Missing Out, In Part, On The [full] First Class Experience

[jadeqld1123]

my wife and i are in the enviable situation where we canfly first class using qff points. we have had numerous flights from oz to manyasia destinations and the uk.

A quote from the qantas travel site "International FirstClass/Qantas"

As a first Class customer, we aim to provide you with ajourney of unsurpassed luxury.

Our dedicated hosts*(First Class are available at Sydney, Melbourne,London, Singapore, Hong Kong, LA, +Express path immigration is available atselected ports.)will be on hand to anticipate your travel needs. etc, etc.

At Sydney & Melbourne International Airports, you'll be greeted atthe curb and taken through to the dedicated First Class check-in0area, at leastone hour before your departure.

Blah, Blah, Blah, etc., etc.

We have travelled through (Sydney, London & Hong Kong) and not once, havewe been greeted by a first class Host! We have only just found out it isavailable! We are flying again in May to the UK and Singapore..

Before I contact qantas for an explanation is there anybody out there that hasbeen lucky enough to have experienced this “First CassExperience". when using points to fly First Class.

regards

jadeqld:idea:

 

[simongr]

When I had a points upgrade to F SYD-HKG I was called the day before by the First host and asked at SYD if I wanted to be greeted at the kerb - which I declined.

 

[opusman]

I've never had a host or offer of host either. In the past I've wondered if I should ask for one when checking in or maybe when the call from the lounge comes the day before, but I decided I can make it through C&I ok by myself My guess is there are a limited number available and priority goes to any CLs onboard.

 

[zachary.august]

Well I'd say your OP is a bit misleading. You're missing out on the First Host not the 'First Class Experience'. It is probably as simple as not having your contact details up to scratch. If you're so passionate about getting every drop of your possible First experience out of your points then call the First Lounge and request the services you want.

 

[zachary.august]

I've never had a host or offer of host either. In the past I've wondered if I should ask for one when checking in or maybe when the call from the lounge comes the day before, but I decided I can make it through C&I ok by myself My guess is there are a limited number available and priority goes to any CLs onboard.

Your guess is sort of correct. You can request it but there are differing CL levels of service.

 

[MatF]

I've only flown 1st twice - SYD-LAX and back as points upgrades from J on a QF A380

No first hosts for either flight. Not sure if that was because I'd upgraded using points rather than booking 1st tickets directly, but then I don't recall anyone else in 1st having their travel needs anticipated either

 

[samh004]

No first hosts for either flight. Not sure if that was because I'd upgraded using points rather than booking 1st tickets directly, but then I don't recall anyone else in 1st having their travel needs anticipated either

I'm pretty sure it's an on-the-ground service... although I've seen someone in first being guided through Y before, and shown the rest of the plane basically. Probably because it was an A380. Though don't think it's the same as a First Host.

 

[MatF]

Sorry, I didn't word that very well - I meant there was nobody at either end (departure or arrival) of either flight assisting anyone in 1st beyond the usual ground staff (that I noticed). Certainly not for me, anyway.

 

[opusman]

Speaking of missing out - on my last F flight, I got a glass for the pre-take off champagne but the champagne itself never arrived. Just before take-off a hostie asked me if I was done with the glass and, since it had never had anything in it, I said yes!

 

[flyingfan]

I think it's fair to call it an 'Experience' because it doesn't just come with the seat at the pointy end. The very first time I (inadvertently) used points to upgrade domestic Y to J, I was incorrectly denied access to the J lounge and, not knowing any better, I didn't query it. The better lounge, priority boarding, priority baggage etc are all part of the experience

My one time in F LHR-MEL as a FASA I wasn't informed of any host anywhere either.

 

[zig]

I flew FSA JNB - SYD last year and as I exited the plane I was vaguely aware of a QF staff member 'loitering', although he did not approach me. I continued to walk swiftly towards C&I and was aware of him in my peripheral vision. Eventually he spoke to me, calling me by name and asked what my onward travel plans were - I let him know I was not flying any further, but would be travelling by car - ók'he said, and kept walking, although offered me no assistance. Only later did I realise that this was probably the F class host. On that flight there was only one other F passenger, and he did not receive any assitance from the host, I know this as we were both bemoaning the irony of 'priority luggage'as we waited at the carrousel.

 

[dfcatch]

There was a First Host waiting when I disembarked my last F flight in LAX, I was first to disembark the aircraft, but a certain female QF ambassador with infant and entourage in tow was 2nd to disembark and naturally was the recipient of the F Host treatment

 

[tuapekastar]

Flew F MEL-SIN-MEL last year and got a call the day prior asking if I wanted to book a spa treatment (I didn't). MEL F checkin is entered directly from the kerb so no host required to escort me in, though there may have been one, I don't recall (and the lady who checked me in was the lady who had phoned me the day before). Nobody, IIRC, at SIN to greet me, but who really needs this at SIN, it is so efficient.

Flew SIN-LHR in F a couple of years ago (though this was a points upgrade processed the day before) and again, do not recall any 'Hosts' involved at either end.

I'm all for airlines providing what they promise (domestic premium boarding anyone? ), and from this point of view understand the OP's frustration, and if (as appears) he is upset, then feedback should be provided to QF. That said, unless a First Host is able to assist me jump long queues that I would otherwise have been unable to jump, or provide other services I would find useful, I don't see the need (for me) to engage one.

 

[JohnM]

Speaking of missing out - on my last F flight, I got a glass for the pre-take off champagne but the champagne itself never arrived. Just before take-off a hostie asked me if I was done with the glass and, since it had never had anything in it, I said yes!

Ouch! Not good :mrgreen:.

 

[amaroo]

Pretty sure I saw slippery Pete get the first host treatment in LAX last year.......I recall seeing the host in the lift with him practically hammering the close door button

Walking people like this around the terminal must be a very unpleasant part of the job.

 

[JohnM]

I was offered it at SYD a few years back when I did an AONEx but I've never been offered it on the several points upgrades to F on DONEx's leaving or coming back to Australia since.

Doesn't matter to me - I don't want anyone fussing around. I can find my own way to the F lounge champagne .

 

[docjames]

Seems like all things Qantas it's a hit or miss experience....:-|

 

[chrisb]

Missing Out, In Part, On The First Cass Experience

They need dedicated First buggies that you hop on and get whisked around the airport. Get on at the curb and off again with a champagne in hand in the lounge.

I was about to make a similar comment to above - another feature that qantas has but is very poor at actually letting people know about and use. Maybe these hidden features are a cost saving thing. It's cheap to advertise a feature that never gets used because its well hidden.

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: Missing Out, In Part, On The First Cass Experience

Host services have been offered when checking in at MEL but it has not been consistently offered.

I think I received a host service in SIN when disembarking from QF9 once. A nice lady greeted me, I was first of the plane, and "escorted" me to the F lounge. (I say escorted, she kinda jogged along side me as I "marched" in double time to the lounge.)

For me I have no real interest though travel is getting from A to B quickly with as little fuss as possible. I'm happy enough looking after myself.

 

[simongr]

Re: Missing Out, In Part, On The First Cass Experience

I think that there has been a change "recently" regarding the pre-flight calls for upgrades - in line with the change to earlier confirmation of upgrades for some pax. I didnt get a call from the hosts for Spa treatments etc previously but did back in May.