Adding to the annoyance.

Sorry to hear about this pretty shabby treatment. I have never flown UC but I expected to nothing but good things about what is supposed to be the best that VS can offer. I have been a red club member for most of my 20+ years travelling with VS. Did make it to silver for a couple of years and apart from the use of the PE check in did not notice much difference. In terms of loyalty we have stuck with VS despite a few poor trips and always email CS with any problems. As has already been said usually get a few miles and bland platitudes but NEVER an apology in writing. As an AU I am sure you expect and deserve preferential treatment but we travel 2-3 times a year with VS mainly on the leisure route (Bucket & spade) down to MCO. We are not bothered about tier points and use the miles for reward/MPM tickets. We pay for our own tickets, no business trips for us as we are retired. We normally travel PE but a recent decline in the quality of our flights means we have questioned if it is worth paying extra for PE let alone UC. We now expect patchy service and if we get a good flight its a bonus. Sorry this is a bit rambling (old age) but does anyone ever write of call to give positive feedback? Only 3 weeks until our next flight to MCO so (a) expecting it to be delayed and (b) we are flying PE so one food choice will not be available and (c) on the night trip back to CC perform their usual vanishing act Anyway happy flights everyone

Sorry to hear about your treatment by a disgracefull crew member hamster, if its any consolation you have now booked BA F which im sure you will love and a lot nicer as you would expect than UC.
My last 3 UC flights were shockers plus my dads flight was terrible too so 18 months ago i moved to BA mostly flying F and some club and we have loved it including little things like their booking system which actually works with their one world partners, so this is probably a blessing in disguise, just sorry it happened in the way it did.

Cheers

Alex

On the Age issue that hamster has talked about, you are 100% correct.
i work as engineer and at only 37 years old its amazing how much attention you dont receive compared to the older folk.

for instance if i turn up in my suit and check into either PE or UC i receive slightly less attention to most older people.

if i turn up to the same classes in my jeans and super dry T shirt , yes i do receive even less attention

however i prefer not to be fussed over, so it suits me,
ive always got whatever extra drinks and snacks etc that ive wanted so cant fault service and cabin crew, but there is a certain gap between older and younger passengers in the upper classes.


jason

I will probably get shot down for this but I'm going to play devil's advocate here.

Maybe VS feel they have nothing to apologise for. We are, after all, only hearing one side of the story. To accuse VS staff of acting disgracefully, as some posters have, is unfair when we don't have their take on events.

Whenever I've had cause to complain about things VS have failed to deliver on - delays and broken IFE for example - they've always apologised. So if they didn't in this case, maybe they don't see the need to.

Sorry to rock the boat but I do think it's unfair to judge without hearing both sides of the story.

I will probably get shot down for this but I'm going to play devil's advocate here.

Maybe VS feel they have nothing to apologise for. We are, after all, only hearing one side of the story. To accuse VS staff of acting disgracefully, as some posters have, is unfair when we don't have their take on events.

Whenever I've had cause to complain about things VS have failed to deliver on - delays and broken IFE for example - they've always apologised. So if they didn't in this case, maybe they don't see the need to.

Sorry to rock the boat but I do think it's unfair to judge without hearing both sides of the story.

I'm not going to shoot you down , but can I ask why would you think they might not see a need to say sorry? I can only think of one, and that is to deny that it happened.

Or are you suggesting that we were rude to the crew? Thus crew being rude back would only be reciprocating the gesture?

I expect the crew member did deny it, many people would in that situation. But VS haven't said that this is the case. Would they though?

I'm not saying they should or shouldn't say sorry, and I'm not suggesting you were rude. You clearly have your reasons for complaining and that's your right.

What I'm saying is it's unfair for other people who weren't there to pass judgment on VS without hearing their side of the story.

TBH I get some interesting looks with a AU card because of my age. Usually when checking in at T3 and being directed to the Economy Check In!

Glad I'm not the only one who gets the same looks, the last two times I've been stood in front of and physically directed to the economy self check kiosks.

If I get the same in April for a third time I will be voting with my feet and wallet and
Defecting to the dark side...


Annoying that you have to be 40+ to fly upper, especially considering Virgins young image.

