AKL/XIY

People maybe talked about this before but I really want to make my point again. Do they really give you the * service?

On the 20th Jan 2008, I was on a CA flight from SZX to PVG, at the CA check-in area, the *G check-in counter was blocked by those people with big bags( other check-in counters was full),that is okay, but there were more people coming to *G check-in because there were less people, the CA staff didn't do much but standing there next to me and smiling I quickly got my BP and there was no *G print on my BP ( CA doesn't have its own BP but Shenzhen airport's) Finally went through the sercuity and are waiting. When the plane was started to board, there was nothing about *G customers and C class customers boarding 1st. What they have done was just board the plan from back to front, which is cold but they have missed *G prioprity boarding.

Once I arrived PVG, I went to FM for my flight to XIY. There was no one at the FM*G check-in counter. Then I had to move to ECO check-in, after waiting 15 mins to get my BP, finally someone showed up at *G check-in but not taking any passengers. Once again there's no prioprity boarding for that flight.

Last time when I left XIY for PVG, the staff at check-in counter was so helpful, even she never seen an AC's card before but still put my number onto my BP. No prioprity boarding.

I'm going to take CA to PEK this month from XIY, I don't think they will have prioprity boarding this time either. I have 3 connecting flights to ICN-SYD-AKL, do you think that I can check in my bags all the way to AKL from XIY? Last time my OZ's BP has no *G print, is that normal?

Anyway, these are just thoughts on CA and FM after they've joined in *. If I'm wrong please tell me, otherwise have you had the same experience?

Snoopy

Just flew on CA in F from CKG to CAN.They had *G check-in at CKG which was manned and not busy. I was also pulled out of a (long) security line to go to the priority line which was empty. The lounge was ok. As the OP pointed out no priority boarding, although why one would want to be on the plane first and have everyone wandering through banging you with their oversized hand-luggage beats me. All in all it wasn't a bad trip.

My colleague flew Shanghai Airlines to Pudong. He said there was only one counter open and no *G desk.

bchl

I'm used to the one-line system at the Chinese domestic airports. Just get used to it.. No priority boarding for F passengers and of course of *A priority boarding. It's more a question of the concept of the Chinese domestic airports. If you should truely be a VIP (not talking about F/C/*A passengers), you will be escorted from check-in directly to the planes. But just being a CIP, forget about extra treatments

Welcome to China, world of true VIPs and the rest

jbfield

Generally speaking I know what you mean, however, if there are that many bags it's possible the overhead storage will be full before you can use the one above your seat.
Mind you, that could also mean you're bag is stuck behind everyone else's when you come to retrieve it...

NickB

FWIW, this is what the Air China website says about priority boarding for their own elites: (VIP, in this context, refers to elite members, for silver upwards). So maybe this is how you should do it if you want priority boarding: show your card and ask the staff before boarding starts?

mahasamatman

Spanair is the same. No priority anything for anyone.

AKL/XIY

Are you talking about those VIP services that Chinese Banks and Cell phone companies offers at those airports? If yes, I know what you are saying, well, if you are a VIP of, let's say China Minsheng Bank or China Mobile, they have a different lounge in XIY, you will get free VIP car parking for 2 hours, and when you walk in the lounge, there are staffs help you to check in your flight, all you need to do is sitting on a sofa and waiting. Once the plane starts to board, they have their own vans that takes you to the plane directly. These kinds of services that I have used before, but what I'm saying is, regardless if you are ture VIP or not, you are a *G, then the airline should meet the * requirements. Otherwise the airline should not join the alliance regardless.

DownUnderFlyer

I think the best thing is not to expect too much at the moment. Both CA and FM still have to make the transition to a private enterprise culture where service matters (I know, most other private airlines in the world also don't have a service culture)

Never mind the Star Alliance benefits. It will take them a while to implement them. And the smaller or farther the airport the longer it will take. I would consider it to be good already if CA would offer a decent *G check-in at PEK.

AKL/XIY

I do agree with you! It takes time.

Rudi

the official StarAlliance rule regarding priority boarding states:

Priority Boarding (3)

(3) = where available

on a majority of LX and LH inner European flights there is no priority boarding either, they board you by rows (from the back of the plane to the front) which automatically makes business class passengers boarding last.