Do CC know if you're FC Gold?

Just wondering. We flew from ORD earlier this week and my partner's first choice meal wasn't available (in UC). I was surprised given we are FC Gold.

it would be in the manifest - identified by the first three numbers of your membership number

But being gold does not guarantee your first menu choices though it would put you high up the pecking order.

And remember that VS does not cater for everyone to get their first choice.

I've often seen proactive crew come around discreetly before they take meal choices stating that as you are a gold card holder they will reserve your choice. I've had this is PE also. I was impressed with this service but doesn't always happen.

Since the service changes came in two or three months ago I'm led to believe catering of UC main courses has been cut (IIRC from about 130% of the load to 110%). So for every 10 seats they now load 11 meals instead of 13 meaning your chance of getting your first choice has reduced significantly.

If you've used miles to upgrade or purchase your ticket they won't know as just a generic number next to your name so they'd know you were a frequent flyer but not whether gold silver or red

[mitchja]

If you've used miles to upgrade or purchase your ticket they won't know as just a generic number next to your name so they'd know you were a frequent flyer but not whether gold silver or red

Virginboy747

Is that still the case now though? When you book a reward flight, yes the system initially gives you the generic 00500500500 FC number, however, you can now update this to your correct FC number which does also show correctly on boarding passes?

On my last reward flight I was also welcomed back 'as a regular flyer' by the FSM so I presume they could see my Silver FC number.

If you've used miles to upgrade or purchase your ticket they won't know as just a generic number next to your name so they'd know you were a frequent flyer but not whether gold silver or red

The FSM on my recent G (all miles) from DXB knew that both me and the wife were golds. He came round had a chat and thanked us etc. So he knew somehow.

Incidentally that was the first time in 6 flights that that happened. It was also the best crew we've had in years.

When I have been on "all miles" G fares, the crew have known my FC status & I have been welcomed back onboard. I thought your correct FC number / level appeared on the manifest the crew get?

Wasn't the reason for the generic 00500050005 FC number appearing on the boarding passes to stop people trying to retrospectively claim FC miles for reward flights? (Which some enterprising people managed to do back in the days when it had to be done by post & you had to send the BP's into Virgin.)

On the one time Mrs D did not get her first choice of starter she immediately volunteered me to give mine up as we had chosen the same.
So as short while after receiving my gnocchi and Mrs D her crab salad the CC came back to me to ask for my FC number so they could award 4000 miles to it. I was silver at the time and can only guess they didn't have the number, or just wanted to make sure.
Mrs D, "If I'd know they were giving 4000 miles......."
Me, "Too late my sweet."

Dick D

I too had thought the generic number no longer appeared on the manifest. Past few flights when I've caught a glimpse of the service sheets I've seen status colour written down, they'd have to get that info from somewhere..

Yeah they know but what effect that has on your onboard service is VERY variable, I've had it range from no acknowledgements at all all the way to being in economy and being asked my food preference etc.. and receiving my food before everyone else... the most common effect is the former - no acknowledgement at all, and more recently just simply being ignored altogether as a passenger even sat in the seat - but that's a whole other posting

sometimes I get the FSM pop by and introduce themselves but that is dwindling in frequency recently....

That 005 on the BP ended many years ago. If you have a FF number then that appears now which also, therefore, reflects FF status. The boarding manifest also usually specifically states GOLD (or variants of that such as UNIQ). Last time I was in PE on a night flight they took the food order immediately and brought it round without having to wait for the trolley plus UC wines. That is nice but I know I am only entitled to the service I have paid for - all pax should remember this as we have all seen some cringe worthy attitudes of self importance.