around the world

Hello Everyone,

I just got through reading this 13 page thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48208

While the original poster was most probably detailing her experience on Continental, others detailed their experience on other carriers... Which got me thinking which airline carriers treat their young elite members the same as everyone else... or at least come close? Granted all airlines have their share of ignorant and just down right rude employees and while no airlines are immune to poor service - which airlines do you all think have at least consistent levels of service whether you're a middle aged pax or a 17 year-old student?

I'm a 21 year-old business student moving to Birmingham, England this month and am looking for a new airline carrier (and consequently a new FFP). I have various options and just wanted to take your feedback into account before making a final decision.

Almost all of my travel in the past has been on Cathay Pacific and overall they have been pretty good over the years. (Although I did have some issues with them in the past, most notably: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188973. For the most part others chose to bash me and the thread was shut down.

Numerous carriers fly to BHX from LAX and although I have my tickets booked on CO for the 19th, I am wondering whether I should travel a different carrier in the future. (UA/LH, NW/KL, DL/AF, LX, AA/EI, BA)

Many thanks,
around the world

JohnnyP

I'm 25 and have been an elite for a few years now on UA. I have never had a problem getting recognition or appreciation. (I usually dress nicely and am always polite as well!) Sometimes a few strange looks, but more often than not that's from other passengers, not UA staff.

kersie

In my last year of undergrad and my first couple of years in law school, I was AA-Gold. They were great to me, and I never noticed any difference because of the fact that I was younger (only 20 when I first attained the status). In fact, sometimes I think I got some extra perks given that I often flew at off-peak times because of my student's schedule.

flamboyant 1

SQ !!! Being 21 and dressed in shorts and polo shirt they still treat you like a king in FC.

sxpsxpsxp

I can't say I experienced any mistreatment with either AA or DL. Don't recall being mistreated by TWA either. Dunno what the other young travelers are doing to get the airline people to treat them badly.

Fraser

Never experienced anything other than treatment I'd expect from any other passenger, elite or otherwise when flying. The way it should be.

I did once stagger off a bus (from a remote stand at LHR T4) carrying a can of Newcastle Brown Ale, a bag of crisps, boarding card and carry-on and get directed to the back of Y when I should have been sent upstairs to 62K. Presumed it was because although dressed in smart casual (as I always do) I was presumed to be ruffian scum

1/4MM@20

I'm 22 and plat with AA. Have been elite for about 5 years. Always been treated like gold (no pun intended). Get op-uped v. frequently - even without the business suit get-up.

Really cant say enough good things about AA's elite programme and yes you will be treated like everyone else (or even better)

Will make executive-plat this year. That should be interesting.!

Good luck!

GradGirl

On US Airways at DCA I was rudely yelled at several times by the First Class checkin counter agent, "This is the line for first class! First class only! This line is only for first class! The regular line is over there!" She directed these shouts only at me and Mr. GradGirl (both of us are late 20's but by looks might pass for high school age). We just ignored her and handed over the first-class ticket receipts.

I have never experienced age discrimination on Continental first class or business class in Airtran. And internationally, Aer Lingus treated every passenger exceptionally well.

ChrisAtlanta

I've luckily not had any troubles with Delta. Oddly enough the only time I get the "excuse me, this is FIRST class" is on the Gatwick Express in London. Even when I'm wearing a suit. I just roll my eyes and say, "yes, that's why I bought the ticket!"

Arcolaio99

No mistreatnent from CO/NW on being young and elite. More mistreatment from incondsiderate pax who don't think I belong in F becuse I travel in shorts, jeans tshirt and flip flops. I just show them my ticket and they bug off.

chrisny2

I've gotten exceptionally good treatment on BD and MH. Particularly nice is that you can tell that the flight attendants consider how I would be treated as good personable customer service. Usually on those airlines, when the flight attendants are around my age, they call me by my first name even though they call older passengers by Mr./Mrs. They treat me as they'd want to be treated by their peers...which makes me feel like they're trying to give personalized service rather than reading from a rote script. Both of those airlines are top-notch in general, and my experiences are in the first/business class but not as an elite member of them.

macska

Usually I don't agree with gradgirl , but this time she's right. I have had the USAir FAs physically block the first class section (can I get to my seat please!!), been nastily told that the line was "over there" when I had the nerve to get in the Elite/First Class line, been carded in First Class (I'm in my mid 30s but could easily pass for 25ish) etc., etc. Sadly, this is not an area where USAir excels. Of course, many of their employees have treated me politely, but I think this is an area that needs improvement. For the record, I wear business casual clothes on the plane.

On a related note, I'm sick of being mistaken for an intern at the office.

19103_aa

Perhaps it is because Mr. & Mrs. Macska are troublemakers that US flags them...

But seriously...
my best story was I was traveling to a conference, and on my professors happened to be on the same flight. She travels a lot but is not really savvy re: upgrades and miles. So imagine her surprise when I took Row 1 on the transcon and she was back in steerage. She even brought it up the next morning at breakfast.

Student: 1, Professor: 0

UAVirgin

With a Newcastle Brown in hand you should have been escorted post haste to a seat in F. It must have been a US flag carrier.

Fraser

If only it were to be escorted to F! Although I can hardly complain with it being CW on BA.