Successful CSM requests

[downgraded]

In Y as a QF WP the CSM has offered me J headset, if i wanted any alcohol from J.
Things i havent dared ask for but always wanted
- Amenity kit
- PJ's to take with me.
- Extra express cards.

Although in J i have asked for additional PJ's a few times and got them from the CSM.

This seems very QF focused but CX have always been great at greeting me and and consistently seeing if there is anything i need.
Taking my meal order when sitting right at the back to ensure i got what i wanted.

I have to say I have so many amenity kits and PJs that now I recycle PJs and take my own tooth brush, it seems a complete waste to perpetuate the use once, throw away approach.

 

[get me outta here]

Tumbled down to lowly LTS years ago and now fly on cc sign on points, but generally ask early for an extra pillow if they have one. Usually successfully.

 

[Hvr]

Not a CSM request but this is the best place I can think to put it.

Yesterday in the SYD F lounge I quietly asked the woman behind the serving area for some Vegemite sachets to take with me. She looked a little confused and not sure how to respond.

Her nearby colleague heard my request and assured her that it was a fairly regular request as she handed me a handful of sachets asking if that was enough. It was.

Thanks were given and I'll be having Vegemite with my breakfast toast throughout my travels.

I advised the woman to whom I made the original request that it was also fairly common for guests in QF lounges around the world to ask for Vegemite.

I like to think I contributed towards a greater understanding of how important our cultural food icon is to travellers.

 

[jb747]

By that stage I was stood in the galley knocking back G&T's and was offered leftovers (unused I would think) from F.

Generally hated behaviour! They offered you the meal to get rid of you.

 

[drron]

Fortunately I have no status on QF so never asked.
On the airlines I have status with I am usually offered what I want so never had to ask.

 

[robtemt]

About 5 years ago, I took a trip back to the US (and booked well in advance). I had been dating my now husband for about 6 months, and he joined me to meet my brother. Problem, I had booked PE and he was in Y. The CSM came up and greeted me, and asked if I needed anything. I mentioned that my partner was downstair in Y and nodded to the only empty seat in the cabin which was next to me. He winked and said leave it with him, and about 5 minutes later he was escorted up to sit with me. I was probably a scummy silver at the time, but had helped on medicals on my previous two long-haul flights.

A friend of mine is a CSM, and has told me about some of the notes placed on P1 and WP profiles for those extra special ones who feel entitled to specifically "demand" things like Food, Booze, and Amenities from F/J. Especially the ones overheard telling other PAX that they "always get what they ask for" and then tell the FA during service "I usually get a meal from First".

 

[HockeyMonkey]

About 5 years ago, I took a trip back to the US (and booked well in advance). I had been dating my now husband for about 6 months, and he joined me to meet my brother. Problem, I had booked PE and he was in Y. The CSM came up and greeted me, and asked if I needed anything. I mentioned that my partner was downstair in Y and nodded to the only empty seat in the cabin which was next to me. He winked and said leave it with him, and about 5 minutes later he was escorted up to sit with me. I was probably a scummy silver at the time, but had helped on medicals on my previous two long-haul flights.

I made a similar request on EK when my two daughters and I were in J on an award flight and Mrs HockeyMonkey was in Y on a revenue ticket paid by her employer. Was only NB at the time and was denied.

 

[gizzard]

I was travelling on a domestic QF flight with my WP partner recently and she was upgraded to J at the gate. There was still room in J and she asked if I could be upgraded too. That was a big ask and not accepted but she managed to have a glass of red sent back to me with a couple of packets of snacks.

 

[monoccular]

Maybe 50% flights I (QF PLATINUM) get greeted by name, usually with “let me know if there is anything we can do for you”.
Haven’t asked for anything, yet, other than sometimes a pillow, but on a recent QF10 PER MEL seated in the very back corner seat (not a bad seat for economy, extra space on the side for carry on etc) was asked before meal service started what I wanted, and had it delivered first. By the time they reached in the normal service there were no choices.
On a recent MEL BNE seated quietly in 4F a “princess” in 4B was involved in a earnest discussion with the flight attendants and ended up with multiple refills of wine, in a glass, from up front. Looked a bit pretentious to me and I wonder what they would put in her notes?

 

[robtemt]

I wonder what they would put in her notes

I'm sure I could guess. QF CSMs are a bit more selective about the notes now. Most are put in for the current trip (CSM on the way back will know if you were precious on the way there, or if they found out you were going to a funeral, or special event, they will put it in so they know that you may be a bit down, etc). When you're a real gem, it goes on your permanent record. I think they have a few options as to how long they are kept or how escalated the notes get.

 

[Hvr]

A friend of mine is a CSM, and has told me about some of the notes placed on P1 and WP profiles for those extra special ones who feel entitled to specifically "demand" things like Food, Booze, and Amenities from F/J.

