Do cabin crew know you are flying on an award ticket....
Jul 5, 2003 | 5:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: London UK
Programs: BA Bronze, Hilton Silver
Posts: 1,036
Do cabin crew know you are flying on an award ticket....
....if you are in first or bussines class? If they do does if effect the service you get or change their attitude towards you?
Jul 5, 2003 | 5:51 am
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: MSP - NW Gold - PC Plat - Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 2,478
If they checked your boarding pass they would know. But I have not had a need for that to happen in a long time. The crew would have no idea! You would be treated just as good (bad) as the rest of FC.
[This message has been edited by jimc_usa (edited 07-05-2003).]
[This message has been edited by jimc_usa (edited 07-05-2003).]
Jul 5, 2003 | 10:26 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,037
On AA the cabin crew gets a Passenger Information Listing (PIL). PILs for first and business are usually posted in the galleys so the FAs will know passenger names. Each name has a series of two-to-four-letter codes that give the type of ticket (paid, paid in lower class of service with award upgrade, award, etc.), the passenger's AA or oneWorld partner elite level, Admiral's Club membership, and a host of others - there's even a code for "prisoner in handcuffs."
Most FAs don't know what the rarer codes mean, but the list is printed on the back of the meal request form. (Unless they're using photocopies; nobody would copy the back.)
Most FAs don't know what the rarer codes mean, but the list is printed on the back of the meal request form. (Unless they're using photocopies; nobody would copy the back.)
Jul 5, 2003 | 11:44 am
#4
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Orlando, Florida- AA 2M Life Platinum, UA Gold, SQ Gold, Best Western Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Platinum, Hilton/Sixt/Hertz Gold, Accor Silver, Avis Chairmans, National Executive
Posts: 1,583
They stamp your hand with a big black "X" when you board. This tells flight attendants that you can not order alcoholic drinks and you go last for dinner choices. 
------------------
Going back to the bAAsics
Feed the world for FREE! One click at a time- www.thehungersite.com
------------------
Going back to the bAAsics
Feed the world for FREE! One click at a time- www.thehungersite.com
Jul 5, 2003 | 11:50 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
United's onboard manifests do not indicate what type of ticket you are flying on. So generally, Flight Attendants on United have no idea if you are flying on a Full Fare, Discount and/or upgraded ticket.
The UA manifests usually just indicate United Mileage Plus, United Global Services or Star Alliance frequent flyer status.
The UA manifests usually just indicate United Mileage Plus, United Global Services or Star Alliance frequent flyer status.
Jul 5, 2003 | 5:37 pm
#6
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,458
Alinlondon, welcome to FT. Since this forum seeks to connect FTers to get-togethers and the personal aspects of FTers, I'm going to move this topic to the more appropriate FT Miles Buzz. Please continue it there!
Thanks,
Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, Community
Thanks,
Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, Community
Jul 5, 2003 | 5:59 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,314
If you're traveling on United in international first on an award ticket, the cabin crew knows you aren't an employee. So you don't get very good service.
<Duck>
------------------
View from the Wing: A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets
<Duck>
------------------
View from the Wing: A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets
Jul 5, 2003 | 11:40 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Jacksonville, FL USA
Programs: USAir, NW, Hilton, Marriott
Posts: 864
On a flight from Frankfurt to Dallas, my friend and I got some pretty good prices on seats and then upgraded to business class. Being the miles monger he has been due to his love for flying, AND the fact that he ALWAYS asks about the possibility of being upgraded due to his status, the FA was extremely amazed that he flew in 1st class (when he purchased an economy ticket) because of him asking for an upgrade. It was a quiet flight for me in the (peon) Business Class seat. 
At least on AA, yes, the FA's know.
At least on AA, yes, the FA's know.
Jul 6, 2003 | 1:41 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 306
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gleff:
If you're traveling on United in international first on an award ticket, the cabin crew knows you aren't an employee. So you don't get very good service.
<Duck>
</font>
If you're traveling on United in international first on an award ticket, the cabin crew knows you aren't an employee. So you don't get very good service.
<Duck>
</font>
By the way, gleff: I had to read your message a couple of times, but yes, I finally got the joke.
Jul 6, 2003 | 5:50 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BBRebozo:
I am in London right now, having traveled on United First Class on Mileage Plus points, in line with my "drain my United Mileage Plus account while they're still in business" strategy. (Sorry, Randy and any United devotees.) Service was excellent, with no apparent discrimination. I was surprised, however, that they didn't hand out any amenity packs to ANY First Class passengers.
By the way, gleff: I had to read your message a couple of times, but yes, I finally got the joke.
</font>
I am in London right now, having traveled on United First Class on Mileage Plus points, in line with my "drain my United Mileage Plus account while they're still in business" strategy. (Sorry, Randy and any United devotees.) Service was excellent, with no apparent discrimination. I was surprised, however, that they didn't hand out any amenity packs to ANY First Class passengers.
By the way, gleff: I had to read your message a couple of times, but yes, I finally got the joke.
</font>
Jul 6, 2003 | 8:00 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: AA Plat, BA, DL, Frontier, NWA, SWA, UA, HHonors Gold, Priority Club Plat, Choice Priv, BW, Diners
Posts: 1,554
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by CT-UK:
On BA they crew do not know if you are on a reward ticket or if you have used miles or a voucher to upgrade.
They do kow if you have been bumped up due to over selling.</font>
On BA they crew do not know if you are on a reward ticket or if you have used miles or a voucher to upgrade.
They do kow if you have been bumped up due to over selling.</font>
Jul 6, 2003 | 9:18 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 401
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Ah, so you could theoretically upgrade twice (since they didn't know you upgraded the first time)? I mean that you could do an award upgrade ahead of time, and then the paid inflight upgrade on top of that? (My understanding -- correct me if I'm wrong -- is that each upgrade can only be used to take you up one class, so this trick would seem to be a way to upgrade two classes, tho of course only if each is available at their separate times.)[/B]</font>
Ah, so you could theoretically upgrade twice (since they didn't know you upgraded the first time)? I mean that you could do an award upgrade ahead of time, and then the paid inflight upgrade on top of that? (My understanding -- correct me if I'm wrong -- is that each upgrade can only be used to take you up one class, so this trick would seem to be a way to upgrade two classes, tho of course only if each is available at their separate times.)[/B]</font>