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This is today’s chat thread.
If you have specific questions about Avios, hotels or credit cards, please ask them in the appropriate forum and not here. This thread is a good place to post interesting deals you have spotted or your general thoughts on travel and all things miles and points. Thank you for contributing.
Some upcoming IHG properties I noticed during map search:
Indigo Cadiz – appears to be a conversion
Two properties, both Onyria, outside Cascais beside the Sheraton. I expect neither may be refurbished as one is confirmed as Vignette, the other tbc brand
Good morning from balmy Dubai!
Apparently it was about 44 degrees a few days ago. When we arrived yesterday it was about 40 and now it is going to be 33-34 the whole week whilst we are here for a beach holiday. Score!
A cramped (old) Club World red eye flight + gen z cabin crew who kept using the phrase “do you want xxx?”.. what happened to “would you like some breakfast”?“do you want xxx?”
Sounds much more appealing than a breakfast!
I’ll have some m to go with the x.
(Thanks to the Two Ronnies).
I’ll get my coat….😎Good morning from balmy Dubai!
Apparently it was about 44 degrees a few days ago. When we arrived yesterday it was about 40 and now it is going to be 33-34 the whole week whilst we are here for a beach holiday. Score!
A cramped (old) Club World red eye flight + gen z cabin crew who kept using the phrase “do you want xxx?”.. what happened to “would you like some breakfast”?
@can2 – the trouble is that BA struggles to recruit good staff, so they are having to train people in the art of hospitality and when you need to do that the game is already lost. It’s very apparent these days on BA where so many staff clearly don’t enjoy serving passengers. Maybe it’s a bit of a British fault as well.the trouble is that BA struggles to recruit good staff, so they are having to train people in the art of hospitality
It’s the inconsistency, as with most things BA, that’s annoying. The crew back to LHR from ATH last Friday in CE were excellent. They were friendly and engaging without being gushing, with a sense of humour and wit and they were happy to help, We were in the last row of CE thanks to being on Avios tickets and now mere Blue members (not that it made any difference) and while two crew started drinks service from the front the 3rd came to the back and asked our meal preferences. Unusually for me I made the wrong choice and when my OH chose the lamb they said great choice and even gave me the chance to change my decision. They were proactive with top ups and everything seemed to be done as if they were enjoying themselves. Much better than the outbound crew who were merely perfunctory.
Good morning from balmy Dubai!
Apparently it was about 44 degrees a few days ago. When we arrived yesterday it was about 40 and now it is going to be 33-34 the whole week whilst we are here for a beach holiday. Score!
A cramped (old) Club World red eye flight + gen z cabin crew who kept using the phrase “do you want xxx?”.. what happened to “would you like some breakfast”?That annoys me as much as ‘can I get? ‘ instead of please may I have – grumpy Gen x.
Some upcoming IHG properties I noticed during map search:
Indigo Cadiz – appears to be a conversion
Two properties, both Onyria, outside Cascais beside the Sheraton. I expect neither may be refurbished as one is confirmed as Vignette, the other tbc brand
Hi @BWS, which map were you using?
On BA, “can I get” might be the most appropriate phrase if you are in the back row of Club!
Good morning from the holiday inn Regent’s Park.
Wasn’t expecting much from here, after staying at the holiday inn Bloomsbury last year and thinking it was a bit of a dump.
But the holiday inn Regent’s Park is very surprisingly.
Looks a bit depressing from the outside, but the public spaces, bar restaurant etc are all decent.I’m in a room on the top floor, while not massive space wise, it’s actually very well equipped and nice, and even working air con!
Sure the corridors with the old doors look a bit naff, but the rooms and the rest of the place is actually very nice, and very close to underground stations too.
Much better than the holiday inn I had in Bern last week for sure.
Good morning from balmy Dubai!
Apparently it was about 44 degrees a few days ago. When we arrived yesterday it was about 40 and now it is going to be 33-34 the whole week whilst we are here for a beach holiday. Score!
A cramped (old) Club World red eye flight + gen z cabin crew who kept using the phrase “do you want xxx?”.. what happened to “would you like some breakfast”?That annoys me as much as ‘can I get? ‘ instead of please may I have – grumpy Gen x.
When I first moved to London, I had absolutely no money. My wage was less than my outgoings…
Anyway, I’d make my coffee at home, and bring it in to work with me. I’d go to Pret (this was before it got eye wateringly expensive) and get a porridge. I’d sit with my coffee and porridge in Berkley Square and ponder life.
Anyway, once a week, they’d offer a free croissant or coffee or something when buying my coffee… The reason? Because I used the word “may” instead of “can”.
When I first moved to London, I had absolutely no money. My wage was less than my outgoings…
Ditto. My take home after tax was £640/month and my rent was at one point £500/month. So out of £140 came food/petrol/car repairs, everything else, plus I needed about £200/month for expenses for work which was repaid in cash. I only survived due to the bank of mum and dad 🙁
Good morning from balmy Dubai!
