rscaife1682 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 319 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 4721 times:
Morning all
I am on a US flight from PHL-ORD and I am noticing some major sales techniques from the flight attendants. Do you guys know if the FA's receive an incentive on the filled out application forms for the Barclays Bank US Airways Mastercard?
Some good/funny lines:
"Ladies and Gentleman.......just for this flight only today we have a special award for you........blah blah apply for the Barclay US Airways Mastercard.........please keep in mind that this offer is not available on all flights"
The FA walking thought the isle with the application forms "Please take 2 and you and your wife fill out an application and then you will not just have 40000 miles you will have 80000 miles"
Feels like US Airways FA's might have had some sales training from Barclays Bank
max550 From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 1114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 4660 times:
I got the same thing a month ago on FLL-CLT and CLT-MDT (both flights said "just for this flight"). Quite obnoxious IMO. I always take my headphones off when there's any sort of announcement on the PA just in case it's something important so it was irritating to get a sales pitch. I have no idea whether they get an incentive or not.
Can't complain though, I haven't flown US (mainline) in years and I was very impressed with all of their employees.
HPRamper From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3665 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 4502 times:
Eh, all the airlines are getting more and more aggressive in selling their credit cards. US has been doing this for a while now, it's not really that big of a deal. No more annoying than getting heckled by the kiosk people at every airport.
Humanitarian From United States of America, joined Jan 2012, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 4493 times:
I had to experience this on US and Alaska. Very irritating because you are trapped. We pay for a transportation service and should not be subjected to this. Need to file a complaint with US DoT about this practice. At Alaska one F/A told me they get extra money for doing this and that is why some will and others won't because they believe it is wrong.
etops1 From Puerto Rico, joined Nov 2005, 844 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 4417 times:
I am a FA for US and yes , We get $50 each time an application is approved . I on the other hand don't really participate in this . I should but I am too lazy to answer questions about the offer and I hate it my self when I am non revving and the FA go crazy on the intercom with it . It's annoying to say the least . We have a scripted announcement we are supposed to say but some fa's take it to the extreme .
airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3070 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 4333 times:
Quoting etops1 (Reply 5): I am a FA for US and yes , We get $50 each time an application is approved . I on the other hand don't really participate in this . I should but I am too lazy to answer questions about the offer and I hate it my self when I am non revving and the FA go crazy on the intercom with it . It's annoying to say the least . We have a scripted announcement we are supposed to say but some fa's take it to the extreme .
Thanks for the insight.
Sounds like to me like if one needs the extra cash, then they peddle the apps. If not (and I would probably be one of them, who like you is too lazy to care) then I wouldnt even bother.
ikramerica From United States of America, joined May 2005, 21029 posts, RR: 60 Reply 7, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 4297 times:
Quoting max550 (Reply 1): I got the same thing a month ago on FLL-CLT and CLT-MDT (both flights said "just for this flight"). Quite obnoxious IMO.
Also fraud.
It's not just for that flight. So it's a false inducement.
The only thing "just for this flight" is that if you apply later, that particular F/A won't get $50...
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
BC77008 From United States of America, joined Sep 2011, 230 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4242 times:
I love when I'm walking through the airport in my FA uniform and I'm barked at by a Chase representative about how if I apply for the UA Chase card I can get a free flight!! Ummmm..... no thank you.
"He waited his whole damn life to take that flight. And as the plane crashed down he thought 'Well isn't this nice...'"
Boeing773ER From United States of America, joined Dec 2011, 320 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4216 times:
So I should sue Macy's because last night when I was purchasing my items they offered me a credit card?
But this is a tad bit annoying and I had the same expirence. Last time I flew US from EWR-PHX the FA's started their sales pitch 45 minuites before we landed. Not pleasant when your trying to sleep....
HPRamper From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3665 posts, RR: 8 Reply 11, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4169 times:
Quoting Boeing773ER (Reply 10): But this is a tad bit annoying and I had the same expirence. Last time I flew US from EWR-PHX the FA's started their sales pitch 45 minuites before we landed. Not pleasant when your trying to sleep....
That's unusual. Normally it seems to be shortly after the plane levels off at altitude, or at least once it comes out of the initial climb after takeoff.
AWACSooner From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1421 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4129 times:
I always just tell them "I already have (that) credit card." That shuts them up.
tugger From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 4633 posts, RR: 7 Reply 14, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 3918 times:
But I thought that by law we must follow the crew members instruction? Seems we would have to fill one out if so directed, certainly would increase their incentive fee....
Tugg
I don’t know that I am unafraid to be myself, but it is hard to be somebody else. -W. Shatner
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8772 posts, RR: 13 Reply 16, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 3867 times:
Quoting HPRamper (Reply 11):
That's unusual. Normally it seems to be shortly after the plane levels off at altitude, or at least once it comes out of the initial climb after takeoff.
On longer flights I've been on, it wouldn't be uncommon for them to make the announcement 45-60 minutes out.
Granted, I tended to fly on shorter flights from Phoenix to Southern California or Las Vegas, so on those flights it tended to be right at the top of the descent (as that's pretty much when the beverage service ended).
Humanitarian From United States of America, joined Jan 2012, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3709 times:
Quoting Boeing773ER (Reply 10): So I should sue Macy's because last night when I was purchasing my items they offered me a credit card?
