Fob Destination - How To Get Airlines To Treat You Like A VIP

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Or a flight was overbooked or for any other reason, i know how frustrating (and that is an extremely mild word to use here) it is when you are stuck in an airport because a pilot has not arrived on time, as a frequent traveler myself. In recent weeks I have read at least three articles about how poorly the flying public perceives the customer service provided by the airline industry.

000 fewer people, the industry has also reduced its workforce by 200. And not one of them has shown a profit for a single fiscal year, four of the five major carriers have filed bankruptcy. In the U.S. Financially, the airline industry has been on the ropes, since September 11. I should first put things in perspective, but before I go any further.

We cannot realistically expect to receive the same level of service as we received before 9-11, as this industry's customers, so.

Helpful and empowered to go the extra mile, their employees seem to be trying harder to be courteous, american Airlines and British Airlines, on this level I am happy to report that of the two airlines I have personal experience with. " there is still no excuse for rude or indifferent behavior, and this is a very important "but, but.

But I have generally heard more positive feedback from other travelers on these airlines, of course this all boils down to my own personal perception.

But it is to offer advice in the context of the reality of the industry's financial woes, i first want to say that what I am about to write in this article is not to offer pity for the airline industry or to excuse unexcusable behavior on the part of indifferent employees, before I answer that question. How can one still get VIP treatment from airlines, given all the financial problems facing this industry?

And neither can an airline give free airfare, of course not. Can a store give away free merchandise? Can a restaurant give free meals? No business can really act as if the customer is always right when customers want something for nothing, in the real world. Customers often expect and demand much more than they are entitled to. " Clearly this is not always the case. "the customer is always right, let's think about the old expression.

Your VIP status with that airline will swiftly rise, if you are a member of an airline's loyalty program AND you truly are a frequent flyer AND if you usually travel on first or business class tickets. But airlines are in the unique position to know which customers to give VIP treatment to: their frequent travelers.

But he probably won't get the VIP treatment), respect and receive the proper value for his travel dollar, be treated with courtesy, however, (He should. He probably will not get an extra level of VIP treatment, or if that person only flies on deep discount tickets bought through an online consolidator web site, or is a member but hasn't flown with that airline in over a year, if that person is not a loyalty program member. Or expects something extra from the airline, what if a customer shows up and asks for special treatment, now? Airlines can track the profitability of each and every one of their loyalty program members.

That person should expect to receive the extra request if the request is reasonable. Now suppose a different customer comes up to the ticket counter and travels every month or so on tickets in the mid price range.

They would probably find themselves receiving VIP treatment more often, but if those same people were to concentrate on one airline. Usually based on the ticket price available at the time they travel, there are many people who are members of five or six loyalty programs and spread their travel among those airlines. But you can upgrade your status with any airline by making it your sole carrier whenever possible. Simple: the airline industry will not be financially able to offer a lot of extra perks to all its customers for a long time to come. What is the lesson to all this?

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