jay: (flowers)
jay ([personal profile] jay) wrote2004-02-18 10:14 pm

Asking nicely ;-)

I seem to have a knack for asking and getting what I want from airline staff... last weekend, I managed to get first-class upgrades in both directions -- on a frequent-flyer coach ticket. Once, I was rebuffed... then I smiled, thanked the counter agent and then tried the same request at the gate, where the agent was glad to assist.

Today, I headed to DC... after switching flights around such that I still had a layover in Minneapolis after my SF originating flight was cancelled, leaving from San Jose instead. I asked for and received upgrades on both flights, again. I'm rather spoiled, in that sense. But today's tricky part was to get Nancy's borrowed suitcase back to her in Minneapolis. The airlines can't short-check a bag for pickup at a connecting city anymore, since 9/11. I put my NASA flight jacket in her large suitcase... then pleaded with the check-in agent. She agreed to flag the bag with extra priority stickers, but had to check it all the way to DC. So when I arrived in Minneapolis, I asked the arrival-gate agent if she could get them to retrieve the bag (since I wanted the jacket that was in it... while true, as Nancy is going to sew a project patch on it overnight, I didn't say anything about not re-checking the bag afterwards). That worked... she entered a request, and 20 minutes later the bag came up at baggage claim.

At this hotel, I didn't have to ask... they already had a coffee setup waiting in my room, a plate of cookies and the bed turned down. The coffee and sweets are things I asked for the first couple of times I stayed here (the former was instrumental in my first date with [personal profile] geekchick ;), and so the hotel now always has them waiting without my asking explicitly. And the valet remembered me. Very nice service.

Speaking of which, [personal profile] geekchick and I had a nice dinner tonight at a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant near her place. Lots of eye contact, fun talking together, and she seemed to brighten somewhat as the evening progressed :-).

[identity profile] dangerpudding.livejournal.com 2004-02-19 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
So.. what is the trick to asking for, and getting, those upgrades? Cause I'm travelling enough that they'd be nice, but don't have the funds to pay for them..

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[identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com 2004-02-19 12:57 pm (UTC)(link)
In this case, the airline has a policy pretext to be nice to me, because I'm in one of their "medallion" or "elite" frequent-flyer tiers -- I'm sure to fly at least 25K miles with airlines in that alliance grouping (in this case, Northwest/KLM/Continental/Delta/Air France) Card in hand, I'm empowered to beg for special favors, which they're usually happy to grant if they have the seats or consideration available. Even bending the rules, like the upgrades on top of a frequent-flyer ticket, because there were empty seats up front and they might as well use them to gain customer goodwill.

[identity profile] p3aches.livejournal.com 2004-02-19 09:20 am (UTC)(link)
sounds like easy travel. I need a vacation.

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[identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com 2004-02-19 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I also get traveling companions routinely upgraded on domestic flights...
ext_2918: (travelgecko)

[identity profile] therealjae.livejournal.com 2004-02-19 11:53 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. I'm pretty good at that sort of thing, too, but I am but a mere peon compared to the MASTER. :-)

-J

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[identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com 2004-02-19 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh. It's much easier when one is already in a given airline's high-miles-tier of their frequent-flyer program... that, and batted eyelashes ;-).

Besides, I'm lousy at asking for anything on a social or personal level, unlike yourself...

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[identity profile] p3aches.livejournal.com 2004-02-19 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I think your improving on asking for what you want on a personal and social level.

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[identity profile] who-is-she.livejournal.com 2004-02-20 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
I agree with p3aches.. and I also think you bat one HELL of a sweet eyelash......
:)
a good combo..... with airline staff
or with anyone.....
:)

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[identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com 2004-02-21 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
(giggle) how can you tell, over a webcam?

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[identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com 2004-02-21 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. Improving... still not very good, though. I'm much bolder with airline staff.