In Macy's I can just walk away, but that is not possible in an aircraft at 30,000 ft.
airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3070 posts, RR: 2 Reply 18, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3683 times:
Quoting Humanitarian (Reply 17): In Macy's I can just walk away, but that is not possible in an aircraft at 30,000 ft.
cha747 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 763 posts, RR: 7 Reply 19, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3654 times:
The airlines are turning FA's into Sales Reps....period, end of story. If it's $50 a pop for every credit card, what other products and services will be offered to a captive audience in a flying cigar tube? Worse, will a percentage of buy-on-board food/beverage go to the seller, ie the FA? Seems to me that unless it has to do with passenger safety, passenger health, or airline customer service, the FA's should not be doing really anything other than concentrating on one thing....my safety.
You land a million planes safely, then you have one little mid-air and you never hear the end of it - Pushing Tin
AY104 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 503 posts, RR: 7 Reply 20, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3623 times:
Very sad that this is what seems to be happening everywhere. One cannot even use the sidewalk without being subjected to some kind of solicitation.
Another good reason for me not to travel much any more. I used to love flying. It was a time for me to unwind. I was 40 or so thousand feet in the air, and for those few hours I could do absolutely nothing about any issues or worries I may have had on the ground. A good book, a drink, and maybe some of my own music. Didn't need any infllight entertainment.
The last few flights I was on, found me seated near misbehaving children or boorish adults. One is just as bad as the other. Turning flight attendants into Sales Reps may be a sign of the times, but thankfully I don't have to be part of it. I find the whole social aspect of travelling by air to be very emotionally draining at the best of times, and this only makes it worse.
I do empathize with people who must subject themselves to the ordeal of air travel. We all have choices in life. It is up to each of us to do what makes us happiest. Sometimes, that means giving up a lot, making sacrifices. One of my sacrifices is to choose to learn how to enjoy spending more time around home, and to almost give up travelling. Especially by air.
Sorry, if I seem to be getting a bit off topic. But I do have to agree with most of the posters on this thread, that this practice of selling by FA's in the air is both ridiculous and totally uncacceptable.
Cheers,
Carl
The only thing a customer should expect for his/her loyalty is good service
FURUREFA From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 762 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3617 times:
Quoting etops1 (Reply 5): I am a FA for US and yes , We get $50 each time an application is approved . I on the other hand don't really participate in this . I should but I am too lazy to answer questions about the offer and I hate it my self when I am non revving and the FA go crazy on the intercom with it . It's annoying to say the least . We have a scripted announcement we are supposed to say but some fa's take it to the extreme .
Same with American Express for DL employees (Airport Customer Service, In-flight, etc.)
silentbob From Vatican City, joined Aug 2006, 1644 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3549 times:
Quoting Boeing773ER (Reply 10):
But this is a tad bit annoying and I had the same expirence. Last time I flew US from EWR-PHX the FA's started their sales pitch 45 minuites before we landed. Not pleasant when your trying to sleep....
Last time I came back from the Caribbean, I had 11 announcements regarding the credit card. That's in addition to the regular announcements made over the course of the flight. A couple quick passes through the cabin with food and drinks, then at least 8-10 with the credit card applications as well.
EA CO AS From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 12562 posts, RR: 64 Reply 23, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3520 times:
Quoting rscaife1682 (Thread starter): Do you guys know if the FA's receive an incentive on the filled out application forms for the Barclays Bank US Airways Mastercard?
Yes (as answered above) and most airlines are doing this now; it's a mutually-beneficial relationship for the bank and the airline.
Quoting cha747 (Reply 19): Seems to me that unless it has to do with passenger safety, passenger health, or airline customer service, the FA's should not be doing really anything other than concentrating on one thing....my safety.
And there are some customers who would say that being offered an affinity card that provides benefits on that carrier IS a part of airline customer service. I fail to see how offering someone a credit card application - one you're free to decline - somehow compromises your safety.
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem - government IS the problem." - Ronald Reagan
Flighty From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 7451 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3512 times:
Quoting rscaife1682 (Thread starter): Do you guys know if the FA's receive an incentive on the filled out application forms for the Barclays Bank US Airways Mastercard?
How could anybody take any US flight in the last 5 years, and not know that? Stomach churning. Really, really hate that practice. It's basically them peeing all over their own in-flight product, which supposedly is what they sell. Supposedly.
25 RyanairGuru: I work for the Australian equivalent of Macy's, and we have the same policy: we should offer it to every customer who comes to the register. We get $
26 PacificClipper: For comparison sake, try logging into any UA website (ua.com, unitedhub, etc.), walking through a UA terminal, opening Hemispheres, looking in your se
27 EA CO AS: And yet, totally helps the airline to continue offering fares at the current levels instead of raising them.
28 ghifty: Annoying, yes. But you already paid for your ticket and the doors are closed.. even if it annoys some passengers, it doesn't matter.
29 bjorn14: Yep.They claimed that some departments stores make 25% of their income from credit cards.
30 RyanairGuru: We get 40% of our revenue from "financial services" (read: Amex). Admittedly retail is in a hole at the moment and it would probably be less than tha
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