V-Flyer

I'm a multi-year Gold member and I travel in economy from time to time. I'm wondering if any other Gold card holders have noticed inconsistent treatment from the inflight crew whilst traveling in Economy. Sometimes I've been given a glass of champagne as soon as I've taken my seat, had priority meal service, etc and other times I've been duly ignored. What have you guys experienced? Is there an "official" policy?

Hello and welcome to v-flyer - noticed this was your first post

No official policy as such.. there has been talk a lot on here of late regarding service inconsistency in the dealings with FF s.

A few months back I understand there was a memo passed to the FSM and CSS directing them to make time, if possible, to welcome back the AU and AG members, although it is a flip of the coin kind of thing as to whether or not you will get a hello and thanks for keeping your business with VS.

I've had similar experiences to yourself, it is never certain. Always love a welcome back and thanks for flying convo as it breaks the ice and allows you to talk to the crew on a more personable note. It elevates the service offered to a more personal level which is def appreciated in my book y)

Welcome. You may see a very similar thread knocking around at the moment. Read through it and you'll see that there are fairly polarised opinions around 'status recognition' on these boards. Tread carefully

It also comes down to whether your status is on the passenger manifest. No mention of AU/AG status and the crew have no way of knowing.

Thanks guys. Long time lurker, first time poster. I just had a read of the "other" thread on this. Wow. I think the general frustration is that while the perks of AU/AG on the ground are great (UC check-in, priority security/boarding, clubhouse, etc) the perks in the air are non-existent. I was absolutely delighted when I was recognised by name and given a glass of champagne by a friendly and chatty crew member. So much so that it offset some other service delivery issues later in the flight. But on the return flight I mentioned to the crewmember working the upper deck section of economy that I was Gold (it came up naturally) and he said flippantly "Oh....well that's nice". D***.

So yes, I would certainly appreciate some consistency. I've been flying VS for years now and have remained loyal through the recent decline in product. The occasional high five would not go unnoticed.

I got quite excited a few flights back when I was given the champagne as recognition of Au status. Thread much discussed here. At the time I thought it was to be standard practice, but on 4 flights since then I have not been noticed once. Inconsistent is sadly the key word.

I've had a good and bad experience - the bad was flying back from LA a couple of years ago. Had my card out so I could use the priority boarding lane. It was still in my hand with bp and passport when I reached the door. The FSM asked if it was my starbucks reward card. Not the best experience.

The other was returning from Kenya - both my wife and I were given champagne. So easy to do and makes you feel special.

Virginlondon wrote: The FSM asked if it was my starbucks reward card. Not the best experience.

Ha ha ha, I am sure (s)he thought you may have been showing it around to get noticed.. (s)he was likely taking the piss. Ha, at least (s)he wasn't completely humourless and ignored it.

The problem is... it does rather look like a starbucks card, doesn't it? And yes, I'm AU with them as well

It's so inconsistent it's unreal. Though I'm usually in PE, my last flight, which has to be my best ever in PE with VS, I was invited to use the bar in Upper Class by the FSM....bloomin brilliant gesture. Others, I've had absolutely nothing.

joeyc wrote:

Virginlondon wrote: The FSM asked if it was my starbucks reward card. Not the best experience.

Ha ha ha, I am sure (s)he thought you may have been showing it around to get noticed.. (s)he was likely taking the piss. Ha, at least (s)he wasn't completely humourless and ignored it.

Yes probably right - but nothing further from the truth. The card and tags are not ones you want people to see. It was only in my hand as the gate agent wanted to see it even though my number was on my BP. Regardless of what they thought it was a bad experience. If I hadn't other flights booked it may have made me not be so loyal to Virgin.

Back to the question - just wish they were consistent.

joeyc wrote:

Virginlondon wrote: The FSM asked if it was my starbucks reward card. Not the best experience.

Ha ha ha, I am sure (s)he thought you may have been showing it around to get noticed.. (s)he was likely taking the piss. Ha, at least (s)he wasn't completely humourless and ignored it.

Wow - I find that a risky response from a FSM. A good humoured chap like myself would have chuckled but I can see many others, perhaps in a bad mood thru not fault of VS, bad journey to the airport, drink not served fast enough in the CH ): taking offence to that.
J

I find that recognition is very inconsistent. A while back I was greeted with a welcome glass of champers (well that is what my partner said...I was dead asleep) . On my last flight I got no explicit special treatment. However the window seat on our row of 3 was blocked so my partner and I didn't have to share. The IFE was perfectly fine and the rest of the plane was very busy so I am guessing that it was blocked because I was AU and my partner was AG. Made a huge difference on our flight to CUN

I find that recognition is very inconsistent. A while back I was greeted with a welcome glass of champers (well that is what my partner said...I was dead asleep) . On my last flight I got no explicit special treatment. However the window seat on our row of 3 was blocked so my partner and I didn't have to share. The IFE was perfectly fine and the rest of the plane was very busy so I am guessing that it was blocked because I was AU and my partner was AG. Made a huge difference on our flight to CUN

NY-LON wrote:However the window seat on our row of 3 was blocked so my partner and I didn't have to share. The IFE was perfectly fine and the rest of the plane was very busy so I am guessing that it was blocked because I was AU and my partner was AG.

Hmmm, sorry to be the pessimist on this one, but I'm not sure this happens. Maybe for a UNIQ, but to block out a revenue seat for this reason does not sound like VS to me.

You say very busy - were there people in the jump seats? I have been on a couple of flights where the jump seats were used for pax, aside from that there is usually a seat or two dotted around empty for whatever reason.

Just luck of the draw. Sorry :#

It's very, very rare to get revenue passengers on jump seats, and then only after lots of begging and with the captains approval.

More likely it was a staff travel ticket or companion of on-board crew. Even then they still need approval from the captain.

Ahh Darren, been on a few flights in the passed couple of years with people in the jump seats.

Cancelled flights coming back from the states due to ash clouds, snow etc. lead to pax on the jump seats to get everyone home. I guess the captains would have no choice but to comply, would they?

Last flight into JFK was accompanied by a gaggle of staff, I think, in the jump seats, so yeh it does happen ii)

I did say revenue passengers. Staff, on concession, companion or even essential positioning flights are not revenue passengers. Even SRB and SR fly on staff tickets.

The captain has totally the choice to comply or not and VS management can apply no pressure as once the door is shut it becomes 'Captains Aircraft' and he/she has absolute discretion on the use of jump seats by passengers, revenue or not.