I have a question and hopefully someone here can help me out. I'm an elite flyer, Gold Medallion with Delta Airlines and this past weekend was my first time flying a different Skyteam airline, Continental Express. This morning I was flying back home from EWR to ORF on ExpressJet while the Customer Service Agent announced priority boarding for elite members, I, myself, am one. I showed her my Delta Airlines Gold Medallion Card along with my boarding pass and she told me "Sir, you'll have to wait til your row has been called, this is for elite members only." She took a glimpse at the card and then my boarding pass and said "your membership is suppose to be on your boarding pass, all I see is your Delta skymiles number." I didn't want to argue with her since it was an ERJ-145, no big deal for me. She said "Wait a few minutes." So I did. What I really don't get is that when I flew to EWR Saturday morning in Norfolk, I showed the CO agent my elite membership card with Delta and she let me on. Isn't what that card is for when flying on a partner skyteam airline? My boarding pass, which is an e-ticket does not show my membership level, but it does show it when I fly on Delta, perhaps that's becuase on Continental it only shows the OnePass Elite status but not the other Skyteam airline's FF program. Just those small things just sometimes gets on my nerves. I might call Continental about this issue, so the next time IF, I ever fly on Continental, hopefully I won't have this problem when it comes to first class upgrades. I worked my butt really hard to achieve this level, getting those complimentary upgrades, head of the line privledges at sercurity which is WONDERFUL during peak season travel. I wonder how the TSA acted if I showed them my card going to first class/OnePass Elite sercurity line, but instead, I chose the regular line since it wasn't crowded this morning. I guess I would've had a fit if they did. Fun fun of flying.

Kevin

Quoting GOCAPS16 (Thread starter): My boarding pass, which is an e-ticket does not show my membership level, but it does show it when I fly on Delta, perhaps that's becuase on Continental it only shows the OnePass Elite status but not the other Skyteam airline's FF program.

Your boarding pass, in this case, is supposed to say "Skyteam Elite" or something similar. It may be that their system only had your DL skymiles number and didn't parse across the elite status as well.

I know on NW, when I fly, they pull the DL status right across and it prints on the boarding pass. This was cool when I was on a DL codeshare flight (on a NW ticket) and the DL folks upgraded me since I was a DL frequent flyer ...  

You might want to call Continental before your next flight and make sure your FF status is attached to your itinerary, so when the boarding pass prints it'll properly reflect that.

Now, whether or not the CSA did the right thing or not, dunno ... seems to me if you flash a FF elite level card, that should be as good the same thing printed on the boarding pass ...

- litz

Quoting Litz (Reply 1): Now, whether or not the CSA did the right thing or not, dunno ... seems to me if you flash a FF elite level card, that should be as good the same thing printed on the boarding pass ...

I would say she didn't. The ticket matches the name on the card. I'm a Gold Medallion as well and the expiration date of the card is in huge letters compared to the name. It's not like you can miss it.

Quoting GOCAPS16 (Thread starter): Isn't what that card is for when flying on a partner skyteam airline? My

Your status should be indicated on your Contiental Boarding Pass. They are VERY strict about it. I ride with them all the time and they always make a big deal about it showing on your boarding pass. Contact Delta and find out why you're showing as Elite on CO.

Interesting... I know that I always check my boarding passes as soon as I receive them to ensure they show my Chairman's Preferred status properly, especially when flying other airlines in Star Alliance. Same goes for when I fly AA, and I use my BA Exec Club Silver number.

It's a mistake on her part, it wouldn't have hurt to let you board anyway. Either she was having 'one of those days that happen 3 times a month' or she just wasn't briefed on the matter, but you got there and I wouldn't get too beat out of shape over it.

I would call CO though and find out why the Elite status was not linked to your account. I know it linked through on DL when I flew them with my CO elite status. And it is supposed to go the other way. Somewhere, a lower case j didn't get dotted.

Any passenger on CO that is registered in their system as having some elite FF number, whether it be with CO, DL, NW, etc. will automatically have the words "EliteAccess" print on their boarding pass, and this is all that the gate agent looks for in letting people board early. If for some reason, you didn't have this on your boarding pass, the gate agent therefore wouldn't have let you board the aircraft early - it's standard CO policy.

Too many procedures to follow !

The word Elite on his card should be enough ! I can imagine if it happens a couple of times the customer will be upset. If he is upset, he won't fly CO and etc..

Quoting GOCAPS16 (Thread starter): perhaps that's because on Continental it only shows the OnePass Elite status but not the other Skyteam airline's FF program.

I've had and heard about so many problems with CO interacting with other SkyTeam members. This past summer they actually lost my itinerary and blamed it on DL. I flew DL on one leg and CO on the other. They claimed I didn't pay for the itinerary yet. I was like, "How could I not pay for it if I already flew one leg?" It took them about 30 minutes to fix the problem, and then I got SSSS'ed. My dad has had problems with CO posting his miles in his SkyMiles account. When they do post the miles it takes much longer than NW does. I don't think he has had any trouble with them printing SkyTeam Elite on the tickets, though. I always complain about UA's computer systems, but CO needs to work on their SkyTeam integration.

