Man exploits first-class air ticket to dine free for a year
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Brilliant - and in hindsight, so "deliciously" obvious! Despite actually being an employee, I could never count on getting a First Class meal, let alone without even becoming airborne!
A Runyonesque Character
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That story sounds suspicious to me - I've never known a lounge that was landside, or available to passengers who haven't checked in.
And an F/C passenger who no-shows 300 times? The airline could have lost a mountain of revenue. They aren't that stupid.
And an F/C passenger who no-shows 300 times? The airline could have lost a mountain of revenue. They aren't that stupid.
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He didn't No-show
The staff had to know what he was doing. Either that their culture precluded them from questioning a First Class Passenger
Every day since the purchase, the man would turn up, eat a hearty meal, and then reschedule his flight for the following day. The next day he would return to the airport, eat, change his flight and go home. And so it went on.
A Runyonesque Character
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He didn't No-show
That's all academic anyway - it never happened, I'm sure.
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KBPsen
As in terms of being well thought-out, such as a brilliantly daring gems heist. Although that doesn't mean I condone jewel thieves.
That's assuming the story is true, which like you, I doubt. Surely the lounge staff would have noticed his 300 visits within one year? Also, wouldn't he have to check-in to use the facility, but then get himself offloaded or "miss" the flight - 300 times?! I don't think so.
Brilliant
That's assuming the story is true, which like you, I doubt. Surely the lounge staff would have noticed his 300 visits within one year? Also, wouldn't he have to check-in to use the facility, but then get himself offloaded or "miss" the flight - 300 times?! I don't think so.
Landside Lounge
The SSK When I worked at the then new Melbourne International Airport, the Qantas Lounge was most definitely landside. One floor up from the check-in desks and First Class Passengers were escorted from the Lounge through the airside area for boarding. It was certainly still in use landside when I left Melbourne in 1977.
I've never known a lounge that was landside, or available to passengers who haven't checked in.
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
Nice story, though.
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I've never known a lounge that was landside, or available to passengers who haven't checked in.
Having been to the China Eastern lounge in PVG several times:
1. It's airside.
2. I've never found anything to "dine sumptuously" on there.
I don't think any of their other lounges would be better.
1. It's airside.
2. I've never found anything to "dine sumptuously" on there.
I don't think any of their other lounges would be better.
The staff had to know what he was doing. Either that their culture precluded them from questioning a First Class Passenger
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So it's probably a myth, but I wonder how many scams and even criminal acts go un-noticed, as EEngr suggests, by 1st class ticket/regular flyer/hot-shot business man...
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It crossed my mind a few months ago, when it looked mildly likely that Tehran could blow up spectacularly (an Israeli/US strike, possibly nuclear) that an enterprising passenger could buy a fully refundable ticket and systematically cancel/rebook every day until the airpoirt there was closed - and then avail himself of the EU denied boarding Regulation to get himself fed and accommodated until such time as the service resumed.
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In Brazil during the 1970s to 1990s, the fully refundable IATA ticket was also used by privileged Brazilians as a hedge against their country's hyperinflation (annually hundreds or even thousands of percent) and monetary restrictions.
Although international air fares were all priced in US$, they could be paid in local currency at that day's official exchange rate. Thus well-off Brazilians would simply buy tickets, and after 12 months just "roll them over" for new ones, thereby avoiding the previous year's local inflation. Such tickets could also be refunded for cash at any of the respective airlines' offices outwith Brazil. A useful by-pass for the politicians and wealthy Brazilians, alike.
Although international air fares were all priced in US$, they could be paid in local currency at that day's official exchange rate. Thus well-off Brazilians would simply buy tickets, and after 12 months just "roll them over" for new ones, thereby avoiding the previous year's local inflation. Such tickets could also be refunded for cash at any of the respective airlines' offices outwith Brazil. A useful by-pass for the politicians and wealthy Brazilians, alike.
Last edited by seafire6b; 22nd May 2014 at 09:41.
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seafire6b
Yes, the original amount paid in Cruzaros/Cruzados/Reals/Nova Reals/etc. was refundable, but not the US$ equivalent.
Also, after this practice became popular the Gov't issued a decree that wholly unused tickets had to be recalculated after 3 months (and later 1 month).
Yes, the original amount paid in Cruzaros/Cruzados/Reals/Nova Reals/etc. was refundable, but not the US$ equivalent.
Also, after this practice became popular the Gov't issued a decree that wholly unused tickets had to be recalculated after 3 months (and later 1 month).
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That reminds me of the tale of a pair of Aussie airline pilots who were on leave in Brisbane. Having blown most of their dosh in the afternoon at a casino, they did not have enough for dinner, and they could not use an ATM until after midnight.
So, the enterprising pair went to the airport and booked themselves on a return flight to Cairns, ID 90 Business or First, to be deducted from their salaries the following month. During the two sectors, they wined and dined in grand style, arrived back at their Brizzie hotel, and were able to carry on the next day.
True initiative, I'd say.
So, the enterprising pair went to the airport and booked themselves on a return flight to Cairns, ID 90 Business or First, to be deducted from their salaries the following month. During the two sectors, they wined and dined in grand style, arrived back at their Brizzie hotel, and were able to carry on the next day.
True initiative, I'd say.
