While United Removes Information about Frequent Flyers for Flight Attendents ...
Aug 28, 2013, 4:06 pm
#77
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Potomac MD
Programs: UA MP 1K
Posts: 7,182
Marketing 101 says to recognize and appreciate your best customers.
It costs United NOTHING to have a flight attendant say thank you for being a 1K or GS member.
I was on a flight last week from ORD-DEN (in coach) and the flight attendant came with a business card with a thank you note from the Captain. Little things like this make you feel appreciated.
I do agree that everyone in first should be treated equally though - regardless of how you got there. But that doesn't mean they should say thank you for flying every week.
It costs United NOTHING to have a flight attendant say thank you for being a 1K or GS member.
I was on a flight last week from ORD-DEN (in coach) and the flight attendant came with a business card with a thank you note from the Captain. Little things like this make you feel appreciated.
I do agree that everyone in first should be treated equally though - regardless of how you got there. But that doesn't mean they should say thank you for flying every week.
FA's do say thanks for being a 1K (as do CSRs on the phone). My wife and I were on award tickets in GF returning from Saigon on UA896 from HKG to ORD. Super service and the FA brought a thank you card from the purser to my wife, who has never received anything like that. She still talks about it. And you are absolutely correct, it costs nothing to treat people well (which some FAs in Y might find useful to know as well!).
I talk to pmUA flight attendants all the time and they say time after time that COdbaUA doesn't understand what loyalty is all about.
Aug 28, 2013, 4:11 pm
#78
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Potomac MD
Programs: UA MP 1K
Posts: 7,182
I am of normal height. E+ may be of value to those with extra long legs. However, that is not a reason to provide them to people based on the number of miles they fly; they should be provided to people based on the length of their legs, be such people flying UA 365 days per year or once in a lifetime.
Your argument would be a disastrous business model and would make loyalty to the airline look like a foolhardy strategy. (Should passengers of greater size be prioritized for upgrades rather than elites?)
I've done a lot more LH flights than that and have never been addressed by name--not even on a long-haul flight in paid C when I was upgraded to F because another passenger with no status had the same assigned seat as I did. I have been insulted by LH crews, as when I turn down meals with eggs (which I can't eat) and am told, often rudely, that I should have asked for a special meal (which LH won't do). If LH FAs manage a smile, I figure I am ahead of the game.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Aug 29, 2013 at 5:18 am Reason: merge
Aug 31, 2013, 1:09 pm
#79
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
While United Removes Information about Frequent Flyers for Flight Attendents ...
Status was on manifest for my flight IAH-EWR this morning
Aug 31, 2013, 1:20 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Sep 1, 2013, 2:19 pm
#82
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ATL/TLV/SDF
Programs: AA EXP, UA LT Ag, Marriott LT Ti, Hyatt Glob, Avis PC, Busted-Knuckles Club Grand Poobah.
Posts: 2,590
A few months ago the guy next to me got quite bent out of shape because my order was taken before his, and apparently I got the last of whatever it was. FA said to him that he would be back momentarily to take his order; when pushed as to why, FA explained that I had higher status (I'm assuming Mr Yelpypants was not 1K nor paid F).
Sep 1, 2013, 3:43 pm
#83
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ORD, DXB, ODS, SIN, BUR
Programs: UA1KMM, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, EY Gold, QR Gold
Posts: 302
Just got off flight where purser thanked me for being a 1K and said I was only person in Global First (yes I actually paid for it due to schedule), to which I replied I am MM and why if first full. He bemoaned new system and said all paid to upgrade. I am one if the few elites in Global First. Needles to say, the crew was VERY nice to me.
Sep 1, 2013, 5:19 pm
#85
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,990
On all 3 of my flights on the 25th, BKK-NRT-IAD-TPA they took 1K meal orders (for the main meal) first.
I did not get my second meal choice on NRT-IAD. I'm not sure it was because they didn't prioritize my order though. They had apparently only loaded 5 cereals for the 30 seat J cabin. Anyway, the 1K policy seems to be functioning quite well.
Sep 1, 2013, 5:37 pm
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
I'm guessing the idea of "lifetime loyalty" doesn't mean so much to you...
Sep 1, 2013, 5:39 pm
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
I call BS on this.
On all 3 of my flights on the 25th, BKK-NRT-IAD-TPA they took 1K meal orders (for the main meal) first.
I did not get my second meal choice on NRT-IAD. I'm not sure it was because they didn't prioritize my order though. They had apparently only loaded 5 cereals for the 30 seat J cabin. Anyway, the 1K policy seems to be functioning quite well.
On all 3 of my flights on the 25th, BKK-NRT-IAD-TPA they took 1K meal orders (for the main meal) first.
I did not get my second meal choice on NRT-IAD. I'm not sure it was because they didn't prioritize my order though. They had apparently only loaded 5 cereals for the 30 seat J cabin. Anyway, the 1K policy seems to be functioning quite well.
I've generally had good luck w/meal order priority, but many others haven't.
Sep 2, 2013, 1:48 am
#88
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
You're really missing the point here - no one expects/expected a BIG deal to be made of it, it was never about that...some agents went above and beyond to thank said flyers for their loyalty. It was a nice little touch.
I'm guessing the idea of "lifetime loyalty" doesn't mean so much to you...
I'm guessing the idea of "lifetime loyalty" doesn't mean so much to you...
Sep 2, 2013, 7:49 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
A little bit of recognition (that actually has ZERO tangible cost) goes a long way. Funny that you can't see that.
Sep 2, 2013, 8:22 am
#90
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago: ORD, MDW
Programs: United Million Mile Flyer, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold, DL, AA WN
Posts: 514
Especially since this type of recognition has little or no cost.
What business wouldn't like to make its customers feel good about their relationship - especially at little or no cost?
United Airlines - I guess!! Go figure!