AY+ elite (unofficial) "soft perks"
Nov 23, 2015, 10:36 am
#182
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Going around Russian airspace
Posts: 621
I was actually talking to finnair cs yesterday about seat block. Apparently it is automatic for plats and golds, but is overridden in certain cases. At least in ecoomy comfort it doesn't apply to checkin/gate/inflight sold upgrades. Probably there are other cases too.
Nov 23, 2015, 12:01 pm
#183
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat and several other cards
Posts: 645
If it is automatic, it obviously can be overriden by anyone at check-in, at gate, probably even by your neighbour, that often the seat next to me has been occupied. Last time a couple of weeks ago (A319) the couple sitting on the middle and window seat next to me didn't even have any kind of status, though there were plenty of vacant seats further back in the plane! In my opinion the system as a whole is totally rotten.
Nov 23, 2015, 1:39 pm
#184
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Going around Russian airspace
Posts: 621
If it is automatic, it obviously can be overriden by anyone at check-in, at gate, probably even by your neighbour, that often the seat next to me has been occupied. Last time a couple of weeks ago (A319) the couple sitting on the middle and window seat next to me didn't even have any kind of status, though there were plenty of vacant seats further back in the plane! In my opinion the system as a whole is totally rotten.
Nov 23, 2015, 2:33 pm
#185
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,165
If it can be overridden easily, then it is totally useless. Even counter productive. In my case there are 5 rows of J, row 3-5 without pax. Yet someone is allowed to take my blocked 1C and blk me.
Dec 8, 2015, 1:33 am
#186
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,110
Another "horror" flight with AY. Don't know why this always happens to me – bad karma I guess. (If I didn't have a AY FF tier card I probably would have ended flying AY already since I can get similar service on LCCs, too.)
So, I flew TXL-HEL and was seated next to a Platinum, first row in Y. Once boarding was completed, the Platinum asked for a newspaper as it wasn't offered pro-actively by CC. CC said they don't have any extra, no apologies (there were plenty in J at least). No personalised welcome to Platinum either. When Platinum asked if a hand carry could be placed in J section since there were no more space in the over-head lockers, CC replied not-so-nicely way: "Put it under the seat in front of you." When service started Platinum ordered some champagne. "12 euro", CC required straight. I think CC could have offered that drink.
Then it was my turn: when I requested our prepaid meals (chicken w/ mashed potatoes and creamy cheese sauce) that I had ordered a week before, I was told that they don't have them. I then asked if I could choose something from the Sky Bistro for 24 euros I had paid already. It wasn't possible since they didn't have any food onboard, only drinks. I would have expected some small goodwill gesture in this point. But no. Instead, I was told how lucky I'm that the flight is so short that I don't starve to death. The short flying time wasn't the point really. CC couldn't understand that I preordered the meal because a) I knew I won't have time to eat properly in TXL after breakfast, b) this was an evening flight and arrival time to HEL would be very late to start finding food, and c) the meal was supposed to make my life easier. Now, first thing I had to do in HEL was to find some food. A peace of mind that AY is trying to offer? You can decide.
So, I flew TXL-HEL and was seated next to a Platinum, first row in Y. Once boarding was completed, the Platinum asked for a newspaper as it wasn't offered pro-actively by CC. CC said they don't have any extra, no apologies (there were plenty in J at least). No personalised welcome to Platinum either. When Platinum asked if a hand carry could be placed in J section since there were no more space in the over-head lockers, CC replied not-so-nicely way: "Put it under the seat in front of you." When service started Platinum ordered some champagne. "12 euro", CC required straight. I think CC could have offered that drink.
Then it was my turn: when I requested our prepaid meals (chicken w/ mashed potatoes and creamy cheese sauce) that I had ordered a week before, I was told that they don't have them. I then asked if I could choose something from the Sky Bistro for 24 euros I had paid already. It wasn't possible since they didn't have any food onboard, only drinks. I would have expected some small goodwill gesture in this point. But no. Instead, I was told how lucky I'm that the flight is so short that I don't starve to death. The short flying time wasn't the point really. CC couldn't understand that I preordered the meal because a) I knew I won't have time to eat properly in TXL after breakfast, b) this was an evening flight and arrival time to HEL would be very late to start finding food, and c) the meal was supposed to make my life easier. Now, first thing I had to do in HEL was to find some food. A peace of mind that AY is trying to offer? You can decide.
