careful. Their neighbours don't sleep. I, as a Y passenger, see EK superior of LH (which I usually fly with) for certain candies such as: emergency seat request fulfilled almost every time, best of best IFE, great seats and interior, smooth boarding and good schedule for my Asia travels. I'll hit Silver but has no benefits other than silver colour card. With LH, silver is a ticket to european lounges and also gave me a couple of op-ups. But it's difficult to reach it with my booking classes that usually gave 25% - 50% miles. Anyways, I'm good with EK so far and don't feel they're over rated in Y class.
If I was in position to fly even more frequently and high class (F, J), I'd certainly split business. Flying 3-4 times in F on LH gets you 2-year Senator for example. Being a premium member (on long term) in several alliances can give a good comparison which airline fights for its customers best.
First world's problems.
What I want to say is that in this case, the customer was the king. And LH took an F passenger with all respect and fulfilled its wish. I was also happy to get 200 EUR. However, if I had 10kEUR to pay for F, 200EUR was only pocket money. But the gesture was in favour of the other passenger and he surely was happy and did not think of booking the next F travel with AF or EK for example. If he was right or not, there's no correct answer. He wanted that and got it.
I don't know if EK does the same with F passengers or Platinum status members but to certain extent they (EK) should be careful. Their neighbours don't sleep. I, as a Y passenger, see EK superior of LH (which I usually fly with) for certain candies such as: emergency seat request fulfilled almost every time, best of best IFE, great seats and interior, smooth boarding and good schedule for my Asia travels. I'll hit Silver but has no benefits other than silver colour card. With LH, silver is a ticket to european lounges and also gave me a couple of op-ups. But it's difficult to reach it with my booking classes that usually gave 25% - 50% miles. Anyways, I'm good with EK so far and don't feel they're over rated in Y class.
If I was in position to fly even more frequently and high class (F, J), I'd certainly split business. Flying 3-4 times in F on LH gets you 2-year Senator for example. Being a premium member (on long term) in several alliances can give a good comparison which airline fights for its customers best.
Last edited by petercek; Nov 7, 2015 at 10:50 am Reason: Had to expand my thoughts.
#264
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: QF(Platinum) VA(Platinum) EY(Platinum) NZ(Gold) AZ(Platinum) SPG(Gold)
Posts: 278
In terms of customer service, I think the important thing is that if a business makes general or specific representations to a customer through marketing, etc, then it is honour bound to meet that (and if fails to do so, to promptly apologise and make good). Too often, you'll find businesses that'll take your money but then act like they are somehow doing you a "favour" by providing you with what were enticed to treat with.
Airlines, for example, often promote their First Class offerings as exceptional experiences in the sky, with world class food and beverage, plush and comfortable seating/lie flat "beds", personalised and responsive service both on the ground and in the air, and many other fancy claims. The reality for a lot of airlines is much more down to earth. Given that discrepancy, the least they can do is handle any issues for these passengers with due care and skill.
Airlines, for example, often promote their First Class offerings as exceptional experiences in the sky, with world class food and beverage, plush and comfortable seating/lie flat "beds", personalised and responsive service both on the ground and in the air, and many other fancy claims. The reality for a lot of airlines is much more down to earth. Given that discrepancy, the least they can do is handle any issues for these passengers with due care and skill.
#265
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
The customer is not always right - but he is the customer
imho, it is manner of reply - good customer service departments can determine the merit of any individual complaint and give a response based on that.
Poor customer service questions the integrity of anyone complaining in their response (absent any sustained record from an individual customer).
imho, it is manner of reply - good customer service departments can determine the merit of any individual complaint and give a response based on that.
Poor customer service questions the integrity of anyone complaining in their response (absent any sustained record from an individual customer).
EK will need to reply in a suitable manner (subjective), that shows their sincerity and apologize for assuming customer was lying.
#266
...First, the food portion size (not quality but size) in Y-class in Emirates is the best I have experienced so far. I have flown in Y-class with the so-rated 5* airlines Garuda-Indonesia (a 1.5 hours flight) and flown with other airlines such as Malaysia Airlines and Oman Air and found the food portion size good on Emirates Y-class. I was shocked that with Garuda-Indonesia, they only provide you with a main-course meal in addition to a strawberry flavor yogurt on the side only. My experience with Malaysian Airlines was not that different in Y-class for my 2.5 hours domestic flight as well. However, with Emirates you are offered the main course, salads, sweets, and a piece of chocolate with your food. ^
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Based on the above, I fail to see how Emirates is over-rated compared to other airlines
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Based on the above, I fail to see how Emirates is over-rated compared to other airlines
Also, what is it with people in Y liking to compare FOOD? All airplane food in Y is the same. Inedible
#268
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
#270
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dubai / Cardiff / 39,000ft
Programs: A-Club Platinum, Emirates Platinum, Aegean Gold
Posts: 134
You know, I agree with a lot of the comments here regarding the EK service, I am generally flying twice a week at the moment with a mixture of F and J, when you get a good crew in F then the flight is wonderful, but get a crew who is off the ball then it can dip below expectations.
My big bug bear with EK is the grand handling when you arrive at Dubai if you are flying F, as soon as you leave the aircraft then the first class experience is over and you are just another passenger. I arrived back from BKK 2 weeks ago and for some reason my card would not work in the smart gate and ended up waiting over 70 minutes in the fast track queue for immigration. This i find unacceptable and not an isolated experience.
As has been said earlier, the time has now come to spread my business around, I have already re-qualified for Plat in the first for 4 months of my membership year so now it is time to try the airline down the road for a few of my trips.
My big bug bear with EK is the grand handling when you arrive at Dubai if you are flying F, as soon as you leave the aircraft then the first class experience is over and you are just another passenger. I arrived back from BKK 2 weeks ago and for some reason my card would not work in the smart gate and ended up waiting over 70 minutes in the fast track queue for immigration. This i find unacceptable and not an isolated experience.
As has been said earlier, the time has now come to spread my business around, I have already re-qualified for Plat in the first for 4 months of my membership year so now it is time to try the airline down the road for a few of my trips.