ORD Finn

My observation as a non-AY OWE is that seat blocking seems to be the only consistent perk (and a nice one). The other perks mentioned seem to be hit and miss, mostly missing.

Out of about 20 AY s/h flights during the past year or so I think I have been offered a newspaper maybe twice. No other perks to mention/registered on s/h.

Recently I flew AY l/h in whY for the first time in a couple of years. That was a more interesting experience wrt these unofficial perks. On the outward journey I was offered the NC headset and a glass of champagne with the meal service "as a platinum member". Well, the headset happened to be a broken one but champagne was good as always

On the way back I was not recognized in any way, which was fine until I saw a CA delivering NC headsets, J amenity kits and champagne to a couple of other pax in the cabin. Well, maybe the crew decided to treat AY's own elite members only this time or they just missed my status when reading the paper manifest (why don't they use tablets already, btw?). I don't know since I didn't bother to ask for these perks -- they are not official and hence I should not feel entitled to them, I guess.

Anyhow, kudos to Finnair for trying to treat their loyal customers better. They could do it in a better and more consistent way, though. Just a small recognition goes a long way: e.g. I like the way the purser on CX flights always comes to welcome me back on board -- something that doesn't cost a penny but leaves a nice impression.

remymartin

As someone who's tried both competitor and own OWS status on BA, the more I fly them in Y, the more I miss AY. Perhaps things will change when hitting OWE, or perhaps I'll try something else next year.

NoWindowSeat

For Y BA offers Emeralds confirmed exit row seats at the time booking, if seat selection is the issue for you. Cannot comment on the Y service/product etc. issues as I have no recent LH experiences on either (any) carrier.

remymartin

Does BA offer exit row seats at the time of booking for OWEs or BA Golds? I recently flew with an AA EXP and he was cramped in the aisle seat on the middle row (seat G on a 777, I believe), with nothing blocked. I cannot vouch whether he reserved his seat in advance or not, but I know for a fact the trip was booked 3.5 months before.

AY lets OWS of any programme book exit rows at the time of booking, so that's nothing I'm after.

Both carriers have their good and bad, free booze on BA anywhere being something to write home about!

NoWindowSeat

For all Emeralds, AFAIK.

OH-LGG

Last Sunday morning I arrived in Delhi by AY21.
After plane was parked at gate, the gate agent made a announcement about procedures in DEL airport concerning connecting flights.
At the end of this information She called "Mr LGG, contact stuff at the gate". Then I knew something nice is coming....

Three beautiful ladies waiting for me with sign "LGG AY022 Helsinki" and two of them escorted me to lounge thru security and taked care I have everything I need.
I asked them why I'm having this kind of special service, the answer was "we are here to take care You won't face any problems here at DEL". ^^

Thank You AY DEL -stuff, see You soon again! And of course Thanks to all nice crew members of AY21/22.

SPBanker

I think you need to be Secret Super-Duper Level Elite on AY to get that kind service! very nice.

NoWindowSeat

OH-LGG, now that's service! ^^ you are our own AY FF celebrity ^^

remymartin

^^^ They call it the I.M. card! There are only 1 in the world. It's more exclusive than BA Prem!!!

OH-LGG

Yes, that was absolutely great service.

But I want to reach the next level. This level offers me three beautiful ladies waiting for me after my flight at HEL airport too and escort to the taxistand or busstation.

I'll let You know when this happens.

remymartin

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19465069-post48.html

intuition

Didn't they add LGG to the take off check list? "Is LGG onboard? OK, then we are ready for take off..."


On the subject of soft perks, I just did 2 SH segments in Y, and here is the result of the swedish jury:

(+) Middle seat blocked on both
(-) Bumped out of my pre-selected seat on both flights
(0) Newspapers offered but; On one flight a FA hurriedly walked down the aisle with pre-made bundles of papers (3 sets of FT and ), and without a word she just handed me a bundle and went away. IMO rude, but I guess that is the low key approach of not making me feel awkward for receiving this generous perk.
On the other flight, no free newspapers offered, but when the sales trolley came by the FA very awkwardly lent over and whispered something in Finnish and pointed to Ilta Sanomat. Perhaps that was the free paper perk, but I guess you need to be Finnish to fully appreciate this soft perk.

FFlash

Maybe they don't know how to properly approach and handle that soft perk situation at least on ARN flights since there might be a "Jante issue" as discussed on another thread

FFlash

Another experience from recent HEL-ARN:

I had preselected exit row seat. The FA who normally stands there when boarding pleasantly surprised me by keeping the overhead bin closed until when I was taking my seat she told me "Welcome back, I was keeping the this overhead bin room for You" (she could not know my status unless she had some briefing, do they?)

These are the small little things that make the difference, kudos for that. I hope they keep reading other posts and suggestions here on FT, there are easy low-hanging ones by many of you.

remymartin

That doesn't sound like an OWB benefit - rather, the FA has a crush on you