I wonder what they would put in her notes?

I wonder if some people realise that notes are taken and that there will be consequences for their behaviour including outrageous demands?

I try to be the quiet non-demanding customer keeping my powder dry for a serious matter where there may need to be a stronger conversation. I find that the quiet pleasant, not outrageous request is met where ever possible.

Flying under the radar {(which just happens to be an acronym) (pun always intended)} makes for an easier time whilst travelling.

 

[Ralphie]

Is this something that doesn’t happen in Virgin? At least domestically? Have been WP on and off for a few years and cannot recall anytime on a domestic flight (usually Adl-Bne) that I’ve had any acknowledgement than the standard “Welcome on board Ralphie” as I board, when I’ve been seated in Y.

I’ve flown two legs in Y international as WP, one they did come up and offer an express pass and first meal choice (I asked if Mr Ralphie - who was gold could have an express pass too, which was handed over) but received no acknowledgement on the other leg.

(Since that flight I developed my taste for J international flying, so maybe there have been changes.)

 

[HockeyMonkey]

I'm sure I could guess. QF CSMs are a bit more selective about the notes now. Most are put in for the current trip (CSM on the way back will know if you were precious on the way there, or if they found out you were going to a funeral, or special event, they will put it in so they know that you may be a bit down, etc). When you're a real gem, it goes on your permanent record. I think they have a few options as to how long they are kept or how escalated the notes get.

Are the notes shared between oneworld carriers?

 

[93Revisited]

I find on Qantas domestic that more often than not you will get a visit from the CSM but that greeting seems like it’s just part of their checklist.
On international flights the greetings seem to be more sincere perhaps because there is more time available.
Cathay are consistent and genuinely seem to want to help even though I am a QFF. I have been offered extra pillows, a blanket but the most welcome offer was for a scotch and ice served as it I was in business class. It even came with a refill!

 

[robtemt]

Are the notes shared between oneworld carriers?

That would be a data integrity mess. No, its internal only, and the only info the CSMs have is for that trip (so, no, I haven't been able to see whats on my notes). When checking in, the tablet is updated with the relevant trip and pax info.

 

[nowmedia]

Just back from Beijing in cattle with QF. Crew offered to move me to a row of 3 at the very back and got me a vodka tonic before the CSM even had the chance to do the welcome and make the offer. Seemed a bit cheeky to ask for anything at that stage. I have in the past been offered amenities packs and pjs.

A plat from across the aisle got the same treatment. We chatted about how such simple things can easily and simply acknowledge status for minimal cost to QF with some thought and proactive effort on behalf of the crew.

When plat often got the CSM welcome and offer when in cattle. Often a J wine in a glass was discretely dropped off.

Packs, pjs and wine are loaded on to the plane anyway so if they are spare then why not give them to acknowledge status.

 

[blaz]

I told them that today was my birthday...normally I would have kept it quiet, but I was on an early flight and feeling miserable, so I thought it wouldn't hurt. Well, it started with an upgrade to Business (Adelaide to Sydney) a glass of early morning sparkling and a bottle of wine to take with me. Felt much better thanks very much...either that or the wine kicked in.

 

[Electraglide]

This is an interesting thread. I agree with the offer being more sincere on QF than EK. I would say EK service in general is very robotic and impersonal. Currently Plat for the last couple of years but even when Gold have been given some nice special treatment on and off. Cheese plates, wine from J (once even with wine label details written on a napkin), noise cancelling headphones, amenity kits, drinks before takeoff etc. In my experience it helps if the CSM or one of the other seniors recognises you. The most common thing I request on QF is coffee from J.

A couple of days ago had a debacle with EK whereby I didn’t have access to luggage during a 21 hour stopover in Dubai (after check-in in MEL was informed that any stops of less than 24 hours meant checked baggage must be tagged through to final destination) explained the lunacy of this policy to the CSM on DXB - LHR sector and he was very understanding, said he would write a report to EK. After this he was super attentive and brought us his and hers emenity kits from F. The Mrs also wanted sparking wine, which EK (unlike QF) don’t offer. He brought us Veuve in plastic cups.

 

[Leeanda]

I've always asked for (and received) business class headphones for the kids when travelling with them in economy.

 

[Wozza]

Are these Qantas experiences?

I've been alternating VA Plat and Gold for years.

The only time I had one of those questions was as a Plat on an Etihad flight to LHR. She said it so fast and with such a thick accent I didn't really register what she said until after she had gone!

I wouldn't expect it on your VA flights within Aus as we seem to be two-a-penny and pack out rows 3 to 13 on most flights!

I'm flying VA and then Virgin Atlantic through Hong Kong to LHR in Y (on a very cheap T fare). It will be interesting to see where they put me on the plane and if there's any memorable moment they are meant to create. I'm not holding my breath!