TBH I get some interesting looks with a AU card because of my age. Usually when checking in at T3 and being directed to the Economy Check In!

Glad I'm not the only one who gets the same looks, the last two times I've been stood in front of and physically directed to the economy self check kiosks.

If I get the same in April for a third time I will be voting with my feet and wallet and
Defecting to the dark side...


Annoying that you have to be 40+ to fly upper, especially considering Virgins young image.

Speaking as a sprightly 39 year old, I take great exception at such an ageist comment ):

My apologies, 39 years young isn't old. It's just frustrating that staff at Virgin seem to think the under 40s club shouldn't be at the pointy end

I read this thread with interest, from yosemite national park after a flight last week with bad onboard service. I fly back next week from sfo and am kind of expecting the same in which case they will never get a penny from me again. I've done upper about 4 times now, the last 2 from lhr and found bad service and attitude on those and increasingly think it's the business route services I've found crap.

No trip reports from me though, I'm someone who goes and doesn't come back...

Im 20's too and AU but never got any weird looks from virgin employees (as far as i can tell ) Just some other passengers wondering what i was up to and where i was going too etc. So far usually the youngest on the upper flights which is fine. Don't want any crying babies on

I flew today from lhr to yvr btw and i must say: the crew was an example of how things should be. First the manager came to introduce himself, calling me by my name, saying: you fly quite a lot and how i was doing blabla and thanking me etc.

Then crew came and introduced themselve and also calling me by name and that went on during the flight. Never seen that before. Must admit it was a quiet flight (180 or so) but it really showed that they put some effort in their work. Wish it was always such amazing crew. The little things makes such huge difference imo. If crew is nice somehow everything feels so much better!

On the Age issue that hamster has talked about, you are 100% correct.
i work as engineer and at only 37 years old its amazing how much attention you dont receive compared to the older folk.

for instance if i turn up in my suit and check into either PE or UC i receive slightly less attention to most older people.

if i turn up to the same classes in my jeans and super dry T shirt , yes i do receive even less attention

however i prefer not to be fussed over, so it suits me,
ive always got whatever extra drinks and snacks etc that ive wanted so cant fault service and cabin crew, but there is a certain gap between older and younger passengers in the upper classes.

It's just frustrating that staff at Virgin seem to think the under 40s club shouldn't be at the pointy end

Completely agree with these sentiments - I've been AU for about 4 years (since I was 30ish), and I feel that I definitely get a less friendly welcome than some of the older people around me when I'm flying in Upper.

:0 If a crewmember said that, it is truly shocking.

Are you dealing with head office, or the normal complaints people?

Out of interest, how old are you (roughly) -- just to get a sense of perspective on the age issue.

Your best ultimate recourse is to withdraw your custom from VS, so I think that by booking BA you have done a sensible thing (and First beats UC).

EDIT: PS I agree it is very irritating when your status is questioned based on appearance. This has happened to me.

happened to us at Chicago security guard said this line is for PE/UC only! wife had great delight in flashing boarding card,would not mind but were both on the older side! why do people make these assumpations

I think VS sometimes loose the plot on these things and as someone else said you would have thought your age would be an incentive for them to encourage your continued loyalty!
On a good note, I can confirm after not flying BA in favour of VS for some years, having recently returned to the Dark Side the improvement now over VS is quite substantial (IMHO) so just keep topping up the FFC miles to keep them running for things other than VS flights in future and look forward to your flight with BA.
Oh just thought, something on the Virgin Facebook page seems to get a good and pretty quick response

Oh just thought, something on the Virgin Facebook page seems to get a good and pretty quick response

Yes I did think about FB, but my friends already think I'm strange for posting on there in the past. Also I don't think VS would take it any more seriously...

Hamster, I and others experienced a foul mouthed CC at a holiday hotel in Grenada where the crew were doing a stopover. I complained to VS about it and they dealt with it via their disciplinary procedures. I did not expect to be informed of the outcome.

So I totally understood your point of view.

This I disagree with however

I do undertand what you mean, and I guess Lads doesn't offend me, more annoys me. But I still dont think you should call 2 people in Upper Class Lads. It might be ok in PE and Y, and possibly for a big group of young men in Upper.

Er, no it isnt.

