I'm 23, have been flying fairly often for 3 years, and PLT with AA. I've had a few incidents related to my age over the years, and most of them took place at JFK. Several times I was approached by a stern-looking agent and was sharply told "Sir, this is the first class line. Once a check-in agent even threatened to call airport security when I refused to leave the first class line!

Thanks for the compliments, dgolds. To begin my comments, I should state that I am a CO Plat, NW Gold, US Gold, and Starwood Gold Preferred member. I can tell you that with my age and race acting in synergy (18 y.o. black male), I tend to be "singled out" for attention by ground agents and FAs.

In all honesty, sometimes it is positive attention, like extra-attentive service from a FC FA who is probably just happy to see someone closer to his/her own age in there.

Most of the time, however, the "attention" is negative. I am repeatedly asked by agents if I am First Class/Elite, in many instances having to physically show the Elite card to the agent controlling the queue or handling the actual check-in.

In Beijing, for instance, the NW supervisor (who, BTW, was a 30-something American male) was casually greeting other pax in the WBC check-in line. While the other pax basically got a "Hello. How are you?", the first thing I was told was "Are you a non-rev?" I simply said, "Platinum Elite," flashed the card, and he went about his business.

IMHO, the worst offenders are CO, UA, and NW, in that order. I have never had any "issues" when traveling on US or any of the other majors, for that matter.

When it comes to hotels, I have never experienced any major problems with Starwood. When I stayed at the Great Wall Sheraton in Beijing last month, the agent had to call Preferred Guest to confirm that I was a Gold Preferred, but that was understandable because I had been recently comped, and did not have the actual Gold card in my possession. I haven't had enough experience with Marriott, Hilton, et. al. to make any judgment calls.

Sorry for the dup.

[This message has been edited by avek00 (edited 04-16-2001).]

I have similar incidents. I am 19, and have been Gold member of former CP for 4 years. Even when I was 16 and lining up in the Business class line of CP, no one has ever approached me as far as I remember. They have treated me with respect both on ground and in the Cabin (that's what matters). The bad experience though, I was refused into the lounge cuz they said I wasn't 19. Is that true? They say they served alcohol, so I had to be overage a several times. I thought that was B*ll**** cuz matter of fact, I have went into lounge NUMEROUS times, and I see many little kids with their parent in there.

I feel that usually age discrimination (can I say so?) took place with Japanese Career. When I flew JL, and had a business class ticket (a paid one by the way), they came to me and said the similar thing. They told me I was in the wrong place (what a rude agent), so I theatrically said, "oh really? I thought this was the BUSINESS CLASS lineup" and showed them my ticket. I was too young to even bother to complain or ask for apology, but if that happens today, I will just tell them politely that I fly business class, and I won't be rude to them either. That way, it keeps both of us smiling, doesn't it? (afterall, it's your trip, so make it pleasant)

By the way, CX once refused advance boarding when I flew with them to BNE. I was flying Economy, but I was OW sapphire. I gently told the agent to look at my boarding pass clearly where it say "Sapphire" and she couldn't say anything but to let me through. I wasn't mad either, because I know they are doing their best.

Wish I stumbled on this thread earlier! I've been BA Gold since I was 22 (26 now) and have several (humourus) incidents mainly with ground staff, I still think back at the one when I was *turned* away from a desk at schiphol because it was "business only".. I then checked in with her neighbour who happened to be the shift manager, needless to say I enjoyed seeing her get the full monty when I turned away... But one of my best ones was flying back from JFK in first sitting next (it's 1st so several feet away..) to Naomi Campbell, when she went into the washroom the CSD popped over and said: "do you know who that is? you are ever so lucky.." I replied with "do you know who I AM and how lucky you are I am here?" He seemed to suddenly realise how stupid his remark was, appologised and walked away...

Major problems usually only occur when I fly into the US for 1 or 2 days, complete interregations.... Once at EWR I was accused of coming to rob someone... It needed the intervention of the station manager to sort things out bit even then they were pretty aggresive...

I think with the current boom in internet and other tech related stuff young (seemingly) wealthy passangers are becoming less rare, at least I am not the only young passanger in the lounge any more... It still is nice to be sitting in a 1st lounge and see people being sent away to a lower class lounge (sorry), the look in their eyes could kill someone

I'm 22, and this is my second year as a US Airways elite member (I was Silver last year) - both years on 100% leisure travel, including a full year on a grad student budget. I think I look about my age, and I haven't really had any problems from the US Airways staff.

