Recognition of AU status in the air

I have flown maybe 16-ish times in 2 years as AU and have never been acknowledged. Aw, poor me! Always fly the same route as well! I never expected it before, but now I might be disappointed.

On my recent reward flight back from JFK the FSM came round and spoke to everyone, by name, in UC. A document he referred to evidently had FC status on it as he acknowledged my lowly (my words, not his) red status.

It might say on your boarding card but it doesn't on the manifest if you use miles

Always had my status acknowledged and always had my first choice of meal.

On the flip side, I've seen AU members behave quite appallingly to crew, thinking that plastic card entities them to treat crew like their own personal servant and demand things that are not due. Such as sat in PE and most vocally demanding an Upper meal.

What is it about a piece of coloured plastic that makes some people loose all sense of proportion (and manners) and expect the world on a plate?

I agree tonty... and that's why I was trying to put my point across carefully... I would certainly never demand anything extra on the basis of FC status, but it would certainly be nice to get something once on board, and in a consistent manner...

Even cherry tomatoes would be too good for a pax demaining a UC meal...

so im a little confused. Ratechaser states that being gold through business travel should then affect his personal travel experience. maybe this should be another thread but why should ones business travel improve ones personal/holiday experience?
surely one flies the most efficient route/costing/carrier to maximize their companies profit ???

[Neil]

so im a little confused. Ratechaser states that being gold through business travel should then affect his personal travel experience. maybe this should be another thread but why should ones business travel improve ones personal/holiday experience?
surely one flies the most efficient route/costing/carrier to maximize their companies profit ???

Ratechaser was referring to gaining recognition for being Au when flying in economy or PE (which they do on holiday) rather than when flying in Upper Class (which they do for business).

Basically there isn't that much more they can do when flying UC apart from welcome you by name/say thanks for loyalty etc, as you are already benefiting from all the best service levels on board (in theory!!). However when not flying in UC, many members feel that it would be a nice touch from VS, to recognise their loyalty and Au status with some sort of touch (glass of champers/chat from the FSM/offered to have a drink at the bar etc etc).

[Darren Wheeler]

The tray of champagne going behind the curtain you do see. The drink at the bar is a lot more problematic. Fine and do-able if you have only a couple of AU's on board, but what happens if you have 3, 7, 23 etc. or the bar is busy with J passengers?

To come back on that point... when I consistently give up my family time at weekends in order to travel for work, I don't think that getting a few miles and FC perks back in return is an unreasonable quid pro quo. So I'm certainly not going to apologise for being an AU as a result of business funded travel, and I suspect I'm not alone here.

However I do agree that this is probably rather O/T and one for a seperate thread...

RC

So I'm certainly not going to apologise for being an AU as a result of business funded travel, and I suspect I'm not alone here

I would guess a high percentage of AU members are funded by their companies. it would be very hard for a commoner having 3-4 weeks leave a year to gain AU status.

It's always easy to spend someone else's money rather your own but on Virgin's point of view they don't care whether the money is from a business account or a personal account.

[honey lamb]

One member who may or may not wish to reveal himself, posted on here that he had renewed within 6 weeks. :0 There's another 26+the rolling month left for flying and with that time span it would be easy enough to renew Gold if in PE or Y

HL how many weeks do you have in your year there in Cork? - Over here in England we get the full 52

I'm old and blonde and am allowed to make silly mistakes like that )

Always had my status acknowledged and always had my first choice of meal.

On the flip side, I've seen AU members behave quite appallingly to crew, thinking that plastic card entities them to treat crew like their own personal servant and demand things that are not due. Such as sat in PE and most vocally demanding an Upper meal.

Interestingly on one of my flights in PE there was such an individual. She behaved so awfully that even this old non-violent pacifist was tempted to give her a slap. She felt that her Au status entitled her to various perks which, on examination, it didn't. The CC all dealt with her very well considering the provocation and rudeness.

We shared this event because she had one of those voices which could strip paint at 30 metres. ): ): ):

I came away astonished by how some peeps behave and, also, at how little concern they have for others perception of their behaviour.

I personally think if you fly in UC, you should have all the benefits, glass of champagne when you board, sit at the bar etc etc. But I think if you have Au status, but on that particular flight you are flying Economy, you should have the same level of service as everyone else in Economy. Ok, its right to be welcomed by name and the FSM to spend some time with you as you are a valued customer and this recognises your previous loyalty. But why should you be able to sit at the bar, taking up space which should be enjoyed by J passengers, when they have paid for the extra comfort and you haven't? I expect a level of service in line with what I have paid for and just because I may have flown in a higher class before doesn't give me the right to enjoy those extra comforts when I haven't.

747Rich - But then if you extend that point, you could equally well argue against CH access for AUs flying Y - or guests of UC pax for that matter... I've been in a packed CH many times where I struggle to find a seat or get served quickly, and I'm sure that not everyone in there is a UC passenger...

All I'm saying is that if a selling point of FC status is a level of recognition and benefits that transcends the class you happen to be traveling in on any single trip, why could that not extend to some level of service differentiation on board the flight itself.