Dec 8, 2015, 1:56 am
#187
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
Another "horror" flight with AY. Don't know why this always happens to me – bad karma I guess. (If I didn't have a AY FF tier card I probably would have ended flying AY already since I can get similar service on LCCs, too.)
So, I flew TXL-HEL and was seated next to a Platinum, first row in Y. Once boarding was completed, the Platinum asked for a newspaper as it wasn't offered pro-actively by CC. CC said they don't have any extra, no apologies (there were plenty in J at least). No personalised welcome to Platinum either. When Platinum asked if a hand carry could be placed in J section since there were no more space in the over-head lockers, CC replied not-so-nicely way: "Put it under the seat in front of you." When service started Platinum ordered some champagne. "12 euro", CC required straight. I think CC could have offered that drink.
Then it was my turn: when I requested our prepaid meals (chicken w/ mashed potatoes and creamy cheese sauce) that I had ordered a week before, I was told that they don't have them. I then asked if I could choose something from the Sky Bistro for 24 euros I had paid already. It wasn't possible since they didn't have any food onboard, only drinks. I would have expected some small goodwill gesture in this point. But no. Instead, I was told how lucky I'm that the flight is so short that I don't starve to death. The short flying time wasn't the point really. CC couldn't understand that I preordered the meal because a) I knew I won't have time to eat properly in TXL after breakfast, b) this was an evening flight and arrival time to HEL would be very late to start finding food, and c) the meal was supposed to make my life easier. Now, first thing I had to do in HEL was to find some food. A peace of mind that AY is trying to offer? You can decide.
So, I flew TXL-HEL and was seated next to a Platinum, first row in Y. Once boarding was completed, the Platinum asked for a newspaper as it wasn't offered pro-actively by CC. CC said they don't have any extra, no apologies (there were plenty in J at least). No personalised welcome to Platinum either. When Platinum asked if a hand carry could be placed in J section since there were no more space in the over-head lockers, CC replied not-so-nicely way: "Put it under the seat in front of you." When service started Platinum ordered some champagne. "12 euro", CC required straight. I think CC could have offered that drink.
Then it was my turn: when I requested our prepaid meals (chicken w/ mashed potatoes and creamy cheese sauce) that I had ordered a week before, I was told that they don't have them. I then asked if I could choose something from the Sky Bistro for 24 euros I had paid already. It wasn't possible since they didn't have any food onboard, only drinks. I would have expected some small goodwill gesture in this point. But no. Instead, I was told how lucky I'm that the flight is so short that I don't starve to death. The short flying time wasn't the point really. CC couldn't understand that I preordered the meal because a) I knew I won't have time to eat properly in TXL after breakfast, b) this was an evening flight and arrival time to HEL would be very late to start finding food, and c) the meal was supposed to make my life easier. Now, first thing I had to do in HEL was to find some food. A peace of mind that AY is trying to offer? You can decide.
Dec 8, 2015, 2:38 am
#188
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Going around Russian airspace
Posts: 621
Another "horror" flight with AY. Don't know why this always happens to me – bad karma I guess. (If I didn't have a AY FF tier card I probably would have ended flying AY already since I can get similar service on LCCs, too.)
So, I flew TXL-HEL and was seated next to a Platinum, first row in Y. Once boarding was completed, the Platinum asked for a newspaper as it wasn't offered pro-actively by CC. CC said they don't have any extra, no apologies (there were plenty in J at least). No personalised welcome to Platinum either. When Platinum asked if a hand carry could be placed in J section since there were no more space in the over-head lockers, CC replied not-so-nicely way: "Put it under the seat in front of you." When service started Platinum ordered some champagne. "12 euro", CC required straight. I think CC could have offered that drink.
Then it was my turn: when I requested our prepaid meals (chicken w/ mashed potatoes and creamy cheese sauce) that I had ordered a week before, I was told that they don't have them. I then asked if I could choose something from the Sky Bistro for 24 euros I had paid already. It wasn't possible since they didn't have any food onboard, only drinks. I would have expected some small goodwill gesture in this point. But no. Instead, I was told how lucky I'm that the flight is so short that I don't starve to death. The short flying time wasn't the point really. CC couldn't understand that I preordered the meal because a) I knew I won't have time to eat properly in TXL after breakfast, b) this was an evening flight and arrival time to HEL would be very late to start finding food, and c) the meal was supposed to make my life easier. Now, first thing I had to do in HEL was to find some food. A peace of mind that AY is trying to offer? You can decide.