I see that my old thread has been kicked off again!!

Its good to see some real high elite members at such a young age, its also a shame to see how rudely we get treated due to some stereotyping Airline/Ground staff.

pynchonesque, its fantastic to see another young person that has reached AmEx Platinum status off their own back. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you and which country of Platinum have you got (UK, US, France etc)? Should be getting Centurion very shortly, wonder who is the youngest Centurion cardholder in UK/US?

Thanks again for bringing your experineces to this thread, its great to see the "witty" respones that some have thrown back to the offending staff!

Richard

Seems that a 'younger' UA 1K customer recently had some of the same problems of others here.
See;
More power to ALL of you!!!!!!!!

I'm 20, and now Gold with CO and Hilton.

Usually the service is just as good as the others on board, however once I was denied an available upgrade because I was wearing jeans. Granted, I was not entitled to a free upgrade to BusinessFirst, but my newly printed BusinessFirst ticket was ripped up in front of me when the agent noticed my jeans. She then kindly gave me a middle seat in the back of the plane.

Now, I pay attention to my clothes when going on full flights to Europe!!

RichardMannion,

I got the Plat when I was 20 or 21. That wasn't very long ago. Mine is a US card. And when I was 20, I looked about 17. Not only am I a young guy, but I'm a cheapskate -- so when I first got the Plat, I'd get a big kick out of using it at Motel 6 or Denny's.

I know of some Centurion cardholders around 18, but it's all off their parents' accounts. I must admit I do have some card envy, but my spending isn't nearly high enough to get me the Centurion. Ahh well; card colors aren't what's really important in life anyway.

I'm here dgolds!!!!

Yes, I am a little young(er) for this board, but I'm not (at least I don't think I am ) full of @$*(.

I am a Continental Silver Elite, a liscensed travel agent, and a "travel teacher." (I teach a free class on how to find the cheapest travel stuff on the Internet)

I was just wondering when and where do you do most of your travelling.

I use IAD mostly, but I am a cheapskate (seeing as I am 15, I have little choice), so I occasionally use BWI (those in the
area will understand why). I do most of my traveling durring my breaks (spring and winter), and the majority durring the summer (4 months, June-September). I love flying, what can I say?

It'll be nice when I can drive MYSELF to the airport, as opposed to nagging my parents, LOL!

Just to add...I pay for my flights, and I use every discount coupon I can find. Last year, my parents bought tickets to ski in CO, and the fare dropped $250.00 a ticket (times 4), and we got vouchers. Those are what I used to get status for this year, Im a little worried about next year. (I ADDED HIS BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE THE AROGANT "RICHIE RICH" IMAGE WHICH I AM MOST CERTAINLY NOT!)


[This message has been edited by UALover7 (edited 04-16-2001).]

Turned 24 last month...

TW Elite 1
CO Gold Elite

I fly mostly in F on domestic flights, but am usually dressed in a suit when I travel on business. When I'm on personal travel, I usually at least put on slacks and a decent shirt.

I've never had problems w/ service because of my age, either on the ground or in the air. I think that there are so many young business flyers these days that it's really a non-event.

I do have to say thank goodness for my National Emerald Aisle card, as it makes car rentals much easier.

I'm "younger" though i just had my 26th birthday so I guess I'm not a kid anymore

My mom used to work the pacific rim, so she had a couple million real flight miles when she retired a few years back, just in time for my job to start sending me all over the world. So now SHE gets to be jealous of MY travels

I mix in enough leisure and milage runs to get me to NW gold and probably platinum this year. Main problem is I'm broke and can't afford all the great $800 trips to asia -- those student loan payments will kick your butt!

I'd love to meet any young folks around Washington / Richmond interested in traveling together, as my friends aren't really interested (or can't find the money!). Sometimes its fun to travel alone, sometimes not.

Never had particularly bad service, but I've always looked about 27. Never dress up for flights, but I usually am not ratty either -- fairly clean cut, though I'll wear jeans and a t-shirt at times.

Some passengers do give me funny looks boarding early or sitting in first, but honestly I've never had a crew member be anything but nice. I think they generally like seeing people closer to their age, I know there's been times where they were happy to flirt with me rather than have unwanted attentions from some of the older "gentlemen" in the cabin.