We regularly visit the same restaurants in London. Sometimes we splash out and damage the credit card with the a la carte, sometimes it is just for a salad and a glass of wine. These restaurants become favourites because they welcome us whatever the order, find us a table even if they are really busy and often offer a free glass of wine or dessert. The point I am making is over the course of the year we continue to support their business because they recognise our loyalty, be it a burger or fillet steak. It seems perfectly reasonable to me that VS Au pax are similarly recognised provided it doesn't impact on other UC passengers.

747Rich - But then if you extend that point, you could equally well argue against CH access for AUs flying Y - or guests of UC pax for that matter... I've been in a packed CH many times where I struggle to find a seat or get served quickly, and I'm sure that not everyone in there is a UC passenger...

All I'm saying is that if a selling point of FC status is a level of recognition and benefits that transcends the class you happen to be traveling in on any single trip, why could that not extend to some level of service differentiation on board the flight itself.

I think it's easier on the ground than in the air to provide such a service, in the confines of a cabin differentiating the service based on tier could be divisive or open to questions from other people - wouldn't want the CC to have to deal with that.

It seems perfectly reasonable to me that VS Au pax are similarly recognised provided it doesn't impact on other UC passengers.

Bang on Jackie. As a self funding UC flyer I'd be pretty annoyed if non UC pax whatever their status were invited to the bar - even it its for one drink.

Yes take them a glass of something fizzy down to their seats - which does create a buzz amingst other pax 'why are they so special' and say 'nice to see you onboard again' but thats about it. I don't see why tjey should get any other enhanced on board service though.

What I don't want is a load of fawning as I experienced on a DL flight where the purser went round the cabin (taking the meal orders) thanking everyone for flying DL (OK with that) but not the 'And Mr Smith I see you are one of our super dooper mega status pax as well' when a 'nice to have you with us again' would have recognised their status discretly.

What I absolutly hate are the people who throw their status around like it makes them better than someone else. Some of the postings on flyer talk are positivly insulting to those with a lesser status (or *shudder* no status) than them. (mind there are also some pretty petty complaints and demands for compensation on there too but thats a different matter ...)

Interestingly, I recently received a Flying Club survey from VS and one of the questions asked something like, "did you receive an acknowledgement of your loyalty onboard."

Ironically so had I - and responded favourably based on my previous general experience.

Thinking about that, the overwhelming majority of that was on flights to the NE USA. When I was an SQ frequent flyer I noticed that the crew on the SIN-LHR run were noticeably better than the crews on their inter-Asian services, or indeed other European services - and suspected deliberate deployment, rather than random chance. I wonder if Virgin put their "best" crews on their most competitive routes?

Best inflight recognition was when I got op-upped from E to UC - where my partner was flying - particularly delicious as I ended up sitting opposite the pax who had been giving us evils in the Clubhouse before departure! An (appropriately) rare treat!

[buns]

The point I am making is over the course of the year we continue to support their business because they recognise our loyalty, be it a burger or fillet steak. It seems perfectly reasonable to me that VS Au pax are similarly recognised provided it doesn't impact on other UC passengers.

Spot on Jacki y) y)

When Mrs Buns and I flew back from Newark in Economy, the CSS did come round with a heavily loaded tray of champagne and said to us, "something for our special passengers" It was after the meal service and lights had been dimmed, was done very discreetly y) I need to point out that she then went on to other passengers in the Cabin - so the tray was not just for us :w :w

A little gesture like that made me feel valued for spending my hard earned cash on VS

buns

Best inflight recognition was when I got op-upped from E to UC - where my partner was flying - particularly delicious as I ended up sitting opposite the pax who had been giving us evils in the Clubhouse before departure! An (appropriately) rare treat!

Tops y)

It might say on your boarding card but it doesn't on the manifest if you use miles

When on a reward flight recently, CC recognised my AU status.

I would guess a high percentage of AU members are funded by their companies. it would be very hard for a commoner having 3-4 weeks leave a year to gain AU status.

I have found it easy to gain and maintain AU and do no flying for business, but I do get quite a bit more time than 3-4 weeks off to do it in.

A little gesture like that made me feel valued for spending my hard earned cash on VS

buns

Exactly, all it takes is a little homework (check the manifest) then 10 minutes to have a chat, hand out complimentary shampoo, job done! I wonder why some do, some don't ? If it's not part of SOP it should be.....

OK now im sure this should be another thread. Forget tier points for a moment. As a frequent flyer what would us, the passenger prefer? a gold card to access the lounge on any flight we take, or the ability to actually use our points for an upperclass reward flight? apart from narita, dubai and new york reward flights are mighty difficult to find

[Darren Wheeler]

OK now im sure this should be another thread. Forget tier points for a moment. As a frequent flyer what would us, the passenger prefer? a gold card to access the lounge on any flight we take, or the ability to actually use our points for an upperclass reward flight? apart from narita, dubai and new york reward flights are mighty difficult to find

I think you might find the experiences of others doesn't match your experience...

I don't think it takes a lot for the FSM to pop along and say hello to AU card holders - glass of champagne if in PE or Y is always welcome

This very morning, checking in at LHR my status was recognised in the most lovely way by a friendly and welcoming check in agent - she really made my day and got my trip to LAX off to a great stay.....now let's see what happens in the air... :w

Jon