The problem is a lot of ground staff don't know there Gold Medallion from their Executive Platinums.

If I was relying on status from a partner airline to get me benefits I'd take a print out from the internet as a back up and always bring my card with me. Whenever I check in I handover my passport with FF card and ask if the relevant number is in the booking.

Whenever I fly with a OW airline outside BA it prints the status family on my BP. BA/EMERALD/XXXXXXXX for example as opposed to BA/GOLD/XXXXXXXXX. On *A I just get an SQ*G , UA*S for example. Although I don't fly with them I'd have thought it would be similar on SkyTeam.

Quoting GOCAPS16 (Thread starter): so the next time IF, I ever fly on Continental, hopefully I won't have this problem when it comes to first class upgrades. I worked my butt really hard to achieve this level, getting those complimentary upgrades,

Note that there are no reciprocal first class upgrades privileges between DL and CO. Only between CO and NW.

Have to say that here in the UK when they flash that Gold card it means nothing as it may well have expired or not even be theirs. I previously bowed and preyed to this supposed GOLD card holder because the special meal that they ordered was not loaded only too find when I stormed in to our Inflight Service Department and demanded an explanation to find out that he was in fact no longer a GOLD card holder and had only taken 1 flight with us in the previous year and that he had arrived at the airport 2 days early and was lucky to be on board let alone get a requested meal.

Hence nowadays I WANT all the facts and figures before I go above and beyond the call of duty!!!!!!!

I understand that all is different in the US with your Cards and FF privelages but if its not printed on your boarding card then perhaps she was just working with what she could see at the time?????

Clearly, the woman made a mistake. Much as I love Air France, I have flown Business class with them, as a Delta Gold Medallion passenger, and still was denied priority boarding.

My ego survived, but the episode caused so much emotional trauma, they had to give me two glasses of champagne before takeoff to calm my nerves.

It happens. I've never had a problem with priority boarding on NW, CO, or AZ.

I bought the ticket on continental.com and it was a special fare ticket. So, I inputed my Delta Skymiles number but it never reflected the "elite" status. I will definately call Continental next time when I purchase a ticket thru them and let them know. Thanks everyone. I'll have to try and experience this on NWA, also. Perhaps Alaska Airlines someday.

Kevin

Quoting Cityjet (Reply 7): The word Elite on his card should be enough ! I can imagine if it happens a couple of times the customer will be upset. If he is upset, he won't fly CO and etc..

The thing we are all missing is that he will fly CO again, at some point, because that is where he is getting his FF miles from (along with the other SkyTeam members).

Please.  

Quoting AirPortugal310 (Reply 14): The thing we are all missing is that he will fly CO again, at some point, because that is where he is getting his FF miles from (along with the other SkyTeam members).

Just becuase of that? It will take a lot until I don't fly with an airline. Some people, I guess the higher up ie. Platinum members would be upset, but there is nothing to be really upset. Yea, if it happens more then once, they need to do something to solve this problem. But I will still fly Continental whenever I can get the lowest airfare available. Sure they might not be the greatest, but still, get from point A to point B.

BTW, yea, gotta love getting hate mails from this thread.  

Kevin

Quoting Zone1 (Reply 8): I've had and heard about so many problems with CO interacting with other SkyTeam members. This past summer they actually lost my itinerary and blamed it on DL

It is not CO...it is DL they are far behind in transitioning to SkyTeam interairline issues. I will not fly DL anylonger as a result of them not being able to match the NW or CO FF segements, miles, nor uprgrades. I have had experiences many times last year when DL told me they were just not ready to incorporate into SkyTeam automation as their other members......but I am betting that the CO agent was totally misinformed and would suggest you call the 1-800-WECARE2 number and voice your concern, they will be able find out who the boarding agent was and correct it.

And you need not even call ahead, just when you check in at the airport, go to the elite check-in line, and show them that your boarding card doesn't have elite acces on it. The elite CSRs at the airport know the drill, and will fix it on your reservation.

Why did you not get this fixed after seeing it and flying your first leg anyway? When mistakes are made, the quicker you are to rectify them BEFORE they can negatively impact you, the better, non?

Quoting GOCAPS16 (Thread starter): perhaps that's becuase on Continental it only shows the OnePass Elite status but not the other Skyteam airline's FF program

I'm pretty sure any of the SkyTeam airlines should have the same message on the boarding pass (ELITE ACCESS on the bottom of the boarding pass portion and EA on upper portion of the passneger receipt/stub).