I think disrespectful language and/or behaviour is just that. A professional CC should be professional in whatever cabin not modifying their behaviour from reverential to laddish on a "price paid" basis.

The CC are not on a jolly, they are meant to be working. And manners are manners and I do not think that travelling in business, whatever age you are, should get you exposed to better ones.

I am 64 by the way and I remember GOOD MANNERS!!!! ii)

And now I shall get on with my packing!!!!

I am also 60 - just, and am not impressed by foul language from anyone never mind a professional. I am glad that a complaint has been made and I also hope that someone from Virgin takes the time to read this thread thoroughly and takes heed of people's opinions.

Katie

I get "the look" too as if I don't belong. I just used to put it down to my ginger hair rather than my age !! )

This I disagree with however

I do undertand what you mean, and I guess Lads doesn't offend me, more annoys me. But I still dont think you should call 2 people in Upper Class Lads. It might be ok in PE and Y, and possibly for a big group of young men in Upper.

Er , no it isnt.

I think disrespectful language and/or behaviour is just that. A professional CC should be professional in whatever cabin not modifying their behaviour from reverential to laddish on a "price paid" basis.

Absolutely, well said, to be honest this doesn't help your case Hamster, yes the reaction by the CC was definitely out of line, but comments about this being acceptable to the "the lower classes", does hint that there was a bit of smoke before the fire..even if you're only 21, irritation at not being called Sir etc is slightly sensitive...?

This I disagree with however

I do undertand what you mean, and I guess Lads doesn't offend me, more annoys me. But I still dont think you should call 2 people in Upper Class Lads. It might be ok in PE and Y, and possibly for a big group of young men in Upper.

Er , no it isnt.

I think disrespectful language and/or behaviour is just that. A professional CC should be professional in whatever cabin not modifying their behaviour from reverential to laddish on a "price paid" basis.

Absolutely, well said, to be honest this doesn't help your case Hamster, yes the reaction by the CC was definitely out of line, but comments about this being acceptable to the "the lower classes", does hint that there was a bit of smoke before the fire..even if you're only 21, irritation at not being called Sir etc is slightly sensitive...?

Ok sorry if I have upset anyone, to be clear I was not saying that swearing crew are acceptable in PE and Y (I don't understand why you are taking offence then calling them the lower classes?). I used the word "might" as I do not know if it would be acceptable as I have never flown in PE or Y, so I don’t know what level the tone is set at.
The point about being called "lads" was only a minor one, so I’m not sure why this is being picked up on so much.
What I wanted from VS was an apology for the crews language.

What are you suggesting about smoke before fire?

[Decker]

I'd hazard a guess that the implication is that if you can offend people here without being aware of it then you might transfer the ability through into the real world?

I'd hazard a guess that the implication is that if you can offend people here without being aware of it then you might transfer the ability through into the real world?

Ok, thank you.
Well seeing as neither of us had any much of a chance to talk to the crew I think we are safe from that.

[Decker]

[honey lamb]

OK, my perspective as the doyenne of V-Flyer!

For several years I and my son, Aer John have flown as Au members although he is now a lowly Red. While I obtained my Au status by flying he obtained his by a fluke in playing X number of golf courses within a specified space of time at a VS destination. Whether you like it or not, he was Au and we were flying in UC in any case. However his route to Au is less annoying than someone who gets it simply by signing up for a credit card

As far as his treatment on board, there was only one occasion where the crew, on welcoming people on board in UC, passed him over, and welcomed other first time flyers. Maybe good for business but not for return business. Young people can and do achieve Au status and they remember the slights

[preiffer]

Where does this "21 is young for a gold card holder" thing come from?

I had one at 22, and I was getting on a bit then. I know MANY, many, people who have kids (and I mean real kids - 13/14/15 : not those who are trying to deny they're getting older) who have held gold cards for some time. I've also travelled myself as a so-called "young gold" many times and have travelled with friends who are 20/21 with the same.

I've never once seen VS crew treat a young gold card holder any differently to an older one. Nor any Upper Class passenger for that matter. Maybe it's down to that two-way relationship thing : crew can sense attitude a mile off.

If you're waiting to be treated differently, you most likely will. 21 year old gold card holder in the J cabin? These days, you're just one of MANY.