A cramped (old) Club World red eye flight + gen z cabin crew who kept using the phrase “do you want xxx?”.. what happened to “would you like some breakfast”?And I bet they never knew or used your name!
Does anyone know how early you can do bag drop at Gatwick before your flight please? Son travelling to Rhodes on BA in economy. Friends are on easyJet, and their flights were only about 40 minutes apart. However, something changed with their flight so it’s now around 7am.
He was getting a lift to the airport with them, but they are now setting off at 1am due to the change in their flight! So he is torn between the free lift, then snoozing at the airport somewhere and hoping he can get rid of his luggage, or paying out for a train and getting there at a more reasonable time (always the chance of delays with trains though).
Sadly his flight is the only BA flight that day to Rhodes, so no chance of free change to another flight on the day.
From long experience using Gatwick FWIW I’d tell him to stick with his friends and accept the earlier lift if it’s still on offer.
Some upcoming IHG properties I noticed during map search:
Indigo Cadiz – appears to be a conversion
Two properties, both Onyria, outside Cascais beside the Sheraton. I expect neither may be refurbished as one is confirmed as Vignette, the other tbc brand
Hi @BWS, which map were you using?
IHG app
To add to BA CE service inconsistency, on a recent VCE-LHR flight with 10 rows of CE, I could only manage row 5 (same day change). Cue the crew serving food to row 1 and row 10, then moving inwards. And an entirely separate crew member with a separate trolley doing drinks, but who was pinned between galley and food trolley, meaning rows 5-10 got our drinks long after row 10 had had their food. Bar trolley in flight lead was very polite but the inconsistent order of service helps no one. Those who know meals are limited choice, and who care, sit close to the front. Doing a switcheroo on the order of service just frustrates those in the know and is a pleasant surprise to those who don’t.
On BRU-LHR on Friday, a brief flight where only cold salad plates are served, service was abominably slow due to the bread roll tray not fitting on the same trolley as drinks and food – so they kept going back one passenger at a time to get the basket. A third crew member came up from the back to clear trays mere moments after we had received them, swiping the man next to me’s tray as he exclaimed “I wasn’t finished.” I had the small black glasses tray they use thrust at me after every sip so as to encourage me to give up my glass. And all that was ever said was a curt “Finished?” No such thing as can I get you a hot drink.
I really can’t fathom how they are recruiting (some, of course not all) staff. As even with a lack of natural skill for customer service, I’d at least assume they’d make up for that with general efficiency or an understanding that higher elites (and likely fussier passengers) sit as far forward as possible so get that sorted first.
…When I first moved to London, I had absolutely no money. My wage was less than my outgoings…
Anyway, I’d make my coffee at home, and bring it in to work with me. I’d go to Pret (this was before it got eye wateringly expensive) and get a porridge. I’d sit with my coffee and porridge in Berkley Square…
When I first moved to London, I had £500 left over at the end of the month and started collecting Airmiles. I enjoyed the complimentary beverages in economy. I remembered ‘Je voudrais’ and had lovely weekends in France.
I still look at the corner car showroom on Berkeley Square and often get a hot beverage at Pret.
From long experience using Gatwick FWIW I’d tell him to stick with his friends and accept the earlier lift if it’s still on offer.
Can I ask why?
To be fair, they’re trying to persuade him to do exactly that! He’s just not sure about hanging round that long, although if he can get rid of his suitcase early that would make him a lot happier.
BA bag drop times are on the website.
They are dependent on cabin and status.
Good morning from balmy Dubai!
Apparently it was about 44 degrees a few days ago. When we arrived yesterday it was about 40 and now it is going to be 33-34 the whole week whilst we are here for a beach holiday. Score!
A cramped (old) Club World red eye flight + gen z cabin crew who kept using the phrase “do you want xxx?”.. what happened to “would you like some breakfast”?
@can2 – the trouble is that BA struggles to recruit good staff, so they are having to train people in the art of hospitality and when you need to do that the game is already lost. It’s very apparent these days on BA where so many staff clearly don’t enjoy serving passengers. Maybe it’s a bit of a British fault as well.True. It is a bit annoying but also an indicative of the future of hospitality in Club for BA
One of the reasons BA struggle to recruit and more importantly retain good staff is the salary, it’s possible to earn more without the difficulties of commuting to a London airport and working unsociable hours.
Good morning from balmy Dubai!
A cramped (old) Club World red eye flight + gen z cabin crew who kept using the phrase “do you want xxx?”.. what happened to “would you like some breakfast”?And I bet they never knew or used your name!
Hahaha, of course not.
One of the reasons BA struggle to recruit and more importantly retain good staff is the salary, it’s possible to earn more without the difficulties of commuting to a London airport and working unsociable hours.
Its the main reason. Am sure some roles are highly technical and need specialist knowledge, but many arent and people can be trained if the organisation is willing to think long term. But if the focus is on quarterly profits, this all goes for a toss.
Remember reading reports that Heathrow was complaining about not enough baggage handlers post covid. Apparently during covid, these workers realised they can get a similar wage at Aldi or Tesco and dont have to work in tough conditions at the airport.
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