Consumer Union Article
 

On a flight from LAX to ORD tonight, the person sitting next to me had a travel publication from Consumer Union. It looked like a monthly subscription service. I read the publication and its article about 1st level elite status for all the airlines. It was a good article but the thing that pissed me off was the fact that they published AA's Gold Desk number (plus all the other airlines 1st level elite numbers). As we all know, we cherish the "elite" numbers for their qucik answer and help. I think it was irresponsible of CU to print this information for the general public. Now granted, if you call and are not elite, I am sure the service center will either (1) not help you and reference you to the general number or (2) help you. But this puts those of us who have worked hard for their elite status potentially behind the eight ball.

http://www.ConsumerReports.org/

the publication is Consumer Reports Travel Letter---it is usually a pretty good unbiased analysis of aspects of travel.

On Delta, they request your FF # when calling the special elite numbers. I wonder what the reps answering the telephone do when someone dials using the elite number and their status is not elite?
I agree that it dilutes the elite status when non-elites dial in. Also, how about the check-in lines? Sometimes the elite check-in line has a longer wait than the regular check-in line.

The BA (US) phone system requires you to key in your membership number - even when you are phoning the 'blue' line. This is fine except when the computer gets itself into a loop or - as when I switched programs - when it doesn't recognise your ff number because you belong to a different geographical region. If MF were anything other than premier, he'd be better off phoning the UK numbers when trying to get service in the US... (there is a titanium-trimmed platinum telephone on Robert Ayling's desk that rings when MF so much has a momentary thought that requires attention from BA)

Although the customer service for the 'elite' lines is certainly faster and even more pleasant than for the blue line, I'm fairly certain that if you managed to get through & didn't have a valid gold/silver card, you would be politely but firmly given the number for the blue line!

Baobab: You really have got the do on with me today havn't you!

How about we do an expeiment... I e-mail you the BA Premier number and you see what the service is like?
MF

Merry - I have a duty to entertain Rudi and Catman... if you want to e-mail me the premier number, go ahead, and I'll test it out. I found the blue service pretty good, despite the problems with switching programs, but it was even better when I had access to the elite numbers again.

On second thoughts, perhaps it's Mr Ayling's titanium-trimmed cell phone number that you have!

all those US-numbers for UA 1K's etc don't help me a lot - because the person answering has to pass me (because of my international-ticket even when my next flight segment is only in US/Canada, not because of my poor english) to an international operator - and there I go waiting and waiting ...

As Aubie said, when you phone Delta you enter your FF number and pin. You are connected with a Special Member Services Operator if you are a Medallion level flyer. Thus it makes no difference if you dial the listed or unlisted number.

Air Canada works the same way. Call the number, enter your ff number and then your call is routed according to your status. Result: Calls from Elites get answered within 3 minutes, calls from non-elites take 20min+

Last year I was not Gold Medallion, and several times when I called that number, I got quickly transferred to the Silver Medallion operators.

Rudi, UA now has a 1K international desk. When you call the 1K service number you press 1 for domestic, 2 for international. No waiting!

I thought that was that 1K-number 3 weeks ago (but I didn't notice any choice 1)national 2) international).

Thank you.

Delta is interesting in that yes, you do enter your number and PIN if you know it, if not you get connected to an operator. Of course this might just be a test of sorts, because what elite level frequent flyer would forget his ff number and PIN (except for Emmett_s of course)?

But, note that they actually have three numbers, plain old SkyMiles number, Silver Medallion, then Special Member Services, which is for Gold and Platinum.

I admit that I DON'T KNOW MY FF-NUMBER(s)! (I can type them on the numeric board with closed eyes - but I couldn't tell/write them without looking into my notebook).

am I disqualified now for this board?

Oh, come on Rudi ... you can't even recite your United number off the top of your head ... we might have to put you on probation for that ...

My head is filled with all sorts of numbers ... Delta, United, American for airlines ... Avis and Hertz preferred renter numbers ... and Marriott and Hyatt hotel membership numbers.

The consumer Union article you might have saw JIMBOLIGUY is their monthly travel newsletter
that offers tips on how to get the best airline/hotel/car rental/travel bargains.
Can't really what it costs, but I'll wait till someone gives it to me as a gift subscription.

Consumer Reports did an article on airline
FF programs a few months ago which we all
discussed in depth.

Rudi, I understand if you can't remember your
ff number for UA off the top of your head.
That's a lot of digits. I'm lucky I have a good memory for numbers like that and I can probalby recite them in my sleep (luckily only the cats hear them and they don't talk!)

Baobab... You are always entertaining for me
and informative too! CATMAN

One person working at the RCC told me that she always knew when someone was PremEx or 1K since they always knew their ff number by heart.

Swiss (as everybody knows) have no heart, and they (I) know only the numbers of their bank-accounts (not their ff-numbers).

Ok, I promised myself I wouldn't mention this ever - but I have been inspired.

BA (I bet you didn't guess I was going to mention them!) Premier card members (or that) can choose their membership number - much easier to remember that way!

Mine is my date of birth: ddmmyyyy.

So know you know.

The only other one I can remember is Hilton Hhonours. The rest are a blur and can stay that way.

I think One-Pass want me to remember that number it is really cool (or rude, I bet from that Baobab can guess what digits it contains), I also received a second membership pack from them this morning, although I don't need two cards, I appreciate the extra upgrade certificates! CHEERS!
MF

Here's what United does with calling the wrong line....most times, nothing. I had been calling the Prem Exec line (only explanation I have for knowing that number was that United called in the middle of the night last summer saying one of my flights had been canceled and to call them back, giving that number) a half dozen times and nothing at all was said to me about calling the wrong line. Then one rep yelled at me, gave me the correct Premier number and told me she'd help me this time but never to call it again..

I thought the topic was the COnsumer Union article... but George... I would not have
tolerated such a nasty response from a UA
or any person even if you called the wrong number. Most times I always ask for the name
of the person I'm speaking with. Even if you
make a mistake people should be considerate..
we are human not robots!

Sometimes I call the "regular" UA number if I can't get though to PremEx and they always are willing to help. Twice I was told nicely
I had the wrong number and I should call the
"special" number. CATMAN

Catman has his truncheon out! Just don't look at the United thread Catman: the meece have really been playing there.

My army of Cats is ready to pounce on these Meece!!! YIKES!!! CATMAn