So, I flew TXL-HEL and was seated next to a Platinum, first row in Y. Once boarding was completed, the Platinum asked for a newspaper as it wasn't offered pro-actively by CC. CC said they don't have any extra, no apologies (there were plenty in J at least). No personalised welcome to Platinum either. When Platinum asked if a hand carry could be placed in J section since there were no more space in the over-head lockers, CC replied not-so-nicely way: "Put it under the seat in front of you." When service started Platinum ordered some champagne. "12 euro", CC required straight. I think CC could have offered that drink.
Then it was my turn: when I requested our prepaid meals (chicken w/ mashed potatoes and creamy cheese sauce) that I had ordered a week before, I was told that they don't have them. I then asked if I could choose something from the Sky Bistro for 24 euros I had paid already. It wasn't possible since they didn't have any food onboard, only drinks. I would have expected some small goodwill gesture in this point. But no. Instead, I was told how lucky I'm that the flight is so short that I don't starve to death. The short flying time wasn't the point really. CC couldn't understand that I preordered the meal because a) I knew I won't have time to eat properly in TXL after breakfast, b) this was an evening flight and arrival time to HEL would be very late to start finding food, and c) the meal was supposed to make my life easier. Now, first thing I had to do in HEL was to find some food. A peace of mind that AY is trying to offer? You can decide.
Dec 8, 2015, 2:56 am
#189
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,165
I find the handling of your pre-order food terribly bad.
Typical AY, though. Some service concept manager in HQ decides on a concept, leaving the inflight implementation to chance. Even if there was a delivery failure outside of Finnair's control, they should have routines in place to handle such a situation.
For instance, purser has the authority to issue "Service failure vouchers", why not approach traveller proactively, apologize for the incident and on the spot issue a 40€ check?
Instead inflight staff refuse to assume any responsibility on behalf of the company, fail to deliver a bought and promised service, and finally leave the customer to his own devices. Now a paying customer needs to fight with the complaint desk over 24€, which probably will be refunded 2 months later without an apology and without any change in the service culture.
The process itself will cost AY 200€ in handling, not to mention the loss from future ancillary sales.
And the basic problem isn't even a money issue. It is the failure to understand that cabin crew are the face of the company, the one true marketing channel to the customers.
Typical AY, though. Some service concept manager in HQ decides on a concept, leaving the inflight implementation to chance. Even if there was a delivery failure outside of Finnair's control, they should have routines in place to handle such a situation.
For instance, purser has the authority to issue "Service failure vouchers", why not approach traveller proactively, apologize for the incident and on the spot issue a 40€ check?
Instead inflight staff refuse to assume any responsibility on behalf of the company, fail to deliver a bought and promised service, and finally leave the customer to his own devices. Now a paying customer needs to fight with the complaint desk over 24€, which probably will be refunded 2 months later without an apology and without any change in the service culture.
The process itself will cost AY 200€ in handling, not to mention the loss from future ancillary sales.
And the basic problem isn't even a money issue. It is the failure to understand that cabin crew are the face of the company, the one true marketing channel to the customers.
Dec 9, 2015, 3:50 am
#193
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: TMP
Programs: AY+ Plat, SK Gold, BT VIP, Radisson Premium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 794
Dec 9, 2015, 3:52 am
#194
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: TMP
Programs: AY+ Plat, SK Gold, BT VIP, Radisson Premium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 794
AB service (for AY plats) seems to vary a lot on different flights, but yeah - do agree.
Dec 9, 2015, 4:40 am
#195
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
AB leaves from the wrong terminal for either lounges (Oneworld/BA or contracted/AF) at TXL. Also at TXL, I was denied priority boarding even though I had OWS. And of course earnings to AY+ are much worse than from AY; some cheap Y not even earning at all.
AB preorder meals are worse than AY in my opinion.
AB is usually cheaper though. YMMV.
AB preorder meals are worse than AY in my opinion.
AB is usually cheaper though. YMMV.
