QF Platinum Recognition on flights

[qf17]

So this isn't on QF, but since it's always interesting to compare other OW carriers...

After a QF SYD-DPS in J with no semblance of greeting (Platinum or otherwise) and two QR J flights with the usual multiple greetings (though no specific acknowledgement of status, not that it matters), the oddest experience was our BA LHR-BUD flight in Y yesterday.

We're a group of 3, on a single booking - I'm WP and my two traveling companions are both SG. On this flight I was seated back in row 12 in an exit seat for more legroom, and the others were in row 9. I neither expected nor received any special recognition, but the others told me that they saw one of the FAs zipping hurriedly around the forward rows of the economy cabin handing out glasses of champagne to selected people, one of whom was one of my travelling companions - just a simple "would you like a glass of champagne" and that was that.

No mention of status, nothing offered to the rest of us, and no rationale as to why him... but a gratefully received (albeit random) gesture all the same.

I flew BA transatlantic in Y in the upper deck cabin on the 380 & had a similar thing happen. Very grateful. No special recognition on a intra-Europe flight before though.

 

[chitown_boy]

VERY pleasant experience on QF2 LHR-SIN. Very junior FA in my cabin came before takeoff to thank me for my loyalty as QF WP. Told me to ask for anything I needed. I asked if it was at all possible to have some bubbles with my meal. It was ready and served, small bottle of sparkling with supper in Y. Certainly took the sting away abit from declined upgrade.

I thanked her personally on deboarding, saying that WP recog is very rare these days so I really appreciated it. She was very appreciative, but also remarked her other colleagues say they don’t bother anymore, but she felt it wasn’t right so still does herself.

Was addrressed by name by her throughout the flight. And was given the choice of main first in my cabin when I could see she was running low on one option, she pivoted away from row order SOP.

 

[chitown_boy]

VERY pleasant experience on QF2 LHR-SIN. Very junior FA in my cabin came before takeoff to thank me for my loyalty as QF WP. Told me to ask for anything I needed. I asked if it was at all possible to have some bubbles with my meal. It was ready and served, small bottle of sparkling with supper in Y. Certainly took the sting away abit from declined upgrade.

I thanked her personally on deboarding, saying that WP recog is very rare these days so I really appreciated it. She was very appreciative, but also remarked her other colleagues say they don’t bother anymore, but she felt it wasn’t right so still does herself.

Was addrressed by name by her throughout the flight. And was given the choice of main first in my cabin when I could see she was running low on one option, she pivoted away from row order SOP.

Something is def afoot. Got served first, FA1 for meal and FA2 for drinks on QF36 to MEL when the main cart came along to my exit row seat at 44B (w/ both wine and a G&T, and addressed by name and thanked for my loyalty). Cart rolled along to front of next cabin for main service as per SOP. Seat neighbour was staring at me for a good 2min wondering who I was lol No such treatment for brekkie snack before arrival.

 

[BrianQQ]

Yup, somethings changing. Greeted on both QF23 (28/6) and QF240 (9/7). Server came up to me first and got my meal and brekkie first on QF240.

 

[million_thanas1968]

We'd just come from CAN–HKG–MEL on CX Aria, connecting onwards to AKL in Y. Unfortunately we couldn't through-check our bags as the flights were just slightly too far apart.

We were seated in 4A/B, with C/D empty, and E/F occupied by another couple.

The CSM came by to thank us for our loyalty and said if we needed anything, just ask. He came around multiple times during the flight, which was a nice touch, and also delivered the Y meal service himself. We received water bottles from the CSM during the pre-departure process, as did another passenger.

Midway through the flight, the CSM invited a passenger who appeared to be struggling with the cramped Y seating behind us to move into 4D for the remainder of the flight. Appreciated that he still left us with the empty seat.

At the end of the flight, the CSM was on the aerobridge giving his farewells. Overall it was lovely service that felt very genuine and personalised. While I'm generally unbiased in the Aus vs Jetconnect crew debate, this flight was operated by Jetconnect crew, and it was one of the times I appreciated their candidness.

Compared to the 8+ CX J/Y flights we'd just come from, this felt much more personal and genuine. The CX experience was the handwritten cards and greetings from the ISM in Y, but since CX tends to do it more often, it definitely felt a more procedural.

 

[jbmemories]

KLM1573 - booked flights via Qantas's rewards. Got a greeting from the CSM for the flight, and brought some snacks from J.

IB1756 - booked direct cash fare, got to choose extra legroom seats for free even as a basic ticket, allowed to use the Oro/Platino counter for bag drop-off. Also noticed that my friend, who was on the same PNR, was able to choose the extra-legroom seat for free. But did not get the extra benefits like express security. Personal greeting from CSM at the seat. Strange to get boarded before people with accessibility access (Group 0).

IB0413 - booked direct cash fare, like above, but my friend was not on this PNR, so he did not get to choose the seat. Got a similar greeting from CSM, but both Y staff came to greet after as well. The older gentleman who sat next to me looked very confused and mentioned that he had never seen this before.

BA770 - Very strict gate checking with bags being tagged for what can go above or below. Got both my bags waived and allowed to be stored above. When boarding was announced, I was allowed to board group 1 - one of the passengers tried to stop me, saying that it was for Business or status only (they tried to get on but got the denied message). Gave me a stink eye when my ticket worked.

 

[muppet]

KLM1573 - booked flights via Qantas's rewards. Got a greeting from the CSM for the flight, and brought some snacks from J.

IB1756 - booked direct cash fare, got to choose extra legroom seats for free even as a basic ticket, allowed to use the Oro/Platino counter for bag drop-off. Also noticed that my friend, who was on the same PNR, was able to choose the extra-legroom seat for free. But did not get the extra benefits like express security. Personal greeting from CSM at the seat. Strange to get boarded before people with accessibility access (Group 0).

IB0413 - booked direct cash fare, like above, but my friend was not on this PNR, so he did not get to choose the seat. Got a similar greeting from CSM, but both Y staff came to greet after as well. The older gentleman who sat next to me looked very confused and mentioned that he had never seen this before.

BA770 - Very strict gate checking with bags being tagged for what can go above or below. Got both my bags waived and allowed to be stored above. When boarding was announced, I was allowed to board group 1 - one of the passengers tried to stop me, saying that it was for Business or status only (they tried to get on but got the denied message). Gave me a stink eye when my ticket worked.

Would love to know how you managed to choose seats without fees on IB. I couldn’t make it work as WP travelling in IB J (on cash and award bookings) last month.