I know you mentioned that the SkyMiles number was printed on the boarding pass, but do you remember exactly how it was printed? For example, my FF account is a NorthWest WorldPerks account (even though all 26,000 of my EQMs in 2005 were flown on CO) and it is printed on the boarding pass as "OnePass: NW-528xxxxxx". I'm assuming for SkyMiles it would be "OnePass: DL-xxxxxxxxxx"-- I know I've nearly forgotten to choose the correct program on a few occassions, so...

Lincoln

Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 17): Why did you not get this fixed after seeing it and flying your first leg anyway? When mistakes are made, the quicker you are to rectify them BEFORE they can negatively impact you, the better, non?

This was the return flight. The first leg, ORF-EWR, all I did was showed my elite card to the agent in Norfolk and she let me go thru, however, at EWR, they didn't. As for getting it fixed before, I had no idea. Now I do.

Quoting Lincoln (Reply 18): I'm assuming for SkyMiles it would be "OnePass: DL-xxxxxxxxxx"-- I know I've nearly forgotten to choose the correct program on a few occassions, so...

You're right. On my boarding pass it reads OnePass: DL-XXXXXXXXXX / ST1.
Anyone knows what the ST1 means? I'm stumped.

Kevin

Quoting GOCAPS16 (Reply 19): This was the return flight. The first leg, ORF-EWR, all I did was showed my elite card to the agent in Norfolk and she let me go thru, however, at EWR, they didn't. As for getting it fixed before, I had no idea. Now I do.

I know. That's why I asked why you didn't point out the problem when you checked in for the return? At the gate, they do say "with elite access printed on your boarding pass" for a reason.

I still think she should have let you on if the card had a current date on it, but I'm just asking, after seeing the mistake on your first flight, why didn't you take a "pro-active" approach? In the future, I'm sure you will, no doubt.

Quoting Zone1 (Reply 8): I always complain about UA's computer systems, but CO needs to work on their SkyTeam integration.

Quoting GeorgiaAME (Reply 12): Much as I love Air France, I have flown Business class with them, as a Delta Gold Medallion passenger, and still was denied priority boarding.

= I could write a book on how not integrated Skyteam is. I am moving over 300K of yearly business to Star. Don't think problems are limited to CO or AF. In my experience, AF and OK are the worst - followed by CO. People give DL and NW bad marks, but their Sky service is pretty integrated and you can do a lot on their websites.

-A.

Well, I have a friend who is Platinum Level with DL. For one reason or another he will no longer be flying DL. He was looking around for another carrier to fly domestic and decided to give NW a try. Well low and behold not only was his platinum dl level not reflected, but even though he was travelling in first class last week from LGA/DWT/Sacramento- NW managed to lose his one checked bag on both legs. Needless to say he will not be flying NW again.
He's now giving his 20+ transcon premium cabin business to CO.

Crap happens! It's up to us to deal with it as we see fit

Kind of on the subject--

I just got my WorldPerks Silver Elite card today, even though most of my flying was (and will be) on CO... Will I be able to use the priority/first class/elite security lines at CO airports, or do I need to reach gold or platnum before I get that privelage?

(I supose I could always just try...)

Lincoln

Quoting Lincoln (Reply 23): Will I be able to use the priority/first class/elite security lines at CO airports, or do I need to reach gold or platnum before I get that privelage?

No Silver Elite works the same for the EliteAcess stuff for CO as NW! So enjoy those perks but the upgrades might be quite a bit harder to come by being Silver, but congrats on obtaining that level.

Quoting IAHFLYR (Reply 24): No Silver Elite works the same for the EliteAcess stuff for CO as NW!

Sweet! Thanks for confirming that for me. It would be nice to be upgraded frequently (and my boss -- also a silver elite, but on CO -- seems to pull it off on every flight), but I'm not holding out much hope.

It is nice to have something to show for all of the flying (and money spent) during the second half of 2005...and there are times when just being able to skip security lines will be worth it.

Lincoln

Hey Lincoln, yea, when I was Silver Medallion on Delta, 99% of the time I'll get my upgrade. A very few ocassions where first class is booked or there are tons of Gold and Plat. flyers on my flight. I guess usually at the popular destinations like LA, Vegas, and of course, their hubs. So far, I've only had to fly on coach just once as Gold and I wanted to switch to an earlier flight and only had one seat available in coach. First class was full.

I was impressed how many elite flyers was on my flight from Newark to Norfolk this past Monday on an RJ, usually see 5 or so when I fly on Delta, but I saw about 10 of them.

Enjoy your perks while it last. I have exactly one year until my Gold Medallion expires. Too bad I didn't reach Platinum for 2006. I was just 15,000 MQM shy. Oh well, maybe next year.

Kevin

At the risk of sounding stupid, why do they bother with priority boarding on an RJ? I could see it being reasonable if there's a first class cabin (like UA's ExPlus CR7s and E170s), but an all-economy ERJ-145 or CRJ?

-Mir